Civil engineer Salary UK
Civil engineers in the UK earn a median salary of £50,602 a year (ONS ASHE 2025, gross pay, all employee jobs), and the middle half earn between £39,138 and £64,249. The figures cover the ONS occupation group “Civil engineers” (SOC 2121).
Pay by career stage and region: Civil Engineer salary by region · Civil Engineer salary Northern Ireland
Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £51,000 after tax and National Insurance →
For civil engineers, £51,366 is the typical (median) pay. That is well above the UK full-time median of £39,039 — +32% versus the national average. Experienced civil engineers (top 25%) earn over £64,249.
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
Common industries
- Manufacturing
- Construction
- Energy
- Aerospace
- Automotive
- Telecommunications
Data coverage
Salary Range (2025)
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)
Gender Pay Comparison (2025)
Gender pay gap: 20.2%
Full-time vs All Employees (2025)
Full-time premium: +£764
Civil engineer salary: common questions
How much do civil engineers earn in the UK?
Is £51,366 a good salary in the UK?
What is the starting salary for civil engineers?
Have civil engineers salaries kept up with inflation?
Is there a gender pay gap for civil engineers?
Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025). How the figures are built: salary data methodology.