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SOC 6145 Caring personal service occupations

Care workers and home carers Salary

Median salary £21,487 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

About this role

Care workers and home carers provide personal care, practical assistance and emotional support to people who need help with daily living due to age, illness, disability or other circumstances. They work in residential care homes, supported living, domiciliary care or hospital settings, as classified under the 2020 Standard Occupational Classification.

Key responsibilities

  • Assisting with personal care including washing, dressing and feeding
  • Supporting daily living activities and promoting independence
  • Monitoring wellbeing and reporting changes in condition
  • Administering medication under supervision where trained
  • Maintaining accurate care records and contributing to care plans

Qualifications and entry routes

No formal qualifications are always required, but the Care Certificate is expected within 12 weeks of starting. NVQ/Diploma Level 2/3 in Health and Social Care is the progression standard. DBS check is mandatory.

Career outlook

Severe workforce crisis with over 150,000 vacancies sector-wide. Pay improvements and career pathway development are ongoing priorities.

Key skills

Compassion and empathy Communication Patience Physical stamina Observation and reporting

Common industries

  • Residential care homes
  • Domiciliary care
  • NHS
  • Supported living
  • Mental health services

Data coverage

SOC code 6145
Data source ONS ASHE
Years available 2015–2025
Estimated jobs 581,000

Median Salary

£21,487

Mean Salary

£21,240

Jobs (000s)

581k

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

P10: £6kP25: £13kMedian: £21kP75: £29kP90: £35k

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£6,429

0-2 years

Mid Level

£13,341

3-7 years

Senior

£28,556

8-15 years

Leadership

£34,529

15+ years

Potential career growth: +437% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Nominal growth: +70.5%Real growth: +23.4%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: 19.4%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£21,487

Full-time Only

£27,468

Full-time premium: +£5,981