Introduction
The 2025 Salary Guide for the Hospitality industry provides insights into the trends and challenges that shaped the sector in 2024. Over the past year, demand for skilled professionals in roles such as chefs and hotel managers, with these positions seeing notable salary growth as businesses sought to address staffing shortages and meet evolving customer expectations.
Employers are focusing on personalisation, high-quality service, and health and safety standards, making soft skills and certifications in these areas increasingly valuable. To stay competitive, businesses are offering flexible working arrangements, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for professional development. Looking to 2025, sustainability, diversity, and digital innovation are set to drive recruitment strategies further.
This guide is designed to support employers and candidates in navigating these changes and thriving in this dynamic sector. Thank you for trusting us as your recruitment partner, whether you are a client looking for hiring support, or a job seeker looking for your next move.
Paul Kynaston
Managing Director, Hospitality
Your guide to salaries and trendsÂ
This guide is designed to offer valuable insights into the current landscape of Hospitality roles across the UK. Whether you’re an employer seeking to benchmark salaries, a candidate exploring career options, or simply interested in the latest industry trends, this guide has been crafted to keep you informed and prepared for what lies ahead.
In our guide, you’ll find:
- Key insights from our sentiment survey: Explore current trends, job satisfaction levels, and motivators for Hospitality professionals, gathered from our latest sentiment survey of candidates and clients.
- Salary tables by region: Discover salary insights across the UK for a range of Hospitality roles, allowing you to see how compensation varies and helping you make informed decisions wherever you’re based.
Key trends across all industriesÂ
- Rewarding careers: Professionals across sectors are increasingly recognised for the essential roles they play in their organisations. Our survey found that 25% of respondents are satisfied with their current salary, with many seeing room for growth in compensation and career development. For those aiming to progress, now is an ideal time to explore options in your field.
- High mobility: The job market remains dynamic, with 52% of respondents planning to change roles in the next year. This high mobility reflects a competitive landscape, presenting strong opportunities for those looking to advance their careers or explore new roles.
- Salary growth: Salary expectations remain a key driver when professionals consider new opportunities, with 39% of respondents aiming for an 11-20% pay increase and 35% expecting a 5-10% rise when changing roles. This underscores the importance of competitive compensation packages in attracting and retaining top talent.
- Work-life balance matters: Work-life balance is a top priority across all sectors, with 34% of respondents identifying it as their main motivator when seeking a new role. Companies offering flexibility and support around work-life balance are well-positioned to appeal to today’s professionals.
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Key insights for Hospitality
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1 in 3
Hospitality professionals are satisfied with their current salary
-
2 in 5
expect a salary increase of 5-10% when moving roles
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3 in 5
rate their current work-life balance as "Average" or better
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1 in 4
candidates say that career progression opportunities are a key driver in their job search
Skills in demand
Top skills in Hospitality include customer service expertise, adaptability, and time management.
As the sector continues to recover and grow, employers highly value professionals who can provide excellent service while handling high-pressure environments.
80%
of hospitality businesses face difficulties in hiring due to post-pandemic labour shortages
70%
of employers have raised wages to attract staff
50%
of businesses offer flexible contracts to appeal to a broader workforce
Looking ahead
The Hospitality sector is expected to grow as consumer confidence and travel increase.
With a continued emphasis on customer experience and adaptability, Search is dedicated to connecting skilled Hospitality professionals with roles that meet the industry's evolving needs.
Explore all industry salaries for 2025