Salaries and Costs
Public sector pay in Cardiff tends to sit slightly below London, with strong benefits and steady progression. Agencies report admin and customer service roles from £21,000 to £26,000, policy and project posts from £30,000 to £45,000, and senior managers from £50,000 to £70,000, depending on remit and union bands. Temp agencies quote hourly pay for administrators around £12 to £15, rising to £18 for experienced case handlers, with professional contractors from £200 to £450 per day in areas such as digital, estates, and finance. Recruitment fees for permanent hires often range from 12% to 18% of salary, with lower rates for high-volume intake and higher rates for niche or cleared roles. Agency costs on temporary supply are usually set as a margin on pay rates, with public sector frameworks keeping pricing consistent across Cardiff Bay, Cathays, and the wider city.
Qualifications
For entry and mid-level jobs, employers look for GCSEs or A levels, strong IT literacy, and proven customer handling. Graduates are common in policy, communications, data, and inspection teams, with CIPD for HR, ACCA or CIMA for finance, and PRINCE2 or APM for project work. Digital roles may ask for ITIL, Microsoft certifications, or cyber credentials. Welsh language skills are welcomed across many departments, especially where services face the public. Recruitment consultants will flag mandatory training, such as safeguarding, information governance, and data protection, before a start date.
Local hiring challenges
Government hiring in Cardiff faces pressure from competition with the private sector for digital talent, and from clearance lead times for security-sensitive teams. Agencies help local employers plan around onboarding checks, manage retention in busy contact centres, and shape attraction for hard-to-fill compliance and inspection posts. Jobseekers value flexible working and hybrid setups across offices near Cathays Park and Cardiff Bay, with commuter links drawing candidates from Newport and Pontypridd.
Key sectors or employers in the region
Cardiff is the heart of Welsh public administration, with roles spread across central government bodies, Welsh Government departments, health boards, local authorities, and arm’s length agencies. The courts, probation, and policing family generate a steady demand for administrators, caseworkers, and specialist coordinators. Estates, digital, and procurement teams recruit for projects tied to city growth and transport, with employers clustered around Cathays Park, Callaghan Square, and Cardiff Gate Business Park near the M4.
Regulatory or compliance standards
Most public-facing roles require at least a Basic or Standard DBS, with Enhanced DBS for safeguarding settings. Many departments request BPSS as a baseline for identity and right-to-work checks, with some vacancies requiring higher security clearance. Employment firms manage references, gap verification, and professional memberships, and advise on IR35 for contractors and on fair recruitment under public sector equality duties.
Common job roles agencies recruit for in the Cardiff government
Typical vacancies include administrators, receptionists, minute takers, data officers, contact centre staff, correspondence handlers, payroll and finance assistants, HR advisers, policy officers, project and PMO staff, communications officers, procurement specialists, complaints handlers, and estates coordinators. Executive search teams handle appointments for heads of service, programme leads, and directors, often working to tight cabinet or committee timelines.
Temporary, permanent, and contract work
Recruiters cover short-notice temps for sickness and seasonal peaks, fixed-term contracts for funded projects, and permanent campaigns for steady teams. Temp agencies keep candidate pools ready for Cardiff Central and Cardiff Bay offices, helping local employers hire staff quickly. Contractors are common in digital delivery, estates, and change, where time-bound outcomes need experienced hands.
Regional or geographic variations
Pay rates track local living costs, with small uplifts for specialist skills around the Bay and central hubs. Roles in community teams may include travel across wards such as Canton, Roath, Grangetown, and Llanrumney. Commuter patterns bring applicants along the Valleys lines and the M4 from Bridgend and Newport, broadening the candidate base for frontline and back-office services.
Entry requirements
Contact centre and admin roles focus on communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to follow processes. For inspection, planning, and environmental health, recruiters look for the relevant degrees or chartered pathways. Project and policy hiring values evidence handling, stakeholder management, and strong drafting. Jobseekers should register with an agency, keep ID and proof of address ready, and complete any online tests or disclosures early.
Progression possibilities
Government careers in Cardiff offer routes from admin to officer and senior officer, with clear pay bands and training support. Many candidates move sideways into policy, project support, or procurement, then rise to team lead or programme roles. Recruiters can map out secondments and step-up moves that improve retention for local businesses delivering public services.
Salaries and fees quick guide
Expect £21,000 to £26,000 for entry admin, £30,000 to £45,000 for officers, and £50,000 to £70,000 for senior managers. Temps at £12 to £18 per hour for admin are common across the city, with day rates from £200 for specialist work. Recruitment fees usually range from 12% to 18% for permanent placements, with volume discounts available for larger employers.
Hard-to-fill positions
Digital business analysts, data engineers, building surveyors, senior procurement specialists, and certain legal and compliance roles can be short on local supply. Recruiters expand their reach across South Wales and tap passive candidates who value hybrid work and meaningful work. Clear job adverts, quick feedback, and upfront pay ranges help reduce fall-through and improve offer acceptance.
Quick facts and frequently asked questions
Do Cardiff government roles need a DBS check?
Many roles do, with Enhanced DBS for safeguarding or vulnerable groups, and baseline security checks for a range of office posts.
What makes public sector agencies different in Cardiff?
They understand framework pricing, panel processes, and the vetting that shapes start dates, which helps local employers and job seekers avoid delays.
How fast can a temp start in the city centre?
For low-risk admin, same week starts happen when right to work and references are in place, with ID checks completed promptly.
Can agencies help with Welsh language roles?
Yes, recruiters flag Welsh-speaking candidates and can list bilingual skills for roles that face the public or handle enquiries across Wales.
Where are most offices based for government work?
Many teams are based in Cathays Park, Cardiff Bay, and near Cardiff Central, with hubs at Cardiff Gate Business Park and along key bus and rail routes.