The facility management profession is at a turning point. As organizations navigate talent shortages, rising operational demands and rapid advances in AI, facility managers are being asked to do more than ever before. At the same time, employers are rethinking how they attract, retain and support FM talent in an increasingly competitive market.

In a recent IFMA webinar, researchers behind the 2026 Global Salary and Compensation Report shared new insights into the state of the facility management profession, including salary benchmarks, hiring trends, workforce challenges and the growing impact of AI on FM.

Facility Management Remains a Stable and Growing Profession

One of the strongest takeaways from the report is the continued stability of the facility management profession.

Researchers found that unemployment within the industry remains extremely low, with many unemployed respondents voluntarily retired or transitioning careers rather than struggling to find work.

At the same time, organizations are facing longer hiring timelines and increased competition for qualified talent.

According to the webinar, it now takes employers an average of 17 weeks to fill an FM vacancy, a significant increase from previous years.

That combination of strong demand and limited talent availability is creating growing pressure across the industry.

The Retirement Wave Is Already Happening

One of the report’s biggest themes centered around workforce succession.

Researchers found that nearly 40% of facility managers expect to retire within the next 10 years, creating an urgent need for organizations to strengthen recruitment, mentoring and knowledge transfer strategies.

At the same time, fewer professionals say they plan to stay in the industry for more than 20 years compared to previous reports.

For employers, this creates a critical challenge:

How do you preserve institutional knowledge while also preparing the next generation of FM leaders?

The webinar emphasized that mentoring may be one of the most important tools organizations have to address that gap. More than one-third of early-career facility managers reported currently being mentored, and researchers identified mentoring as a major contributor to retention and career development.

Related: 5 Key Benefits of Having a Mentor or Mentee as a Facility Manager

Salary Growth Is Happening, But Inflation Still Matters

The report also revealed that facility management salaries have continued to rise globally since 2021.

Operations and construction-focused FM roles experienced some of the strongest compensation growth, while executive-level positions continue to command the highest salaries overall.

But there is an important caveat.

Even with salary increases, compensation growth in many cases has still not fully outpaced cumulative global inflation since 2021. That means benefits, bonuses and workplace flexibility are becoming increasingly important parts of total compensation packages.

The webinar highlighted several trends shaping FM compensation today:

  • More facility managers are receiving bonuses
  • Flexible benefits remain highly valued
  • Unlimited PTO policies are becoming more common
  • Gym memberships and wellness-related benefits are increasing
  • Employers are using compensation packages more strategically to retain talent

AI Is No Longer Optional in FM

Another major takeaway from the webinar was the rapid adoption of AI across the profession.

According to the report:

  • 72% of facility managers say AI already impacts their work daily
  • 92% are interested in adopting additional AI tools
  • Nearly 70% expect AI to significantly change their roles within five years

Researchers noted that many facility professionals are embracing AI faster than expected, particularly as organizations look for ways to improve efficiency, automate workflows and process growing amounts of operational data.

Rather than replacing FM professionals, AI is increasingly being viewed as a tool that helps facility teams work more strategically and make better-informed decisions.

The Next Generation of FM Leaders May Look Different

The webinar also highlighted how career pathways into facility management are changing.

More professionals are now entering FM directly from universities and degree programs rather than transitioning solely from the trades. Researchers also found a growing number of facility managers pursuing graduate-level education and professional credentials.

That shift reflects how the profession itself is evolving.

Modern facility managers are increasingly expected to understand:

  • Business strategy
  • Financial planning
  • Data and analytics
  • Technology and AI
  • Workplace experience
  • Leadership and communication

The role is becoming more strategic, more cross-functional and more connected to overall business performance.

What This Means for the Future of FM

One thing is clear: facility management is no longer operating behind the scenes.

Organizations are increasingly relying on FM professionals to help navigate workforce planning, operational strategy, technology adoption and business resilience. As expectations grow, so does the need for facility managers who can adapt to rapid change.

Want to dive deeper into the data and trends shaping the profession? Watch the full webinar to hear directly from the researchers behind IFMA’s 2026 Global Salary and Compensation Report.