SOC 6137 Caring personal service occupations

Care escorts Salary

Median salary £12,175 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £12,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For care escorts, £12,175 is the typical (median) pay. That is well below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -69% versus the national average.

About this role

Care escorts 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.

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 6137

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2015–2025

Estimated jobs 14,000

Median Salary

£12,175

Mean Salary

£14,545

Jobs (000s)

14k

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

P25: £8,719Median: £12,175

P10: --P25: £9kMedian: £12kP75: --P90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£8,719

0-2 years

Mid Level

£8,719

3-7 years

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +105.1%Real growth: +48.7%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Care escorts salary: common questions

How much do care escorts earn in the UK?

Care escorts earn a median of £12,175 a year (ONS ASHE 2025).

Is £12,175 a good salary in the UK?

For care escorts, £12,175 is the typical (median) pay. That is well below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -69% versus the national average.

What is the starting salary for care escorts?

Entry-level care escorts typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £8,719, though this varies by employer and region.

Have care escorts salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2015, median care escorts pay has risen from £16,294 to £12,175 — -25% in cash terms, or -46% 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).