PAYROLL INSIGHTS SURVEY 2026 – PAY PROFESSIONALS
What is your highest level qualification (outside of CIPP-approved) that is relevant to your current role?
12%
None
There is no single educational route into payroll, suggesting the profession is accessible to people from a wide range of educational backgrounds. Outside of CIPP-approved qualifications, the most likely level for a payroll profession to have reached is Level 3 (A-level), with GCSEs and Level 6 qualifications following behind. This suggests many payroll professionals have built their careers through professional qualifications, workplace experience, and on-the-job learning rather than through university education.
Level 1 and 2
14%
(GCSE)
Level 3 (A Levels)
26%
Level 4
9%
(HNC)
Level 5
12%
(HND)
Level 6
22%
(Honours degree)
Level 7
5%
(Postgraduate / masters)
0% 0.39%
Level 8
(Doctorate)
13
In most cases percentages have been rounded to two decimal places for clarity and may not add up to 100%. Graphics may have been rounded to whole percentages.
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker