Salary by Role

Social Worker Salary UK 2026

Social worker salaries range from £30,000 to £55,000+. Agency vs employed rates and progression explained.

2026-06-22  ·  5 min read
£36,000
Median Salary
£30k–£55k+
Typical Range
£30,000–£35,000
Entry Level
£42,000–£55,000
Senior Level

Salary by Level

LevelTypical Salary
Newly Qualified (NQSW)£30,000–£35,000
Experienced Social Worker£34,000–£42,000
Senior Practitioner£40,000–£48,000
Team Manager£46,000–£58,000

Agency vs Employed

TypeEarnings
Local Authority (PAYE)£30,000–£52,000
Agency Social Worker£30–£55 per hour

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Frequently Asked Questions

Newly qualified social workers earn £30,000–£35,000. Experienced social workers earn £34,000–£42,000. Agency rates are £30–£55 per hour.

Agency workers earn higher hourly rates but without sick pay, holiday pay or pension contributions.

Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) 2024; public sector pay scales 2025/26