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UK Payroll Salaries: Where 2026/27 Stands
Payroll pay has stabilised, with most rises landing between 2% and 3.7%, broadly in line with inflation and close to ONS average earnings growth of 3.4%.
A few areas outpaced the wider market. The South East saw average rises of 10.4% and the East of England 6.4%, while Payroll Administrator salaries in London rose 9.5%, against 7.5% nationally. Payroll Systems Specialists fared best of all, up 11.2% on average in the North and by as much as 18% in the South East. London still commands the clearest premium, typically 20 to 30% higher at practitioner and specialist level, while outside the capital the gap between regions remains around £2,000 to £4,000.
Average Salaries across the UK
Average Payroll Specialist salaries across London, the North, the South and the Midlands. London has bounced back after easing in 2025, reaching an average of £46,250. The North has been the most consistent riser, climbing every year since 2022 to reach £36,625, and has stayed ahead of the South (£34,800) and the Midlands (£34,500) since overtaking them in 2025.
By region, London Central & Greater London remains the highest-paying at £46,250 on average, followed by the East of England (£38,500) and the South East (£38,000). The South West and Devon & Cornwall sit lowest at £33,200 combined, with Devon & Cornwall alone at £31,000. Outside London, most regions sit within a few thousand pounds of each other.
Benchmarking a specific role? Download the full guide for salary tables covering 16 payroll roles across 14 UK regions.
Payroll Satisfaction
Salary satisfaction is largely unchanged year-on-year, mirroring the stabilisation in pay. 53.8% of payroll professionals rate their salary 4 or 5 out of 5, but under a fifth (19.9%) give it the full five stars, and 21.1% rate it two or below. Satisfaction is lowest among those planning to move soon, and highest among strategic leaders, heads and directors.
Cost of living drove 57.7% of pay rises, well ahead of performance at 20.7% and promotion at 6.5%. Performance-based increases are less common, but worth more when they happen, averaging around £1,450 above the typical rise.
Nearly a quarter (24.6%) of professionals who have never had a salary review have been with their employer for more than two years, concentrated in charity and public sector organisations. For employers, regular and transparent salary reviews remain one of the most effective ways to protect retention. Speak to our team about benchmarking your payroll salaries.
Pay at the top of the profession
£95,700Average Head of Payroll salary in London Central & City
+9%Head of Payroll salary rise in the Midlands, the biggest executive uplift for the second year running
+47%Premium earned by EMEA and global payroll managers over UK-only equivalents
Executive salaries have broadly levelled this year, with a few notable exceptions. In London, the top of the pay range has continued to climb, up 8% on average, while Head of Payroll retained the biggest uplift of any executive role, rising 7% in the South and up to 9% in the Midlands. Around half of strategic leaders and managers also received a bonus in the past 12 months.
Scale of responsibility drives the premium. Senior leaders at organisations with 10,000 or more employees earn a median of £90,500, against £57,000 at those with up to 499, and EMEA and global payroll managers earn £81,000 on average compared with £55,000 for UK-only roles. Find out more about our senior and executive payroll recruitment.
Latest jobs
Portfolio Payroll are currently partnering with a growing accountancy practice in Blackburn that are looking for an experienced payroll candidate to join their business as a Payroll Senior. This role can be based out of Blackburn or Bolton, they a...
View job & applyPortfolio Payroll are currently partnering with a growing accountancy practice in Blackburn that are looking for an experienced payroll candidate to join their business as a Payroll Senior. This role can be based out of Blackburn or Bolton, they a...
View job & applyPortfolio are proud to be exclusively representing, an award-winning cloud-based HR management solution with a reputation for excellence. As part of a global Group, the business is experiencing impressive year-on-year growth and are expanding thei...
View job & applyPortfolio are proud to be exclusively representing our award-winning global SaaS Client and one of the most progressive and dynamic payroll bureaus in the UK. Our client is experiencing exponential growth and building their Payroll division and st...
View job & applyPortfolio are proud to be exclusively representing, an award-winning cloud-based HR management solution with a reputation for excellence. As part of a global Group, the business is experiencing impressive year-on-year growth and are expanding thei...
View job & applyPortfolio Payroll are currently working with a reputable business based in central Manchester who are looking for a Payroll Executive to join their growing team on a permanent basis. For this role, it is essential that you have experience in deali...
View job & applyPortfolio are proud to be exclusively representing, an award-winning cloud-based HR management solution with a reputation for excellence. As part of a global Group, the business is experiencing impressive year-on-year growth and are expanding thei...
View job & applyPayroll Senior Specialist (Global Mobility & EU Payroll) Location: Central London (Prime location near Piccadilly / Oxford Street) – Hybrid (3 days office, 2 days remote) Salary / Package: £64k + Performance Bonus + Exceptional Benefits ...
View job & applyMy client is an established accountancy practice in Liverpool. Based in a small friendly team you will be working on a portfolio of clients. Our client is looking for an experienced Payroll Officer to join them on a PART TIME permanent basis. Job ...
View job & applyWe are currently assisting with the recruitment for an experienced Senior Payroll Advisor to join a growing, people‑focused leading chartered accountancy. This role sits within a high‑performing payroll team that supports a wide range of clients w...
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