Salary Guide for Home Care Workers

Home care workers are the unsung heroes of our communities, allowing individuals to live independently for longer. They visit service users in their homes, offering everything from a cup of tea and some company, to errand running, medication allocation and domestic support. Let’s discuss what compensation these remarkable individuals receive for their invaluable work.

Average UK Home Care Worker Salaries

Across the UK the average salary for a home care worker is £23,000 or £11.82 per hour. This is from a survey by UK Talent in 2024. They claim the range goes from £21,000 for an entry-level role to £29,000 for a more experienced team member. However, there are a lot of factors that can impact that (like the minimum living wage). 

Factors Influencing Home Care Worker Salaries

The range of influencing factors in home care workers’ salaries includes: 

Experience Level – Salaries and level of experience should correspond and grow together, with more experienced home care workers commanding higher pay. 

Qualifications in Care – Qualifications in relevant subject areas, like care, health, nursing or social care will positively impact a salary offer or raise. 

Geographic Location – While London is often the highest paying city for salaries, other cities are also beginning to pay home care workers more. Crewe, Leeds and Nottingham are all recorded as paying above average for home care workers.

Type of Employer – Whether employed by a private household, through an agency or for a public healthcare provider will impact salaries. Negotiating directly with clients or working through agencies may offer different salary structures. 

Average Salary Ranges Nationally

The average salary for a home care worker is £23,000 in 2024, but it can be impacted by where in the country the role is. 

Regional Salary Variations

As mentioned before, we found some of the UK's highest-paying cities for home care workers, including Crewe, Leeds, London, Nottingham, Glasgow and Newcastle upon Tyne. Indeed have a calculator for finding where in the country you can earn more. 

Comparing Urban vs. Rural Salaries

We have found salaries between urban and rural home care worker roles vary because there can be a shortage of medical professionals in rural environments. This leads to competitive offers. The quality of life is often better in the countryside and the community can be more tightly knit, which can make moving for a job a serious consideration. 

Benefits and Compensation Packages

In addition to salaries, home care workers may receive benefits such as: 

Health Insurance – Agencies can offer private health insurance with companies like Bupa or Vitality, as part of their package. This means if you need medical treatment you can go privately and not worry about the costs.

Retirement Plans – It is now legal for employers to contribute to an employee's pension fund. Understanding the percentage contribution is essential, as the difference between 3-5% over a long period is considerable. 

Paid Time Off and Sick Leave –  For a full-time employee, standard holiday entitlement is 28 days. Sick pay and paid time off for mitigating circumstances is often considered and will be part of a companies offer. If you are working for a private client ensure these details are negotiated before starting work. 

Five Ways to Increase Your Earnings as a Home Care Worker

Here are five ways to take some control over your income:

Exploring Different Home Care Settings – Private clients will work with unregulated pay brackets. Be ready to do a lot of research and negotiate what you are worth. Getting a good salary from an agency or care organisation can be supported by a recruiter, use them for their insight and advice. 

Negotiating Your Salary and Benefits – You don’t always have to accept the first figure offered. Research similar roles, reflect on your abilities and experience, and then ask for a discussion about your compensation, before taking a role or promotion. If flexible working hours are what’s valuable to you, focus on that.  

Future Outlook for Home Care Worker Salaries – Even if you are in a job keep looking around. The demand for good home care workers is high and new jobs are always being added to our website. 

Industry Trends and Projections – Home care workers are in demand, which is pushing up salary offers. Also, the Homecare Association found that the average home care worker in the UK is around 44 years old (meaning 50% of the workers are older than that), so there is room for everyone in this industry. Get qualified to request a higher salary, as there are more unqualified people in this sector than those with qualifications.  

Legislation and Policy Changes – All home care workers are entitled to be paid at least the national minimum wage or national living wage for their work. This includes care workers on zero-hours contracts. Know your worth. 

Register with Social Care People today 

Although some of the figures provided are estimates we can help you find accurate salary information and relevant opportunities. For an even clearer idea of salaries check our job listings such as for Home Care Managers Jobs. Or sign up with Social Care People today and we’ll help you find your perfect role in care.