Widening property pay gender gap labelled 'disheartening'

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors says it is “disheartening” that the gender pay gap is widening in some aspects of the property industry.

RICS says male property professionals earn, on average, £11,113 more than their female colleagues - that’s £54,931 versus £43,818. 

The gap is evident across the majority of age groups and is greatest for those aged 46 to 55, where the difference in average salary is 25.7 per cent.

However the gender pay gap is now less evident in those starting out in property with females earning slightly more than males, a turnaround from last year where the pay gap was most evident in 18 to 22 year olds.

“The industry has started to take action, but must maintain this momentum to create a more balanced workforce that attracts the best talent if it wants to remain competitive” says RICS spokeswoman Sarah Speirs.

The survey, of 8,000 surveyors conducted by RICS and Macdonald & Company, shows the benefits of being professionally qualified, claims the institution. 

RICS professionals earn 40.6 per cent more than those who are “not professionally qualified” — this has increased by 29.5 per cent since 2016. Those with an FRICS designation earn 83.3 per cent more than those who are not professionally qualified.

Respondents working in Greater London continue to earn the highest average salary (£61,141) and command a premium of 15.5 per cent over the South East, and 41.0 per cent over Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.