Construction: What Candidates Need to Know About the Market Right Now

If you work in construction, you have probably felt the market shift under your feet over the past year or two. Project delays, cautious hiring and a slower pace of movement have made the sector feel more settled but also more competitive. Here is what our 2026 Real Estate Salary Guide & Trends Report, combined with insight from our Workforce Sentiment Survey, tells us about where things stand and what it means for you. 

1. The market favours employers, but that is not the whole story 

Hiring across construction remains employer favourable, with limited salary inflation outside of critical technical and commercial roles. That does not mean opportunity has disappeared. It means the professionals who stand out are the ones who can show real technical capability and commercial awareness, not just experience on paper. 

2. Pay rises are coming from promotion, not job moves 

Most salary increases in construction over the past year have come through internal promotion rather than moving employer. If you are looking to grow your earnings, it is worth having an honest conversation with your current employer about progression before assuming a new role is the only route to a pay rise. 

3. Salary isn't the only priority 

Our Workforce Sentiment Survey found that while 41% of professionals still rank salary as their top priority, this is closely followed by work life balance, flexibility, culture and career development. In construction specifically, candidates are placing real weight on funding security, clear business plans and project pipeline before considering a move. 

4. Counteroffers are becoming the norm 

Employers are increasingly countering when they risk losing good people. If you are exploring the market, go in with a clear sense of what you actually want beyond salary, whether that is progression, flexibility or a stronger leadership environment, so you are not caught off guard by a last minute offer. 

5. Culture and leadership carry real weight 

Bonus potential topped our survey's list of retention drivers, but team culture and leadership ranked as the second biggest reason people consider leaving a role, just behind earning potential. A strong package will get you through the door. Leadership quality and a positive team environment are what keep good people in the business. 

6. Flexibility still has a price, even in an office first industry 

Three days in the office is now the clear preference among respondents, but 84% said they would consider sacrificing some salary for the right benefits package. In an industry where full remote working is rarely realistic, even small amounts of flexibility can carry real value. 

If you are weighing up your next move in construction, the message from this year's data is clear. Stability, leadership and long-term opportunity matter just as much as the number on your payslip. 

About the Author 

Aaron Higgins | National Head of Development & Construction 

Aaron leads deverellsmith's Development & Construction division nationally, overseeing senior search mandates and strategic growth across the UK. With deep expertise in the built environment, he advises businesses on talent strategy across technical, delivery and leadership functions within residential and commercial construction.