Demand for clinical and care talent stayed high through 2025, with flexibility and shift patterns mattering as much as pay for many candidates. Use these benchmarks to plan and to negotiate.
The headline
Specialist clinical roles and senior care leadership remain the hardest to fill. Employers offering reliable rotas, development pathways and genuine support are pulling ahead in a tight market.
Employer tip: in care especially, retention beats recruitment. Predictable shifts and visible progression do more for staffing than a one-off pay bump.
2026 UK salary benchmarks
Typical base salaries by role and seniority, averaged across UK regions. High-demand specialisms and London sit at the upper end.
| Role | Junior | Mid | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | £28k | £37k | £48k |
| Care Assistant | £22k | £26k | £31k |
| Care Home Manager | £36k | £48k | £62k |
| Healthcare Assistant | £23k | £27k | £32k |
| Physiotherapist | £30k | £42k | £55k |
| Practice Manager | £34k | £45k | £58k |
Beyond base pay
- Predictable, well-managed shift patterns and rotas
- Funded training, revalidation support and clear career pathways
- Wellbeing and mental-health support for demanding roles
- Recognition and retention bonuses for long service
Make it actionable
Need live, role-specific benchmarks for your area? Get in touch and we’ll tailor the data to your service and region.