South West sees strongest charity salary growth in UK as regional pay gap continues

Charity workers in the South West are seeing the fastest salary growth in the UK charity sector, reflecting shifting regional trends across the workforce, according to CharityJob’s latest Salary Report.

The data shows the median salary for charity roles in the South West is £32,843, representing a 9% increase year-on-year, the largest rise of any UK region. However, salaries remain below London, where median pay is £38,757. The findings highlight how location continues to influence earning potential across the charity workforce.

The report shows London is the highest-paying region, with a median salary of £38,757, 21% above the UK average, while the North East ranks lowest at £29,999.

Top-paying charity job regions (median salary):
London – £38,757
South East – £33,600
East of England – £33,478
Wales – £33,000 (joint) Scotland – £33,000 (joint)
South West – £32,843
West Midlands – £32,127
East Midlands – £32,000
Northern Ireland – £31,288
Yorkshire and the Humber – £30,772
North West – £30,521
North East – £29,999

The findings highlight a growing “postcode pay gap” in the charity workforce, with nearly £9,000 separating the highest and lowest paying regions.

Raya Wexler, co-founder of CharityJob, said:

“What we’re seeing is a growing postcode pay gap across the charity sector. Where you’re based is playing an increasingly important role in how much you can earn, which risks limiting access to opportunities for people outside of higher-paying regions like London.”

“At the same time, competition for roles is rising sharply. With fewer vacancies and more people applying, it’s becoming harder for candidates to secure roles, particularly at entry level. For the sector, this raises important questions about how we attract and retain talent from all backgrounds, not just those who can afford to enter it.”

Competition for charity roles intensifies as vacancies decline

At the same time, competition for roles is intensifying across the UK. Charity job postings have fallen by 18%, while applications per role have increased significantly. The report reveals that clicks on ‘Apply’ have risen by 37% year-on-year, pointing to growing demand for a shrinking number of opportunities.
Flexible roles are proving particularly competitive, with remote positions attracting an average of 231 applications per vacancy.

Despite regional differences in pay, concerns remain about accessibility into the sector. More than a third of junior charity roles fall below the real Living Wage, raising questions about who can afford to enter and progress within the workforce.

Key findings include:
Nearly £9,000 gap between highest and lowest regional salaries
London salaries 21% higher than the UK average
Charity job postings down 18%, increasing competition
Remote roles attract 231 applications on average
33%+ of junior roles below the real Living Wage
South West saw fastest salary growth (+9%)
Northern Ireland contract roles up 29%, signalling shift to flexible hiring

The data paints a picture of a sector shaped by regional inequality, rising competition, and increasing pressure on entry-level accessibility.