Understanding the Paraplanner Salary in 2026

If you are a paraplanner or considering the role, knowing the going rate is essential for negotiating a fair offer or planning your next career move. The most recent UK-wide data comes from the Antony George Recruitment Paraplanner Salary Survey 2026, which collected 587 verified responses from paraplanners across the country. It puts the median paraplanner salary at £48,000 per year for all roles and all regions. That figure is significantly higher than the UK median full-time annual earnings of £39,039 reported by the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) for April 2025.

Hourly Equivalent of the Median Paraplanner Salary

To compare a salaried paraplanner offer with an hourly-paid job, you need to convert the annual figure into an hourly rate. The standard conversion uses contracted hours per week multiplied by 52 weeks. Most full-time paraplanner roles are based on a 35- to 37.5-hour week. Using 37.5 hours:

• £48,000 ÷ (37.5 × 52) = £24.62 per hour

If your contract is 35 hours per week, the hourly equivalent rises to about £26.37. This is well above the National Living Wage of £12.21 per hour (April 2025 rate for workers aged 21 and over) and also above the UK median hourly earnings for full-time employees of £19.67 (ONS ASHE 2025).

How Paraplanner Pay Compares with Other Roles

The ONS data shows that median weekly earnings for full-time employees increased by 5.3% between April 2024 and April 2025, with caring, leisure and other service occupations seeing the largest rise (7.1%). Paraplanner salaries have also been rising, partly due to demand for technical financial services support and the increasing complexity of regulation. The Antony George survey indicates that 35% of paraplanners feel they want higher pay, suggesting some upward pressure in the market.

Factors That Affect Your Paraplanner Salary

Several variables influence what you can expect to earn:

• Experience and qualifications: Entry-level paraplanners typically start between £28,000 and £35,000. Those with diploma-level qualifications or chartered status can command £50,000 to £65,000 or more.
• Region and London weighting: Salaries in London and the South East are often 10–20% higher to reflect higher living costs. The Antony George survey does not break down regional medians in the headline figures, but regional variation is significant.
• Firm size and type: Large national advisory firms and wealth managers tend to pay more than small independent practices. Some roles also include bonus or commission, which is not captured in base salary surveys.
• Working pattern: The survey found 62% of paraplanners work a hybrid office/home model. Fully remote roles may offer slightly different pay levels.

Using the Hourly to Salary Calculator

If you are weighing up an hourly contract against a salaried paraplanner position, use our hourly calculator to see the annual equivalent. Remember that hourly roles may not include paid holiday, sick pay, or pension contributions, so factor those benefits into your comparison. For a quick rule of thumb, multiply your hourly rate by 37.5 and then by 52 to get a rough annual figure.

National Living Wage and Minimum Wage Context

The National Living Wage for employees aged 21 and over rose to £12.21 per hour in April 2025. For younger workers (18–20) the rate is £10.00, and for 16–17 year olds it is £7.55. Apprentices have their own rate of £7.55. Paraplanner roles almost always pay above these minimums, but the gap matters when comparing lower-paid support roles.

What the Antony George Survey Tells Us About the Market

The 2026 Paraplanner Salary Survey is one of the few dedicated sources for this occupation. It highlights that the median salary of £48,000 is a benchmark for the whole UK market. However, the survey also notes that 35% of respondents want higher pay, indicating that many paraplanners feel their compensation could be better. For employers, this is a retention risk; for job seekers, it suggests there may be room to negotiate.

ONS ASHE Limitations

The ONS ASHE data covers all employee jobs, but it does not break out paraplanner as a separate occupation code. Paraplanners fall under broader financial services categories. Therefore, the Antony George survey is more specific and useful for benchmarking this role. Always cross-check with multiple sources and consider your own circumstances.

Final Thoughts on Paraplanner Salary

Whether you are entering the profession or looking to move roles, the current median paraplanner salary of £48,000 provides a solid reference point. Use the salary articles on this site to explore more about UK pay trends, and remember that your actual take-home pay will depend on tax, pension contributions, and any salary sacrifice arrangements. For the most accurate comparison, convert any hourly offer using the method above and check your contract for overtime and London weighting clauses.

For more detailed data, visit the salary data page or read our guides on topics related to UK earnings and employment.