Careers advisers and vocational guidance specialists salary in the UK (2025/26)
Official UK Average earnings data 2025
£30,045
Typical Annual pay range
Employment patterns
- 68% of Careers advisers work full-time
- 12% are self-employed
- 95.1% of employees have permanent contracts
Understanding Careers advisers and vocational guidance specialists pay in the UK
The typical careers advisers and vocational guidance specialists in the UK earns a median salary of £30,045 in 2025/26. These figures come from the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), so they reflect actual reported pay rather than self-reported estimates or job-advert ranges.
The middle half of careers advisers and vocational guidance specialists earnings fall between £21,137 and £34,945 a year. That spread reflects the usual gap between newer entrants and more experienced careers advisers and vocational guidance specialists.
The mean (average) salary is higher, at £31,340. When the mean sits above the median like this, a smaller group of high earners is pulling the average up, which is why the median is the better guide to what a typical careers advisers and vocational guidance specialists actually takes home.
Employment patterns shape these numbers too: Around 12% of Careers advisers are self-employed, well above most occupations, so the employee pay above will not capture earnings for those working for themselves; only 68% work full-time, so part-time and flexible roles are common in this field.
Where you work changes the picture: careers advisers and vocational guidance specialists pay ranges from £16,827 in North West up to £37,711 in Scotland, a difference of £20,884 (124%). The full regional breakdown is below.
Dig deeper: see careers advisers and vocational guidance specialists pay in Scotland or read how we source and check this data.
How pay varies by region
Scotland is the highest-paying region for careers advisers and vocational guidance specialists at £37,711 — 26% above the UK median. North West is lowest at £16,827.
UK median £30,045
| Region | Median payUK median £30,045 | Median | Mean | vs UK median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scotland | £37,711 | £37,711 | £38,602 | +26% |
| London | £30,710 | £30,710 | Value unavailable | +2% |
| West Midlands | £30,175 | £30,175 | £30,175 | ±0% |
| East of England | £29,375 | £29,375 | £30,059 | -2% |
| South East | £26,543 | £26,543 | £26,782 | -12% |
| Wales | £25,676 | £25,676 | £25,281 | -15% |
| East Midlands | £22,797 | £22,797 | £25,469 | -24% |
| South West | £20,135 | £20,135 | £22,029 | -33% |
| North East | £18,202 | £18,202 | £18,719 | -39% |
| North West | £16,827 | £16,827 | £18,015 | -44% |
| Region | Median | vs UK |
|---|---|---|
| Scotland £37,711 | £37,711Mean £38,602 | +26% |
| London £30,710 | £30,710 | +2% |
| West Midlands £30,175 | £30,175Mean £30,175 | ±0% |
| East of England £29,375 | £29,375Mean £30,059 | -2% |
| South East £26,543 | £26,543Mean £26,782 | -12% |
| Wales £25,676 | £25,676Mean £25,281 | -15% |
| East Midlands £22,797 | £22,797Mean £25,469 | -24% |
| South West £20,135 | £20,135Mean £22,029 | -33% |
| North East £18,202 | £18,202Mean £18,719 | -39% |
| North West £16,827 | £16,827Mean £18,015 | -44% |
Sorted highest median to lowest. The vertical line marks the UK median (£30,045); ‘Vs UK median’ compares each region’s median to it. Suppressed values mean ONS withheld this figure because the sample was too small to publish.
Make it local
Calculate take-home pay for your region
Choose a region above to see local careers advisers and vocational guidance specialists pay and calculate your monthly take-home after tax on the local salary page.
Back to region listHow careers advisers and vocational guidance specialists pay has changed over time
UK median annual pay for careers advisers and vocational guidance specialists by year (ONS ASHE).
Median salary
▪ 25th–75th percentile range
Pre-2021 figures mapped from SOC 2010 via ONS concordance table
Related roles in HR, Training and Other Vocational Associate Guidance Professionals
Other published roles in this occupation group. View category overview →