Salary guide
Ex-Police Close Protection Salaries & Day Rates in the UK
Reviewed July 2026
Close protection pays two different ways. Task-based CP work runs on day rates — variable, network-driven, and top-heavy for hostile-environment and high-net-worth clients. Residential security teams (RSTs) and in-house corporate protection pay salaries — lower ceilings, real predictability.
Ex-firearms officers enter the market above the licence-course-only cohort, but the first year still depends on network more than CV. Budget for the SIA CP licence (~£3,000) before income starts.
What the roles pay
| Role | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CP operative (UK, day rate) | £250–£450/day | Network-dependent volume |
| Residential security team (RST) | £45,000–£70,000 | Salaried; the stable route |
| CP team leader | £60,000–£85,000 | |
| Hostile environment / overseas | £500–£800/day | Rotational contracts |
| Head of executive protection (in-house) | £75,000–£110,000+ |
Advertised UK ranges, editorial estimates reviewed July 2026. Salaries on live adverts always take precedence over these estimates.
What moves the number
- Firearms/protection command background: clients and team leaders price it above course-qualified entrants.
- Medical qualifications beyond FREC 3 (e.g. FREC 4+) add day-rate premium and get you picked for remote tasks.
- Surveillance and counter-surveillance skills mark the difference between bodyguard rates and protective-security rates.
- Hostile-environment and maritime rotations pay most and cost most in family terms — model it before committing.
- London HNW residential work is the steadiest volume; overseas contracts are the highest rates.
Coming from policing
The firearms-officer guide linked below covers licensing, first contracts and the RST-versus-day-rate decision in detail; surveillance specialists should read the protective-surveillance route.