Understanding the true value of elderly care salary benchmarking across the UK has never been more important: the micro economic environment is putting additional strain on an already overworked social care sector.
To address this challenge directly, Compass Associates has developed the sector’s most comprehensive and regionally segmented salary benchmarking resource, featuring expert commentary from Divisional Director Tom Berrisford. This report offers valuable insights into how providers nationwide are attracting and retaining talent at a time when it is more critical than ever.
As elderly care providers across the UK face increasing competition for talent, the need for recruitment partners who offer clarity, data, and expertise is greater than ever. Compass Associates stands apart as the sector’s leading recruitment consultancy, with a specialist focus on elderly care roles at leadership and management levels and is pleased to bring to market the 2025 elderly care salary benchmarking report providing the most in-depth sector salary analysis to date.
Salary benchmarking built on real data
Our FY26 Elderly Care Salary Benchmarking Report goes far beyond average salaries. We’ve gathered input from independent, charity-led, and investor-backed providers across every UK region. The result: a clear, consistent, and comparative view of what elderly care leaders are really earning by functional expertise, home size, and type of care provided.
Our consultants collected and analysed salary data from candidates placed, and providers looking to hire, across the whole of the UK. From Deputy Managers to Regional Directors, we offer insights not just into base salaries but into the benefits and bonus structures driving attraction and retention.
Key Takeaways:
- One of the most frequent reasons Deputy Managers cite for leaving is the lack of compensation for extra hours
- Deputy Managers in nursing homes earn up to 40% more than those in residential settings
- Quality and Regional Directors are earning more in high-M&A markets such as London and the North West
- Care providers are facing pressure to offer competitive packages not just to attract top talent, but to retain current staff numbers
Deputy Manager Salaries:
- Residential: £28,000–£44,000
- Nursing: £35,000–£60,000
Home Manager Salaries:
- Residential: Up to £70,000
- Nursing: Up to £83,000
Regional Managers & Directors:
- Typically between £60,000 and £94,000, depending on region and portfolio size
Quality Manager Salaries:
- £53,000 to £79,000, with higher pay in regions with tougher regulatory performance metrics
How employers and care providers can use the report:
- Design competitive benefit packages knowing localisation has been factored into the report
- Compare against industry and regional norms to ensure pay is aligned with market expectations
- Stay competitive to avoid losing candidates to better-paying competitors
- Use data to create attractive job offers for roles like Deputy Manager, Registered Manager, or Clinical Lead
- Justify salary increases to boards and investors
- Structure pay across multi-site services, especially for those in post-investment growth phase
Download our salary benchmarking report
A trusted elderly care recruitment partner over the last 15 years
With over 100 years of collective experience across our elderly care division, Compass Associates delivers more than CVs, we deliver strategic recruitment advice and deep sector insight. Our consultants are aligned by region, giving providers access to talent pools and real-time market trends that are truly localised.
“Our teams aren’t generalists. They understand CQC requirements, the impact of occupancy, and what makes a great Home Manager succeed in Yorkshire vs. the South East.” Tom Berrisford, Divisional Director. “There’s nothing else like it on the market for elderly care. It’s designed for decision-makers, not just jobseekers.”
Looking to hire within Elderly Care?
What truly sets Compass Associates apart is our commitment to long-term matches. We don’t ‘fill jobs’, we support providers to hire leaders who can shape culture, build stable teams, and raise quality standards.
Whether you’re opening new homes, preparing for inspection, or replacing a long-standing manager, our process is proven, professional, and people-focussed.
As the longest-serving and most established team at Compass Associates, our Elderly Care team supports the recruitment nationwide of senior management within residential care, homecare, retirement living, nursing and clinical services.