SOC 9261 Elementary administration and service occupations

Bar and catering supervisors Salary

Median salary £22,552 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £23,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For bar and catering supervisors, £26,019 is the typical (median) pay. That is well below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -33% versus the national average. Experienced bar and catering supervisors (top 25%) earn over £26,973.

About this role

Bar and catering supervisors support food and drink service operations in hospitality settings. They prepare food items, serve customers, maintain cleanliness and ensure smooth service delivery in restaurants, bars, hotels and catering venues.

Key responsibilities

Preparing, assembling or serving food and drinks
Maintaining cleanliness and hygiene standards
Restocking supplies and setting up service areas
Following food safety and health and safety procedures
Providing friendly and efficient customer service

Qualifications and entry routes

No formal qualifications are required for most entry-level positions. Food Hygiene Level 2 is typically required. Personal licence is needed for those selling alcohol.

Career outlook

Entry-level roles with opportunities for progression through experience, additional training and skills development. Apprenticeships offer structured routes into skilled occupations.

Key skills

Customer service Working under pressure Teamwork Communication Food hygiene awareness

Common industries

Restaurants
Pubs and bars
Hotels
Contract catering
Events

Data coverage

SOC code 9261

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2021–2025

Estimated jobs 31,000

Median Salary

£22,552

Mean Salary

£21,839

Jobs (000s)

31k

Data Years

5 years

Salary Range (2025)

P25: £16,391Median: £22,552P75: £26,973

P10: £11kP25: £16kMedian: £23kP75: £27kP90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£11,295

0-2 years

Mid Level

£16,391

3-7 years

Senior

£26,973

8-15 years

Potential career growth: +139% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2021-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +54.3%Real growth: +24.8%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: 23.8%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£22,552

Full-time Only

£26,019

Full-time premium: +£3,467

Bar and catering supervisors salary: common questions

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

Bar and catering supervisors earn a median of £26,019 a year (ONS ASHE 2025). The middle half earn between £16,391 and £26,973.

Is £26,019 a good salary in the UK?

What is the starting salary for bar and catering supervisors?

Entry-level bar and catering supervisors typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £16,391, and the lowest-paid 10% earn under £11,295.

Have bar and catering supervisors salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2021, median bar and catering supervisors pay has risen from £18,143 to £26,019 — +43% in cash terms, or +16% after CPIH inflation. That is ahead of inflation over the period.

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

Male bar and catering supervisors earn a median £26,311 and female bar and catering supervisors £20,052 — a gap of +24% in 2025.

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