Hey Reader,

Most job adverts in football tell you everything except what matters most.

The role description runs for paragraphs. The requirements list stretches longer than a Championship season. But the salary? "Competitive." "Dependent on experience." "To be discussed."

You apply anyway. You research the club, perfect your portfolio, and make it through multiple rounds. Then, three weeks later, you discover the role pays £20,000 - barely enough to cover rent, let alone justify the weeks of preparation.

This isn't rare. It's the norm.

The Reality Check

The salary discussion in football analytics and scouting has been ambiguous for years. Clubs hide behind flexible salary bands, claiming they want to match compensation to the right candidate. In practice, this means applicants waste weeks in processes that were never financially viable.

Here's what the landscape actually looks like:

Entry-level positions vary significantly by role type. Traditional scouting roles (scout, video scout, technical scout) typically range from £12,000 to £22,000 annually.

Data-focused roles (data analyst, recruitment analyst) can range between £22,000 and £40,000, but this depends entirely on the club and level you're working at. The divide between scouting and analytics compensation is real.

Senior positions (head of scouting, head of analysis, senior recruitment analyst) start around £30,000 to £35,000, with no clear ceiling. The top end remains deliberately opaque.

Voluntary roles still exist - essentially £0 compensation for professional-level work.

The range isn't just wide; it's brutal. From voluntary work to £25,000 represents the reality most face when entering the industry.

The Hidden Cost

This lack of transparency creates a systemic problem.

People spend months applying for roles they can't afford to take. The process becomes a lottery where you only learn the stakes after you've already bet your time.

Consider the typical application timeline: initial screening, technical assessment, multiple interviews, portfolio review, sometimes a practical exercise. Four to six weeks of your life invested before discovering whether the role can actually pay your bills.

The clubs benefit from this opacity. They get a larger applicant pool and can negotiate downward, knowing candidates have already invested heavily in the process.

The Ripple Effect

This system doesn't just waste individual time. It shapes who can afford to enter the industry.

If you're supporting a family, you can't risk weeks on unknown salaries. If you're paying London rent, £22,000 isn't viable regardless of your passion for football. The industry inadvertently selects for people who can afford to work for less - often those with financial support from elsewhere.

The Simple Solution

The fix isn't complex. Include salary ranges in job adverts.

Not "competitive" or "dependent on experience." Actual figures: "£18,000 - £22,000 depending on experience."

Some clubs already do this. They attract candidates who genuinely want the role at that compensation level, leading to better matches and less wasted time for everyone.

A Different Approach

Until the industry changes, you need your own system.

Before applying, research typical salaries for similar roles at that club level. Use LinkedIn, network contacts, and salary surveys. Set your minimum acceptable offer before you start the process.

If a club can't provide salary ranges early in the process, it's worth understanding their reasoning and timeline for sharing this information.

Ask directly in initial conversations: "What's the salary range for this position?" Professional organisations should be able to answer this basic question.

The Long View

Football analytics and scouting should attract the best talent, not just those who can afford to work for less.

Transparency benefits everyone. Candidates make informed decisions. Clubs get applicants who genuinely want the role at the offered compensation. The industry becomes more professional.

This isn't about demanding higher salaries - it's about honest communication from the start.

You deserve to know what you're applying for. Your time has value, even if some clubs don't act like it.

The next time you see a job advert without salary information, remember: that's a choice, and you need to do your own research on it.

Thanks for reading.

Liam

Whenever you’re ready, there are two ways I can help you: ​Free 1-2-1 Breakthrough Call - Frustrated trying to break into football recruitment? Tired of rejection after rejection? No idea how to get your first role in professional scouting or analysis? Get your free Football Career breakthrough Call to create a clear pathway to reach your goals in the football industry. ​Recruitment Room - My online membership community helps aspiring and new football professionals secure jobs working in recruitment. Master the four pillars of scouting, analysis, online portfolio, and employment. Learn from industry experts through our workshops, hot seats, and live sessions.