How much does a registered manager earn in 2026?
| Measure | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time median, care managers and proprietors (SOC 1232) | £42,700 a year | ONS ASHE 2025, provisional |
| Typical advertised range, all service types | £35,000 to £55,000 | Job adverts, 2026, indicative |
| Senior care worker or lead practitioner, full-time median | £29,381 a year | ONS ASHE 2025 |
| Care worker, independent sector median | £12.60 an hour (December 2025; National Living Wage £12.71 from April 2026) | Skills for Care, December 2025; gov.uk |
The ONS figure covers all employers, including local authorities and the NHS, while the Skills for Care care worker figure is the independent sector only. Use the ONS median as the headline and the advertised range to judge a specific role.
Registered manager salary by service type
| Service type | Typical 2026 salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Domiciliary care branch (small, under 300 hours a week) | £32,000 to £38,000 | Often a first registered manager post |
| Domiciliary care branch (large, 1,000+ hours a week) | £38,000 to £48,000 | Usually with field care supervisors reporting in |
| Supported living or learning disability service | £35,000 to £42,000 | Multi-site managers earn more |
| Residential care home (no nursing, under 40 beds) | £38,000 to £48,000 | |
| Residential care home (40+ beds) | £45,000 to £55,000 | |
| Nursing home (registered manager, often a nurse) | £50,000 to £70,000 | NMC registration usually required in addition to Level 5 |
| Regional or operations manager (several registrations) | £55,000 to £75,000 | Progression from registered manager |
Ranges are indicative, compiled from 2026 job adverts and Skills for Care workforce data. Bonuses tied to CQC ratings and occupancy are common in residential services and are not included.
Regional differences
| Region | Adjustment to the national range |
|---|---|
| London | Plus £5,000 to £8,000 |
| South East and East of England | Plus £2,000 to £5,000 |
| Midlands, North, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland | At or slightly below the national range |
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have separate regulators (Care Inspectorate, Care Inspectorate Wales, RQIA) with their own manager qualification rules; the figures on this page are for CQC-registered services in England.
What moves a registered manager up the pay scale
- Holding the Level 5, not just working towards it. Regulation 7 allows appointment while working towards the diploma, but adverts at the top of the range ask for a completed Level 5. The current TQUK qualification is the Level 5 Diploma in Leading and Managing an Adult Care Service (610/7004/X).
- A Good or Outstanding CQC rating on your current service. Providers pay a premium for managers with a track record at inspection.
- Service size and complexity. Nursing, dementia and complex needs services pay more than standard residential care.
- Multi-site responsibility. Managing two registrations, or a registered manager who also acts as nominated individual, commands the regional-manager range.
- Experience at senior care worker level. Most registered managers hold the Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care from their earlier career; employers value the practice background.
Is the Level 5 worth it financially?
The median gap between a senior care worker (£29,381) and a registered manager (£42,700) is about £13,300 a year. The Level 5 at Lift College costs £79.99 a month over 18 to 24 months (£1,439.82 to £1,919.76), with a discounted pay-annually option shown on the course page, and many employers reclaim it through the Learning and Development Support Scheme; see adult care qualification funding 2026. The route from care worker to deputy to registered manager is mapped step by step in the Care Workforce Pathway qualifications map, and the registration requirements are in the CQC registered manager requirements checklist.
Your next step
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Frequently asked questions
What is the average registered manager salary in the UK?
How much does a care home manager earn?
Do you need Level 5 to be a registered manager?
How much does a deputy care manager earn?
Are registered manager salaries rising?
Sources checked
- Office for National Statistics, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2025 (provisional), SOC 1232 and SOC 6135
- Skills for Care, The state of the adult social care sector and workforce in England, October 2025; care worker pay, December 2025
- Care Quality Commission, Regulation 7: requirements relating to registered managers
- Ofqual Register, TQUK Level 5 Diploma in Leading and Managing an Adult Care Service 610/7004/X
- gov.uk, National Living Wage rates from April 2026
- Full hourly tables for care workers and senior care workers: UK care worker pay 2026