Salaries and Costs
Recruiters in Tyne and Wear regularly discuss pay rates and agency costs, so clear ranges help both sides move quickly on offers and start dates. Typical facilities assistants earn £22,000 to £26,000, while supervisors earn £28,000 to £34,000, depending on site size and shifts. FM coordinators and helpdesk leads often sit at £26,000 to £32,000, with CAFM knowledge lifting offers. Hard services roles pay higher, with maintenance engineers on £34,000 to £42,000, and multi-skilled technicians near £32,000 to £38,000 if they hold 17th or 18th Edition. Facilities managers in larger estates earn £42,000 to £55,000, with head of FM roles going higher where PFI or multi-site oversight is needed.Day rates are common on projects, so you may see £180 to £250 for supervisors and £250 to £400 for project managers, with night shifts and rapid response attracting uplifts. Recruitment fees vary by level and scarcity, with many agencies working at 12 per cent to 18 per cent for permanent hires, and temp margins are agreed upfront for ongoing cover.
Qualifications
Recruitment consultants will ask about NVQ in facilities services, IOSH Managing Safely, NEBOSH General, and 17th or 18th Edition for electrical work.
Soft services leads often hold BICSc training, with cleaning supervisors showing audit experience and COSHH awareness. Managers benefit from IWFM membership and Level 4 or Level 5 credentials, as well as CAFM systems skills such as Concept or Planon. Security roles require SIA licences, and school or healthcare sites may request DBS checks before starting.
Regional or geographic variations
Local employers span Newcastle, Sunderland, Gateshead, North Tyneside, and South Tyneside, with roles spread across retail parks, manufacturing estates, hospitals, and council buildings. Commuter links on the Tyne and Wear Metro make it easier to widen a search, yet some industrial sites still need drivers for early starts and on-call cover. City centre offices lean toward soft services and helpdesk teams, while coastal and out-of-town plants lean toward engineers and shift-based maintenance.
Hiring challenges
Facilities management recruitment agencies report shortlists tightening for HV authorised persons, CHP engineers, and controls technicians. Winter peaks raise demand for asset protection, call out, and snow plans, so temp agencies line up standby staff and overtime cover. Executive search comes into play where transformation or TUPE programmes need experienced leaders with contractor management and KPI turnaround stories. Retention hinges on fair pay, good rotas, and training, since engineers move quickly when call-out load becomes heavy.
Roles and career paths
Entrants start as caretakers, cleaning operatives, or helpdesk administrators, then progress to coordinator, supervisor, or mobile engineer roles. From there, many step into facilities management, area management, or technical specialist roles in HVAC, electrical, or BMS. Contract work offers variety and fast learning on mobilisation and shutdowns, while permanent roles suit those who want site ownership and stable teams.
Temporary, permanent, and contract work
Staffing agencies support holiday cover, sickness, and peak workloads with temps across reception, cleaning, porterage, and maintenance. Permanent hiring is steady for site-based managers, compliance leads, and multi-skilled engineers. Contract work covers projects such as fit-outs, life-cycle works, and statutory testing during shutdown windows, with clear RAMS and permits required before site access.
Key sectors and employers in the region
Hospitals, universities, retail centres, logistics hubs, and manufacturers create a broad job market for FM talent. Public sector frameworks and large outsourcers sit beside smaller local businesses, so agencies match candidates to culture, shift patterns, and call-out expectations. Many sites run CAFM-driven PPM schedules and SLA reporting, so candidates who can show clean audit trails and contractor control move to the front.
Regulatory and compliance standards
FM hiring in Tyne and Wear pays close attention to LOLER, PUWER, COSHH, and asbestos awareness. Electrical work must comply with BS 7671, and gas work must be Gas Safe-certified where applicable.
Schools, care, and NHS sites often request enhanced DBS checks before start dates, and lone-working policies are reviewed during onboarding. Contractor management usually references permits to work, RAMS, and toolbox talks that are logged in the site system.
Common job roles agencies recruit for
Facilities assistant, caretaker, receptionist, helpdesk administrator, cleaning operative, cleaning supervisor, maintenance engineer, HVAC engineer, electrician, plumber, fabric technician, grounds operative, security officer, facilities coordinator, facilities manager, estates manager, and project manager. Recruitment agencies and recruitment consultants will know which roles are moving, which sites pay better for shifts, and which teams welcome trainees with the right attitude.
Local hiring challenges
Demand spikes when refurbishments and mobilisations overlap across the boroughs, so agencies ask employers to firm up interview slots to avoid losing candidates. Parking access, split shifts, and call-out rules should be set out in adverts to save time for both businesses and job seekers. If you need to hire staff fast, have a short list of must-haves, agree on pay bands, and be ready to register with an agency that can pre-vet for right to work and compliance.
Quick facts and frequently asked questions
What pay can a facilities assistant expect in Tyne and Wear?
Most adverts land between £22,000 and £26,000, depending on the site and shifts.
Do agencies cover both hard and soft services in this area?
Yes, staffing agencies place cleaners, receptionists, coordinators, engineers, and managers.
Can temp agencies supply rapid cover for sickness or holidays?
Yes, with pre-registered candidates ready for short-notice shifts and night work.
What should employers prepare before briefing recruitment agencies?
Clear job specs, pay rates, shift details, and any DBS or site-specific tickets.
Do candidates need a car for most roles in Tyne and Wear?
Many city roles sit on Metro routes, but mobile engineering jobs usually need a licence.
How do recruitment fees work on permanent roles?
Most employment firms work to 12 per cent to 18 per cent, with rebates set out in terms.
What helps an application stand out for FM roles?
Show CAFM skills, PPM logs, audits, and any safety training or licences held.
Can executive search help with senior FM appointments?
Yes, it suits the head of FM, transformation leads, and multi-site directors managing change.