SOC 2127 Science, research, engineering and technology professionals

Engineering project managers and project engineers Salary

Median salary £52,451 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £52,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For engineering project managers and project engineers, £53,064 is the typical (median) pay. That is well above the UK full-time median of £39,039 — +36% versus the national average. Experienced engineering project managers and project engineers (top 25%) earn over £66,671.

About this role

Engineering project managers and project 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 2127

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2021–2025

Estimated jobs 63,000

Median Salary

£52,451

Mean Salary

£56,925

Jobs (000s)

63k

Data Years

5 years

Salary Range (2025)

P25: £42,911Median: £52,451P75: £66,671

P10: £35kP25: £43kMedian: £52kP75: £67kP90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£34,918

0-2 years

Mid Level

£42,911

3-7 years

Senior

£66,671

8-15 years

Potential career growth: +91% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2021-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +23.0%Real growth: -0.5%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: 5.7%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£52,451

Full-time Only

£53,064

Full-time premium: +£613

Engineering project managers and project engineers salary: common questions

How much do engineering project managers and project engineers earn in the UK?

Engineering project managers and project engineers earn a median of £53,064 a year (ONS ASHE 2025). The middle half earn between £42,911 and £66,671.

Is £53,064 a good salary in the UK?

What is the starting salary for engineering project managers and project engineers?

Entry-level engineering project managers and project engineers typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £42,911, and the lowest-paid 10% earn under £34,918.

Have engineering project managers and project engineers salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2021, median engineering project managers and project engineers pay has risen from £43,268 to £53,064 — +23% in cash terms, or -1.0% after CPIH inflation. That is roughly in line with inflation over the period.

Is there a gender pay gap for engineering project managers and project engineers?

Male engineering project managers and project engineers earn a median £52,575 and female engineering project managers and project engineers £49,577 — a gap of +6.0% in 2025.

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