What are care jobs really paying right now?
Care work demands a lot from you and you deserve to know what care employers are currently offering for your role.
Find your next role Post a job for freeMedian Salary Across Care Categories
The figures below are the median salaries offered by UK care employers for the different job categories posted on Care Wizard between 1 April and 23 October 2026. These are advertised rates, not what people take home.
Care Assistant & Support Worker Jobs
Care Home Support & Admin Jobs
Complex & Specialist Care Jobs
Care Management Jobs
Care Assistant and Support Worker Pay
This is our biggest category, and the one where a small difference in the hourly rate adds up quickly over a month of shifts.
| Job Role | Lower end | Middle | Upper end | Adverts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Care Assistant and Support Worker | £12.75 | £13.79 | £16.00 | 686 |
| Residential and Nursing Care Assistant | £12.78 | £13.60 | £15.60 | 266 |
| Domiciliary and Community Care Assistant | £12.75 | £13.90 | £16.25 | 299 |
| Night Care Assistant | £12.76 | £13.92 | £15.79 | 62 |
Community roles advertise about 30p an hour more than residential roles, which is worth weighing against travel time and how mileage is paid, so it is always worth asking before you accept.
Explore Care Assistant JobsCare Management Pay
Based on over 1,200 care management jobs posted on Care Wizard. This category records the most varied pay rates. Worth knowing before your next conversation with an employer.
| Job Role | Lower end | Middle | Upper end | Adverts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Manager | £38,500 | £50,000 | £65,000 | 791 |
| Care Home and Service Manager | £35,588 | £46,125 | £70,000 | 274 |
| Deputy Manager | £30,650 | £39,058 | £54,994 | 52 |
| Care Team Leader | £27,000 | £30,392 | £61,356 | 88 |
Care Salaries in Different UK Cities
Outlined below are median advertised pay by care employers in different UK cities and its closest towns, from October 2025 to October 2026.
| City | Care Management Jobs (per year) | Care Assistant Jobs (per hour) |
|---|---|---|
| London | £48,089 | £14.00 |
| Birmingham | £52,500 | £13.01 |
| Manchester | £52,500 | £13.21 |
| Nottingham | £47,330 | £13.00 |
| Bristol | £46,203 | £14.00 |
| Leicester | £51,250 | £13.00 |
| Newcastle | £53,500 | £13.45 |
| Leeds | £44,000 | £13.00 |
| Liverpool | £53,750 | £13.10* |
*Please treat this as a guide.
Next Step to Becoming a Registered Manager
A Registered Manager is the person registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to run a care service. The Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care is the required qualification to become a Registered Manager.
Beyond the Registered Manager Salary Report
Based on 793 registered manager posts. An advert that does not mention a benefit may still offer it, so it is always worth asking before you say yes.
Where Does Your Pay Sit?
A quick check for registered managers. Advertised pay is not what everyone earns, but it shows what employers are offering new hires right now.
| Your salary | Where you sit | What it can mean |
|---|---|---|
| Below £38,500 | In the lowest 1 in 10 adverts | Strong grounds to ask for a review |
| £38,500 to £50,000 | Below the middle | Worth asking about bonuses and development support |
| £50,000 to £65,000 | Above the middle | Well placed, so look at the wider package |
| Above £65,000 | In the top 1 in 10 adverts | Focus on progression and security |
Looking for work
Search by your town, see the pay on the advert, and upload your CV once so employers can find you. New to care? The Care Certificate is a good first step.
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