As AI finds its place within the world of customer contact, the role of those working on the frontline is evolving to become more complex and emotive.
As a result, frontline advisor salaries in UK contact centres have grown by an average of 6% in the past year, reflecting the changing nature of the role. This is above the average UK salary increase of 3.8% during the same period.
Headline Stats:
- Frontline advisor salaries have grown by an above-inflation average of 6% in the past 12 months
- Public sector leads on frontline pay – over £2,600 above the overall average
- Head of Contact Centre pay has grown by 28.7% in past five years
The CCMA (Contact Centre Management Association) announces these findings as part of its 2026 UK Contact Centre Salary Guide.
The guide also highlights that salaries across almost every level of the contact centre career ladder have risen above inflationary levels since 2022, with Head of Contact Centre pay up 28.7% and average frontline salaries up more than 20% over the four-year period.
CEO at the CCMA, Leigh Hopwood said:
“The role of the contact centre is changing. AI is reshaping what many jobs look like, seniority carries greater strategic responsibility than ever and the workforce is adapting. These findings are not a real surprise to those working in the industry as they see the incredibly valuable work that our frontline do.”
Further growth to frontline salaries can also be expected in the coming months, with the National Living Wage rising to £12.71 per hour from April 2026 – equivalent to approximately £26,435 annually – meaning many contact centres are likely to continue to drive for a frontline wage gap beyond this figure.
Now in its fifth year, this year’s Salary Guide is published against a challenging economic backdrop. UK unemployment has risen above 5% for the first time in several years, wage growth across the economy is moderating, and the April 2025 increase to employer National Insurance contributions is adding further pressure to workforce costs.
Despite this, the contact centre sector – which employs an estimated 800,000 people in the UK, representing around 3% of the total workforce – continues to demonstrate resilience in its approach to talent investment.
The 2026 data covers the major sectors and regions in which UK contact centres operate, providing leaders with reliable benchmarking information at a time of significant workforce change.
Other key findings from the 2026 guide include:
- The average Head of Contact Centre salary is up 28.7% since 2022 and with individual salaries reported as high as £190k, reflecting the expanding strategic remit of senior contact centre leadership.
- Career progression continues to command meaningful financial reward, with the step from frontline to Team Leader delivering an average 30% salary uplift across all sectors.
- Significant regional and sector variation exists across the data. Scotland outperforms the national average for Operations Manager and Head of Contact Centre salaries, while energy, utilities and housing rank among the highest-paying sectors at every level of the career ladder.
CEO at the CCMA, Leigh Hopwood added:
“This guide has become an important resource for the industry, and the data it captures this year tells a story that goes beyond salaries, highlighting that the contact centre sector continues investing in its people at a time when the pressure to do so – and the competition for the right talent – has never been greater.”
The UK Contact Centre Salary Guide 2026 is now available to CCMA members via: https://www.ccma.org.uk/uk-contact-centre-salary-guide-2026/