Probation officers: salary in the UK
Pay by year
The median went from £37,577 in 2021 to £35,688 in 2024 (-5%); for all full-time employees in the UK it changed by +20% over the same years.
Figures by year
| P10 | P25 | Median | P75 | P90 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | x | £30,958 | £37,577 | x | x |
| 2022 | x | x | x | x | x |
| 2023 | x | x | £38,652 | x | x |
| 2024 | x | x | £35,688 | x | x |
| 2025 | x | x | x | x | x |
| 2026 | x | x | x | x | x |
ONS figures for each year, not adjusted for inflation. Years before 2021 used a different occupation classification, so they can't be compared. Earlier years are ONS's revised figures; the latest is provisional.
ONS didn't publish salary figures for Probation officers in 2026: too few full-time employees were in the survey sample for a reliable estimate. This is common for jobs where many people are self-employed, because the survey only covers employees.
The wider group Welfare Professionals (SOC 246) has a median of £43,650 a year.
ONS did publish a mean of £45,862, which is less reliable than a median would be.
Job titles in this occupation
ONS codes these 6 job titles to SOC 2462 Probation officers. Pay figures are for the whole occupation, not for each title.
- Chief probation officer
- Community payback officer
- Community service officer
- Inspector
- Probation officer
- Youth justice officer
Similar occupations
All jobs in Professional occupations
Source: ONS, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2026 provisional, Table 14.7a (full-time employees, gross annual pay, UK, tax year ending 5 April 2026). Provisional figures may be revised.