Security Guard Salary in Pakistan (2026)
Provides security and monitoring services for a property, business, or event.
- National average: PKR 21,583 per month across 12 cities.
- Highest-paying city: Karachi (PKR 31,000).
- Lowest-paying city: Sargodha (PKR 16,000).
- Full range: PKR 15,000 to PKR 50,000 per month.
- Take-home at the average: about PKR 21,583 per month after FY 2026-27 income tax.
Pay for a Security Guard in Pakistan depends heavily on where you work. The same role earns about 94% more in Karachi than in Sargodha, and experience, employer type and skills widen the gap further. This page brings together city-by-city pay, take-home after tax, the skills employers look for and the career path, so you can benchmark an offer or plan your next move.
What does a Security Guard do?
A security guard protects premises, people and property by patrolling, controlling access, monitoring CCTV and responding to incidents. Guards work at residential societies, offices, banks, factories, malls and schools, often in twelve-hour shifts. Reliability and alertness are the core of the job.
Skills, tools and qualifications
Physical fitness, vigilance, honesty and basic communication skills are required. Training from a licensed security company, first-aid and fire-safety awareness, and knowledge of access control and reporting procedures improve prospects. Armed guards need valid licences and training.
Career path and promotion
Guards can become supervisors, security officers or security managers, and some join corporate security or become supervisors with agencies. Former military personnel are often preferred for senior roles.
What drives Security Guard pay?
Pay commonly depends on whether you are directly employed or placed by an agency, shift length and site type. Banks, embassies and corporate sites pay more than basic residential posts. The notified minimum wage applies to covered employers, and agencies should comply with it.
How to become a Security Guard in Pakistan
- Learn the trade through a technical institute, a recognised training programme or an apprenticeship with an experienced worker.
- Practise until your work is neat, safe and consistent, and keep your tools in good order.
- Get a trade certificate or licence where relevant, since it raises trust and pay.
- Find work through agencies, contractors, referrals and local networks, and agree pay and hours clearly in advance.
- Build a reputation for reliability and good behaviour so customers recommend you.
- Aim for supervisory work or your own small business, or consider certified overseas opportunities.
Common interview questions for Security Guard roles
- What experience do you have in this trade?
- How do you make sure your work is safe and meets standards?
- How do you handle a customer who is unhappy with the result?
- Are you comfortable with the working hours and shifts?
- Can you give a reference from a previous employer or customer?
Security Guard Salary by City
| City | Average Salary | Range | Demand | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karachi | PKR 31,000/mo | PKR 20,000 – PKR 50,000 | Medium | Security Guard salary in Karachi → |
| Islamabad | PKR 30,000/mo | PKR 20,000 – PKR 48,000 | Medium | Security Guard salary in Islamabad → |
| Lahore | PKR 28,000/mo | PKR 18,000 – PKR 45,000 | Medium | Security Guard salary in Lahore → |
| Rawalpindi | PKR 25,000/mo | PKR 16,000 – PKR 40,000 | Medium | Security Guard salary in Rawalpindi → |
| Sialkot | PKR 20,000/mo | PKR 15,000 – PKR 32,000 | Medium | Security Guard salary in Sialkot → |
| Gujranwala | PKR 20,000/mo | PKR 15,000 – PKR 32,000 | Medium | Security Guard salary in Gujranwala → |
| Faisalabad | PKR 19,000/mo | PKR 15,000 – PKR 30,000 | Medium | Security Guard salary in Faisalabad → |
| Peshawar | PKR 18,000/mo | PKR 15,000 – PKR 29,000 | Medium | Security Guard salary in Peshawar → |
| Hyderabad | PKR 18,000/mo | PKR 15,000 – PKR 29,000 | Medium | Security Guard salary in Hyderabad → |
| Multan | PKR 17,000/mo | PKR 15,000 – PKR 27,000 | Medium | Security Guard salary in Multan → |
| Quetta | PKR 17,000/mo | PKR 15,000 – PKR 27,000 | Medium | Security Guard salary in Quetta → |
| Sargodha | PKR 16,000/mo | PKR 15,000 – PKR 26,000 | Medium | Security Guard salary in Sargodha → |
Take-Home Pay: What a Security Guard Actually Receives
Income tax for salaried people is withheld monthly. Under the FY 2026-27 slabs, the first Rs 600,000 a year is tax-free, then rates climb from 1% to 35%. The table converts the national average, the lowest city average and the highest city average into estimated monthly take-home pay.
| Scenario | Gross / month | Tax / month | Take-home / month | Effective rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National average | PKR 21,583 | PKR 0 | PKR 21,583 | 0.0% |
| Lowest city average (Sargodha) | PKR 16,000 | PKR 0 | PKR 16,000 | 0.0% |
| Highest city average (Karachi) | PKR 31,000 | PKR 0 | PKR 31,000 | 0.0% |
Try your own figure in the salary tax calculator. It also shows how much the 2026-27 slabs save compared with last year.
General Careers: What Employers Pay For
General and skilled-trade occupations, from drivers and security guards to electricians, plumbers, tailors, cooks and beauticians, employ a very large share of Pakistan's workers. Many work informally, so earnings vary widely by employer, city and individual skill, and some reported figures fall below the legal minimum wage.
What employers pay for
Reliability, trade skill and reputation. Certified or well-known tradespeople earn far more than casual workers, and specialised skills such as solar installation, bridal makeup, industrial electrical work or executive driving are rewarded. Employers covered by minimum wage law must pay at least the notified rate for full-time unskilled work in their province.
How to negotiate
Agree pay, hours, overtime, leave and any allowances clearly, ideally in writing. Ask for payment on time and keep a record of attendance. Skilled workers can improve their position by getting a recognised trade certificate and building a reputation through references and repeat customers.
Where growth comes from
Upgrade your skill through technical training (such as DAE or trade certificates), learn to use modern tools and customer-facing apps, and aim for supervisory or self-employed roles. Many tradespeople move from wages to running their own service business, and overseas jobs in the Gulf offer higher pay for certified workers.
Related General Salaries
If you are comparing paths within general, these related roles show where Security Guard sits against its peers, using the national average across the cities we track.
| Role | National average / month | Compared with Security Guard |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | PKR 35,000 | +62% |
| Cook / Chef | PKR 35,000 | +62% |
| Plumber | PKR 32,416 | +50% |
| Receptionist | PKR 29,500 | +37% |
| Beautician | PKR 29,500 | +37% |
| Driver | PKR 27,250 | +26% |
| Office Assistant | PKR 24,833 | +15% |
| Tailor | PKR 24,833 | +15% |
Frequently Asked Questions About Security Guard Salaries
What is the average Security Guard salary in Pakistan?
Across the 12 cities we track, the average Security Guard salary is about PKR 21,583 per month. The typical range runs from PKR 15,000 at the low end to PKR 50,000 for experienced professionals, depending on city, employer and skills.
Which city pays the highest Security Guard salary?
Karachi pays the most in our data at about PKR 31,000 per month, while Sargodha is lowest at about PKR 16,000. That is a gap of roughly 94%, driven by employer concentration and cost of living.
What is the take-home salary of a Security Guard in Pakistan?
At the national average of PKR 21,583 per month, estimated federal income tax under the FY 2026-27 slabs is about PKR 0 a month, leaving roughly PKR 21,583 in take-home pay (an effective tax rate of 0.0%). EOBI, provident fund and other deductions are extra.
How much does an entry-level Security Guard earn?
Entry-level Security Guard professionals typically start near the bottom of the local range, often between PKR 15,000 and a little under the city average, with the exact figure depending on the city, the employer's size and the skills you bring at hiring.
Is Security Guard a well-paid career in Pakistan?
Compared with the General category, Security Guard pays in line with its peer group. Whether it is well paid for you depends on your city, your experience and whether you can move into higher-value skills or leadership.
Where can I find Security Guard jobs in Pakistan?
Start with the large job boards, company career pages and LinkedIn, and use the city salary pages here to check whether an offer is competitive. Smaller cities often advertise through local networks and referrals, so building contacts in your industry matters.
Do Security Guard salaries change with experience?
Yes, and by a lot. Pay usually rises in stages: entry level, then mid-level at roughly three to six years, then senior roles from about seven years. Specialisation, certifications and leadership responsibility add further steps above the experience curve.
How reliable are these salary figures?
They are estimates compiled from general market observation and updated periodically, not an official survey. Use them as a benchmark when negotiating and compare against current job adverts and offers in your city.