Concerns have been expressed over salaries in the charity sector as new research shows that a quarter of entry-level and junior roles pay below the real living wage.
The recently published CharityJob Salary Report 2025, based on data from 55,486 sector jobs listed last year, also found that the median salary in the sector increased by 3% to £35,000 in 2024.
It found that the median salary for a role in London was £37,500, 24% higher than the median salary of a role outside London, which was £30,282.
Unlike the government’s mandatory national living wage, the minimum hourly rate that must be paid to employees aged over 21, the voluntary real living wage is based on how much people should be paid in order to afford a decent standard of living.
The Living Wage Foundation, which calculates the higher voluntary rate, said the data on pay for junior positions was concerning and that it could “limit diversity and talent across the sector”.
Findings ‘raise concerns’
According to CharityJob’s report, around 2,800 employers in the charity sector pay the voluntary real living wage.
It found that entry-level roles experienced a 5% salary increase overall last year, from £25,750 to £27,000, while junior roles saw a 3% rise, from £29,128 to £30,000.
However, it found that 24% of full-time entry-level and junior charity roles in London paid below the real London living wage, while 25% of those outside the capital paid below the UK living wage.
The report says: “This raises concerns, as it suggests some charity employees, especially those entering the workforce, may struggle to afford necessities and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
“Charities hiring for these roles should consider raising salaries to ensure their employees can thrive, both personally and professionally.
Low pay ‘barrier to entry into the sector’
As of 2025, the voluntary UK living wage stands at £12.60 an hour for areas outside of London and £13.85 an hour for roles in the capital.
Commenting on the report, Katherine Chapman, director of the Living Wage Foundation, said: “It’s concerning that so many junior roles in the charity sector are paid below the real living wage.
“Everyone deserves to earn a wage that meets the cost of living, especially in a sector dedicated to social good.
“Low pay can be a barrier to entry that makes it harder for people from all backgrounds to build a career in charities, which can limit diversity and talent across the sector.
“As values-driven organisations, charities have the opportunity to help drive up standards of good work. The real living wage helps ensure everyone can enjoy a decent standard of living.
“We encourage charities to become living wage employers so their staff are fairly paid, valued and supported to thrive – helping to create work that works for everyone.”
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