How to know what salary to expect/be asking for?

[Nemophilist]

I work in a very fast growing company in the construction industry, however I am wondering if not being university degree educated might end up holding me back.

I’m 35 and earning £60k+ bonus (around 5-10% a year typically)

I am an estimator/qs specialising in high end interior fit ourts.

I have been contacted by a few headhunters over the past year with positions offering £90-120k but this just doesn’t seem realistic - or am I wrong?

It’s the high salary that actually puts me off interviewing for the roles because it doesn’t seem realistic but maybe I’m out of touch and quite underpaid.

Does anyone have any knowledge of these types of roles and can let me know what type of salary I should be expecting?

I have over 9 years technical experience in specialist joinery but no formal qualifications and in the last financial year bought in around £2.5m of work

Thank you

Edited by Nemophilist on Saturday 19th June 21:18

[edc]

Why not get the information you want straight from the source? If you are being regularly contacted ask the recruiters, research the companies, get an interview and a job spec.

[Nemophilist]

Nemophilist said:

edc said:

Why not get the information you want straight from the source? If you are being regularly contacted ask the recruiters, research the companies, get an interview and a job spec.

I have asked the recruiters directly but half the time they don’t really want to give away too much until I agree for them to submit me as a candidate .

It’s part of the reason why I’m starting to be wary of recruiters and the numbers they dangle in front of me.

Ideally I’d like to find out from people working in the industry and with similar experience to me to see if it really is worth moving companies

[blueg33]

Fit out does seem to pay well

I pay a senior QS around 80-90 in house building, a commercial director from 120-250k

[Nemophilist]

blueg33 said:

Fit out does seem to pay well

I pay a senior QS around 80-90 in house building, a commercial director from 120-250k

Thank you - would you typically only hire a senior QS at that salary with a formal qualification?

[DanL]

The glass door website often gives indicative salaries for a job title and location. Might give you an idea?

[ClaphamGT3]

Partner in one of the top 3 largest QS practices globally.

At 35 whether or not you have a degree would have little bearing on salary. Professional qualification would be preferred but not absolutely essential. Main determinants of earning potential are competence and capability, including technical skill, client management and leadership.

It sounds like you are contractor side rather than PQS (where I have most metrics) but on the little info you’ve given, £60k sounds light. £80-100k sounds more realistic. To get north of £100k I’d expect that you’d need to be in a leadership role &/or contributing to BD/account management.

Feel free to pm me if you wish

[Northernboy]

Nemophilist said:

I work in a very fast growing company in the construction industry, however I am wondering if not being university degree educated might end up holding me back.

I’m 35 and earning £60k+ bonus (around 5-10% a year typically)

I am an estimator/qs specialising in high end interior fit ourts.

I have been contacted by a few headhunters over the past year with positions offering £90-120k but this just doesn’t seem realistic - or am I wrong?

It’s the high salary that actually puts me off interviewing for the roles because it doesn’t seem realistic but maybe I’m out of touch and quite underpaid.

Does anyone have any knowledge of these types of roles and can let me know what type of salary I should be expecting?

I have over 9 years technical experience in specialist joinery but no formal qualifications and in the last financial year bought in around £2.5m of work

Thank you

Edited by Nemophilist on Saturday 19th June 21:18

I don’t really understand what the issue is. Take a day or a half day’s leave, go to the interview, and if you get offered the job you’ll find out what the salary is. Is it really not worth spending the time to see?

[blueg33]

Nemophilist said:

blueg33 said:

Fit out does seem to pay well

I pay a senior QS around 80-90 in house building, a commercial director from 120-250k

Thank you - would you typically only hire a senior QS at that salary with a formal qualification?

I look at experience first, but a qualification helps. I do think that a qualification counts for more in consultancy than inns construction company.

[Nemophilist]

DanL said:

The glass door website often gives indicative salaries for a job title and location. Might give you an idea?

Thank you, I’ve taken a look and it kind of puts me at an average but with extremes on either side

Really useful to see though as I’m a believer that more people should talk about pay and salary in general

[Nemophilist]

ClaphamGT3 said:

Partner in one of the top 3 largest QS practices globally.

At 35 whether or not you have a degree would have little bearing on salary. Professional qualification would be preferred but not absolutely essential. Main determinants of earning potential are competence and capability, including technical skill, client management and leadership.

It sounds like you are contractor side rather than PQS (where I have most metrics) but on the little info you’ve given, £60k sounds light. £80-100k sounds more realistic. To get north of £100k I’d expect that you’d need to be in a leadership role &/or contributing to BD/account management.

Feel free to pm me if you wish

Thank you. This is really helpful.
By title I am in a leadership role but maybe it’s not as meaningful where I am.

I will PM you later

[Nemophilist]

Northernboy said:

I don’t really understand what the issue is. Take a day or a half day’s leave, go to the interview, and if you get offered the job you’ll find out what the salary is. Is it really not worth spending the time to see?

Yes I think this will be best way to find out for sure. I plan to do this next opportunity I get.
Timing hasn’t been good over the last year due to new baby and wanting the feeling of a secure and flexible position

[Tall_Blk]

Seems very light to me. I working in construction and I remember discussing with colleagues about estimators salaries approaching £90k + over 3 years ago

[w1bbles]

I recommend talking to ClaphamGT3, who I know personally. If he thinks you can make it in his firm you will do well. I've worked with them previously and they have some great clients and some fantastic opportunities globally.

[67Dino]

Might sound obvious but headhunters are usually a good source of information themselves. Nothing wrong with a call along the lines of “not sure if I fit this exact role but can I get your opinion?”.

They’re usually happy to have a chat as they never know when you will fit a role and/or know someone else who does.