RICS and Macdonald & Company released its 12th annual salary and benefits study

May 03, 2018 22:00 JST

Source: RICS & HKIS

Findings show improving prospects for young professionals and higher talent turnover

HONG KONG, May 03, 2018 - (Media OutReach) - RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) and Macdonald & Company released its 12th annual salary and benefits study for the Asian property sector. The survey paints a relatively optimistic picture for the Asia Pacific real estate industry and its RICS professionals, while also suggesting a trend of increasing talent turnover. Key findings:

- The 25 - 30 years old age group received the largest average salary increase. But unlike last year, the primary reason was moving jobs/new employer (26.5 per cent of respondents).

- 68 per cent of respondents stated that they are likely to move job in the next 12 months (up 13 per cent from last year).

- Better salary remains the primary motivator for leaving an employer (76 per cent of respondents), followed by management style at 68 per cent and career progression at 63 per cent. Compared to last year, job security showed the largest decrease in relative importance (65 per cent in 2017 to 57 per cent in 2018).

- Across Hong Kong, mainland China and Singapore, RICS-qualified respondents continued to enjoy higher base salaries than their non-qualified counterparts, with the average earnings gap landing at 18.1 per cent.

- Respondents in mainland China recorded the highest average pay rise at a noteworthy 14 per cent, in contrast to Hong Kong's average of 9.4 per cent. Average annual salary between the two regions was almost equal, but with mainland China showing a higher year-on-year rise.

- Economic optimism was high overall. In Hong Kong, 40 per cent of respondents anticipated increased economic activity in the next 12 months. The number in mainland China was slightly higher at 45 per cent.

- Gender and age: Within the region overall, male property professionals earn on average 27.5 per cent higher than female counterparts. However, this is mainly due to men generally earning more than women among the older age groups. The difference in average earnings is smaller within the younger generation, incidentally with females earning more than males among both 18-24 and 25-30 age groups.

Mr Clement Lau FRICS, Chair of RICS Hong Kong Board said: "The Asia Pacific real estate industry continues to thrive, with improved year-on-year sentiment across the region. Qualified RICS professionals generally enjoy higher remuneration packages within the industry and remain well-positioned to reap the rewards of regional economic growth. From a business perspective, the findings may put pressure on companies to strengthen their talent retention strategies, given the higher market value of RICS professionals and increased employee tolerance for lower job security."

Mr Lau added: "From employees' perspectives, the decreasing pay gap between men and women is a positive development. While there is a significant gender pay gap at middle management levels (ages 31-50), the pay gap between professionals aged 18-30 are relatively narrow. We expect the gap to continue closing in the future.

Moreover, we see that remuneration levels between Hong Kong and mainland China are similar, but with Chinese salary increases being the highest in the region. Due to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area initiative, there is growing demand for qualified professionals that can assist with infrastructure and building developments in mainland China. We believe that Hong Kong's young professionals may find better long-term career development options in the Greater Bay Area compared to other regions."

About the RICS and Macdonald & Company Asia Salary & Benefits Survey 2018

Now in its twelfth year, the Annual RICS and Macdonald & Company Asia Salary & Benefits Survey is the most comprehensive survey on remuneration and benefits undertaken for the property sector. 2,003 real estate industry professionals from across Asia region participated online between November 2017 and March 2018. Besides statistics on current salaries, recent salary increases, bonuses and employment package benefits, the results give insight into wider issues that are important to real estate professionals in their role and their attitudes toward employment. The full 2018 survey can be accessed at www.macdonaldandcompany.com.

About RICS

Confidence through professional standards

RICS promotes and enforces the highest professional qualifications and standards in the development and management of land, real estate, construction and infrastructure. Our name promises the consistent delivery of standards - bringing confidence to the markets we serve.

We accredit 125,000 professionals and any individual or firm registered with RICS is subject to our quality assurance. Their expertise covers property, asset valuation, real estate management; the development of infrastructure; and the management of natural resources, such as mining, farms and woodland. From environmental assessments and building controls to negotiating land rights in an emerging economy; if our members are involved the same professional standards and ethics apply.

We believe that standards underpin effective markets. With up to seventy per cent of the world's wealth bound up in land and real estate, our sector is vital to economic development, helping to support stable, sustainable investment and growth around the globe.

With offices covering the major political and financial centres of the world, our market presence means we are ideally placed to influence policy and embed professional standards. We work at a cross-governmental level, delivering international standards that will support a safe and vibrant marketplace in land, real estate, construction and infrastructure, for the benefit of all.

We are proud of our reputation and work hard to protect it, so clients who work with an RICS professional can have confidence in the quality and ethics of the services they receive.

For media enquiries, please contact:
RICS East Asia Public Relations Representatives
Ms Peggy Mak / Ms Wendy Chan
T: +852 3159 2982 / +852 3159 2962
E: peggy.mak@creativegp.com / wendy.chan@creativegp.com

Source: RICS & HKIS