2020 CREW Network Benchmark Study: Gender and Diversity in Commercial Real Estate

Executive Summary

The purpose of this study is to guide women, Black, indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) and other diverse groups of people striving to advance their careers in the industry, inform companies and managers about the values and priorities of their employees, and enhance the research and data for organizations that desire greater diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). This project, in partnership with the MIT Center for Real Estate, is made possible by Capital One Commercial Banking, CREW Network Industry Research Program Partner and leading underwriter of the 2020 study.

Study Participants

A total of 2,930 industry professionals across all commercial real estate sectors participated in the 2020 study between Jan. 2 and March 31, a 34% overall increase from 2015. (Note: All participant responses and market conditions should be considered pre-COVID-19 for the purpose of this study.) Participants include:

• 82.4% identified as women

• 17.5% identified as men

• 13% identified as BIPOC

• 3.3% identified as LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transsexual, queer/questioning, intersex or asexual)

The study posed 77 questions and introduced eight new questions to examine DEI and workplace culture, and to garner country-specific data for Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States. Highlights and key findings of the study follow.

Progress for Women – An Overview

1. The study saw a 5.4% increase in women respondents 39 years old and younger, indicating a growing generation of young and emerging women professionals in the industry.

2. More women occupy brokerage positions than ever before (29%), a 6% increase from 2015.

3. More women (32%) are aspiring to the C-suite, a 4% increase from 2015.

Three areas where we continue to see a lack of progress:

1. Women occupy 36.7% of the commercial real estate industry. This percentage has not changed much over the last 15 years.

2. Women continue to earn less than men. In 2020, the fixed salary gap between genders is 10.2% and the commission and bonus gap is a staggering 55.9%.

3. Women continue to be less likely to reach top positions at their companies than men. Women still hold just 9% of C-suite positions in commercial real estate.

Compensation

Consistent with the last three studies, the 2020 study finds a substantial compensation gap between women and men. Overall, the difference in total average earnings (salaries, bonuses and commission combined) across genders in 2020 is 34%—a nearly 11% increase from 2015.

The average fixed base salary in commercial real estate in 2020 is $112,290 (USD) for men and $100,802 for women. The 10.2% salary gap means that, on average, women make 90 cents for every dollar that men earn in fixed salaries. For Black, Asian and Hispanic/Latinx women, the salary gap is wider. Black women make 85 cents, Asian women make 86 cents, and Hispanic/Latinx women make 80 cents for every dollar that men earn.

With regard to commissions and bonuses, the gender gap is much larger across all sectors. On average, women earn 56% less than men from commissions and bonuses. White women earn 51% less from commission and bonuses than men, while Black women earn 71%, Asian women earn 73%, and Hispanic/Latinx women earn 74% less than their male counterparts.

The average entry-level compensation in commercial real estate is $62,828 for women and $70,294 for men. This 9% gap is wider than in 2015 when entry-level compensation was nearly level. As in previous studies, the overall compensation gap (with bonuses and commissions) is the widest in the C-suite at 33%, a 3% increase from 2015.

Career Trajectory

Twenty-two percent of male respondents occupy the C-suite (a 5% increase from 2015) versus 9% of women, the same number from both the 2010 and 2015 studies. In senior vice president, managing director and partner level positions, the percentage of women decreased in the last five years from 27% to 22%, while the percentage of women at the senior level—defined as experienced professionals reporting to the VP (or equivalent level) and higher—remained the same at 33%. The study saw a greater proportion of women at the entry- (1% increase) and mid-levels (5% increase).

Career Aspiration and Satisfaction

Forty-three percent of men and 32% of women aspire to reach the C-suite. Women under 40 were more likely than women over 40 to target the C-suite level. Women’s career satisfaction and perceptions of success decreased across all industry specializations in 2020, while men’s perception of success has continued to increase since 2010. Similarly, the percentage of women who reported being very satisfied with the level of success achieved in their careers had remained relatively stable in the prior three studies, but has decreased in 2020.

Workplace Diversity and Culture

Overall, commercial real estate professionals don’t work in “very diverse” environments. In the study, only 16% of respondents reported that 25% or more of the professionals in their workplace are BIPOC. However, more than half of respondents reported a culture shift regarding diversity, equity and inclusion—mostly due to mandates from leadership and external pressures from the industry.

The study also found that 45% of women have experienced offensive behavior in the workplace in the last year. However, most respondents have seen a positive culture change at their workplace in recent years.

Action Leads to Change

The industry is beginning to recognize the business benefits of bringing diverse talent to the industry. We know that the inclusion of different people based on gender, race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation is a business advantage. Companies that prioritize diversity are outperforming others, including greater earnings, better governance, greater innovation, and more opportunity.

To increase DEI in commercial real estate, organizational leaders must continue to understand the issues presented in this benchmark study, and treat resolving them as a business imperative. See page 26 of the study for five actions industry and company leaders can take to increase DEI in commercial real estate.