Ireland’s hotel landscape is being 'marred' by cash-in-hand payments with rising costs and wage struggles set to continue into 2025, according to research.
Excel Recruitment has published its Hotel & Catering Sector Salary Guide for 2025, that shows the sector now faces serious pressures from rising operational costs, wage increases, and changing industry dynamics that could reshape the landscape of Irish hospitality.
"The hospitality industry is at a crossroads," said Shane McLave, managing director at Excel Recruitment. "With anywhere between 600 and 700 hospitality venues closing in the last 12 months alone, it’s not a surprise that just about everyone we meet in this sector is concerned about its sustainability."
The 2025 salary guide highlights noticeable adjustments in wages for entry-level and supervisory roles, while management salaries remain mostly unchanged.
Excel Recruitment claims kitchen porters can now expect an average salary around €28,000, slightly above the minimum wage threshold, and chefs de partie may earn between €38,000 and €42,000.
Although employers are introducing minor pay increases and added benefits to retain talent, the recruiters said these initiatives are financially challenging in a highly service-oriented industry.
The guide indicates that businesses in the sector are increasingly relying on staffing agencies and automation to balance rising costs with customer expectations.
Wage adjustments for entry-level roles, streamlined management, and operational shifts reflect an industry working to adapt amid concerns over sustainability, according to Excel Recruitment.
“To adapt, many businesses are implementing leaner management teams and reducing salary gaps between positions," said McLave. "Additional cost-saving measures, such as offering live-in positions, closing on select days, simplifying menus, and embracing automation, are expected to become more prevalent."
