There are many factors that contribute towards job satisfaction, with financial rewards being just one. However, it can be difficult for individuals to ascertain whether they are being sufficiently compensated for their work without having knowledge of the salary that their peers are receiving. In the construction industry, where jobs are varied and many different positions could be working on the same project, the challenge can become even greater.

Construction industry salary variations



Even within the same industry, there are a number of factors that can explain why one employee is being paid more than another. Some considerations to bear in mind include:

• Geographical Location – The salary paid by certain business can be affected by their geographical location. Salaries in London, for example, can be higher than elsewhere in the UK to compensate for higher living costs and to attract professionals.



• Experience – Having years of experience in an industry can help you achieve a higher salary as it demonstrates to your employer that you already have the knowledge and skills required to thrive in the industry.



• Qualifications – Possessing professional qualifications can provide a boost to your salary. In construction, for example, having a degree could see you start work as a quantity surveyor with a higher wage, while an unqualified individual may have to start as a surveying technician on a lower salary.



• Performance – If you are regularly meeting targets, or simply going above and beyond in your work, it’s important that your line manager recognises this and rewards you appropriately.



• Work Time – In the construction industry, certain projects may have to be completed outside of normal working hours in order to reduce disruption. Shift work like this may see employees receive a higher wage. 

 

Industry examples



One of the best ways of identifying if you are being sufficiently compensated in your construction job is to take a look at some industry averages. For example, a quantity surveyor based in London can expect to earn an annual salary of between £25,000 and £75,000, with an average wage coming in at just over £50,000. A civil engineer can expect to earn slightly less, with an average London salary of £40,000 a year. Of course, knowing the average salary for your position does not necessarily mean that you are entitled to a raise, but it does give you an understanding of where your wage sits in comparison to the rest of the industry. Our Salary Checker is all about giving employees the tools to get the financial rewards that they deserve. 



If you feel as though you should be receiving a higher salary in your construction job, then Randstad offers two key tips.  First, respectfully express your opinion that you deserve a raise, emphasising your accomplishments and explaining your value to your employer. If you still feel as though your employer is unable to meet your salary expectations, you may want to consider changing your role and the construction & property jobs page can help you decide your next move. 



Fortunately, at Randstad, we have put together a Salary Checker to help individuals realise the sort of financial rewards on offer across a variety of construction jobs.