SOC 9265 Elementary administration and service occupations

Bar staff Salary

Median salary £9,166 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £10,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For bar staff, £23,182 is the typical (median) pay. That is well below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -41% versus the national average. Experienced bar staff (top 25%) earn over £14,246.

About this role

Bar staff 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 9265

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2015–2025

Estimated jobs 84,000

Median Salary

£9,166

Mean Salary

£10,762

Jobs (000s)

84k

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

P25: £4,579Median: £9,166P75: £14,246

P10: £2kP25: £5kMedian: £9kP75: £14kP90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£2,307

0-2 years

Mid Level

£4,579

3-7 years

Senior

£14,246

8-15 years

Potential career growth: +518% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +41.6%Real growth: +2.6%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: 14.2%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£9,166

Full-time Only

£23,182

Full-time premium: +£14,016

Bar staff salary: common questions

How much do bar staff earn in the UK?

Bar staff earn a median of £23,182 a year (ONS ASHE 2025). The middle half earn between £4,579 and £14,246.

Is £23,182 a good salary in the UK?

For bar staff, £23,182 is the typical (median) pay. That is well below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -41% versus the national average. Experienced bar staff (top 25%) earn over £14,246.

What is the starting salary for bar staff?

Entry-level bar staff typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £4,579, and the lowest-paid 10% earn under £2,307.

Have bar staff salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2015, median bar staff pay has risen from £13,053 to £23,182 — +78% in cash terms, or +29% after CPIH inflation. That is ahead of inflation over the period.

Is there a gender pay gap for bar staff?

Male bar staff earn a median £9,946 and female bar staff £8,536 — a gap of +14% in 2025.

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