SOC 1172 Corporate managers and directors

Social services managers and directors Salary

Median salary £45,155 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £45,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For social services managers and directors, £48,549 is the typical (median) pay. That is above the UK full-time median of £39,039 — +24% versus the national average.

About this role

Social services managers and directors lead teams delivering social care, child protection, adult services and community support. They manage budgets, ensure statutory obligations are met and drive quality improvements in social work practice and service delivery.

Key responsibilities

Managing social services teams and caseload allocation
Ensuring compliance with statutory duties and CQC/Ofsted standards
Managing budgets and commissioning services
Overseeing safeguarding procedures and serious case reviews
Developing strategy for service improvement and workforce development

Qualifications and entry routes

Typically requires a social work qualification and Social Work England registration, plus substantial management experience. Many hold postgraduate qualifications in management or leadership.

Career outlook

Critical workforce shortages in children's services. High demand for experienced managers, though the role carries significant accountability and pressure.

Key skills

Social care leadership Safeguarding Budget management Performance management Multi-agency partnership working

Common industries

Local authority social services
Children's services
Adult social care
Mental health services
Voluntary sector

Data coverage

SOC code 1172

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2015–2025

Estimated jobs 13,000

Median Salary

£45,155

Mean Salary

£45,847

Jobs (000s)

13k

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

P25: £33,609Median: £45,155

P10: --P25: £34kMedian: £45kP75: --P90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£33,609

0-2 years

Mid Level

£33,609

3-7 years

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +25.6%Real growth: -9.0%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: 4.5%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£45,155

Full-time Only

£48,549

Full-time premium: +£3,394

Social services managers and directors salary: common questions

How much do social services managers and directors earn in the UK?

Social services managers and directors earn a median of £48,549 a year (ONS ASHE 2025).

Is £48,549 a good salary in the UK?

For social services managers and directors, £48,549 is the typical (median) pay. That is above the UK full-time median of £39,039 — +24% versus the national average.

What is the starting salary for social services managers and directors?

Entry-level social services managers and directors typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £33,609, though this varies by employer and region.

Have social services managers and directors salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2015, median social services managers and directors pay has risen from £36,979 to £48,549 — +31% in cash terms, or -5.0% after CPIH inflation. That is behind inflation over the period.

Is there a gender pay gap for social services managers and directors?

Male social services managers and directors earn a median £45,934 and female social services managers and directors £43,873 — a gap of +4.0% in 2025.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).