BIM Salary Guide Update: August 2021

BIM SALARY GUIDE : UPDATE : AUGUST 2021

INDEX:
CHANGES SINCE LAST QUARTER
TRENDS
PREDICTIONS
TOP 5 OPPORTUNITIES

 

CHANGES SINCE LAST QUARTER
Data courtesy of JohnsonBIM + comments from Mike Johnson at JohnsonBIM

For a quick snapshot of where salaries have changed, see numbers highlighted red in the BIM Salary Guide table.

Summary:

DIGITAL / BIM LEADS	Low demand continues. Salaries stable.
BIM MANAGERS	Demand steady in the south east and picking up in the regions. Salaries rising in all regions for on-the-way-up Managers. Salary capping at the expert level.
BIM COORDINATORS	Demand and salaries rising for on-the-way-up Coordinators in all regions. Salary capping at the top level.
BIM TECHNICIANS	Demand and salaries rising for on-the-way-up Technicians in the South East, Midlands and North West. Salary capping at the top level.
BIM TRAINEES	Demand slowly increasing. Salaries slowly rising in the North West and Midlands.

Notes:
• The reason salaries are rising for more experienced talent is due to scarcity in supply forcing companies to offer more to attract and retain.
• Recent demand has been greatest in the southeast hence more increases in the table. Expect to see more red in all regions next quarter.

 

TRENDS
K-shaped salary trend
There is no doubt that the economy is getting back on its feet after reeling from the pandemic, but the awkwardness of the process is just as clear. Some sectors are recovering more and faster than others, making the situation complicated.

A K-shaped recovery exists post-recession where various segments of the economy recover at their own rates or levels, as opposed to a uniform recovery where all follow the same path as the rest. A K-shaped recovery eventually alters the landscape, with economic results and dynamics essentially revamped. This type of recovery is called “K” because the unique directions taken by the different parts of the economy create a K shape when plotted together.

What’s unique about a K-shaped recovery is the possibility that some areas of the economy will bounce right back to normal once the recession is over, while others will experience slower growth or even further decline.

Since 1990, all business cycles have exhibited K properties, but not all businesses will be able to recover in the same way. The process is easier for those that have little, if any ‘baggage’, and harder for those that require more momentum to prop themselves up.

The concern is that unstable (K-shaped) growth could hasten wealth diversities.

 

K-shaped demand for BIM expertise
It’s no longer useful to simply say demand is increasing. It is, but it isn’t universal and it isn’t uniform. The devil is in the detail. For the last few months we have seen clear signs of diversity in the demand for BIM skills.

As always there is variation within the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) sectors. Most are winning work. More of the work is requiring more BIM intelligence. Those with ‘relatively’ healthy balance sheets are recruiting; others are hampered with ‘excess baggage’.

Increasingly, we are seeing the highest demand in the ‘service’ sectors – the Digital Consultancies providing external expertise and Technology Providers offering tools (and consultancy in some cases) to increase productivity. We are also seeing, at last, demand from end-user Clients looking to drive smarter asset management from within.

 

V-shaped supply of BIM specialists
In 33 years of AEC recruitment, I have never seen the number of active job-seekers so low. The letter V signifies a quick recovery which I anticipate as confidence increases over the coming weeks (all being well). However, at the previous peak in supply, demand was significantly higher. So, we are currently in a market where supply is at an all-time low and demand is increasing. Make no mistake, this is now a seller’s market. Those that have accepted this are successfully finding good talent – either being more flexible in their expectations and/or paying more.

 

K-shaped salary trend
Digital engineering skills are transferable. With Consultants, Technology Developers and Clients now competing for BIM talent, the variety of career options is rapidly increasing.

The economy is recovering, pipelines are improving, confidence is building, the need for more BIM expertise is increasing, the number of options will continue to rise.

The traditional AEC businesses are now competing with higher demand with other employers (Consultancy, Technology Developers, Clients) than we have seen previously.

With demand increasing and supply decreasing it seems logical that we would see a linear, upward, increase in salaries but we’re not. For many, we’re too early in the recovery phase to start dangling juicy carrots – especially if equivalent talent within the business is not similarly rewarded. These employers are still trying to keep a firm lid on salaries. Conversely, businesses with no baggage and deep pockets are attracting scarce talent with good money and career opportunities.

 

PREDICTIONS
The uncertainty caused by the pandemic has seen more employees prioritise stability over money. We are already seeing this trend reverse as confidence increases.

With more choice, job-seekers are increasingly looking for better opportunities with better pay.

Employers who adapt quickest, realise that talent is scarce, create realistic expectations and pay well will find the best talent.

So, my predictions for the rest of 2021:

As confidence increases:

• The number of opportunities with Digital Construction Consultants will increase;
• The number of opportunities with Technology Developers will increase;
• The number of opportunities with end-user clients will increase;
• The demand for experienced, project focussed BIM Managers and Coordinators will rise;
• The lack of affordable, experienced talent means AEC clients will recruit more BIM trainees.

 

 

TOP 5 OPPORTUNITIES
Reading the article above, it’s no coincidence that 3 of JohnsonBIM’s top 5 BIM career opportunities this month are with Consultants:

• SENIOR BIM MANAGER: Multi-disciplinary design team: London
• BIM MANAGER: End-user client: London / flexible
• BIM CONSULTANT: Consultancy: North
• JUNIOR BIM COORDINATOR: Consultancy: London
• BIM CONSULTANT: Consultancy: Based anywhere in the UK