2026 Salary Survey Results: Understanding the Built Environment Market Across the Northwest and Northeast
Unlock the latest insights shaping our region.
We’re delighted to be working once again with Place Northwest to deliver our 2026 Salary Survey, created to bring clarity to the built environment market across the Northwest and Northeast.
In August, we asked our network to share their experiences, covering sector, location, salary, benefits received and the key challenges currently facing the market. This year, over 500 professionals contributed their data and insight, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who took part.
The past couple years have been defined by continued cost of living pressures, cautious investment in certain areas and ongoing skills shortages in others. Despite more cautious recruitment in certain disciplines, employers are still competing for experienced technical talent, particularly in project delivery, compliance and sustainability. At the same time, salary expectations, counteroffers and longer hiring processes are reshaping how employers and professionals approach career moves.
Against that backdrop, understanding where the market truly stands has never been more important. This report has been designed to give you that clarity.
What’s Inside the 2026 Survey?
In-Depth Salary Trends
Detailed salary benchmarks across disciplines, with direct comparison to previous reports so you can clearly see how pay has shifted year on year.
Most Valued Benefits
Insight into the benefits professionals prioritise most, with flexible and hybrid working now firmly positioned as an expectation rather than an added extra.
Evolving Workforce Priorities
A closer look at how motivations are changing, from financial security and career progression to culture, stability and long-term development.
Market Pressures and Hiring Trends
An overview of the wider issues affecting the built environment, including skills shortages, retention challenges, fee pressures and how employers are responding.
As recruiters, we speak to professionals and employers across the region every day. We hear first-hand about project pipelines, budget constraints, talent gaps and changing expectations. Bringing this data together allows us to step back, analyse the trends and compare them with previous years, giving you a balanced, evidence-based view of the market.
Why Download the Report?
This survey is not just a collection of statistics. It is a comprehensive, structured report designed to help:
Professionals benchmark their salary, understand their market value and plan their next career move with confidence in an increasingly competitive landscape.
Employers refine attraction, retention and reward strategies, ensuring they remain competitive while balancing commercial pressures.
Built on real insight from across the North West and North East, this report provides a clear snapshot of where our market stands today.
