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SOC 2121 Science, research, engineering and technology professionals

Civil engineers Salary

Median salary £50,602 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

About this role

Civil engineers apply engineering principles to design, develop, test and maintain systems, structures or processes. They use mathematical and scientific knowledge to solve technical problems and deliver solutions that meet safety, performance and cost requirements.

Key responsibilities

  • Designing and developing engineering solutions to meet specifications
  • Conducting technical analysis, testing and quality assurance
  • Managing engineering projects and coordinating with multidisciplinary teams
  • Ensuring compliance with engineering standards and safety regulations
  • Preparing technical documentation and reports

Qualifications and entry routes

Typically requires a BEng or MEng degree in the relevant engineering discipline. Chartered Engineer (CEng) status through the relevant institution (IMechE, IET, ICE, etc.) is the professional standard.

Career outlook

Strong demand, particularly in renewable energy, infrastructure, defence and advanced manufacturing. Engineering skills shortages persist across the UK.

Key skills

Technical problem-solving CAD/CAE software Project management Analytical thinking Attention to safety standards

Common industries

  • Manufacturing
  • Construction
  • Energy
  • Aerospace
  • Automotive
  • Telecommunications

Data coverage

SOC code 2121
Data source ONS ASHE
Years available 2015–2025
Estimated jobs 63,000

Median Salary

£50,602

Mean Salary

£52,874

Jobs (000s)

63k

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

P25: £39,138Median: £50,602P75: £64,249
P10: £31kP25: £39kMedian: £51kP75: £64kP90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£30,939

0-2 years

Mid Level

£39,138

3-7 years

Senior

£64,249

8-15 years

Potential career growth: +108% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Nominal growth: +26.6%Real growth: -8.4%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: 20.2%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£50,602

Full-time Only

£51,366

Full-time premium: +£764