Young property staff 'prioritised' - graduate jobs

Graduates might want to focus their jobhunt on the property sector after it emerged that many firms are prioritising Britain's best young talent.

The RICS and Macdonald & Company UK Rewards and Attitudes Survey 2011 said that many young property professionals are receiving significant salary increases and substantial bonuses.

Workers from the 18-22 age bracket who saw a pay increase had an average salary rise of 21.2%, which is more than double last year's figure of 9.1%. Average bonus levels for this age group also climbed to £2,750 up from £764.

Meanwhile, their counterparts over 36 years old saw a considerable fall in bonuses, as it appears companies are looking to invest in the future by retaining their top junior employees.

Meanwhile, the average UK property salary rose to £50,250, a 5.6 per cent increase on 2010, with the average bonus - for those who received one - valued at £12,125 (+0.3 per cent from 2010).

Men continue to earn more than women, with the average salary for male property professionals reaching £52,008, and their female counterparts receiving £42,044. Bonuses also reflect this trend, with the average bonus for men increasing to £12,729 and women reaching £7,784.

Sean Tompkins, RICS Chief Executive, said: "The results of the survey offer some encouraging news and continue to reinforce a significant pay differential between those who are professionally qualified and those who are not.

"Over the same period RICS has also seen an increase in graduate recruitment, not yet back at 2007 levels, but noticeably up on 2009."