Travel risks losing out on top graduates as lower ‘standard’ pay drops

The travel industry risks missing out on attracted top graduates due to a drop in ‘standard’ salaries, a leading recruitment firm warned today (Tuesday).

 

While average salaries for new jobs in the sector rose by 3.1% in the first half of the year to reach almost £39,000, wages offered for lower paid ‘standard’ jobs fell by 1.56% or £487 year-on-year to under £31,000.

 

This came as pay for senior roles climbed by 7.39% to reach more than £58,000, according to a survey of all travel vacancies registered with C&M Travel Recruitment in the first six months of the year.

 

But the number of candidates, job openings and placements all fell by six per cent compared to the same period in 2024.

 

The recruitment firm’s co-owner and managing director Barbara Kolosinska said: "Salaries in the travel industry have now risen consistently for the past four years, which is great to see. 

 

“Travel has always been an attractive sector to work in, but has historically been underpaid. But with these increases in wages, we are now in a much better position to compete with other industries for the best candidates out there.

 

"However, the small fall in pay for standard travel job is less welcome news. 

 

“Wages for these positions need to at least match the rate of inflation or our industry risks missing out on top graduates who could otherwise have a long and fulfilling career within travel.”

 

She added: ”It’s also disappointing to see the small falls in activity in the first half of the year. While the dips are only in single digits, they follow larger falls in the first half of last year. 

 

"This is due to a variety of factors including economic pressures, rising employer costs, and a post-pandemic correction in hiring following the recruitment boom between autumn 2021 and summer 2023. 

“We will be keeping a close eye on activity this autumn and winter as we hopefully see levels increase."

 

The fall in pay for standard travel jobs followed increases of 6.78% and 5.99% in the first halves of 2024 and 2023 respectively. 

 

Despite the dip, the average wage for a standard travel job has risen by 19.04% or £4,925 in the past five years, C&M noted.

 

The study also found a “notable” 7.39% rise in wages for senior travel roles paying £40,000 or more, with a “significant increase” in the number of new positions paying at least £60,000. 

 

These roles accounted for 13% of all new jobs in the first half of 2025 compared to just five per cent during the same period of 2024.

 

Average pay for a new travel job rose by £1,172 to reach £38,919 since the first half of last year. However, this follows jumps of 12.86% and 12.58% in the first six months of 2024 and 2023 respectively.

 

Business travel salaries dropped by 4.17% or £1,502 to an average of £34,544, after rising by 12.52% in the first six months of 2024 and by 9.23% in the same period in 2023. 

 

However, the beginning of 2025 saw an increase of 12% in the number of candidates being placed in new business travel jobs.