The Average Salary of a Butler
A butler is different things to different people. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has no standardized job classification for a butler. Consequently the salary of a butler varies greatly according to the source of information. This article examines the salary range of a butler and what accounts for the large discrepancy.
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Salary
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Butlers earn between $50,000 and $100,000 annually, plus benefits, according to The International Butler Academy. Sixty-hour workweeks are the average for a butler, and they can be either live-in or live-out employees. According to PayScale November 2010 data, butlers only earn between $30,742 and $61,288. However, May 2009 Bureau of Labor Statistics data indicates that butlers make a more modest $28,760.
Household Butler
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The butler is responsible for overseeing the household staff, often at more than one residence, according to The International Butler Academy. A butler needs to be multitask-oriented and have strong communication, management and organizational skills. The butler may also hold additional positions such as bodyguard, chef, chauffeur or personal assistant. The actual job description of a butler is as unique as the household in which he is employed. A butler may be required to receive guests, organize parties and events, book hotels and restaurants, perform bookkeeping and arrange for maintenance of the estate.
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Hotel Butler
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The hotel butler serves as a liaison between the guests and the hotel. The butler contacts guests, prior to arrival, to determine their special requirements. Guests are greeted personally by the butler upon arrival and introduced to the hotel's facilities. During the guest's stay at the hotel, the butler will ensure that her needs are properly met, including making reservations, purchasing items, and serving food in her suite. The butler is also responsible for insuring guests have a smooth departure, packing suitcases as required.
Bonuses can form an important part of the hotel butler's salary, between $407 and $8,254, according to PayScale November 2000 and data. Though data is sparse, it would appear that more experience results in better earnings. Butlers with 10 to 19 years' experience earn $38,884-$61,042, while those with 20 years or more experience earn between $36,000 and $147,575.
Concierge
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A concierge is someone who assists patrons at hotels, apartments or office buildings with personal services, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. They may monitor guest requests for housekeeping, take messages, and arrange for transportation and other services. This fits closely with the definition of a butler. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics also includes individuals who serve the apartment and office building industry. The low salary of $28,760 may reflect the situation in a particular industry.
Summary
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Butlers wishing to maximize their potential income should consider formal training in addition to gaining other skills, such as those required of bodyguards, chefs or chauffeurs. An increased skill set, coupled with versatility, improve the chance of both employment and good income.
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