SOC 2122 Science, research, engineering and technology professionals

Mechanical engineers Salary

Median salary £50,594 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £51,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For mechanical engineers, £51,110 is the typical (median) pay. That is well above the UK full-time median of £39,039 — +31% versus the national average. Experienced mechanical engineers (top 25%) earn over £62,290.

About this role

Mechanical 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 2122

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2015–2025

Estimated jobs 55,000

Median Salary

£50,594

Mean Salary

£54,255

Jobs (000s)

55k

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

P25: £38,491Median: £50,594P75: £62,290

P10: £32kP25: £38kMedian: £51kP75: £62kP90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£31,785

0-2 years

Mid Level

£38,491

3-7 years

Senior

£62,290

8-15 years

Potential career growth: +96% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +18.9%Real growth: -13.8%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: 6.7%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£50,594

Full-time Only

£51,110

Full-time premium: +£516

Mechanical engineers salary: common questions

How much do mechanical engineers earn in the UK?

Mechanical engineers earn a median of £51,110 a year (ONS ASHE 2025). The middle half earn between £38,491 and £62,290.

Is £51,110 a good salary in the UK?

What is the starting salary for mechanical engineers?

Entry-level mechanical engineers typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £38,491, and the lowest-paid 10% earn under £31,785.

Have mechanical engineers salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2015, median mechanical engineers pay has risen from £42,631 to £51,110 — +20% in cash terms, or -13% after CPIH inflation. That is behind inflation over the period.

Is there a gender pay gap for mechanical engineers?

Male mechanical engineers earn a median £51,095 and female mechanical engineers £47,696 — a gap of +7.0% in 2025.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).