Security Guard Salary in the UAE (2026)
Average / month
AED 2,800
Typical range
AED 2,200 – AED 4,000
Entry level
AED 2,200
Senior level
AED 4,000
Security guards in the UAE earn an average of AED 2,800 per month in 2026, with salaries ranging from AED 2,200 for entry-level guards to AED 4,000 for supervisors and guards at premium sites. This salary is fully tax-free, and nearly all security companies provide free shared accommodation, transport to duty, and uniforms, which means most of the salary can be saved or sent home. In Dubai, a SIRA licence is mandatory and licensed guards earn noticeably more than unlicensed applicants; in Abu Dhabi the equivalent is a PSBD licence. Guards working at banks, malls, airports, and VIP facilities generally receive the best pay and the most overtime opportunities.
What affects security guard pay in the UAE
- Licensing — SIRA certification in Dubai or PSBD in Abu Dhabi is mandatory and directly lifts salary offers
- Site type — banks, airports, malls, and VIP residential towers pay more than labour camps and basic sites
- Overtime availability — 12-hour shift patterns with paid overtime can add AED 400–800 per month
- Experience and physical/English-language standards, especially for front-of-house corporate roles
- Employer — large facilities-management and security groups pay more reliably than small subcontractors
- Emirate — Dubai and Abu Dhabi rates run ahead of Sharjah, Ajman, and the Northern Emirates
Security Guard salary by city
| City | Monthly salary range (AED, tax-free) |
|---|---|
| Dubai | AED 2,500 – 4,000 |
| Abu Dhabi | AED 2,500 – 3,800 |
| Sharjah | AED 2,200 – 3,200 |
| Northern Emirates | AED 2,000 – 2,800 |
💡 4 live security guard jobss pay at or above the average — see below.
Also useful: our gratuity calculator and salary breakdown calculator.
Security Guard Salary — FAQs
›What is the salary of a security guard in Dubai?
SIRA-licensed security guards in Dubai earn AED 2,500 to 4,000 per month tax-free in 2026, usually with free accommodation and transport included. Guards at banks, malls, and VIP sites, and those working regular overtime, take home the most.
›What is a SIRA licence and how do I get it?
SIRA (Security Industry Regulatory Agency) is Dubai's mandatory certification for security guards. Your employer sponsors you for the SIRA training course and exam, which covers security procedures, emergency response, and English basics. Without SIRA you cannot legally work as a guard in Dubai, and licensed guards earn AED 300 to 700 more per month.
›Do security guards get free food and accommodation in the UAE?
Almost all security companies provide free shared accommodation and duty transport, and many add a food allowance of AED 200 to 400 per month. Because living costs are covered, guards can typically save or remit the majority of their salary.
›Is 3,000 AED a good salary for a security guard in the UAE?
Yes. AED 3,000 tax-free with free accommodation, transport, and medical insurance is above the 2026 entry average. With regular overtime, many guards on a 3,000 basic take home AED 3,500 to 3,800 per month.