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CAREERMASH (EN)FROM SECURITY & EMERGENCY SERVICES →

Bouncer

A bouncer, or door supervisor, controls who comes into pubs, bars and clubs and keeps everyone safe inside. It suits calm, confident people who can handle conflict without losing their temper and want a job that is more about people skills than muscle.

Bouncer

8

Security & Emergency Services

AI IMPACT
AI EXPOSURE TODAY8
20-YEAR SCENARIO
NOT A FORECAST53%
THE DOOR · ENTRY DIFFICULTY TODAYB
STARTING PAYnot published
MOAT NOT YET CLASSIFIEDA real score, but the moat is not yet classified. No claim either way.

THE DOOR: ENTRY DIFFICULTY TODAY, graded A (easy) to E (extremely hard). A Careermash rule-of-thumb index built from our AI exposure index and the job's moat class. It is not a forecast and not a count of job openings.

AI EXPOSURE TODAY is a Careermash index from 0 to 100 of how exposed this job's everyday tasks are to AI today. We estimate it by matching published research on how people use AI to this job, usually by keyword or subject area, and we lower it where the work is protected (for example by physical, personal or legal requirements). It is not a direct measurement of how much people in this job use AI.

AI exposure is low for this work today
AI exposure today for this job is low on our index (8), an estimate rather than a measurement. We have not yet classified what, if anything, structurally protects it, so we make no claim either way about a moat. Learn the tools, and build the judgement that stays human.

The role

The job is checking IDs, watching for trouble, refusing entry to anyone too drunk or underage, breaking up arguments and getting help when needed. Staying calm, reading situations early and talking people down matters far more than being big, and good record-keeping of any incidents is part of the role.

The hours are nights, weekends and bank holidays, often in cold or rowdy conditions, and there is a real chance of facing aggression, so you must be able to keep your cool. Pay is usually hourly, often a bit above minimum wage for the unsociable hours.

By law in the UK you must hold a valid SIA (Security Industry Authority) licence, which means completing approved training and passing a background check before you can work the door. Many people start through a security firm once licensed.

Daily responsibilities

  • Check IDs and refuse entry where needed
  • Watch the venue for signs of trouble
  • Calmly defuse arguments and conflict
  • Remove or refuse aggressive or very drunk customers
  • Search bags or people where the venue requires
  • Record and report any incidents
  • Work with police or emergency services if needed