A security guard in South Africa earns a minimum basic salary of about R6 726 to R7 142 per month, depending on grade, before overtime and allowances. These rates apply from 1 March 2026 to 28 February 2027 under the National Bargaining Council for the Private Security Sector (NBCPSS) Main Agreement. With night shift, Sunday and overtime pay added, many guards take home closer to R8 000 to R15 000 a month.
Quick facts: security guard salary per month
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Grade A basic (Area 3) | R7 142 per month |
| Grades B to E basic (Area 3) | R6 726 per month |
| Hourly equivalent | About R34.34 (Grade A), R32.34 (Grades B to E) |
| Wage period | 1 March 2026 to 28 February 2027 |
| Set by | NBCPSS Main Agreement (Private Security Sector) |
| National minimum wage floor | R30.23 per hour (from 1 March 2026) |
| Registered officers in SA | Over 550 000 |
Security guard salary per month
For 2026, a security guard’s basic monthly salary starts at about R6 726 per month for Grades B to E and rises to R7 142 per month for Grade A, based on the NBCPSS wage schedule for smaller towns and rural areas (Area 3). Guards working in the major metros (Area 1), such as Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Pretoria, earn higher basic rates than this.
These are minimum basic salaries. Your actual pay is usually higher once night shift allowances, Sunday and public holiday premiums and overtime are added.
Security guard salary by PSIRA grade
Security officers are graded from E up to A. Grade E is the entry-level grade, and Grade A is the most senior, so pay rises as you move up. Under the current agreement, Grade A carries the highest basic salary, while Grades B to E sit at the same basic level in Area 3.
| PSIRA grade | Typical role | Basic salary (Area 3, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Grade A | Site or shift senior | R7 142 per month |
| Grade B | Supervisory support | R6 726 per month |
| Grade C | General guarding | R6 726 per month |
| Grade D | Access control | R6 726 per month |
| Grade E | Entry level | R6 726 per month |
Before you publish: confirm the exact Area 1 (metro) and Area 2 grade figures against the current NBCPSS illustrative pricing guide, and check the latest Grade B and C split. This table uses the confirmed Area 3 rates. Metro rates are higher, slot them in from the NBCPSS schedule.
Security guard salary by area
The private security sector splits the country into three areas, and your pay depends on where you work.
- Area 1: the major metros and largest towns. Highest basic rates.
- Area 2: other urban centres. Rates have moved close to Area 1 over the life of the agreement.
- Area 3: smaller towns and rural areas. Lowest basic rates, the figures shown above.
Guards in Area 1 earn more than the Area 3 figures above, so always check which area your workplace falls into.
Security guard hourly rate
The basic salary works out to an hourly equivalent of roughly R34.34 for Grade A and R32.34 for Grades B to E in Area 3. This is above the national minimum wage of R30.23 per hour that took effect on 1 March 2026, because the security sector agreement sets its own, higher rates.
If you are a casual guard, you are paid per hour, and there is an important protection: if you report for duty, you must be paid for at least four hours, even if you work fewer.
Minimum wage for security guards
The national minimum wage of R30.23 per hour is the legal floor for all workers, including security guards. In practice, the NBCPSS Main Agreement sets security officer rates above this floor, so a registered guard should not be paid at the bare national minimum. If your pay works out below R30.23 an hour, your employer is breaking the law.
Night shift, Sunday and overtime pay
Your basic salary is only part of the picture. On top of it you can earn:
- Night shift allowance for hours worked at night.
- Sunday pay at 1.5 times your normal rate (double if it is not your normal working day).
- Public holiday pay at a premium rate.
- Overtime for hours beyond your normal shift.
These premiums are why a guard’s actual monthly pay is usually well above the basic figure.
How to earn a higher security guard salary
The clearest way to raise your pay is to upgrade your PSIRA grade, since Grade A earns more than the lower grades. Moving into a supervisory or control room role also lifts your income. For those pay levels, see our guide to security supervisor and control room salaries.
You can also compare your take-home pay after deductions using our take-home pay calculator, and see how security pay stacks up against other jobs in our South African salary guide.
How we worked this out
The figures on this page come from the schedule to the Main Agreement of the National Bargaining Council for the Private Security Sector (NBCPSS), effective 1 March 2026 to 28 February 2027, together with the PSIRA grading system and the national minimum wage set by the Department of Employment and Labour. Basic salaries shown are for Area 3 primary security officers and exclude overtime and allowances. Always confirm the current rate for your grade and area against the NBCPSS schedule before relying on it.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard earn per month in South Africa? A basic minimum of about R6 726 to R7 142 per month, depending on grade, in Area 3, before overtime and allowances. Metro (Area 1) guards earn more, and total pay with premiums is often R8 000 to R15 000.
What is the highest PSIRA grade for pay? Grade A is the most senior grade and carries the highest basic salary. Grade E is the entry-level grade.
What is the hourly rate for a security guard? About R34.34 for Grade A and R32.34 for Grades B to E in Area 3, both above the national minimum wage of R30.23 per hour.
Do security guards get paid extra for night shift and Sundays? Yes. Night shift allowances, Sunday pay at 1.5 times your rate and public holiday premiums are paid on top of the basic salary.
Can a security guard be paid less than the minimum wage? No. The national minimum wage of R30.23 per hour is the legal floor, and the security sector agreement sets rates above it. Being paid below this is unlawful.
How can I earn more as a security guard? Upgrade your PSIRA grade towards Grade A, or move into a supervisor or control room role, both of which pay more than entry-level guarding.
