Social workers earn less than sales reps

Frontline social work is the 124th best-paid profession in the UK, according to a report today from the GMB union.

Social workers received a mean salary of £26,220 in 2005, up from £25,143 in 2004, according to the union’s analysis of the average gross salaries of the UK’s 340 occupational groups.

The mean salary for sales reps is £28,668.

Prison officers receive £26,373 and social services managers £33,273.

The highest paid group were directors and chief executives of major organisations, with an average £171,509.