Social Care Salaries
Min: £19,677.00 Max: £50,024.00
Average Social Care Salary in UK: £28,628.85
The average Social Care salary is
£28,629.
Working in Social Care you can earn between
£19,677 and
£50,024.
The starting salary for junior Social Care jobs is £19,677.
The hourly pay range for Social Care jobs is £9.46 to £24.05.
Quick Links
- Social Care Overview
- Core responsibilities in Social Care
- Core Social Care skills
- What to expect from a career in Social Care
- How to earn more in Social Care roles
There are more than 1.5 million people working in the social care sector across 38,000 different settings in the UK. With an economic contribution of over £43 billion from the adult social care sector alone, this career path offers a lot more opportunities than you might think.
As there are thousands of organisations providing care and support services across the country, you will find a role that is ideal. You can choose from specialist social care careers in youth and community work, occupational therapy and residential care roles.
The average social care salary is based upon your experience, education, and type of work you choose. Graduates can join a social care organisation and gain further qualifications as they are working. A social services assistant with the relevant training and some experience can expect a salary of £18,700.
As you develop within your role you can choose to specialise within certain sectors, such as adult social care or youth work, where you can earn around £39,700. Further training in specialist areas can earn you significantly more.
Core responsibilities in Social Care
You will be responsible for providing care and assistance to different community groups depending on the career you choose. Roles working with the elderly may require some specialist training so you can assist those living in a care home. Working in counselling or occupational therapy roles will typically take place within an office or medical space and require you to help people with physical or mental illness.
The various options within the social care sector mean you can work with a specific group of people or work on projects for the community, such as a career in housing or independent living support.
Core Social Care skills
You should possess excellent organisational skills and have a passion for helping others. The social care career opportunities can cover many sectors from the Probation Service to local authorities and residential care organisations. Being able to connect with people and work with others is essential.
If you are looking for a rewarding career with diverse roles, then you may be suited to a career in social care.
What to expect from a career in Social Care
Careers can start at a graduate level or there are social career options you can start while earning your qualifications in your chosen area. You may work in an office environment with traditional hours, depending on the role. You may work out of the office visiting people in their homes, or going to various social care housing settings, such as care homes or medical treatment centres.
Adaptability is essential as your workload will vary depending on the number of people you are responsible for and the travel that may be required to complete the casework.
Min: £19,677.00 Max: £50,024.00
Average Social Care Salary in UK: £28,628.85
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Social Care Salaries by Region
Compare Social Care salaries across different regions
| Region | Salary |
|---|---|
| East Midlands | £26,784.59 |
| Eastern | £28,431.19 |
| London | £35,006.00 |
| North East | £25,000.55 |
| North West | £28,808.68 |
| Northern Ireland | £26,063.26 |
| Scotland | £26,369.07 |
| South East | £29,192.81 |
| South West | £28,428.19 |
| Wales | £26,676.93 |
| West Midlands | £27,995.22 |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | £27,109.82 |
Top Paying Locations for Social Care Jobs in the UK
The average salary for Social Care professionals in the United Kingdom is significantly influenced by location. The general region and area will affect your base salary in Social Care jobs. However, you are not alone if relocating is not something you want to consider, and it doesn't mean that you can't make a higher income.
For example, you could choose to work for a Social Care business that is city-based. While London leads the way, working for employers located in cities such as Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, Reading, Leeds, and Cardiff will help you earn higher wages per year, compared to companies situated in smaller villages and towns.
Social Care Professional Development
The answer to 'how much do Social Care professionals earn?' can only be answered by considering where along the career path the individual and job title sit. The total year's experience in the Social Care sector will change what the employer is prepared to offer. An entry-level Social Care salary will be the lowest, followed by fully qualified workers, senior-level staff, and management.
While you can expect a starting salary for Social Care workers to be at the bottom of the pay scale, graduates with a relevant qualification have a higher worth, commanding a better starting salary. UK training opportunities are plentiful, so even if attaining a university degree is out of the question, increasing your skills through workshops and online courses will help you raise the money you can earn a year in your chosen role.
How much are Social Care professionals paid? Our data and graphs give you guidance on the wage range and earning per annum for junior, intermediate, and senior roles.
Social Care Work Experience
Gaining Social Care pre-entry work experience can be crucial in helping you secure employment and a decent rate per hour. Work placements, internships, apprenticeships, shadowing, and vacation work can all help you gain the experience you need. If you cannot find work experience in the Social Care industry, you might be able to show potential employers that you have acquired transferable skills elsewhere.
Social Care Working Hours
As with all business sectors, the working hours in Social Care will affect what you earned during the month. Small, medium, and larger firms may pay a higher overtime rate or offer more money if you work unsociable hours, such as evenings, nights, weekends, and national holidays.
Salaries of part-time, full-time, permanent, temporary, and contract staff all differ and will affect your decision on whether you are earning fair compensation.
Social Care Salary Negotiations
Before you enter salary negotiations with employers, hiring managers, or the head of HR, it pays to get prepared. Compare the salaries for the Social Care sector on this page to help determine what you are worth. You can perform a salary search for different job titles and locations.
It is worth remembering that you can profit from more than just financial benefits and performance-related commission. Is a high salary in the UK worth more than the freedom to work from home, have more paid holiday, a gym membership, or have private healthcare benefits?
Social Care Job Search
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