Pay rises for temporary workers surge ahead of national average wage growth

Temporary workers in the UK are seeing their average pay rise faster than all other job roles, according to new data released by Indeed Flex, the online staffing platform for temporary work.

Hourly pay rates of temporary jobs listed on Indeed Flex have surged by an average of 8.56% over the past year, outpacing official figures which reveal that the average weekly wage for all jobs rose by 7.8% in the three months from June to August.

Separate data from the ONS shows that median weekly earnings for part-time workers rose by 5.5% in the 12 months to April 2023 to £240.90, while median weekly earnings for full-time workers rose by 6.2% to £681.70 – the fastest rate of growth since comparable records began in 1997.

Indeed Flex’s analysis revealed that temporary positions in business support, hospitality, and the industrial sector dominated the top five roles experiencing the fastest wage growth.

Hourly wages for temporary administrators rose fastest, surging by an impressive 32.61%. Following closely were commis chef roles, which saw wages rise by 13.17%, and stockroom assistants who also experienced an increase of 12.68%.

Rounding off the top five jobs showing the highest wage growth are barback and hospitality supervisor roles.

Recent data from Indeed Flex sheds light on the challenges businesses are facing in 2023, with more than half of UK companies (55%) grappling with tougher recruitment hurdles compared to the previous year.

To combat staff shortages and maintain operational efficiency, 33% of firms are turning to temporary workers. Meanwhile, almost half (47%) are finding themselves increasingly reliant on temporary staff compared to a year ago.

Novo Constare, CEO and Co-founder of Indeed Flex, said: “Temporary workers in the UK are experiencing a welcome boost in their hourly wages, surpassing the national average wage growth.

“This trend reflects a seismic shift in the employment landscape, driven by ongoing workforce shortages.

“This has been particularly prominent in the hospitality and industrial sectors and it’s here where we have seen the most significant wage growth. Where there’s a heightened demand for workers, temporary positions are being made more appealing with increased hourly pay rates.

“Temporary workers can play a vital role in sustaining operations, especially when employers are struggling with recruitment.

“Their adaptability and flexibility have become a lifeline for businesses. What’s equally significant is that temporary staff offer more than just an immediate solution to staffing gaps, a substantial number choose to work with the same employer on a regular and consistent basis.