{"id":8932,"date":"2026-02-23T02:03:29","date_gmt":"2026-02-23T02:03:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goughrecruitment.com.au\/?p=8932"},"modified":"2026-02-23T02:03:29","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T02:03:29","slug":"salary-wins-but-growth-is-closing-in","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goughrecruitment.com.au\/salary-wins-but-growth-is-closing-in\/","title":{"rendered":"Salary Wins \u2014 But Growth Is Closing In"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-start=\"274\" data-end=\"365\"><strong data-start=\"274\" data-end=\"365\">What 1000 Property &amp; Construction Professionals Told Us About Saying \u201cYes\u201d to a New Role<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"367\" data-end=\"437\">When considering a new role, it\u2019s rarely just one factor that matters.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"439\" data-end=\"469\">We recently asked our network:<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"471\" data-end=\"514\"><strong data-start=\"471\" data-end=\"514\">\u201cWhat makes you say yes to a new role?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"516\" data-end=\"539\">The results were clear:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"541\" data-end=\"671\">\n<li data-section-id=\"gb6ybv\" data-start=\"541\" data-end=\"570\">\n<p data-start=\"543\" data-end=\"570\"><strong data-start=\"543\" data-end=\"570\">Salary &amp; benefits \u2014 37%<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"16htqdo\" data-start=\"571\" data-end=\"596\">\n<p data-start=\"573\" data-end=\"596\"><strong data-start=\"573\" data-end=\"596\">Career growth \u2014 24%<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"1ty4vt7\" data-start=\"597\" data-end=\"629\">\n<p data-start=\"599\" data-end=\"629\"><strong data-start=\"599\" data-end=\"629\">Leadership &amp; support \u2014 20%<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"1uvjjjs\" data-start=\"630\" data-end=\"671\">\n<p data-start=\"632\" data-end=\"671\"><strong data-start=\"632\" data-end=\"671\">Clear workload &amp; expectations \u2014 19%<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"673\" data-end=\"702\">At first glance, salary wins.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"704\" data-end=\"791\">But the deeper insight?<br data-start=\"727\" data-end=\"730\" \/><strong data-start=\"730\" data-end=\"791\">63% of candidates prioritised something other than money.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"793\" data-end=\"874\">And that tells us far more about the 2026 talent market than the headline number.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"876\" data-end=\"879\" \/>\n<h2 data-section-id=\"ck1j0e\" data-start=\"881\" data-end=\"935\">Salary Is the Entry Ticket, Not the Differentiator<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"937\" data-end=\"1044\">In real estate, property, development and construction, remuneration has tightened over the past 24 months.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1046\" data-end=\"1185\">Rising cost of living, project volatility, higher interest rates and leaner pipelines have all sharpened financial focus for professionals.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1187\" data-end=\"1227\">It\u2019s no surprise salary came out on top.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1229\" data-end=\"1276\">But here\u2019s what we\u2019re seeing across the market:<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1278\" data-end=\"1370\">When two offers are within 5\u201310% of each other, salary rarely determines the final decision.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1372\" data-end=\"1397\">The deciding factors are:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1398\" data-end=\"1544\">\n<li data-section-id=\"1gq9oj8\" data-start=\"1398\" data-end=\"1423\">\n<p data-start=\"1400\" data-end=\"1423\">Who they\u2019ll report to<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"1i6w8dn\" data-start=\"1424\" data-end=\"1463\">\n<p data-start=\"1426\" data-end=\"1463\">How clear the role expectations are<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"1i9w982\" data-start=\"1464\" data-end=\"1500\">\n<p data-start=\"1466\" data-end=\"1500\">Whether there\u2019s real progression<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"n3gr97\" data-start=\"1501\" data-end=\"1544\">\n<p data-start=\"1503\" data-end=\"1544\">How commercially exposed they\u2019ll become<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"1546\" data-end=\"1595\">Money opens the conversation.<br data-start=\"1575\" data-end=\"1578\" \/>Growth closes it.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"1597\" data-end=\"1600\" \/>\n<h2 data-section-id=\"1l3kjbh\" data-start=\"1602\" data-end=\"1654\">Career Growth Is Quietly Becoming the Power Lever<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"1656\" data-end=\"1714\">Nearly a quarter of respondents prioritised career growth.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1716\" data-end=\"1771\">In our day-to-day conversations with candidates across:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1773\" data-end=\"1942\">\n<li data-section-id=\"1lxk8sl\" data-start=\"1773\" data-end=\"1815\">\n<p data-start=\"1775\" data-end=\"1815\">Residential and commercial real estate<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"191veee\" data-start=\"1816\" data-end=\"1847\">\n<p data-start=\"1818\" data-end=\"1847\">Retail portfolio management<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"1fzbew\" data-start=\"1848\" data-end=\"1874\">\n<p data-start=\"1850\" data-end=\"1874\">Development management<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"u9l9u4\" data-start=\"1875\" data-end=\"1897\">\n<p data-start=\"1877\" data-end=\"1897\">Commercial fit-out<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"10vegop\" data-start=\"1898\" data-end=\"1942\">\n<p data-start=\"1900\" data-end=\"1942\">Multi-residential and education projects<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"1944\" data-end=\"1970\">One theme keeps repeating:<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1972\" data-end=\"2008\"><strong data-start=\"1972\" data-end=\"2008\">\u201cI don\u2019t want to move sideways.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2010\" data-end=\"2049\">Professionals are thinking longer term.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2051\" data-end=\"2341\">Contract Administrators want stronger commercial input.<br data-start=\"2149\" data-end=\"2152\" \/>Property Managers want portfolio scale or asset-backed progression.<br data-start=\"2219\" data-end=\"2222\" \/>Retail Managers want regional or national oversight.<br data-start=\"2274\" data-end=\"2277\" \/>Development professionals want ownership, not just coordination.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2343\" data-end=\"2409\">The market is shifting from transactional moves to strategic ones.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2411\" data-end=\"2465\">Candidates aren\u2019t just asking:<br \/>\n\u201cWhat will you pay me?\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2467\" data-end=\"2524\">They\u2019re asking:<br \/>\n\u201cWhat will this role make me in 3 years?\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2526\" data-end=\"2627\">That\u2019s a much harder question for employers to answer and a powerful opportunity for those who can.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"2629\" data-end=\"2632\" \/>\n<h2 data-section-id=\"gzh3bd\" data-start=\"2634\" data-end=\"2683\">Leadership &amp; Support: The Retention Multiplier<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"2685\" data-end=\"2722\">20% prioritised leadership &amp; support.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2724\" data-end=\"2751\">That number is significant.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2753\" data-end=\"2757\">Why?<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2759\" data-end=\"2802\">Because strong leadership directly impacts:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2803\" data-end=\"2862\">\n<li data-section-id=\"3v9f2o\" data-start=\"2803\" data-end=\"2816\">\n<p data-start=\"2805\" data-end=\"2816\">Performance<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"1fi3tuk\" data-start=\"2817\" data-end=\"2828\">\n<p data-start=\"2819\" data-end=\"2828\">Retention<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"5589gz\" data-start=\"2829\" data-end=\"2841\">\n<p data-start=\"2831\" data-end=\"2841\">Reputation<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"k117q8\" data-start=\"2842\" data-end=\"2862\">\n<p data-start=\"2844\" data-end=\"2862\">Referral pipelines<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"2864\" data-end=\"2967\">In construction and development environments especially, leadership quality can make or break projects.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2969\" data-end=\"3023\">We\u2019ve seen professionals leave well-paid roles due to:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"3024\" data-end=\"3137\">\n<li data-section-id=\"n2igru\" data-start=\"3024\" data-end=\"3045\">\n<p data-start=\"3026\" data-end=\"3045\">Reactive leadership<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"kpqs16\" data-start=\"3046\" data-end=\"3066\">\n<p data-start=\"3048\" data-end=\"3066\">Poor communication<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"sbcsy8\" data-start=\"3067\" data-end=\"3100\">\n<p data-start=\"3069\" data-end=\"3100\">Lack of commercial transparency<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"1rk9j34\" data-start=\"3101\" data-end=\"3137\">\n<p data-start=\"3103\" data-end=\"3137\">Unrealistic programme expectations<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"3139\" data-end=\"3206\">Conversely, candidates will accept slightly lower remuneration for:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"3207\" data-end=\"3320\">\n<li data-section-id=\"8qwxan\" data-start=\"3207\" data-end=\"3236\">\n<p data-start=\"3209\" data-end=\"3236\">A respected industry leader<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"gsqdxh\" data-start=\"3237\" data-end=\"3249\">\n<p data-start=\"3239\" data-end=\"3249\">Mentorship<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"ob82p9\" data-start=\"3250\" data-end=\"3284\">\n<p data-start=\"3252\" data-end=\"3284\">Clear decision-making structures<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"19cwim3\" data-start=\"3285\" data-end=\"3320\">\n<p data-start=\"3287\" data-end=\"3320\">Exposure to strategic discussions<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"3322\" data-end=\"3391\">Leadership is becoming a competitive advantage in talent acquisition.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"3393\" data-end=\"3396\" \/>\n<h2 data-section-id=\"c15psi\" data-start=\"3398\" data-end=\"3444\">Clarity Around Workload: The Burnout Factor<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"3446\" data-end=\"3492\">19% prioritised clear workload &amp; expectations.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3494\" data-end=\"3528\">In isolation, that might seem low.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3530\" data-end=\"3556\">In context, it\u2019s critical.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3558\" data-end=\"3611\">Across property and construction sectors, we\u2019ve seen:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"3613\" data-end=\"3864\">\n<li data-section-id=\"1o7xtzk\" data-start=\"3613\" data-end=\"3641\">\n<p data-start=\"3615\" data-end=\"3641\">Under-resourced PM teams<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"k76u3e\" data-start=\"3642\" data-end=\"3702\">\n<p data-start=\"3644\" data-end=\"3702\">Development pipelines expanding without headcount growth<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"lc761p\" data-start=\"3703\" data-end=\"3783\">\n<p data-start=\"3705\" data-end=\"3783\">CAs absorbing procurement, programme and variation management simultaneously<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"3866\" data-end=\"3904\">Professionals are increasingly asking:<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3906\" data-end=\"3958\">\u201cWhat does success actually look like in this role?\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3960\" data-end=\"3976\">Clarity signals:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"3977\" data-end=\"4067\">\n<li data-section-id=\"1wlpyfg\" data-start=\"3977\" data-end=\"4004\">\n<p data-start=\"3979\" data-end=\"4004\">Organisational maturity<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"iazrmi\" data-start=\"4005\" data-end=\"4031\">\n<p data-start=\"4007\" data-end=\"4031\">Operational discipline<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"1nzl4q\" data-start=\"4032\" data-end=\"4067\">\n<p data-start=\"4034\" data-end=\"4067\">Respect for performance metrics<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"4069\" data-end=\"4157\">Employers who can clearly articulate workload boundaries and KPIs build immediate trust.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"4159\" data-end=\"4162\" \/>\n<h2 data-section-id=\"14sdl4x\" data-start=\"4164\" data-end=\"4204\">What This Means for Employers in 2026<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"4206\" data-end=\"4241\">The data points to one key insight:<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4243\" data-end=\"4321\"><strong data-start=\"4243\" data-end=\"4321\">Salary gets attention. Structure, growth and leadership secure commitment.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4323\" data-end=\"4425\">If you want to attract and retain top-tier professionals in real estate, development and construction:<\/p>\n<ol data-start=\"4427\" data-end=\"4608\">\n<li data-section-id=\"19pbyxl\" data-start=\"4427\" data-end=\"4488\">\n<p data-start=\"4430\" data-end=\"4488\">Ensure remuneration is competitive \u2014 but don\u2019t rely on it.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"1w2fcxv\" data-start=\"4489\" data-end=\"4525\">\n<p data-start=\"4492\" data-end=\"4525\">Clearly map progression pathways.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"1c99b4b\" data-start=\"4526\" data-end=\"4561\">\n<p data-start=\"4529\" data-end=\"4561\">Invest in leadership capability.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"1fzifq1\" data-start=\"4562\" data-end=\"4608\">\n<p data-start=\"4565\" data-end=\"4608\">Define expectations before the offer stage.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p data-start=\"4610\" data-end=\"4673\">The strongest hiring strategies we\u2019re seeing right now include:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"4675\" data-end=\"4863\">\n<li data-section-id=\"njslw3\" data-start=\"4675\" data-end=\"4705\">\n<p data-start=\"4677\" data-end=\"4705\">Transparent salary banding<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"sugztv\" data-start=\"4706\" data-end=\"4747\">\n<p data-start=\"4708\" data-end=\"4747\">Defined 12\u201324 month growth milestones<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"1b8kf18\" data-start=\"4748\" data-end=\"4805\">\n<p data-start=\"4750\" data-end=\"4805\">Early commercial exposure for mid-level professionals<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"1qwq07j\" data-start=\"4806\" data-end=\"4838\">\n<p data-start=\"4808\" data-end=\"4838\">Strong onboarding frameworks<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"gtsy7q\" data-start=\"4839\" data-end=\"4863\">\n<p data-start=\"4841\" data-end=\"4863\">Structured mentoring<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"4865\" data-end=\"4912\">Top performers are not just choosing employers.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4914\" data-end=\"4943\">They are choosing trajectory.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"4945\" data-end=\"4948\" \/>\n<h2 data-section-id=\"3lust9\" data-start=\"4950\" data-end=\"4975\">The Market Is Maturing<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"4977\" data-end=\"5076\">The property and construction talent market is becoming more commercially aware and more strategic.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5078\" data-end=\"5173\">Professionals understand leverage.<br data-start=\"5112\" data-end=\"5115\" \/>They understand visibility.<br data-start=\"5142\" data-end=\"5145\" \/>They understand consequence.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5175\" data-end=\"5275\">And increasingly, they\u2019re choosing roles that align with long-term positioning, not short-term gain.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5277\" data-end=\"5314\">For candidates, the question becomes:<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5316\" data-end=\"5365\">Are you moving for comfort \u2014 or for acceleration?<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5367\" data-end=\"5406\">For employers, the question is sharper:<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5408\" data-end=\"5442\">Are you offering more than salary?<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"5444\" data-end=\"5447\" \/>\n<h2 data-section-id=\"qydd1w\" data-start=\"5449\" data-end=\"5465\">Final Thought<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"5467\" data-end=\"5487\">Salary won our poll.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5489\" data-end=\"5549\">But growth, leadership and clarity collectively outweigh it.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5551\" data-end=\"5573\">That\u2019s the real story.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5575\" data-end=\"5647\">At Gough Recruitment, our conversations go deeper than job descriptions.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5649\" data-end=\"5750\">We focus on alignment, trajectory and long-term success, because that\u2019s what today\u2019s market demands.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5752\" data-end=\"5838\">If you\u2019re considering your next move or reviewing your talent strategy \u2014 let\u2019s talk.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5752\" data-end=\"5838\">\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What 1000 Property &amp; Construction Professionals Told Us About Saying \u201cYes\u201d to a New Role When considering a new role, it\u2019s rarely just one factor that matters. We recently asked our network: \u201cWhat makes you say yes to a new role?\u201d The results were clear: Salary &amp; benefits \u2014 37% Career growth \u2014 24% Leadership &hellip;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"> <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.goughrecruitment.com.au\/salary-wins-but-growth-is-closing-in\/\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Salary Wins \u2014 But Growth Is Closing In<\/span> Read More &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":8935,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[41],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8932","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-industry-insights"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goughrecruitment.com.au\/af-api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8932","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goughrecruitment.com.au\/af-api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goughrecruitment.com.au\/af-api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goughrecruitment.com.au\/af-api\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goughrecruitment.com.au\/af-api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8932"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.goughrecruitment.com.au\/af-api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8932\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8936,"href":"https:\/\/www.goughrecruitment.com.au\/af-api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8932\/revisions\/8936"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goughrecruitment.com.au\/af-api\/wp\/v2\/media\/8935"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goughrecruitment.com.au\/af-api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8932"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goughrecruitment.com.au\/af-api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8932"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goughrecruitment.com.au\/af-api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8932"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}