The social care industry offers a diverse range of careers for talented individuals with a passion for providing care and support. Employers include private companies and local authorities, and with the proper education and training, you can expect to achieve excellent salaries.
If you are in education and considering careers in social care or already working as a health/social worker and contemplating your next job, our average salary data will help you target the best-paid social care jobs in the UK.
You may also be interested in reading our similar salary and pay research articles:
High Paid Social Care Jobs In The UK
We have collected and sorted the average salaries from 1,000s of advertised jobs. So, our average and maximum salary information will guide your next move, whether you are contemplating a career in social care or working you way up the career ladder.
Highest Paying Social Care Jobs By Average Salary:
1. INDEPENDENT REVIEWING OFFICER
The average salary of an Independent Reviewing Officer is £63,900 per year.
Independent Reviewing Officers (IROs) top our list of highest pay by average annual salary. They are Social Workers and Social Work Managers who are appointed to children and young people to oversee their Care Plan. To secure this high-paying role, you must be a General Social Care Council or Care Council for Wales Registered Social Worker and have at least five years of qualifying experience.
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2. ADOPTION SOCIAL WORKER
The average salary of an Adoption Social Worker is £53,700 per year.
Adoption Social Workers appear second in our high salaries data. Adoption Social Workers (Adoption Support Workers) provide pre and post-adoption support and counselling to children and oversee the family linking and assessment processes. You will need a Social Work Degree to pursue a career as an Adoption Social Worker.
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3. CARE HOME MANAGER
The average salary of a Care Home Manager is £48,600 per year.
Care Home Managers come in third on our high salaries list. They are responsible for leading and running children’s homes and residential care homes for adults. They support young people, ensure well-being standards, help children access education and health services, develop policies and monitor business performance. To enter care home management, you must complete an apprenticeship or have a Higher National Diploma or Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care Management.
4. HOME CARE MANAGER
The average salary of a Home Care Manager is £49,400 per year.
Home Care Managers have the fourth highest salaries in the social care industry. They are responsible for overseeing the daily operation of home health agencies, including staff training, monitoring care plan progress, and ensuring home care services are delivered per standards, best practices, and regulations. You can enter this career with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Health Care Administration, or Nursing.
5. MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SOCIAL WORKER
The average salary of a Mental Health And Substance Abuse Social Worker is £46,100 per year.
Mental Health And Substance Abuse Social Workers join our high salaries list in fifth place. They are responsible for assessing and treating people with emotional, mental, or substance abuse problems. They may deliver crisis intervention, individual or group therapy, education, and case management, collaborating with nursing professionals, hospitals, physicians, or counsellors. You will need a Doctorate or Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work.
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6. FAMILY SOCIAL WORKER
The average salary of a Family Social Worker is £47,400 per year.
Family Social Workers have the sixth highest full time average wage amongst health and social care jobs. Family Social Workers support families and individuals through challenging times, safeguarding vulnerable adults and children from harm or domestic violence. They act as advocates and guides, improving the outcome of people’s lives. You can find employment in this role through training and by earning a Specialised Social Work Degree.
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7. SOCIAL WORKER
The average salary of a Social Worker is £21,400 per year.
Social Workers appear seventh on our health and social care sector high salaries list. They protect vulnerable adults and children from abuse or harm, support independent living, build relationships with communities, maintain accurate records, and help families and individuals review their situation. To become a Social Worker, you need a Social Work England-approved Social Work Postgraduate Qualification.
8. CARE MANAGER
The average salary of a Care Manager is £38,500 per year.
Care Managers have the eighth highest pay in the health and social care sector. They may work in elderly care homes, nursing homes, children’s homes, supported housing, or hospice care. They assess and reassess care plans, coordinate care, and monitor care plan appropriateness, collaborating with families, patients, and healthcare providers. You need a Qualification or Degree in Social Work, Nursing, Health and Social Care, or Occupational Therapy to earn the highest pay.
9. FOSTERING SOCIAL WORKER
The average salary of a Fostering Social Worker is £47,400 per year.
Fostering Social Workers (Foster Care Social Workers) have the ninth highest pay. They assess the suitability of families for child placement, maintaining regular contact and monitoring children’s welfare. Their duties cover providing resources for emotional and financial support, mediation, and respite care. Careers as Fostering Social Workers require a Bachelor’s Degree in Clinical Social Work.
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10. REHABILITATION THERAPIST
The average salary of a Rehabilitation Therapist is £40,800 per year.
Rehabilitation Therapists secure the final slot for top-average pay. They carry out support need assessments, teach daily life skills, organise educational activities, and work with Occupational Therapists and Social Workers. You can begin in a position with a starting salary with a Diploma in Health and Social Care and some relevant experience. You may need further qualifications and time to develop extensive experience to earn top pay for your location.
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After viewing our list of top average salaries, you might be wondering which health and social care jobs have the highest maximum pay. Are they the same jobs or do other roles have a better maximum salary potential?
Best Paid Health Social Care Jobs By Maximum Salary:
1. COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL SERVICE SPECIALIST
The maximum annual salary of a Community And Social Service Specialists is £81,100.
Community And Social Service Specialists top our list of health and social care jobs for maximum potential salary. They work with families, children, and adults, specialising in a field such as working with individuals with physical disabilities, mental health-related needs, or support for children and families. For careers to result in a specialist position, you need an Undergraduate or Master’s Degree in Social Work and Registration with Social Work England, Social Care Wales, Northern Ireland Social Care Council, or Scottish Social Services Council.
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2. INDEPENDENT REVIEWING OFFICER
The maximum annual salary of an Independent Reviewing Officer is £89,300.
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3. FAMILY SOCIAL WORKER
The maximum annual salary of a Family Social Worker is £83,200.
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4. MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SOCIAL WORKER
The maximum annual salary of a Mental Health And Substance Abuse Social Worker is £83,400.
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5. CARE MANAGER
The maximum annual salary of a Care Manager is £69,700.
6. ADOPTION SOCIAL WORKER
The maximum annual salary of an Adoption Social Worker is £85,300.
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7. SOCIAL WORKER
The maximum annual salary of a Social Worker is £45,300.
8. FOSTERING SOCIAL WORKER
The maximum annual salary of a Fostering Social Worker is £79,000.
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9. HOME CARE MANAGER
The maximum annual salary of a Home Care Manager is £71,500.
10. CARE HOME MANAGER
The maximum annual salary of a Care Home Manager is £69,000.
Top 47 Highest Paying Social Care Jobs
These are the top 47 highest paying social care jobs by average salary:
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Independent Reviewing Officer - Search Independent Reviewing Officer Jobs
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Adoption Social Worker - Search Adoption Social Worker Jobs
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Care Home Manager - Search Care Home Manager Jobs
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Home Care Manager - Search Home Care Manager Jobs
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Mental Health And Substance Abuse Social Worker - Search Mental Health And Substance Abuse Social Worker Jobs
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Family Social Worker - Search Family Social Worker Jobs
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Social Worker - Search Social Worker Jobs
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Care Manager - Search Care Manager Jobs
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Fostering Social Worker - Search Fostering Social Worker Jobs
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Rehabilitation Therapist - Search Rehabilitation Therapist Jobs
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Vocational Nurse - Search Vocational Nurse Jobs
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Substance Abuse And Behavioral Disorder Counsellor - Search Substance Abuse And Behavioral Disorder Counsellor Jobs
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Adoption Services Manager - Search Adoption Services Manager Jobs
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Homecare Registered Nurse - Search Homecare Registered Nurse Jobs
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Registered Children’s Home Manager - Search Registered Children’s Home Manager Jobs
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Children’s Home Manager - Search Children’s Home Manager Jobs
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Community Manager - Search Community Manager Jobs
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Mental Health Therapist - Search Jobs
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Social And Community Service Manager - Search Jobs
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Community And Social Service Specialist - Search Community And Social Service Specialists Jobs
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Mental Health Counsellor - Search Mental Health Counsellor Jobs
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Community Housing Officer - Search Community Housing Officer Jobs
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Childcare Assessor - Search Childcare Assessor Jobs
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Social And Human Service Assistant - Search Social And Human Service Assistant Jobs
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Family Support Worker - Search Family Support Worker Jobs
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Vocational Counsellor - Search Vocational Counsellor Jobs
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Human Services Specialist - Search Human Services Specialist Jobs
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Healthcare Social Worker - Search Healthcare Social Worker Jobs
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Rehabilitation Counsellor - Search Rehabilitation Counsellor Jobs
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School Social Worker - Search School Social Worker Jobs
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Social Services Assistant - Search Social Services Assistant Jobs
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Home Health Aide - Search Home Health Aide Jobs
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Counsellor - Search Counsellor Jobs
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Personal Carer - Search Personal Carer Jobs
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Community Assistant - Search Community Assistant Jobs
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Community Care Assistant - Search Community Care Assistant Jobs
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Childcare Worker - Search Childcare Worker Jobs
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Home Care Assistant - Search Home Care Assistant Jobs
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Mental Health Assistant - Search Mental Health Assistant Jobs
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Youth Worker - Search Youth Worker Jobs
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Mental Health Support Worker - Search Mental Health Support Worker Jobs
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Learning Disabilities Assistant - Search Learning Disabilities Assistant Jobs
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Foster Carer - Search Foster Carer Jobs
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Learning Support Carer - Search Learning Support Carer Jobs
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Recreation Worker - Search Recreation Worker Jobs
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Learning Disabilities Support Worker - Search Learning Disabilities Support Worker Jobs
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Relief Support Worker - Search Relief Support Worker Jobs
Highest Paying Social Care Salaries FAQS
Next we answer your questions on the highest paying social care jobs.
HOW MUCH DO DIFFERENT KINDS OF SOCIAL WORKERS EARN?
Job seekers, employers, and Human Resources can view all Social Care Average Salaries here, for roles such as Youth Worker, Community Assistant, and School Social Worker.
WHICH SOCIAL CARE JOB PAYS BEST IN THE UK?
The highest paying social care job is Independent Reviewing Officer by average pay and Community And Social Service Specialist by maximum salary.
