Occupation 2461 · Professional occupations
Social workers provide information, advice and support to those who are socially excluded or are experiencing crisis; they protect the welfare of vulnerable groups including children, young people, people with disabilities, elderly people and people who are mentally or physically ill, and they may specialise in specific areas of work.
Social work is a regulated profession and practitioners must be registered with the appropriate statutory body. To register a social worker must satisfy the criteria for registration. Non-graduates must undertake a three year degree in social work; graduates with relevant experience may take a two year postgraduate diploma/Master’s degree. Prior relevant work experience or relevant voluntary work is encouraged. Background checks including a DBS check are required.
Independent review officer (social worker) · Mental health social worker · Senior practitioner (local government: social services) · Social worker · Team leader (local government: social services)
| Measure | Hours | Basis | Period | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2461 : Social workers | None | None | 2026-03 | 114,100.00 | ONS, Annual Population Survey - employment by occupation (SOC 2020) |
| 2461 : Social workers | None | None | 2026-03 | 121,500.00 | ONS, Annual Population Survey - employment by occupation (SOC 2020) |
| 2461 : Social workers | None | None | 2026-03 | 133,400.00 | ONS, Annual Population Survey - employment by occupation (SOC 2020) |
| 2461 : Social workers | None | None | 2026-03 | 6,400.00 | ONS, Annual Population Survey - employment by occupation (SOC 2020) |
| 2461 : Social workers | None | None | 2026-03 | 11,900.00 | ONS, Annual Population Survey - employment by occupation (SOC 2020) |
| 2461 : Social workers | None | None | 2026-03 | 139,800.00 | ONS, Annual Population Survey - employment by occupation (SOC 2020) |
| 2461 : Social workers | None | None | 2026-03 | 7,400.00 | ONS, Annual Population Survey - employment by occupation (SOC 2020) |
ONS does not publish occupational pay below region. Cells the survey could not support are shown as withheld, with its reason — adding a region split to a specific occupation leaves roughly a tenth of cells publishable.
| Region | Measure | Hours | Value | Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East | 2461 : Social workers | None | 16,300.00 | 2026-03 |
| East Midlands | 2461 : Social workers | None | 8,400.00 | 2026-03 |
| London | 2461 : Social workers | None | 21,000.00 | 2026-03 |
| North East | 2461 : Social workers | None | 5,400.00 | 2026-03 |
| North West | 2461 : Social workers | None | 14,000.00 | 2026-03 |
| Northern Ireland | 2461 : Social workers | None | 6,400.00 | 2026-03 |
| Scotland | 2461 : Social workers | None | 11,900.00 | 2026-03 |
| South East | 2461 : Social workers | None | 16,200.00 | 2026-03 |
| South West | 2461 : Social workers | None | 9,500.00 | 2026-03 |
| Wales | 2461 : Social workers | None | 7,400.00 | 2026-03 |
| West Midlands | 2461 : Social workers | None | 12,300.00 | 2026-03 |
| Yorkshire and The Humber | 2461 : Social workers | None | 11,200.00 | 2026-03 |
ONS publishes regional pay for this occupation where the survey sample supports it — 12 of 12 cells on this page. The rest are withheld by ONS, and are shown as withheld with the reason, rather than left out.
The Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, published by the Office for National Statistics. Figures are shown exactly as ONS publishes them — we do not adjust, model or fill them in, and every number on this page carries the series and period it came from.
Clergy · Probation officers · Welfare professionals n.e.c. · Youth work professionals