Public house manager : Salary and conditions

• Typical salaries for an assistant pub manager range from £16,000 - £21,000. Salaries for a pub manager/licensee range from £20,000 - £35,000.
• Area managers are usually responsible for a number of businesses in a specific geographical area and can earn upwards of £40,000.
• Benefits such as cheap or free accommodation and meal allowances are quite common, while some larger chains may offer help with subsidised childcare.
• Low salaries within the hospitality sector are commonly supplemented with a pension scheme, share options and health insurance. Profit share schemes are becoming less common, but are still occasionally available.
• Working hours are irregular and long as many public houses are open from lunchtime until late into the night. The Licensing Act of 2003, which came into force in November 2005, has provided the opportunity for increased opening hours. It is usual to work weekends, evenings and public holidays.
• Many public house managers are self-employed as tenants.
• The number of female pub managers continues to rise steadily, but women are still underrepresented.
• It is common for pub managers, particularly of rural pubs, to 'live in' above the pub premises. Whilst this may be helpful in keeping your living costs low, it may make switching off from work pressures more difficult.
• To progress to managing more lucrative establishments, geographical mobility may be required.
• Some pub outlets bring in half a million pounds or more a year, so this role requires a responsible attitude to money and cash handling.
• Pub managers are on their feet for much of the time in an environment that may be hot and noisy. The smoking ban has led to wider use of outdoor areas, leading to a need for increased vigilance for problems occurring outside or near the venue.
• Travel is more common during the training period when some organisations like employees to visit various houses. Large pub chains may require overnight absence from home for training events and meetings. There are opportunities to work overseas, although it is important to check licensing laws and training requirements for individual countries.

Salary data from the UK Skills Council (UKSP). Figures are intended as a guide only.