How to Become a Butler

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: June 25, 2020 References Approved

Butlers are known for their professionalism, dapper dress, and discretion. While there are no formal education requirements for entering the field, it’s a good idea to start with training from a university or hospitality program. Try to gain even more experience by apprenticing with a butler or working in a hotel. When you are ready for a full-time position, use your guild membership or an agency to give you a bit of an edge in a competitive field.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Completing Your Initial Education

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Graduate high school. Most employers will ask that you have a high school diploma or GED. While in school try to make the best grades that you can and enroll in classes that emphasize interpersonal communication, such as speech or management. Courses that focus on the domestic arts, like home economics, may be helpful as well.
2
Get a university degree. Getting a degree in communications or management from a university can be a good stepping stone into the job market. Your university career center will likely be able to assist you in your job search. You should also work with them to get an internship at a hotel or somewhere else in the hospitality industry while completing your coursework.^{[1]
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3
Attend a formal training academy. There are a number of schools around the world that specialize in training butlers and hospitality staff. You’ll need to submit a full application along with a tuition fee that may vary depending on the length of the course. While enrolled you can expect to take classes on table service, household cleaning, and other professional management skills.^{[2]
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- For example, a few of the schools offering training programs include the School for Butlers and Hospitality (Brussels, Belgium), The Professional Domestic Institute (Powell, Ohio, USA), and The Estate Management Studies program at the French Culinary Institute (New York City, New York, USA), among others.
- These programs can cost upwards of $3,500 for a ten-day all-inclusive experience.
4
Teach yourself the right skills. Create a list of all of the skills that you’ll need, such as caring for a wardrobe or keeping a family schedule, and then research them online. Watch instructional videos and make notes of all important details. Practice as often as you can until you feel comfortable.
- Buy publications that focus on domestic service and luxury lifestyles. Read any articles that discuss butlers or staffing in general. Go online to butler websites and forums, such as The Butler Bureau or Lifestyle Resources, and browse through the content.^{[3]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Gaining Experience and Developing Your Skills

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Start off as a footman. This is the technical term for a person who serves as a butler’s next-in-command or understudy. Below them is the under footman, a position often reserved for a new hire with little education or experience. If you can find a professional butler who will let you work with them it is a great opportunity to get new skills and learn about the industry.^{[4]
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- You may not get paid for the experience and the job shadowing period may only last for a few weeks.
2
Work as a maid or housekeeper. Some of the tasks that maids and butlers perform overlap, making it a great professional starting point. Try to find employment with a company that provides upscale house cleaning services. Or, secure a position in a larger household where you could change positions to butler later on.
- Avoid janitorial positions within industrial companies, however, since the skills you will use there will not offer you much usable work experience for a career as a butler.
3
Get a concierge position at a hotel. This will give you the unique opportunity to greet guests and provide for their needs and wants. It will help to fine tune your communication and service skills. You’ll also learn how to develop strong relationships with other service providers who can help you to create the best experience for your guests.^{[5]
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- If you cannot get a position at the desk, aim for a job as a porter or maid. While these jobs are only loosely related to the tasks a butler will perform, they will still give you valuable experience and instruct you on tending to clients' needs.
4
Get comfortable handling varied tasks. Clients now are expecting butlers to perform far more than the traditional jobs typically associated with the position. It’s possible that you’ll be asked to clean up the garden, act as a babysitter, prepare meals, and serve as a driver, among other tasks. Being able to juggle all of these requests without batting an eye is a sign of a strong butler.^{[6]
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Dress smartly. Almost all butler positions will require that you adhere to a certain dress code. Men are usually asked to wear a suit or trousers combo. Women can wear trousers or skirts with a blouse or dresses. Ask your employer for more guidance before starting your job.^{[7]
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- You’ll also be expected to take good care of your clothing, as it will be a sign of your employer’s class status.
6
Keep a “butler’s bible.” This is one of the most important tools that butler can possess. It is a daily guide of your client’s preferences in minute detail. You can create a paper version or do everything digitally. You can also make note of any important events that you’ll need to recall later.^{[8]
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- For example, a “butler’s bible,” might list your client’s drink preferences, such as whether or not they prefer a certain brand of soda or water.
7
Be discreet. Get used to keeping secrets and seeing private moments. It’s best to come up with a personal policy of avoiding all discussion regarding your client. Even better, delete all of your social media accounts to remove any temptation to gossip. Don’t be surprised if your clients ask you to sign a nondisclosure agreement as well.^{[9]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Finding Employment

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Know the salary and job outlook. A starting butler can expect to make somewhere between $40,000 to $50,000 a year. This number will increase with experience, training, and prestige, to well over $200,000. It is also predicted that the market for butlers will remain strong into the future as more newly wealthy individuals seek out household help.^{[10]
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- Butlers in private service and in hotels may also receive a variety of perks including extravagant paid vacations.
2
Join a guild. Becoming part of a professional guild or organization for butlers and household staff is extremely advantageous since you will have some sort of “formal” backing. Potential employers looking to hire a private butler often go to these organizations with their requests before turning to the public.^{[11]
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- One of the largest organizations you can join is the International Guild of Professional Butlers. You will need to register with the guild and send in your resume. After that, you will have access to their list of current jobs, as well as other resources.
3
Sign on with a placement firm. These companies will find a suitable place of employment for you in exchange for a finder’s fee from your future employer or a one-time fee paid by you. This can be a great investment if you want to widen your search or if you require certain characteristics from an employer.^{[12]
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- These agencies are also helpful in that they’ll talk with potential employers and make sure that their expectations are in line with what you can actually do.^{[13]
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Community Q&A

Question

How old do you have to be a butler?

Community Answer

That depends on the employer and your areas child labor laws.
Question

How do I know if I'm a qualified butler?

Community Answer

By following the steps in this article (taking some formal courses, training with a professional, etc.), you can ensure that you're a qualified butler. You will have the education and knowledge necessary to provide excellent services to your employer.
Question

I'm 34 and thinking of training to become a butler. Is there a market for more mature butlers?

Community Answer

Yes, 34 is a tremendous age to work as a butler. You will be most likely working with older people because most butlers are older.

Warnings

Expect to work long hours and be subject to the whims of your clients. Butlers with close family can sometimes find this to be a difficult part of the lifestyle.^{[16]
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Butlers often use more formal language, including avoiding words like “okay.” “Excellent” or “splendid” is a suitable replacement.^{[17]
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