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Engineering2025/26

Civil Engineer Salary in the UK

Civil engineers design and oversee construction of infrastructure projects including roads, bridges, buildings, and water systems.

Average Salary
£42,000
per year
Entry Level
£26,000
starting salary
Experienced
£42,000
mid-career
Senior Level
£60,000
top earners

Civil Engineer Take Home Pay

On the average Civil Engineer salary of £42,000, you would take home £33,760 per year (£2,813.30 per month) after tax and National Insurance.

Yearly
Gross: £42,000.00
£33,759.60
Income Tax:-£5,886.00
National Insurance:-£2,354.40
Monthly
Gross: £3,500.00
£2,813.30
Income Tax:-£490.50
National Insurance:-£196.20
Weekly
Gross: £807.69
£649.22
Income Tax:-£113.19
National Insurance:-£45.28

Effective tax rate: 19.6%|Marginal rate: 20%

Civil Engineer Salary by Location

Civil Engineer salaries vary significantly by region. London typically offers the highest salaries but also has a higher cost of living.

London
£50,000
+25% vs national
South East
£44,000
+10% vs national
National Average
£40,000
baseline

Civil Engineer Salary Growth (2020-2025)

See how Civil Engineer salaries have changed over the past 5 years, including inflation-adjusted real growth.

Civil Engineer Salary Trends (5 Years)
Historical salary data from 2020 to 2025

+19.1%

Total Growth

+£6,730

Salary Increase

+3.6%

Annual Growth Rate

-6.9%

Real Growth (Inflation Adj.)

Year-over-Year Changes

20202021
£35,270£35,799+1.5%
20212022
£35,799£37,159+3.8%
20222023
£37,159£38,832+4.5%
20232024
£38,832£40,462+4.2%
20242025
£40,462£42,000+3.8%

Key Skills Required

AutoCADStructural AnalysisProject ManagementBIMGeotechnical KnowledgeCommunication

Typical Qualifications

  • Civil Engineering degree
  • Chartered Engineer status (CEng)
  • Site experience

Civil Engineer Career Progression

Graduate Engineer
Project Engineer
Senior Engineer
Project Manager
Director

What Does a Civil Engineer Do?

Designing infrastructure projects
Managing construction projects
Conducting site surveys and investigations
Ensuring compliance with regulations
Coordinating with contractors and stakeholders

Industries Hiring Civil Engineers

ConstructionConsultingGovernmentInfrastructureProperty Development

Calculate Your Take Home Pay

Adjust the salary and see your personalised take-home pay calculation.

Your Income

Enter your salary details for 2025/26

£
£
£
0%

Salary sacrifice reduces taxable income

Take Home Pay

£33,759.60/year

80.4% of gross income

  • Gross Income£42,000.00
  • Taxable Income£29,430.00
  • Income Tax-£5,886.00
  • National Insurance-£2,354.40
  • Total Deductions-£8,240.40

19.6%

Effective Rate

20%

Marginal Rate

£42,000 Salary Insights

Compare your salary and understand your tax breakdown

£42,000 vs UK Wages

Above UK average

+20%

vs UK Median

£7,000

Above Median

Where Your £42,000 Goes

Annual breakdown of your salary

Take Home80.4%
Income Tax14.0%
National Insurance5.6%

Tax Benefits on £42,000 from Pension

See how pension contributions reduce your tax bill

Increase your pension contribution to see potential tax savings. Pension contributions reduce your taxable income.

Civil Engineer Salary FAQ

What is the average Civil Engineer salary in the UK?

The average Civil Engineer salary in the UK is £42,000 per year. Salaries typically range from £26,000 for entry-level positions to £65,000 for senior roles.

How much does a Civil Engineer earn in London?

A Civil Engineer in London earns an average of £50,000 per year, which is 25% higher than the national average.

What is the take-home pay for a Civil Engineer?

On the average Civil Engineer salary of £42,000, you would take home approximately £33,760 per year (£2,813.30 per month) after income tax and National Insurance.