Call centre worker Salary UK
Call and contact centre occupations in the UK earn a median salary of £25,440 a year (ONS ASHE 2025, gross pay, all employee jobs), and the middle half earn between £20,589 and £30,163. The figures cover the ONS occupation group “Call and contact centre occupations” (SOC 7211).
Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £25,000 after tax and National Insurance →
For call and contact centre occupations, £27,035 is the typical (median) pay. That is well below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -31% versus the national average. Experienced call and contact centre occupations (top 25%) earn over £30,163.
About this role
Call and contact centre operators handle inbound and outbound customer communications by telephone, email, webchat and social media. They resolve enquiries, process requests, handle complaints and provide information across multiple communication channels.
Key responsibilities
- Handling customer enquiries across multiple channels
- Resolving complaints and escalating when necessary
- Processing orders, applications and service requests
- Recording interactions in CRM systems
- Meeting service level and quality targets
Qualifications and entry routes
No specific qualifications required. On-the-job training provided. NVQ in Contact Centre Operations and ICS (Institute of Customer Service) qualifications are available for career development.
Career outlook
AI chatbots are handling routine enquiries, but complex customer service roles remain. Omnichannel skills and emotional intelligence are increasingly valued.
Key skills
Common industries
- Financial services
- Telecommunications
- Utilities
- Public sector
- Outsourced contact centres
Data coverage
Salary Range (2025)
Estimated Career Progression
Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation
Entry Level
£12,686
0-2 years
Mid Level
£20,589
3-7 years
Senior
£30,163
8-15 years
Potential career growth: ▲ +138% from entry to leadership
Salary Trend (2015-2025)
Gender Pay Comparison (2025)
Gender pay gap: 1.6%
Full-time vs All Employees (2025)
Full-time premium: +£1,595
Call centre worker salary: common questions
How much do call and contact centre occupations earn in the UK?
Is £27,035 a good salary in the UK?
What is the starting salary for call and contact centre occupations?
Have call and contact centre occupations salaries kept up with inflation?
Is there a gender pay gap for call and contact centre occupations?
Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025). How the figures are built: salary data methodology.