Hospitality Industry Witnesses Salary Squeeze Amidst Improved Job Satisfaction

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Salaries in the hospitality sector have undergone significant shifts, according to the UK’s
Largest Hospitality Salary Survey 2024, indicating a mixed bag of outcomes for employees.
Despite a mid-level pay squeeze, marked by more workers earning less than £30k and a rise
in those earning £60k or more, job satisfaction among hospitality employees has seen an
upward trend.
Conducted by KAM in collaboration with Access Group, the BII, Hospitality Jobs UK,
Montgomery Group, and Otolo, the survey encompassed insights from over 1,300 UK
hospitality workers, revealing pertinent trends shaping the industry’s landscape.
While the average salaries in several sectors have witnessed a decline, with notable drops in
fast food/cafes, full-service restaurants, and pubs, clubs, and bars, there has been a
contrasting increase in average salaries for those with 13+ years of experience, indicating a
potential trend favoring seasoned professionals.
Employee satisfaction metrics paint a positive picture, with a notable increase in workers
reporting a healthy work/life balance and overall contentment in their current roles. The
percentage of employees anticipating to remain with their current employers in the upcoming
year has also shown a promising rise, alongside a significant proportion expressing their
willingness to recommend a career in hospitality.
Despite the importance of fair salaries, employees are increasingly prioritizing additional
benefits such as holiday entitlement, training and development opportunities, flexible hours,
and mentoring programs. This shift underscores a broader recognition within the industry
towards enhancing employee well-being and professional growth avenues.
Addressing the findings, Jamie Campbell, Director of Learning at Access Group,
emphasized the importance of sustained efforts in bolstering employee benefits and training
initiatives to attract and retain talent in the competitive hospitality landscape.
Additional insights from the survey highlight fluctuations in pay across different age groups,
variations in additional work hours, and sentiments regarding training adequacy among
employees.
As the hospitality sector navigates through evolving dynamics, a nuanced approach towards
addressing employee needs and aspirations emerges as pivotal in fostering a resilient and
vibrant workforce.

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