Security agencies and employers of in-house security officers must meet the Progressive Wage Model wage and training requirements for security officers who are Singapore citizens or permanent residents.
What is it
The Progressive Wage Model (PWM) for security officers was developed by the Security Tripartite Cluster (STC).
The PWM is a licensing condition for security agencies under the Police Licensing and Regulatory Department (PLRD).
From 1 September 2022, in-house employers are required to meet the PWM requirements for their in-house security officers.
Who it covers
The PWM requirements:
- Are mandatory.
- Cover all Singapore citizens and permanent residents employed as security officers in licensed security agencies or in-house employers that hire foreign workers.
Employers are encouraged to adopt the PWM’s principles for their foreign security and in-house officers by upgrading their skills and implementing productivity-based wage progression pathways.
Wage requirements
The PWM is a five-level career progression model. It features:
- Training requirements that tap on the Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications for Security (Security WSQ). This ensures that security officers are equipped with the skills needed to carry out their jobs.
- Progressive wages set for each level. This ensures that security officers are paid wages that correspond with their skills and productivity.
The STC reviewed the PWM wages in November 2021. The wage requirements recommended in the STC's report will take effect from 1 January 2023.
From 1 September 2022, local in-house security officers are required to be paid at least the PWM wages. The wages for local in-house security officers are subject to changes as recommended by the STC.
| Job level |
Monthly basic salary (2023) |
Responsibilities |
| Chief security officer |
|
- Supervision management
- Form and lead security watch groups
- Security and contingency planning for major or large events
|
|
At least 2 years as a senior security supervisor
+
3 diploma modules
|
| Senior security supervisor |
≥ $2,240 |
- In charge of security or fire command centre with more than 3 personnel
- Conduct security audits and risk assessment
- General supervision
|
|
At least 1 year 6 months as a security supervisor
+
4 advanced modules (Full advanced certificate)
|
| Security supervisor |
≥ $2,040 |
- In charge of security or fire command centre with 3 or fewer personnel
- Incident management and reporting
- Direct supervision
- Execute evacuation plans and exercises
|
|
At least 1 year as a senior security officer
+
1 Advanced Licensing Unit
+
2 advanced modules
|
| Senior security officer |
≥ $1,830 |
- Operate security and safety systems
- Regulate traffic (Road Traffic Act)
- Monitor security or fire command centre
- Assist ministries, statutory boards or government departments in law enforcement duties
- Key press management
|
|
At least 6 months as a security officer
+
2 certificate modules
|
| Security officer |
≥ $1,650 |
- Screening
- Patrolling and guarding
- Access and egress control
- Incident response
- Acting as a bodyguard or bouncer
|
|
2 Basic Licensing Units
+
“Recognise Terrorist Threats” (from 1 Jan 2020 onwards)
|
| New applicant |
Basic wage level
| Job level |
2023 |
| Security officer |
≥ $1,650 |
| Senior security officer |
≥ $1,830 |
| Security supervisor |
≥ $2,040 |
| Senior security supervisor |
≥ $2,240 |
| Job level |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
2027 |
2028 |
Security
officer |
≥ $2,650 |
≥ $2,870 |
≥ $3,090 |
≥ $3,310 |
≥ $3,530 |
Senior
security
officer |
≥ $2,950 |
≥ $3,170 |
≥ $3,390 |
≥ $3,610 |
≥ $3,830 |
Security
supervisor |
≥ $3,250 |
≥ $3,470 |
≥ $3,690 |
≥ $3,910 |
≥ $4,130 |
Senior
security
supervisor |
≥ $3,550 |
≥ $3,770 |
≥ $3,990 |
≥ $4,210 |
≥ $4,430 |
Note:
Basic wages in 2023 do not include overtime pay, which is paid at 1.5 times the hourly rate of pay for work in excess of the normal hours of work, in accordance with Part 4 of the Employment Act.
Basic wages from 2024 to 2028 will include wages paid for work done in addition to the 44-hour regular work week, as they exceed the current $2,600 monthly basic wage threshold for workers to be covered under Part IV of the Employment Act. The number of extra hours worked above the standard 44-hours per week will continue to be capped at 72 hours per month.
The wage schedule is subject to review in 2025.
Training requirements
Security agencies and in-house employers must ensure that their Singapore citizen and PR security officers meet the PWM training requirements.
Both the security agency and security officers will benefit from the increased productivity and ability to provide higher security standards to service buyers through proper training.
Find out more about the security PWM’s training requirements or get assistance for training costs.
Find out more
For more information: