About the role
Door supervisors work at pubs, clubs, bars, events and anywhere licensed to sell alcohol, controlling entry, searching and handling conflict. You need an SIA door supervisor licence. That licence also lets you work as a security guard, which is why many people choose it.
The minimum you can be paid
Your average hourly pay in each pay period must be at least the legal minimum for your age:
- Aged 21 and over (National Living Wage): £12.71 an hour
- Aged 18 to 20: £10.85 an hour
- Aged 16 to 17: £8.00 an hour
- Apprentices (under 19, or in the first year of an apprenticeship): £8.00 an hour
These are the legal minimum rates from April 2026. Some employers and contracts are accredited by the Living Wage Foundation and pay the voluntary Real Living Wage instead: £13.45 an hour across the UK and £14.80 in London (2025/26 rates — new rates are announced each autumn).
Things that affect door supervisors' pay
- Most door work is evenings, nights and weekends, so check what your contract says about late-night rates.
- Shifts are often short (4 to 6 hours), so travel time and unpaid breaks have a bigger effect on what you earn per hour.
- Event door work often comes through agencies, so you may be paid by several different companies in one month.
Check every shift
Work out what a shift should pay with the shift pay calculator, and check your breaks and rest with the break and rest calculator. Shiftaan keeps every shift, rate and payment in one place, so you can check each payslip in seconds. Try it free.
Common questions
What is the minimum wage for door supervisors?
£12.71 an hour if you're 21 or over, from April 2026. Living Wage accredited employers pay at least £13.45 (£14.80 in London).
Do I get paid for my breaks?
Only if your contract says so. You have a legal right to a 20-minute break on shifts over 6 hours, but not to be paid for it.