Inevitably, there are tremendous variations and fluctuations, both geographically and with types of employer. The following generalisations are backed up by information gleaned throughout 1989 from people who have been to see us seeking to change their job, the amount paid to people on finding a new position, and from information supplied by employers. Our figures relate mainly to London and southern England, but with inputs from other areas.
Salaries again increased significantly over the year, but there was a definite slowdown in the past three months and we expect this trend to continue throughout 1990.
Qualified surveyors (RICS or ISVA) continued to do well, and basic salaries produced an average rise of approximately 20% over the year with the age bracket 26-28 seeing the most dramatic advance. A table of median salaries for general practice surveyors (normally doing property management) in London is shown.
It is always very difficult to quantify what those involved in agency work really earn and we have tried to exclude commission in our figures. One of the more marked features was the tremendous spread of salaries, and we feel that this reflects the awareness that the productive profit-maker must be paid highly while those of more moderate capabilities are less well remunerated.
A side issue was the fact that qualified people wished to change direction — from valuation to development work, for example. One of the results of this specialisation is a growing shortage of “generalists” willing and able to undertake varied professional work: market forces are pushing up their prices accordingly.
Neil MacLeay is managing director of Surveyors Appointments Services (MacLeay’s) Ltd, who carry out an annual survey of salaries in the property profession.
