Social workers roles in the UK earn a median of £44,000 per year, equivalent to £23.09 per hour as of 2025. Pay increased 4.8% compared to the previous year. Regionally, pay ranges from £41,000 in Yorkshire and The Humber to £48,500 in London. Pay has risen over the past 5 years. The ONS national median for this occupation is £44,550/yr (1% below our computed national average).
Median Annual Pay
£44,000
as of 2025
High confidenceMedian Hourly Pay
£23.09
per hour
Year-on-Year Change
+4.8%
vs 2024
Annual Pay Range
£36,000 – £49,000
25th – 75th percentile
There is currently not sufficient data available for this occupation to say anything about the labour market.
Median annual pay for Social workers across UK regions.
Source: ONS ASHE. Based on broad UK regions (NUTS1).
| Region | Median Pay |
|---|---|
| London | £48,500 |
| Scotland | £45,500 |
| South East | £44,000 |
| Wales | £43,500 |
| West Midlands | £43,000 |
| North West | £43,000 |
| North East | £43,000 |
| East Midlands | £42,500 |
| South West | £42,000 |
| East | £42,000 |
| Yorkshire and The Humber | £41,000 |
| UK | £44,000 |
Annual pay grew by +4.8% from 2024 to 2025.
National average (NUTS1 actuals) based on ONS ASHE April snapshot.
Annual percentage change in median pay for Social workers.
Percentage change from the prior year's April figure.
The median salary for a Social workers in the UK is £44,000 per year (about £23.09 per hour), based on official ONS data for 2025.
Most Social workers earn between £36,000 and £49,000 a year (the 25th to 75th percentile of UK pay).
Social workers pay rose by 4.8% from 2024 to 2025.
The highest median pay for Social workers is in London, at £48,500 per year.
For job seekers
Check your salary against official UK data for Social workers roles — broken down by region and seniority level. Free, instant, no sign-up required.
For employers & recruiters
Social workers provide information, advice and support to those who are socially excluded or are experiencing crisis; they protect the welfare of vulnerable groups including children, young people, people with disabilities, elderly people and people who are mentally or physically ill, and they may specialise in specific areas of work.
Social work is a regulated profession and practitioners must be registered with the appropriate statutory body. To register a social worker must satisfy the criteria for registration. Non-graduates must undertake a three year degree in social work; graduates with relevant experience may take a two year postgraduate diploma/Master’s degree. Prior relevant work experience or relevant voluntary work is encouraged. Background checks including a DBS check are required.
Salary data is sourced from official UK pay datasets and updated periodically.