Engineers prioritising benefits over pay

More than half of engineering professionals would happily trade higher salaries for better benefits, more meaningful roles or improved work-life balance, a survey has suggested.

The global poll of 26,000 engineering professionals (500 from the UK) by recruitment firm Randstad found that 52% would trade higher salaries for workplace benefits such as gym access or childcare.

A similar percentage (50%) said they had already accepted lower pay in return for a more meaningful role. More than three-quarters (78%) felt ‘future-ready’ to use technologies such as AI in their roles.

And the vast majority (84%) cited work-life balance as the top factor they look for when evaluating new roles. In fact, more than half (58%) said they would leave a job if they didn’t feel they belonged.

Sander van ‘t Noordende, Randstad CEO, said of the findings: “Talent in the engineering sector are no longer making career decisions based solely on salary or job content.

“They’re seeking roles that fit their lives, reflect their values, and foster a sense of belonging. Flexibility and purpose are baseline expectations. At the same time, this is a highly future-focused workforce, eager to adopt new technologies and build lasting skills.

“Employers who invest in both personal alignment and professional growth will lead: not just in retention, but in innovation,” he added.

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