Earning power
Whether starting as a graduate or school/college leaver in construction, there are many opportunities to develop a better wage with the more training and experience you rack up.
Typically, starting salaries in construction vary according to the discipline and type of company you choose. The larger the organisation, the more likely a bigger pay packet could be.
Generally you can look to expect an average starting salary of between 16,000 and 22,000. But once you have some solid experience and training under your belt, the sky really is the limit on earning potential.
Smaller firms involved in contracts of all sizes are also looking to attract and retain fresh, new talent. In this way, rewards can be even greater in terms of on-the-job training, variety of experience as well as faster or more direct progression routes.
Traditionally, wages have differed significantly across the four main UK regions. However, with major regeneration projects happening throughout the country this is no longer always the case.
Salaries depend principally on the type of role, responsibilities and size of projects you will be involved in more than where you're based. The only exception to this rule is overseas placements, which can command more immediate benefits and in some cases tax-free earnings.
Region
London/South
| Job Title |
Starting salary |
Mid-range |
Senior roles |
| Architect |
20,000 |
33,000 |
40,000 |
| Building Surveyor |
18,000 |
25,000 |
45,000 |
| Buyer |
20,000 |
29,000 |
40,000+ |
| CAD Technician |
15,000 |
26,000 |
30,000+ |
| Civil Engineer |
17,000 |
27,000 |
32,000 |
| Commercial Manager |
20,000 |
35,000 |
60,000 |
| Contracts Manager |
18,000 |
30,000 |
45,000 |
| Electrical Engineer |
19,000 |
28,000 |
45,000 |
| Estimator |
17,000 |
21,000 |
28,000 |
| Facilities Management |
16,000 |
23,000 |
55,000 |
| Health and Safety |
15,000 |
30,000 |
60,000+ |
| Mechanical Engineer |
22,000 |
30,000 |
40,000 |
| Planner |
17,000 |
40,000 |
55,000 |
| Project Manager |
18,000 |
31,000 |
40,000+ |
| Quantity Surveyor |
17,000 |
25,000 |
45,000 |
| Site Engineer |
20,000 |
28,000 |
40,000+ |
| Site Manager |
18,000 |
35,000 |
45,000 |
| Skilled trades |
14,000 |
20,000 |
30,000+ |
| Structural Engineer |
20,000 |
30,000 |
45,000+ |
To top
North
| Job Title |
Starting salary |
Mid-range |
Senior roles |
| Architect |
18,000 |
25,000 |
40,000 |
| Building Surveyor |
17,000 |
25,000 |
35,000+ |
| Buyer |
17,000 |
26,500 |
35,000+ |
| CAD Technician |
16,000 |
25,000 |
32,000+ |
| Civil Engineer |
18,000 |
27,000 |
35,000 |
| Commercial Manager |
20,000 |
30,000 |
50,000 |
| Contracts Manager |
17,000 |
30,000 |
42,000 |
| Electrical Engineer |
19,000 |
29,000 |
45,000 |
| Estimator |
17,000 |
32,000 |
50,000 |
| Facilities Management |
16,000 |
24,000 |
35,000 |
| Health and Safety |
18,000 |
30,000 |
45,000 |
| Mechanical Engineer |
18,000 |
32,000 |
40,000 |
| Planner |
19,000 |
30,000 |
50,000 |
| Project Manager |
17,000 |
28,000 |
47,000 |
| Quantity Surveyor |
18,000 |
35,000 |
50,000 |
| Site Engineer |
18,000 |
25,000 |
40,000 |
| Site Manager |
17,000 |
27,000 |
48,000 |
| Skilled trades |
14,000 |
19,000 |
29,000+ |
| Structural Engineer |
19,000 |
26,000 |
38,000 |
To top
East
| Job Title |
Starting salary |
Mid-range |
Senior roles |
| Architect |
17,000 |
25,000 |
38,000 |
| Building Surveyor |
16,000 |
24,000 |
34,000 |
| Buyer |
17,000 |
25,500 |
33,000+ |
| CAD Technician |
16,000 |
22,000 |
28,000+ |
| Civil Engineer |
20,000 |
26,000 |
35,000+ |
| Commercial Manager |
19,000 |
32,000 |
55,000 |
| Contracts Manager |
18,000 |
30,000 |
48,000 |
| Electrical Engineer |
20,000 |
32,000 |
45,000 |
| Estimator |
18,000 |
24,000 |
48,000 |
| Facilities Management |
17,000 |
25,000 |
35,000 |
| Health and Safety |
19,000 |
25,000 |
40,000 |
| Mechanical Engineer |
19,000 |
33,000 |
40,000 |
| Planner |
21,000 |
32,000 |
55,000 |
| Project Manager |
18,000 |
30,000 |
48,000+ |
| Quantity Surveyor |
18,000 |
32,000 |
48,000 |
| Site Engineer |
17,000 |
27,000 |
42,000 |
| Site Manager |
17,000 |
26,000 |
45,000 |
| Skilled trades |
15,000 |
20,000 |
28,000+ |
| Structural Engineer |
18,000 |
27,000 |
40,000+ |
To top
West
| Job Title |
Starting salary |
Mid-range |
Senior roles |
| Architect |
16,000 |
23,000 |
37,000 |
| Building Surveyor |
17,000 |
24,000 |
35,000+ |
| Buyer |
18,000 |
26,000 |
36,000+ |
| CAD Technician |
15,000 |
21,000 |
28,000+ |
| Civil Engineer |
18,000 |
25,000 |
34,000+ |
| Commercial Manager |
18,000 |
30,000 |
40,000 |
| Contracts Manager |
17,000 |
27,000 |
45,000 |
| Electrical Engineer |
19,000 |
29,000 |
43,000 |
| Estimator |
18,000 |
24,000 |
45,000+ |
| Facilities Management |
17,000 |
26,000 |
35,000 |
| Health and Safety |
18,000 |
26,000 |
38,000 |
| Mechanical Engineer |
19,000 |
32,000 |
41,000 |
| Planner |
20,000 |
31,000 |
48,000 |
| Project Manager |
17,000 |
29,000 |
45,000 |
| Quantity Surveyor |
18,000 |
29,000 |
46,000 |
| Site Engineer |
17,000 |
25,000 |
38,000 |
| Site Manager |
17,000 |
25,000 |
42,000 |
| Skilled trades |
15,000 |
20,000 |
28,000+ |
| Structural Engineer |
18,000 |
26,000 |
38,000+ |
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