Earning $140k two years out of uni in construction salary boom

New research showing a salary boom for construction industry professionals could encourage school leavers to consider careers in a lucrative and growing industry. 

Bond University Professor of Construction Management Alan Patching found that professional staff such as contract administrators and project managers were in hot demand amid Queensland’s construction boom in the lead-up to the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games. 

In his recent survey of the industry, Professor Patching found that salaries had increased significantly over the past three years, with junior contract administrators with two years' experience commanding salaries of up to $140,000 compared to $80,000-$90,000 a few years ago. 

“Project Managers with five to seven years’ experience were paid between $120,000 and $150,000 three to four years ago, but now demand $180,000 to $220,000,” he said. 

“One participant reported construction managers in regional cities working on the Queensland Government's hospital building program asking $300,000-$350,000 in salary, plus relocation costs.” 

Professor Patching surveyed construction and infrastructure professionals including senior engineers, architects, project managers, urban planners, contractors and quantity surveyors in the lead-up to an industry roundtable to be hosted at Bond University.   

He said significant major infrastructure projects underway in Queensland, including the Cross River Rail, hospital upgrades and Olympic projects meant those seeking a career in construction project management would not be short of work. 

Bond’s Open Day on Saturday July 29 is a great opportunity for those interested in the University’s range of degrees in Construction Management, Property, Planning and Project Management to talk to current students, alumni and staff, Professor Patching said. 

Those interested in other fast-growing industries such as sustainable development and climate law will also be well catered for. 

Professor Nick James, Dean of Bond’s Faculty of Law said Bond offered the world’s first, if not the only, undergraduate degree in climate law. 

He’ll be on hand to talk to prospective students about the opportunities in this increasingly popular field of law. 

“The science is clear, we know climate change is real, we know why it’s happening, we even know what the solutions are, we know what we need to do,” he said. 

“The problem that we face is that what’s stopping us from actually enacting those solutions is that governments and corporations that, for a whole range of different reasons, are either not taking the action that needs to be taken or if they are taking action it’s too slow or inadequate or in some cases they’re taking steps that are actually contributing to climate change. 

“If that’s the problem then what we need is not necessarily more climate scientists, what we need is climate lawyers, people who are trained to persuade and sometimes force governments and corporations to do the right thing.” 

Hear more from Professor James here. 

Also on hand will be Assistant Professor of Psychology Cher McGillivray, who will have a range of tips and advice for those embarking on their tertiary studies about managing change, building resilience and setting goals.  

Hear more from Dr McGillivray here.