FM ALERT: IFMA Survey Looks At FM Salaries, And More

The facility management (FM) professional of 2011, on average, is college educated, manages more than 1 million square feet of space and multiple employees, has experienced a growth in job responsibilities over the past two years, and is enjoying a base salary increase of 8% from 2007 levels. These are the findings of a recent International Facility Management Association (IFMA) salary and demographics survey.

The “Profiles 2011 Salary and Demographics Report,” based on a survey of 4,353 facility professionals from 45 countries, points to a career path that compensates its practitioners well. Combining base salary and bonus pay, the average facility professional now earns US$99,578 in total compensation annually—up from US$91,766 in 2007. Even those entering the profession earn a substantial salary, as those with three or fewer years in FM earn US$65,000 a year, up from US$56,000 in 2004.

While today’s facility managers (fms) are well compensated, they are also well educated, with 83% having attended college and 64% earning a bachelor’s degree or higher. Those with college degrees largely studied business (33%), engineering (16%), facilities management (14%) or liberal arts (9%). Twenty percent of those surveyed report having a master’s or doctoral degree.

Geographic location also plays a role in compensation. Those living in the Northeast U.S. report earning on average $8,837 more than their counterparts, while those in the Pacific U.S. report earning on average US$8,255 more. Canadian facility professionals also see a geographic compensation benefit, earning US$7,076 more than the average fm.

Other countries with high concentrations of CFM and FMP credential holders report the following annual base salaries (in U.S. dollars):
Country/Region; CFM Salary; FMP Salary; Overall

  • Australia; $114,968; $91,288; $100,965
  • Canada; $112,262; $88,399; $95,537
  • Hong Kong; $96,716; $76,620; $76,501
  • Nigeria; $102,274; $61,741; $51,530
  • United States; $101,540; $74,000; $93,741

Next Generation Finding FM
More young people are entering FM, even as the average age of a facility manager is 49. Nine percent of 2011 survey respondents were 34 or younger, up from 7% in 2007. Of this group, the majority are women. Twelve percent of female survey respondents were 34 or younger, compared to only 8% of their male counterparts. Similarly, 23% of women surveyed were 35 to 44 years old, as opposed to 21% of men. Women are also slightly more likely to be pursuing two of IFMA’s credentials—the Facility Management Professional and Sustainability Facility Professional™ designations—than men, as 12% of female respondents have or are working toward FMPs and 7% are working toward SFPs.

Education Linked To Compensation
As with previous surveys, education level also plays a large role in compensation. Survey respondents with a master’s degree report earning an average base pay of US$101,629, up from US$96,750 in 2007 and US$87,000 in 2004. Those with a bachelor’s degree report a base pay of US$87,000, an increase from US$82,000 in 2007 and US$75,000 in 2004.

Sample chart from the report (courtesy of IFMA)

In total, facility professionals in eight industry sectors (including chemical/pharmaceutical, electronics, the federal government and the media) make an average of US$100,000 or more each year. Similarly, fms with the Certified Facility Manager® designation—a standard for ensuring the knowledge and competence of practicing fms—report earning US$12,524 more per year than their counterparts without the credential. Those holding a CFM earn on average US$101,540 per year in compensation. Survey respondents with a CFM and six to 10 years of full time work experience, for example, report making US$15,536 more per year than the average fm with similar experience, while those with an FMP and six to 10 years of full time work experience make US$8,727 more. CFM credential holders are also more likely to work in higher levels of management than the average facility professional, making them more likely to manage supervisors who manage others; manage two or more levels of supervisors; or serve the company as a senior executive.

“These results show what we’ve known all along, that facility management is a competitive, compelling profession with the potential to attract top tier talent, both today and in the future,” said IFMA President and CEO Tony Keane, CAE. “Facility management provides strategic value and contributes to organizational success, and facility professionals are increasingly getting greater recognition and compensation for these contributions. To work in this field and potentially earn more than US$100,000 with IFMA’s CFM credential speaks volumes about the value the industry provides and what it can offer today’s professionals.”

The complete “Profiles 2011 Salary and Demographics Report” is available for purchase in hard copy or e-file PDF from the IFMA Bookstore.


1 COMMENT

  1. Interesting to see such high salaries for FM professional worldwide. It’s a shame you haven’t got the statistics for those in the UK. Of course, many companies can take advantage of Facilities Management Software to keep the costs down and thus pay their facilities managers a less substantial salary or at least cut overheads. It’s the sensible option in the modern world, especially with management of large facilities.

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