Salary information for Development & Real Estate in August, 2025.
Find out where your salary stands against others in by taking part in our survey.
Latest Development & Real Estate Jobs
FAQs about Real Estate & Development Salaries
What is the general salary outlook in the sector for 2025?
The salary outlook for 2025 is one of steady growth, with the UK real estate sector seeing an average salary uplift of around 6-7% over the previous year. This is driven by persistent skills shortages for key roles and a “flight to quality,” where developers are willing to pay a premium for professionals who can deliver high-value, sustainable projects. While economic caution remains, the high demand for talent in growth areas like industrial logistics, life sciences, and the Build-to-Rent sector ensures that compensation for experienced professionals remains competitive and robust.
How much more can I earn by working in London compared to other UK cities?
Working in London commands a significant salary premium compared to other major UK cities like Manchester, Birmingham, or Bristol. You can typically expect a London-based salary to be 15-25% higher for the same role. For a mid-level manager, this can translate to a £10,000 to £20,000 uplift in base pay. This differential is driven by the high concentration of major developers, institutional funds, and large-scale, complex projects in the capital, as well as the higher cost of living.
Which development roles have the highest earning potential?
The Development Manager role undisputedly holds the highest earning potential. This is because the position is fundamentally commercial and entrepreneurial, with a direct link to the project’s profitability. While a Senior or Director-level Development Manager commands a high base salary, often in excess of £110,000, it is the performance-related bonus that offers the greatest potential. These bonuses are often tied to major project milestones, such as securing a valuable planning consent or achieving a target profit on completion, and can be a substantial multiple of the base salary.
What are the typical salary ranges for key management roles?
As of May 2025, salary bands for management-level roles are strong, particularly in London. A client-side Project Manager or Design Manager with good experience can typically expect to earn between £70,000 and £95,000 in the capital. The Development Manager role generally commands a higher base salary, often in the range of £80,000 to £115,000 for an experienced professional. Senior and Director-level positions for all these roles will see salaries push well beyond £100,000, with Development Directors earning the most.
What are the salary expectations for Coordinator-level roles?
Coordinator roles are the essential entry and mid-level pathways into the sector and are salaried accordingly. A Design Coordinator or Technical Coordinator in the UK can expect a salary in the range of £40,000 to £60,000. In London, this is likely to be at the higher end of that scale, potentially reaching £65,000 with good experience at a major developer. These roles are seen as crucial training grounds for future managers, and successful performance typically leads to a significant salary jump upon promotion.
How important are bonuses and benefits in this sector?
Bonuses and benefits form a critical part of the total compensation package and are often a key differentiator between employers. For most roles like Project or Design Management, an annual bonus of 10-20% of base salary is common. For Development Managers, the bonus is far more significant and directly linked to performance, often paid on a per-project basis. Standard benefits across the sector are attractive and usually include a car allowance (or travel allowance), private medical insurance, and a competitive pension contribution.
Do professional qualifications like RICS or CIOB increase your salary?
Yes, professional qualifications have a significant positive impact on earnings, but often indirectly. While achieving a chartership (e.g., RICS, CIOB, RIBA, APM) can lead to a direct pay increase of up to 14%, its main financial benefit is that it unlocks access to more senior roles. Many developers and consultancies make chartership a prerequisite for Manager and Director-level positions. Therefore, having these qualifications is less about a simple salary bump and more about being eligible for the higher-paying jobs in the first place, making it a crucial investment for career progression.
A private and exclusive forum for Architecture & Design professionals and students.
Backed by industry specialists, it’s where you can engage in meaningful conversation, make connections, showcase your work, gain expert insights, and tap into curated opportunities to advance your career or strengthen your studio.
