New data from the Hays FY25/26 Salary Guide, Australia’s most comprehensive report on workforce and salary trends, reveals that while construction salaries are on the rise, many workers remain dissatisfied and are considering leaving the industry.
According to the report, 57 per cent of construction employees are satisfied with their salary.
Employers in construction are responding to market pressures, with 70 per cent planning to offer a pay rise in the coming year, including 40 per cent targeting increases between 2.5 per cent and 5 per cent.
Notably, 10 per cent of construction employers are poised to offer transformative pay raises of 20 per cent or more.
Despite this, 39 per cent of employees expect pay rises of at least 5%, outpacing the proportion of employers planning to meet this benchmark.
This mismatch indicates that hiring managers need to regularly review pay structures to align with current market expectations and reward high performance appropriately.
Career progression is another challenge; while only 24 per cent of employees see significant advancement opportunities, 56 per cent report only minor to moderate scope for growth.
The report suggests managers should invest in structured career development programs, clearer promotion pathways, and regular feedback mechanisms to support long-term employee growth.
The construction industry in Australia is facing a decline in workforce numbers in the ANZ region, possibly due to skills shortages that either cause or exacerbate this downturn.
Construction professionals and engineers place high value on benefits such as car allowances, flexible working arrangements, and additional vacation days.
The five most in-demand roles in the sector are Project Managers (Civil), Project Managers, Estimators, Site Managers, and Contract Administrators.
Hays CEO APAC, Matthew Dickason, emphasises the importance of employer investment in people, stating: “When organisations invest in their people, we see stronger employee satisfaction and loyalty.
“However, when salaries fall short of expectations, there’s a real risk of losing talent.”
He further highlights the volatility in the labour market, stating: “The labour market is no longer forgiving.
“Employers who act now to benchmark roles, align pay with performance and benefits with expectations, and reward potential will win.
“Those who don’t will lose their best people to hungrier competitors and more giving industries.”
Overall, the Hays Salary Guide for FY25/26 shows a polarised salary landscape across Australia, with engineers, finance, and legal professionals enjoying strong salary growth and satisfaction, while trades, architecture, sales, and marketing sectors face growing dissatisfaction.
Queensland leads in salary growth, and Western Australia hosts the highest proportion of top earners, yet issues such as gender pay inequality and age-related dissatisfaction persist nation-wide.
