Care Worker Salary UK 2026
Care worker salaries in the UK are closely linked to the National Living Wage, with most care assistants earning £21,000–£26,000. Senior care workers and care managers earn progressively more, while specialist and registered manager roles can reach £55,000.
Care Worker Salary Pay Scale 2026
| Role / Grade | Annual Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Care Assistant / Support Worker | £21,000 – £26,000 | Frontline personal care |
| Senior Care Worker | £24,000 – £30,000 | Supervision of care assistants |
| Care Coordinator | £28,000 – £36,000 | Scheduling and service coordination |
| Deputy Care Manager | £30,000 – £40,000 | Supporting registered manager |
| Registered Care Manager | £35,000 – £55,000 | CQC-registered, legal accountability |
| Live-in Carer | £600 – £900/week | Net pay, includes accommodation |
Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), NHS Agenda for Change 2026, sector salary surveys and advertised vacancy data. Figures are estimates; individual salaries vary.
About Care Worker Salary Pay
Care workers in the UK provide personal, practical and emotional support to older people, people with disabilities and those with complex health needs, typically in care homes, domiciliary care (home care), supported living, or on a live-in basis. The sector employs approximately 1.5 million people in England alone and is predominantly managed by private providers, charities and local authorities.
Pay in adult social care is heavily influenced by the National Living Wage (NLW). Many care workers earn at or just above the NLW (£12.21/hour from April 2026 for workers aged 21+), resulting in full-time annual salaries of approximately £23,300 at standard hours. High levels of zero-hours contracts, part-time working and unpaid travel time between domiciliary visits mean effective hourly earnings can be below headline rates.
The care sector faces a significant workforce crisis — Skills for Care estimates a vacancy rate of approximately 9% and an annual turnover of around 30%. The UK government and NHS England have recognised the pay gap between NHS healthcare workers and social care workers as a structural problem, with some integrated care systems offering pay supplements to recruit and retain care staff.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do care workers earn in the UK?
Care assistants and support workers in the UK earn approximately £21,000–£26,000 per year at full-time hours. Senior care workers earn £24,000–£30,000. Care coordinators earn £28,000–£36,000. Registered Care Managers earn £35,000–£55,000. Live-in carers typically receive £600–£900 per week net, plus accommodation. The median care worker salary is approximately £23,000.
How does care worker pay compare to the minimum wage?
Most care assistants earn at or just above the National Living Wage — currently £12.21/hour (April 2026, age 21+). This equates to approximately £23,300 at 37 hours/week. However, many care workers on domiciliary contracts are not paid for travel time between clients, meaning effective pay can be closer to (or below) minimum wage when accounting for total working hours.
What qualifications do care managers need?
Registered Care Managers must hold or be working towards a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care (or equivalent). They are legally accountable to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for the standards of the service. Most providers require at least 5 years' care experience before taking on a Registered Manager role.