NEWPORT BEACH, CA—Significant jumps in base salary for each yearof experience are leading top-performer realestate financial analysts to move fromcompany to company in order to get ahead, according to a recentsurvey by RETS Associates. The recruitingfirm find in its third-annual survey of real estate financialanalysts that a clear progression in base salary for each year ofprofessional experience is driving top financial analysts to jobhop.

RETS polled more than 230 financial analysts with entry-level tosenior-management experience from across the nation on their role,career advancement, qualifications for their position and more.Results showed an approximate $7,000-per-year increase during thefirst five to seven years in the field. This progression trend hasled top-performing or opportunistic financial analysts to morefrequently transition jobs, sometimes in as little as six monthsafter accepting a position. Survey data indicated that 70% ofrespondents have actively pursued a new position (internally orexternally) within the past year and have been on two or moreinterviews.

According to Kent Elliott, principal ofRETS, “This is undoubtedly a candidate-driven job market forfinancial analysts, given the 'war for talent' for top performersand the consequential impact it has had on base-compensationlevels. We have seen this market dynamic play out in our own workwith unprecedented numbers of job searches for financial analystsin the past year.”