UK Commercial and Support Services Pay Guide (2026/27)
Temporary administration and customer service staff in the UK typically earn £13–£17 per hour, with finance, HR and medical secretary roles paying £15–£25 per hour depending on experience and qualifications.
Updated October 2026 · 7 min read
Administration and business support
| Role | Level | Temporary (per hour) | Permanent (per year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Administrator / Receptionist | Entry | £13–£15 | £23,000–£27,000 |
| Medical Secretary | Mid | £14–£18 | £25,000–£30,000 |
| Executive / Personal Assistant | Senior | £17–£25 | £32,000–£48,000 |
| Customer Service Advisor | Entry | £13–£15 | £23,000–£27,000 |
Finance and HR
| Role | Level | Temporary (per hour) | Permanent (per year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounts Payable / Receivable | Mid | £14–£18 | £25,000–£32,000 |
| Payroll Officer | Mid | £15–£20 | £28,000–£36,000 |
| Financial Accountant | Qualified | £28–£40 | £45,000–£60,000 |
| HR Advisor | CIPD L5 | £17–£24 | £32,000–£42,000 |
| Recruitment Coordinator | Mid | £14–£18 | £25,000–£30,000 |
Facilities and procurement
| Role | Level | Temporary (per hour) | Permanent (per year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Facilities Coordinator | Mid | £14–£18 | £26,000–£32,000 |
| Procurement Officer | Mid | £17–£24 | £32,000–£42,000 |
| Logistics / Warehouse Operative | Entry | £13–£15 | £23,000–£27,000 |
These are indicative UK market ranges for standard hours. Final pay depends on the employer, location, experience and engagement model. Your Actionus consultant confirms the exact rate before you start.
Temporary to permanent
Many temporary assignments convert to permanent roles. Any conversion terms are agreed with the employer before the assignment starts.
Roles in health, care or education settings require the relevant DBS level before the first day.
Holiday pay and pensions
Hourly PAYE workers accrue 5.6 weeks of paid holiday a year, usually calculated as 12.07% of hours worked. Rates may be quoted inclusive or exclusive of holiday pay; we always confirm which before you start.
Workers engaged on PAYE through an agency or umbrella company are auto-enrolled into a workplace pension once they earn over £10,000 a year and are aged 22 or over. You can opt out within one month of enrolment for a refund, and opt back in at any time.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a temporary administrator earn?
- Typically £13–£15 per hour, above the £12.71 National Living Wage, before holiday pay.
- What does a temporary medical secretary earn?
- Typically £14–£18 per hour depending on specialty and audio typing speed.
- Do temporary workers get a pension?
- Workers engaged on PAYE through an agency or umbrella company are auto-enrolled into a workplace pension once they earn over £10,000 a year and are aged 22 or over. You can opt out within one month of enrolment for a refund, and opt back in at any time.