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). It features:
- Training requirements to ensure that workers have the skills they need to carry out their jobs.
- Progressive wages set at each level. This ensures that workers are paid wages that correspond to their skills and productivity.
The PWM is a licensing condition for security agencies under the Police Licensing and Regulatory Department (PLRD).
Who it covers
The PWM requirements are mandatory. They cover all Singapore citizens and permanent residents who are employed as security officers in licensed security agencies, or by in-house employers that hire foreign workers.
Employers are encouraged to adopt the PWM's principles for their foreign security officers by upgrading their skills and implementing productivity-based wage progression pathways.
The job roles for PWM security officers are:
- Supervision management
- Form and lead security watch groups
- Security and contingency planning for major or large events
- In charge of security or fire command centre with more than 3 personnel
- Conduct security audits and risk assessment
- General supervision
- In charge of security or fire command centre with 3 or fewer personnel
- Incident management and reporting
- Direct supervision
- Execute evacuation plans and exercises
- 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
- Screening
- Patrolling and guarding
- Access and egress control
- Incident response
- Acting as a bodyguard or bouncer
Wage requirements
Full-time outsourced security officers
| Job level |
Monthly basic wage requirements for full-time outsourced security officers (35-44 hours per week) |
| 1 Jan 2023 – 31 Dec 2023 |
1 Jan 2024 – 31 Dec 2024 |
1 Jan 2025 – 31 Dec 2025 |
1 Jan 2026 – 31 Dec 2026 |
1 Jan 2027 – 31 Dec 2027 |
1 Jan 2028 – 31 Dec 2028 |
|
Senior security supervisor
|
≥ $2,240 |
≥ $3,550 |
≥ $3,770 |
≥ $3,990 |
≥ $4,210 |
≥ $4,430 |
|
Security supervisor
|
≥ $2,040 |
≥ $3,250 |
≥ $3,470 |
≥ $3,690 |
≥ $3,910 |
≥ $4,130 |
|
Senior security officer
|
≥ $1,830 |
≥ $2,950 |
≥ $3,170 |
≥ $3,390 |
≥ $3,610 |
≥ $3,830 |
|
Security officer
|
≥ $1,650 |
≥ $2,650 |
≥ $2,870 |
≥ $3,090 |
≥ $3,310 |
≥ $3,530 |
From 1 January 2024, the basic wages of full-time security officers will be above $2,600. Part 4 of the Employment Act will no longer apply to full-time security officers, and employers are no longer required to pay security officers for extra hours worked beyond the 44-hour regular work week.
Under PLRD's licensing conditions, security officers should not work more than 72 extra hours per month. Security officers do not have to work mandatory extra hours to earn the basic wage requirement. Security officers and their employers should discuss and agree on the terms of employment in writing.
The wage schedule is subject to review in 2025.
Part-time outsourced security officers
| Job level |
Hourly basic wage requirements for part-time outsourced security officers |
| 1 Jan 2024 – 31 Dec 2024 |
1 Jan 2025 – 31 Dec 2025 |
|
Senior security supervisor
|
≥ $13.55
|
≥ $14.40 |
|
Security supervisor
|
≥ $12.40 |
≥ $13.25 |
|
Senior security officer
|
≥ $11.25 |
≥ $12.10 |
| Security officer |
≥ $10.10 |
≥ $10.95 |
Full-time in-house security officers
| Job level |
Monthly gross wage requirements (excluding overtime payments) for full-time in-house security officers (35-44 hours per week) |
| 1 Jan 2024 – 31 Dec 2024 |
1 Jan 2025 – 31 Dec 2025
|
|
Senior security supervisor
|
Left to market forces |
|
Security supervisor
|
≥ $2,605
|
≥ $2,745 |
|
Senior security officer
|
≥ $2,375 |
≥ $2,515 |
| Security officer |
≥ $2,175
|
≥ $2,315 |
For in-house security officers covered under Part 4 of the Employment Act whose job scope and working hours remain the same, employers should pay them a basic wage not lower than the preceding year's basic wage.
Total monthly gross wage (for full-time work of 35-44 hours per week) refers to the sum of:
- Basic wage
- Allowances such as travel, food, and housing
- Productivity incentive payments
It does not include:
- Bonuses including Annual Wage Supplement
- Stock options
- Reimbursement of special expenses incurred in the course of employment
- Payments-in-kind
- Employer CPF contributions
Part-time in-house security officers
The part-time hourly gross wage will be pro-rated based on a 44-hour work week basis.
Employers must also ensure they comply with Employment Act requirements for their part-time employees.
Training requirements
Security agencies and in-house employers must ensure that their Singapore citizen and permanent resident security officers meet the PWM training requirements.
- Chief security officer: 3 modules and at least 24 months as a Senior security supervisor
- Senior security supervisor: 4 modules and at least 18 months as a Security supervisor
- Security supervisor: 3 modules and at least 12 months as a Senior security officer
- Senior security officer: 2 modules and at least 6 months as a Security officer
- Security officer: 4 modules
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 and the list of approved modules or get assistance for training costs.
Find out more
For more information: