SOC 3224 Health and social care associate professionals

Counsellors Salary

Median salary £27,082 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £27,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For counsellors, £31,124 is the typical (median) pay. That is below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -20% versus the national average. Experienced counsellors (top 25%) earn over £31,356.

About this role

Counsellors provide therapeutic support to individuals, couples and groups experiencing emotional, psychological or behavioural difficulties. They use established therapeutic approaches to help clients explore issues and develop coping strategies.

Key responsibilities

Conducting initial assessments and formulations
Delivering counselling sessions using evidence-based approaches
Maintaining confidential client records
Attending clinical supervision and CPD
Working within ethical frameworks and professional boundaries

Qualifications and entry routes

Requires a Level 4 Diploma in Counselling minimum, with many roles requiring degree or postgraduate level. BACP, UKCP or NCS accreditation/registration is the professional standard. Personal therapy and supervised practice hours are required.

Career outlook

Strong demand driven by mental health awareness and NHS Talking Therapies expansion. Private practice opportunities are growing.

Key skills

Active listening Therapeutic techniques Empathy Ethical practice Self-awareness

Common industries

NHS Talking Therapies
Private practice
Schools and universities
Workplace EAPs
Voluntary sector

Data coverage

SOC code 3224

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2015–2025

Estimated jobs 19,000

Median Salary

£27,082

Mean Salary

£26,450

Jobs (000s)

19k

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

P25: £18,448Median: £27,082P75: £31,356

P10: --P25: £18kMedian: £27kP75: £31kP90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£18,448

0-2 years

Mid Level

£18,448

3-7 years

Senior

£31,356

8-15 years

Potential career growth: +70% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +41.0%Real growth: +2.2%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£27,082

Full-time Only

£31,124

Full-time premium: +£4,042

Counsellors salary: common questions

How much do counsellors earn in the UK?

Counsellors earn a median of £31,124 a year (ONS ASHE 2025). The middle half earn between £18,448 and £31,356.

Is £31,124 a good salary in the UK?

For counsellors, £31,124 is the typical (median) pay. That is below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -20% versus the national average. Experienced counsellors (top 25%) earn over £31,356.

What is the starting salary for counsellors?

Entry-level counsellors typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £18,448, though this varies by employer and region.

Have counsellors salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2015, median counsellors pay has risen from £24,355 to £31,124 — +28% in cash terms, or -7.0% after CPIH inflation. That is behind inflation over the period.

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