Career paths
Where a career in care
can take you.
Most people start without qualifications and gain them on the job. Here are the usual routes up, with average pay at each step.
Starting out
Care worker, average
£12.89 an hour
A step up
Senior care worker, average
£13.62 an hour
Running a service
Registered manager, average
£39,800 a year
Average pay from Skills for Care's 2026 report on the care workforce.
Choose a career path
Residential & nursing care
Care homes and nursing homes — supporting residents day and night, with clear steps into leadership.
- 1
Care Assistant
Personal care, companionship and daily support for residents.
- No qualifications needed to start
- Care Certificate (completed in your first weeks)
See jobs for care assistantAverage pay
£12.89 an hour
Independent sector · £14.66 an hour in councils
- 2
Senior Care Assistant
Often after 1–2 years
Leads shifts, manages medication and supports newer colleagues.
- Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Adult Care
- Medication training
See jobs for senior care assistantAverage pay
£13.62 an hour
+£0.73 an hour
Independent sector · £17.32 an hour in councils
- 3
Team Leader
Runs a unit or team, care planning and rotas.
- Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care
Pay for this step isn't published separately.
See jobs for team leader - 4
Deputy Manager
Supports the manager to run a safe, well-led home.
- Level 4 or working towards Level 5 in Leadership
See jobs for deputy managerAverage pay
£30,900 a year
Independent sector
- 5
Registered Manager
Accountable to the CQC for the quality and safety of the service.
- Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care
- CQC registration
See jobs for registered managerAverage pay
£39,800 a year
+£8,900 a year
Independent sector · £50,600 a year in councils
Home care (domiciliary)
Visiting people in their own homes so they can stay independent — flexible hours and plenty of routes up.
- 1
Domiciliary Care Worker
Visits people at home to help with personal care, meals and medication.
- No qualifications needed to start
- Care Certificate
- Driving licence often needed (not always)
See jobs for domiciliary care workerAverage pay
£12.89 an hour
Independent sector · £14.66 an hour in councils
- 2
Senior Carer / Field Supervisor
Often after 1–2 years
Spot-checks, assessments and supporting the care team in the community.
- Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care
See jobs for senior carerAverage pay
£13.62 an hour
+£0.73 an hour
Independent sector · £17.32 an hour in councils
- 3
Care Coordinator
Matches people's needs with carers and keeps rotas running.
- Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care (often preferred)
Pay for this step isn't published separately.
See jobs for care coordinator - 4
Branch / Registered Manager
Runs the branch and is accountable to the CQC.
- Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care
- CQC registration
See jobs for branchAverage pay
£39,800 a year
Independent sector · £50,600 a year in councils
Supported living & learning disability
Helping people with learning disabilities, autism or mental health needs to live the life they choose.
- 1
Support Worker
Supports people with daily life, independence and getting out into the community.
- No qualifications needed to start
- Care Certificate
See jobs for support workerAverage pay
£12.67 an hour
Independent sector · £14.22 an hour in councils
- 2
Senior Support Worker
Often after 1–2 years
Leads shifts, mentors staff and keeps support plans up to date.
- Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care
Pay for this step isn't published separately.
See jobs for senior support worker - 3
Team Leader
Manages a team or a service, rotas and staff supervision.
- Level 3–4 qualifications
Pay for this step isn't published separately.
See jobs for team leader - 4
Service Manager
Runs one or more services and leads quality and compliance.
- Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care
See jobs for service managerAverage pay
£39,800 a year
Independent sector · £50,600 a year in councils
Personal assistants (direct payments)
Working directly for one person — or their family — who employs you with a direct payment or personal budget. Flexible, one-to-one and on their terms.
- 1
Personal Assistant
One-to-one support at home and out and about, organised around the person you work for.
- No qualifications needed to start
- Training varies — some employers fund the Care Certificate
See jobs for personal assistantAverage pay
£13.79 an hour
Direct payments
- 2
Lead PA
Often after 1–2 years
Coordinates a small team of PAs supporting one person, including rotas and handovers.
- Experience as a PA
- Level 2–3 Diploma in Adult Care helps
Pay for this step isn't published separately.
See jobs for lead pa - 3
Support Worker / Team Leader
Many PAs move into regulated services for more structure, training and progression.
- Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care
See jobs for support workerAverage pay
£12.67 an hour
Independent sector · £14.22 an hour in councils
About these pay figures
Pay is the average for each role from Skills for Care's The state of the adult social care sector and workforce in England, 2026 (published October 2026; data 2025/26, with independent-sector pay as at March 2026). Yearly figures are full-time (37 hours a week). Since 1 April 2026 the National Living Wage is £12.71 an hour for workers aged 21 and over, so hourly pay today should be at least that. Pay within a role rises little with experience (about 12p an hour more after five years). Moving up a step is where it usually increases. Routes and qualifications vary by employer.
New to care?
See what the jobs involve, what you need to start, and find roles that welcome beginners.
Social work
A qualified profession — many start in a support role, then train through a degree or apprenticeship.
Support Worker
Hands-on experience that's valued by social work courses.
Average pay
£12.67 an hour
Independent sector · £14.22 an hour in councils
Social Worker
Assesses needs, safeguards people at risk and coordinates support.
Average pay
£45,300 a year
Councils
Senior Social Worker
scheduleOften after 2–3 years
Complex cases, practice guidance and supervising others.
Pay for this step isn't published separately.
See jobs for senior social worker arrow_forwardTeam Manager
Leads a social work team and its decisions.
Pay for this step isn't published separately.
See jobs for team manager arrow_forward