House prices may be slow on the increase, but recruitment in the commercial property market is healthier than ever.

According to a poll by industry journal Estates Gazette, the most popular means of finding a job in the sector is to use a recruitment agency. More than half (52%) of those surveyed said this was their preferred way of finding a new job.

And it’s a candidate’s market, says Dominic Rushby, business manager at property recruitment firm PSD. “A good candidate with four or five years’ experience has got the freedom of choice. There are so few people moving around that companies are toppling over themselves to get people,” he told Recruiter.

Property professionals can expect an impressive salary, on average netting £51,800 per year. Bonuses average £9,740 a year and annual pay rises outpace inflation at 5.4%.

But while the sector inspires loyalty – the average worker stays in it for more than 14 years – that’s not to say workers aren’t looking for the next opportunity. Estates Gazette found that 83% of respondents perused job ads even when not looking for a job.