1. Home: Explore careers
  2. Bodyguard

Bodyguard

Alternative titles for this job include Close protection officer, CPO, personal bodyguard

Bodyguards protect individuals and groups from potential threats to their safety at events, when travelling and during everyday activities.

Average salary (a year)

Variable

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 51 variable

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays away from home

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a bodyguard

You can get into this career by completing a course with a private training provider.

Other Routes

You'll need to apply for a Close Protection licence issued by the Security Industry Authority (SIA) to work as a bodyguard.

To apply, you must first complete the Level 3 Certificate for Working as a Close Protection Operative course, which is done through an SIA-approved training provider. You will also need a close protection first aid qualification.

Once you have your licence, you can apply to an organisation directly to work as a bodyguard or go through a recruitment agency specialising in security and close protection work.

Many people enter this career after working in the police or the armed forces.

More Information

Career tips

There is increasing demand from clients for female bodyguards.

Salaries vary widely. As a guide, daily rates can range from £150 to over £300, depending on factors like location, level of risk and extent of potential threat.

Further information

You'll find information about training to be a bodyguard from the Security Industry Authority.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of public safety and security
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • concentration skills
  • leadership skills
  • physical fitness and endurance
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a bodyguard, you could:

  • protect clients from threats like terrorism, political opponents, stalkers or over-enthusiastic press and fans
  • check out and secure premises before clients arrive
  • identify suspicious behaviour or unauthorised people
  • diffuse situations before they flare up
  • remove clients from potentially dangerous situations
  • drive clients to events or accompany them during travel

Working environment

You could work at a client's business or at a client's home.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time and you may spend nights away from home.

You may need to wear smart business clothes.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could specialise in surveillance, driving or residential security, or move into risk assessment consultancy or bodyguard training.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a bodyguard right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Are you interested in becoming a bodyguard?

Search for training courses near you.

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Search further careers

Related careers

Skills assessment

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

Speak to an adviser

You can call 0800 100 900 or use webchat to speak to an adviser.

We're open:

  • 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday
  • 10am to 5pm Saturdays and bank holidays

We're closed on Sundays, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Is this page useful?

Yes No

Thank you for your feedback.

Thank you for your feedback. Click here if you'd like to let us know how we can improve the service.