Travel salaries soar
Average pay for the typical new travel job has risen to its highest recorded level, according to the latest Travel Salary Index from recruitment firm C&M.
It shows that average salaries for new standard travel jobs have risen 3.36% compared with May last year, following a 4.92% rise last month.
The average job now pays £23,607.
Much of the rise was due to the 6.70% monthly spike in northern salaries, which saw wages for new travel jobs in the area reach their highest point since May 2014.
Overall, average travel wages stood at £26,068 in May, which was their second highest figure in the past year, despite a 0.33% dip from April.
C&M director Barbara Kolosinska said: "With an average of £23,607, the typical new travel job in the UK is now paying more than ever before! This means that job seekers across the country have a wealth of roles available to them, many of which come with very attractive salaries.
"We also had an exceptional month in the north. With a jump of 6.70%, northern travel salaries have reached a three-year high and are up over 10% from the same point last year. That’s a stunning figure and is largely a result of the higher wages being offered for some business travel consultant roles in Manchester, Edinburgh and in the north-east."
Following an increase of 17%, May saw the highest number of job vacancies since April 2015. There was a 15% rise in candidate registrations.
Kolosinska added: "There seems to be no let-up in activity in 2017. Once again, we have seen more travel jobs being made available than at the same point last year as well as more candidates searching for new roles. This can only be good for the industry as it shows that great candidates are feeling confident enough to look for new opportunities and are available to companies offering the right package."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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