High salaries but higher expectations: survey takes industry temperature on work trends and salary

Construction professionals continue to enjoy strong salaries and remain optimistic about their career prospects, despite ongoing economic uncertainty, AI-driven change and concerns over future workloads.

The findings come from the second Construction Management Salary and Market Trends Survey, which paints a picture of a well-paid, confident workforce whose expectations increasingly extend beyond salary alone.

More than three-quarters (76%) of respondents said they were either very or somewhat confident that construction management jobs would remain available over the
next five years. While this represents a slight drop from the previous survey, when confidence stood at more than 85%, it remains a notably positive result given the wider backdrop of changing government policy, AI development and uneven workloads across parts of the industry.

The survey also highlights the seniority of those responding. Around half earn at least £70,000 a year, while more than one in five (21.6%) report salaries exceeding £100,000.

Compared with Construction Management’s 2024 salary survey, respondents are noticeably higher earners. The estimated average salary has increased from around £70,000 to almost £78,000, driven largely by growth in the highest salary bands.

The proportion earning between £100,000 and £150,000 has more than doubled, rising from 6.8% to 14.8%, while those earning more than £150,000 has increased from 2.9% to 6.8%.

However, the survey authors caution against interpreting this as evidence of a sharp rise in salaries across the industry. Instead, it reflects a respondent base weighted more heavily towards experienced, senior professionals than the previous survey.

Even so, respondents continue to earn significantly more than national construction averages. ONS data suggests median salaries for many professional construction occupations sit between £55,000 and £65,000, while the most common salary band in the survey was £70,000-£79,999.

Despite relatively high earnings, satisfaction with pay is far from universal. The survey also found a clear relationship between earnings and satisfaction; respondents earning more than £100,000 consistently reported the highest satisfaction levels across every sector, while those earning below £40,000 were significantly less positive.

Perhaps more revealing, however, is that salary is no longer the only factor shaping how professionals view their jobs.

Holiday entitlement emerged as the highest-rated employment benefit, attracting the strongest satisfaction scores across the survey. Health and wellbeing benefits also performed well, with around seven in 10 respondents expressing satisfaction.

By contrast, work-life balance and personal development remain areas where employers have further work to do. Around six in 10 respondents said they were satisfied in each category, but approximately four in 10 expressed some level of dissatisfaction.

The findings suggest that career development opportunities, flexibility and wellbeing are increasingly important components of the employment package.

The survey also points to a relatively stable workforce. More than four in five respondents (81%) are permanently employed, while only one in 10 identify as freelance or self-employed – a lower proportion than might traditionally be associated with construction.

At the same time, however, the demographics continue to reflect some of the industry’s long-standing challenges. Men account for 87% of respondents, with women making up just 12%, highlighting the sector’s continuing gender imbalance.

The workforce also skews older. More than half of respondents are aged over 50, with 35% in the 50-59 age bracket and a further 17% aged between 60 and 65. The figures reinforce concerns around succession planning and attracting younger professionals into management roles as experienced workers approach retirement.

Professional membership also appears to influence attitudes towards the future. Almost 71% of respondents are CIOB members, most holding MCIOB status.

Respondents cited improved professional recognition, increased knowledge, stronger networking opportunities and greater visibility in the job market as the most valuable outcomes of membership.

CIOB members were also more optimistic about future employment prospects than non-members. Members were more likely to express confidence that construction management jobs would remain available over the next five years, while non-members were more likely to report having little or no confidence.

The survey’s overall findings resonate with recruitment experts. “The confidence figures stack up with what we’re seeing,” says Claire Hodgson, divisional director of construction at V7 Recruitment. 

“Construction managers are central to keeping projects moving, coordinating subcontractors and dealing with issues on site, so it’s not a role I can see being replaced by AI.

“The £70,000 salary figure feels accurate, as pay has risen a lot over the past five years and expectations are still increasing due to competition for experienced people and the cost of living. 

“Generally speaking, though, people are looking for more than just money. A lack of recognition or a clear route to promotion is often what prompts a move, so companies with a proper development plan tend to retain people better.”