SOC 6134 Caring personal service occupations

Houseparents and residential wardens Salary

Median salary £26,499 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £26,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For houseparents and residential wardens, £31,871 is the typical (median) pay. That is below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -18% versus the national average.

About this role

Houseparents and residential wardens provide care, supervision and support to people living in residential settings including children's homes, boarding schools, hostels, sheltered housing and supported accommodation.

Key responsibilities

Providing day-to-day care and supervision of residents
Creating a safe, supportive and homely environment
Managing household routines including meals and activities
Supporting residents' wellbeing, development and independence
Maintaining records, managing incidents and liaising with external agencies

Qualifications and entry routes

Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare is mandatory for children's residential roles. DBS check is required. Relevant experience and safeguarding training are essential. Additional qualifications in therapeutic care may be needed.

Career outlook

Significant demand in children's residential care with national staff shortages. Therapeutic and trauma-informed care skills are increasingly sought.

Key skills

Residential care Safeguarding Household management Emotional support Behaviour management

Common industries

Children's residential homes
Boarding schools
Hostels and sheltered housing
Supported accommodation
Residential special schools

Data coverage

SOC code 6134

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2015–2025

Estimated jobs 12,000

Median Salary

£26,499

Mean Salary

£26,522

Jobs (000s)

12k

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

P25: £19,065Median: £26,499

P10: --P25: £19kMedian: £26kP75: --P90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£19,065

0-2 years

Mid Level

£19,065

3-7 years

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +40.8%Real growth: +2.0%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£26,499

Full-time Only

£31,871

Full-time premium: +£5,372

Houseparents and residential wardens salary: common questions

How much do houseparents and residential wardens earn in the UK?

Houseparents and residential wardens earn a median of £31,871 a year (ONS ASHE 2025).

Is £31,871 a good salary in the UK?

For houseparents and residential wardens, £31,871 is the typical (median) pay. That is below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -18% versus the national average.

What is the starting salary for houseparents and residential wardens?

Entry-level houseparents and residential wardens typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £19,065, though this varies by employer and region.

Have houseparents and residential wardens salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2015, median houseparents and residential wardens pay has risen from £20,505 to £31,871 — +55% in cash terms, or +13% after CPIH inflation. That is ahead of inflation over the period.

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