Pay rises could “cripple” the hospitality industry, a recruitment firm has claimed. 

Excel Recruitment’s 2024 Hotel and Catering Salary Guide has found staff shortages are pushing up salaries in the industry and the report describes this as its “biggest threat”. 

The average salary of a second-year commis chef has increased by 14% from €28,000 to €32,000 and for junior sous chefs the average salary has risen to €45,000, up from €40,000 a year ago 

A receptionist can now expect to earn €36,000 on average, up from €32,000, and a wedding coordinator earns on average €40,000, up from €37,500.

In addition, from January 1st, the minimum wage will rise by €1.40 to €12.70 an hour. 

“With the increase in the minimum wage, we are seeing that what were once supervisory salaries are now being offered for entry-level positions as well as to bar and waiting staff, with pay rates there raising from €13 to €15 per hour,” Excel Recruitment Managing Director Shane McLave said. 

“The cumulative effect of the seemingly modest incremental increases that we are seeing across the board in these lower-paid but high volume roles is putting huge pressure on businesses in the hospitality industry and this will dominate the fortunes of the hotel and category sector in 2024. 

“Wage increases could cripple Irish hospitality businesses in 2024.”

Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney has described the increase in the minimum wage as "quite a jump” but said it was “justified”.

Main image: Waiters serve at a restaurant. Picture by: AP Photo/Michel Euler.