30 Nov 2020 ● Matt Farrah
The Social Worker Salary & Pay Guide
Updated 22nd January 2026
Social Worker pay varies widely depending on experience, location and your employer type, but a broad guide is somewhere between £33,000 and £40,000 a year with a few years’ experience.
Roles are provided by local authorities, NHS Trusts and private companies, and you could work within a hospital or specialist care facility, as well as a variety of community settings including schools or people’s homes.
Jobs for Social Workers
Discover Social Worker roles nationwide with public and private sector healthcare providers on our Social Worker jobs page. We aim to list more jobs than any other job board, alongside detailed information about each advertiser, so you can find the best job and employer match.
NHS Social Worker Salary by Band
Social Workers typically start on a Band 6 salary, with the most experienced being able to work their way up to Band 7 or even beyond,
Moving towards a higher banding is reliant on developing specialist skills, or developing managerial competencies.
And within each banding, pay increases are accrued according to the number of years you have served in your post.
As for London weighting, the so-called High Cost Area Supplement means Social Workers in Inner London receive 20% of their basic salary in addition, while those in Outer London receive 15% extra.
Band 6 (Social Worker) | £38,683 - £46,580 |
Band 7 (ie Senior Social Worker) | £47,810 - £54,710 |
Band 8a (ie Team Leader, Principal Social Worker) | £55,690 - £62,682 |
Private Sector Social Worker Salaries
The private sector is where pay varies most widely for Social Workers.
A private sector Social Worker could earn anywhere from £35,000 to £60,000 a year depending on the company, location and specialism - and roles paying £70,000 a year at a senior level are not uncommon.
The benefits aren’t as structured or consistent as in the NHS, but many private employers are improving them in line with those offered by the NHS. This includes more generous pensions and annual leave.
Bank, Overtime and Enhancements
Bank and overtime pay for Social Workers can offer a big supplement to average earnings.
Bank rates vary widely, but can be as high as £33 an hour in London and other high-demand areas.
As for overtime, working unsocial hours (Sundays or bank holidays, typically) can enhance pay rates by as much as 60% or even 100%.
However, at Band 7 roles and beyond in the NHS, overtime pay isn’t typically enhanced, and Social Workers are instead offered TOIL (Time off in lieu).
Specialist Social Worker Roles and Higher Pay
Higher pay as a Social Worker relies on becoming more specialised and gaining more experience.
Examples of specialist roles as a Social Worker include:
- Senior Social Worker - with pay rates upwards of £40,000
- Supervising Social Worker - with pay rates beyond £44,000
- Team Leader - with pay rates between £45,000 and £60,000
- Social Work Programme Director - with pay rates above £70,000
Social Worker Career Guide
Develop your Social Worker career in the UK with our Social Worker Career Guide. Discover training & qualification routes, duties, salary, skills, progression, employers and more.
Agency Social Worker Pay Rates
Agency Social Workers can earn hourly rates of anywhere between £20 and £45 an hour, equating to anywhere between £40,000 and £80,000 a year.
Pay is greatly influenced by experience and location, which in turn can influence the number of shifts and amount of flexibility you receive.
Compliance is becoming increasingly strict, and as a result, working through an agency is increasingly professionalised.
Benefits packages are also becoming more comprehensive.
Factors That Affect What Social Workers Earn
Lots of factors affect how much you earn as a Social Worker, including:
- Experience. In the NHS, experience will move you to higher pay points within your banding, and towards roles attached to a higher banding. In local authorities and privately, similar rules apply
- Qualifications: Once fully qualified, advanced degrees are very helpful in climbing the career ladder. A good example is an MA/MSc in Advanced Social Work, which can be studied for part-time
- Geography: London weighting typically adds around 20% to your pay packet - but this is largely in line with inflated living costs within the region
- Employer type: The NHS offers better starting salaries and more structured income, but local authorities and private providers often offer great opportunities for progression - or even, highly specialised roles
- Shift pattern: If you’re happy to work bank or agency roles and unsocial hours, you can, on occasion, increase your potential income
Salary Progression and Future Earnings
In terms of career progression as a Social Worker, there are lots of different potential routes.
But broadly, by building experience whether you’re working in the NHS, a local authority or elsewhere, you can move into a senior role, which can easily see your pay rise to £45,000 or even beyond.
Thereafter, becoming more specialised or gaining a master’s degree will be important. If that’s achieved, you could move into a specialised or managerial role, and see your salary rise to £60,000 or beyond.
Demand for social workers is exceptionally high. A good example is the fact that around 1 in every 7 children’s social worker roles are filled through agencies.
For anyone starting or developing a career in Social Work can expect lots of options and opportunities in the future.
International Applicants: What to Expect
To apply as an international social worker in the UK, you must first register with the relevant UK regulator (like Social Work England).
For these you will need to prove your qualification, English language skills (often through IELTS), and fitness to practice, then secure a Skilled Worker visa sponsored by a UK employer,which requires certification.
You’ll also need to pay fees to the regulator.
The process can take time and require patience, but with Social Workers in high demand, there are lots of opportunities waiting for international applicants.
FAQs About Social Worker Pay
What band do Social Workers in the NHS start at?
Social Workers in the NHS typically start on a Band 6 salary, which is currently just over £38,000 a year.
What’s the highest paid role as a Social Worker?
The highest paid role as a Social Worker is likely to be a director position, for example a Social Work Programme Director.
Do Social Workers earn more in the NHS or with a local authority?
Social Worker pay is similar within the NHS and local authorities, although starting salaries in the NHS are typically slightly higher.
Is agency pay better than NHS pay for Social Workers?
Experienced Social Workers in certain locations can command very high rates of pay through agencies, that may be higher than equivalent roles in the NHS.
However, there is no hard or fast rule about agency pay vs the NHS.
What is the lowest pay for a Social Worker?
The lowest pay for a Social Worker in the NHS is the starting salary, which is currently just over £38,000.
However, it’s possible that privately or through a local authority, this starting salary could be slightly lower.
