Who is this hospitality salary guide designed for?
Use this comprehensive salary guide to understand the salary and benefits that professionals should expect to receive and discover emerging recruitment trends that could make a real difference to the success of your business for the year ahead.
Reed’s 2024 hospitality salary guide is compiled from extensive data. Our analysis is based on 17 million jobs posted on Reed.co.uk since 2016, which enables us to pinpoint key salary trends and insights, helping you to benchmark average salaries for your UK hospitality teams, or find out what you should, or could, be earning in the sectors.
Reed’s 2024 hospitality salary guide contains average salaries and benefits information across the sector. This insight, divided by UK region, aims to help you benchmark average salaries for your hospitality teams or discover your earning potential in 2024.
It’s been a tough period for many businesses – and those that kept going against the odds have had no respite. Supply chain disruptions and rising costs have put pressure on profit margins, leading to tough decisions for business owners. Many are still reeling from losing good staff to other industries or EU home nations, and the gloomiest predictions suggest industry recovery will continue beyond 2024, hampered by the sluggish economy.
Hospitality sector recruitment forecast in 2024
Data from our hospitality salary guide shows how in-demand various roles in the sector are, and the pay range professionals can expect by region. For example, this year a head chef salary in London has risen to £40,600 – just two years ago the role paid an average of £34,200.
It’s the same story for an assistant manager salary, which has risen to £27,100 this year in the North East, up from £24,500 in 2023.
One key driver of growth in this sector is the continued push for sustainability. Consumers are increasingly prioritising eco-friendly practices, pushing hospitality businesses to adopt greener initiatives, from eco-conscious sourcing of ingredients to reducing single-use plastics.
Recruiting and retaining skilled staff looks set to challenge many employers. Training programmes, competitive benefits and a positive work culture are vital to maintaining and attracting a motivated workforce. Some business owners are calling for more government support for training and skills, as well as flexibility in the apprenticeship levy.
Senior Regional Director, Reed
Benefits are all-important
Businesses are expected to continue investing in employee training programmes to enhance service quality and guest satisfaction. Furthermore, there will be a growing demand for professionals skilled in data analysis and technology implementation to optimise operations and customer experiences.
In response to our annual snap UK workforce survey at the end of last year, 5,000 professionals told us their thoughts on salary and benefits, about their organisation, and their job satisfaction levels and career hopes.
The outcome showed that a higher salary remains the most ideal way to attract and retain employees – little surprise there. However, not every organisation can afford to do this, in which case, benefits can provide the best alternative.
According to our snap survey, over half of professionals (55%) are currently looking or considering looking for a new job – highlighting a need for businesses to revise their current offering.
There are some areas where businesses could better align their benefits packages to what candidates really want, which tend to be flexible working, a pension higher than the required amount and an annual salary increment.
Don’t overlook the importance of training either – many professionals regard continuous professional development as highly important to their future. To encourage people to the hospitality sector, it can help to illustrate the scope of their chosen profession – the opportunities to progress and diversify, and also how much soft skills are valued in the sector.
Candidates with a strong interest and skills in customer service, adaptability, and problem-solving abilities will stand out in the competitive job market. Networking at careers fairs and gaining practical experience through internships or part-time positions can also significantly enhance job prospects.
Senior Regional Director, Reed
What jobs does Reed’s hospitality salary guide cover?
Our 2024 hospitality salary guide will provide you with direction on salaries and benefits for some of the most prominent roles in the sectors, including:
Breakfast chef
Commis chef
Housekeeper
Reception manager
Operations manager
There’s much to look forward to for employers and jobseekers in the hospitality sector, and rewarding careers will combine to involve experiences that blend tech innovation with high standards of customer service.
To discover what this year has in store for your role in hospitality, or to benchmark salaries for your organisation, download the 2024 hospitality salary guide using the button above now.
