What are the average salaries for pub jobs?

By Nikkie Thatcher

- Last updated on GMT

Wage increase: it is expected national living wage will be rising by 5.7% (image: Getty/ georgeclerk)
Wage increase: it is expected national living wage will be rising by 5.7% (image: Getty/ georgeclerk)

Related tags Training Wages Recruitment Finance

Following the rumoured rise in that national living wage (NLW), The Morning Advertiser has taken a look at the average salary amounts for job across the pub sector.

The current NLW amount is £8.91 for those aged 23 and over. This was an increase of 19p (2.2%) from the previous amount. There have been reports NLW will be rising again to £9.42 an hour however, these have yet to be confirmed by the Government.

Furthermore, as part of the increase, younger people are now eligible for the NLW for the first time as the threshold was lowered from 25 to 23-years-old.

The last rise in NLW came into force from Monday 1 April 2021, where Prime Minister Boris Johnson said it would be a welcome boost for families.

NLW history

National living wage increases:

April 2021 - £8.91 (for those aged 23 and over)

In previous years, the rates for those aged 25 and over were:

April 2020 - £8.72

April 2019 - £8.21

April 2018 - £7.83

April 2017 - £7.50

October 2016 - £7.20

Chancellor Rishi Sunak added: “We know the past year has been very difficult for businesses and families across the country.

“This pay rise will help support employees as we steadily reopen the economy and get more people back to work.”

The increase is protecting workers by putting more money in the pockets of the UK’s lowest paid, according to business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng.

He said: “To support our next generation of workers, we’ve also lowered the age threshold for the Living Wage to 23 - ensuring even more people have the security of a decent wage. 

According to Total Jobs, the average salaries for pub staff are:

Bar staff

Low - £16,622

Average - £19,000

High - £23,000

Bar supervisor

Low - £20,536

Average - £21,000

High - £24,449

Head chef

Low - £24,449

Average - £29,000

High - £32,500

Kitchen porter

Low - £16,622

Average - £18,579

High - £23,000

“This increase will help millions of families in every corner of the country, while supporting businesses as we prepare to safely reopen our economy and build back better from the pandemic.  

“I’d urge all workers to check their pay packet to ensure they’re getting what they are entitled to and remind employers of their duty to pay the correct wage.”

Careful balance

When looking at annual salaries for pub workers, according to Total Jobs, the average annual salary for bar staff is £19,000 – the lowest amount for front of house staff. For back of house employees, an average kitchen porter wage for the year is £18,579.

A bar supervisor could earn on average, £21,000 a year while a head chef’s average annual earnings are estimated to be £29,000.

British Beer & Pub Association boss Emma McClarkin said: “The pub and hospitality sector is only now beginning the first phase of recovery after a devastating past 18 months and wage increases need to be carefully balances against pubs remaining viable businesses.

“Nonetheless, the fact remains at our heart, we are a people business – we are nothing without the brilliant people who work in our sector.”

Related topics Training

Related news

Show more

Spotlight

Follow us

Pub Trade Guides

View more

The MA Lock In Podcast

Join us for a Lock In