CABE’s 2024 employment survey: the findings

CABE’s 2024 employment survey gives a glimpse into members’ working lives, wages and workload as a microcosm of the wider industry.

In autumn 2024, CABE conducted its first ever employment survey of all members in the UK and Ireland. The idea was to further the Association’s understanding of the environment within which members operate, and to build a current picture of the construction sector’s labour force and the scope of market compensation.

Key demographics of respondents

The majority of respondents are Chartered, with 64% at either MCABE or MCABE C.Build E grade and 20% being Fellows. A quarter of all respondents have been members for 15-25 years and 17% have been members for more than 25 years. The region with the highest percentage of participation in this particular survey is Southern (26.5% of respondents), followed by the South West (15%) and in joint third East Midlands and North West (10%).

It is important to note that in the UK, 323 anonymous responses were received from across CABE’s 11 regions. Unfortunately, there were not enough participants in the Ireland survey – nine respondents in total – to be deemed statistically relevant for inclusion in the overall analysis.

Employment

85% of respondents define their working hours as full time, with the remaining 15% classing their work as part time, so this has a bearing on salary findings. Geographic differences and variations due to organisation size should be kept in mind – particularly when comparing salary – but the average results still provide a helpful indicator of CABE members’ experiences.

It also needs to be pointed out that 67.5% of respondents stated their professional role as being within building control, with the next largest percentage of respondents being within the surveying sector (7%), so the findings are heavily weighted towards the experiences of those performing building control functions. 

In terms of seniority within their organisation, just over a quarter of the participants stated they were at manager or supervisor level, while just shy of a quarter gave their status as co-ordinator/employee. Interestingly, more than half of respondents earn over £50,000, with 21% sitting in the £50,000-£59,999 bracket and 16% in the £60,000-£69,999 bracket.

What is clear from the data is a distinct correlation between level of CABE membership grade and higher salary figures; those holding the higher grades are more likely to earn at the upper end of the scale. 57% of members who hold MCABE C.Build E earn more than £50,000 compared to 29% of those holding ACABE, reinforcing that progression through the CABE grades increases the opportunity for greater financial reward.

These statistics suggest why 77% of respondents agree that CABE membership has helped them progress their career. Expanded comments stated that they felt CABE membership proved their dedication to their profession and to high standards, as well as their commitment to CPD. CABE is proud that 90% of survey participants would recommend CABE membership to a colleague, affirming our steadfast belief that being part of the Association is a recognised mark of competence across the construction industry.

View of the industry

CABE is under no illusion about the many challenges facing those operating within the built environment, and salary or seniority is not necessarily considered compensation for those difficulties.

The sector is facing skills shortages at a time when the UK government has raised expectations of what, arguably, can be delivered by the industry. 60% of respondents describe their current workload as ‘over capacity’, with a quarter reporting feeling ‘overwhelmed’.

CABE exists to support its members in keeping pace with changes across the sector and equipping them with the skills they need to do their jobs more effectively. These employment survey findings corroborate the value we place on our community, but there is always more that the Association can, and will, do to share knowledge, raise standards and develop professionals.

Read the Employment Survey in full here.

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