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SOC 2236 Health professionals

Children's nurses Salary

Median salary £34,173 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

About this role

Children's nurses provide clinical care to patients across a range of healthcare settings. They assess patient needs, plan and deliver nursing interventions, administer medications and support patients through treatment and recovery.

Key responsibilities

  • Assessing patient health needs and developing care plans
  • Administering medications and clinical treatments
  • Monitoring patient progress and responding to changes in condition
  • Supporting patients and families with health education
  • Maintaining accurate clinical records and documentation

Qualifications and entry routes

Requires a nursing degree (BSc or postgraduate) approved by the NMC, followed by NMC registration. Specialist roles require additional postgraduate training and qualifications.

Career outlook

Severe workforce shortages across the UK, particularly in mental health, community and emergency nursing. Strong career progression opportunities into advanced practice and leadership.

Key skills

Clinical assessment Patient care Medication administration Communication Critical thinking

Common industries

  • NHS
  • Private hospitals
  • Community health
  • Mental health
  • Care homes

Data coverage

SOC code 2236
Data source ONS ASHE
Years available 2021–2025
Estimated jobs 19,000

Median Salary

£34,173

Mean Salary

£34,806

Jobs (000s)

19k

Data Years

5 years

Salary Range (2025)

P25: £26,831Median: £34,173P75: £43,006
P10: --P25: £27kMedian: £34kP75: £43kP90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£26,831

0-2 years

Mid Level

£26,831

3-7 years

Senior

£43,006

8-15 years

Potential career growth: +60% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2021-2025)

Nominal growth: +33.5%Real growth: +8.3%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£34,173

Full-time Only

£41,963

Full-time premium: +£7,790