Much talk and press is made of the salaries paid to household staff. Certain agencies, schools and guilds tell employers, employees and the media that a butler expects to earn not less than £65,000 pounds sterling per annum and personal assistants and right-hand men (and ladies) expect similar remuneration….
Of course top salaries are paid to some who work in the household staff industry: a young valet is rewarded with 50K per annum, and a Michelin stared chef (the award is in his name - not simply a chef who worked in a Michelin starred restaurant) takes home £110,000. Another household pays three maids £35,000 each + overtime at £20 per hour, and a Belgravia property pays a couple over £100,000 per annum and offers them a beautiful mews house and brand new car too….
While these examples are real, they are not representative of the norms of the household staff industry; scratch behind the figures and it is clear that they are special cases – there are reasons why these salaries are paid!
Generally the highest salaries are paid to household staff who offer very special skills, hold specific qualifications, speak more than two languages, tender excellent previous experience and references, and are happy to work incredibly long and unsocial hours. It is also worth mentioning that some of the highest salaries are paid to household staff who have shown incredible loyalty to their employer over many years.
So when you decide to find yourself a new job don’t be short-sighted; before you decide what your new employer should be paying you, think carefully about what you can offer your employer! Don’t fixate on the salary offered – consider the location, the perks and the privileges, combined with the long-term possibilities and the employer’s reputation, and then you might come to realize that whilst the job doesn't pay a King’s Ransom, it is in fact a truly ‘dream' domestic position in the perfect private household! |
