SOC 5436 Textiles, printing and other skilled trades

Catering and bar managers Salary

Median salary £27,888 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £28,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For catering and bar managers, £29,789 is the typical (median) pay. That is below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -24% versus the national average. Experienced catering and bar managers (top 25%) earn over £35,261.

About this role

Catering and bar managers oversee food and beverage service operations in restaurants, bars, hotels, pubs and event venues. They manage staff, service quality, stock, compliance and customer experience to deliver profitable hospitality operations.

Key responsibilities

Managing front-of-house service operations
Recruiting, training and supervising service staff
Managing stock control, ordering and supplier relationships
Ensuring compliance with licensing, food safety and health regulations
Monitoring financial performance and controlling costs

Qualifications and entry routes

Significant hospitality experience is essential. Personal Licence holder qualification (APLH) is required for licensing. Level 3+ hospitality management qualifications, Food Safety Level 3 and First Aid are standard.

Career outlook

Persistent staffing challenges in hospitality create opportunities for experienced managers. Food-led venues and experiential hospitality are growth areas.

Key skills

Service management Staff leadership Licensing knowledge Financial control Customer experience

Common industries

Restaurants
Pubs and bars
Hotels
Event venues
Contract catering

Data coverage

SOC code 5436

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2015–2025

Estimated jobs 37,000

Median Salary

£27,888

Mean Salary

£28,408

Jobs (000s)

37k

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

P25: £21,618Median: £27,888P75: £35,261

P10: £14kP25: £22kMedian: £28kP75: £35kP90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£14,404

0-2 years

Mid Level

£21,618

3-7 years

Senior

£35,261

8-15 years

Potential career growth: +145% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +55.2%Real growth: +12.5%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: 14.2%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£27,888

Full-time Only

£29,789

Full-time premium: +£1,901

Catering and bar managers salary: common questions

How much do catering and bar managers earn in the UK?

Catering and bar managers earn a median of £29,789 a year (ONS ASHE 2025). The middle half earn between £21,618 and £35,261.

Is £29,789 a good salary in the UK?

What is the starting salary for catering and bar managers?

Entry-level catering and bar managers typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £21,618, and the lowest-paid 10% earn under £14,404.

Have catering and bar managers salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2015, median catering and bar managers pay has risen from £19,798 to £29,789 — +50% in cash terms, or +9.0% after CPIH inflation. That is ahead of inflation over the period.

Is there a gender pay gap for catering and bar managers?

Male catering and bar managers earn a median £30,000 and female catering and bar managers £25,739 — a gap of +14% in 2025.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).