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Civil Engineer Salaries In The UK

Civil Engineering salaries are often discussed in  relationship to whether they are Consulting Civil Engineers or Contracting Civil Engineers.

Consulting civil engineers are  those that undertake the feasibility investigations, preliminary and  detailed design, procurement and supervision of projects that add value  to the infrastructure of the built environment.

Contracting civil  engineers are those that physically build the projects based on plans  and specifications provided by the consulting civil engineer. More often  than not consulting and contracting civil engineers work in partnership  to deliver the projects but the skill sets differ in many ways.

A  contracting engineer is generally an expert at interpreting designs.  They subsequently plan and manage the plant, labour and materials  necessary to create a tangible reality from the designers plans.

The following civil engineering salaries data for civil engineers is from the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) (Figures are for guidance only)


Civil Engineering Salaries For Consulting Engineers

  • Average civil engineering salaries for graduate consulting engineers starts around £23,500.
  • Civil engineering salaries of graduates aged 25 and with under two years' experience is £26,500.
  • Average civil engineering salaries for those with up to five years' experience are approximately £30,000.
  • The average basic salary for members of Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)  is £49,793.
  • A generous London weighting applies.
  • The average basic salary of ICE fellows is £81,447 (Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Salary Survey 2013).
  • Most  employers provide additional benefits, such as a pension, healthcare  scheme, life insurance, company car, mobile phone and payment of  professional fees.
  • The average working week is 42 hours and  may include some unsocial hours, depending on your particular  speciality and individual project requirements. You may also have to  work some weekends and occasionally long hours.
  • While the  job involves a lot of office-based activities, it requires frequent  visits to sites, particularly for new graduates. Some roles demand more  attendance on site than others. The site can be based at long distances  from the office and conditions can be cold, messy and unpleasant.
  • It may be possible to set up your own consultancy firm after many years of proven professional experience.
  • Women  are underrepresented in civil engineering. As a whole, the engineering  industry is keen to encourage the recruitment of more female engineers  to redress the balance. Organisations actively supporting women to enter  the engineering profession include the Women's Engineering Society (WES)  and WISE (Women into Science, Engineering and Construction) .
  • Jobs  are available across the country in different sectors. Work and travel  abroad may be possible with a large consultancy company.
  • Employment  prospects are very good in this field; 62% of recent graduates (who  have ICE membership) are employed before, or immediately after, they  graduate and only 6% are looking for a job longer than a year.
  • Dress  is formal with clients, while less formal but smart dress may be worn  in the office when not meeting clients. Protective clothing is worn on  site.
  • The pace and nature of the working day can vary  widely from a heavy workload with many activities to quieter periods.  There is a high level of responsibility involved in the work and it can  be very demanding. However, the considerable variety in this work means  there is a great deal of job satisfaction.
  • Overnight and weekend stays may be required for site inspections.

Civil Engineering Salaries For Contracting Engineers

  • Typical civil engineering salaries for graduate contracting engineers aged 25 and under with two years' experience is £26,500.
  • Civil engineering salaries for those with up to five years' experience are on average £30,000.
  • Average civil engineering salaries for Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)  members is £49,793.
  • A generous London weighting applies.
  • The average basic salary of ICE fellows is £81,447 (Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Salary Survey 2013).
  • Many  jobs, particularly with site-based work, will have extra benefits which  will push up the value of your package. This could include a bonus, a  company car or car allowance, life insurance, overtime pay and medical  care.
  • Additional payments may be made for overtime working  and lodgings. Expenses for periodic travel home are standard when  working outside normal daily travelling distance.
  • Working  hours typically include regular extra hours but not weekends or shifts,  although site work can entail an extended working day.
  • There can be a great deal of outside work in all weathers.
  • Self-employment/freelance  work is sometimes possible. Several years of proven professional  expertise and chartered status would be necessary to set up as a  contractor offering specialist skills or technology.
  • Part-time work and career breaks are less likely.
  • Opportunities  are nationwide with most in industrialised or more populated areas.  Major contractors are increasingly regionally organised with smaller  companies based locally. Whilst engineers working on site will, of  course, need to be mobile, the opportunity does exist to establish a  home in one area.
  • The number of females entering the  profession is rising and initiatives and support to encourage women to  consider a career in engineering are offered by organisations such as WISE (Women into Science, Engineering and Construction)  and the Women's Engineering Society (WES) .
  • Hard hats and other safety equipment must be worn while on site, and there is a very strong health and safety culture.
  • The work is challenging, demanding and pressured, but with considerable variety and job satisfaction.
  • Extended periods away from home may sometimes be necessary when working on new projects.
  • Travel within a working day and absence from home overnight is frequent.
  • There are many opportunities to work internationally, particularly in East Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
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