What are the highest-paying construction jobs in the UK?

Although you may not have entered the construction industry for the money, it’s always nice to know which jobs could pay the most. This article is a guide to help you know roughly what salary to expect for a range of the best-paid roles for construction workers.

Is construction well-paid and in demand?

Construction jobs in the UK can be very well paid, especially for people who have progressed in their profession. Civil engineers, architects and other technical roles will always be in high demand, and so can command higher than average salaries.

How much do construction workers make in the UK?

As there is such a wide range of different jobs in the construction industry – there are over 170 job profiles alone on the Go Construct website – it is difficult to provide a definitive answer or average. There will also be regional variations. Salaries in London and the South East will always be higher, some considerably so, than other regions. However, starting salaries are generally good and there is always potential for salaries to rise. As you will see by our list of the 10 best-paid construction jobs, even six-figure sums are not impossible.

What are the 10 best-paid construction jobs?

These are all roles that are amongst the highest paying in construction. Note that all the salaries mentioned are average and might change depending on which region and company you work in. They are not listed in order of highest paid salary.

Construction director

Much like a project director, but specifically concentrating on building projects, construction directors manage schedules of work and ensure jobs are completed on time and within budget. They delegate tasks to senior colleagues and their teams, to ensure that each phase of the build is completed as planned. The average salary of a construction director ranges from £50,000 - £100,000.

Environmental engineer

Environmental engineers focus on protecting the environment by reducing waste and pollution. They optimise the use of natural resources, helping to develop renewable energy resources and maximise the use of existing materials. They design technologies and processes that control pollution and clean up contamination. Senior, chartered or master environmental engineers can earn up to £90,000.

Commercial manager

Commercial managers are responsible for managing budgets for large-scale construction projects. Commercial managers negotiate costs, monitor deadlines for work as well as payment, plus source additional services and resources. Salaries for newly trained commercial managers start at around £27,000 and senior, chartered or master commercial managers can earn up to £70,000. 

Bid manager

A Bid manager or Bid writer’s role is crucial to winning new work for construction companies. A Bid manager is responsible for preparing and writing detailed commercial documents, such as pre-qualification questionnaires and tenders, that are submitted to win new contracts. Salaries for bid managers range from £25,000 - £70,000.

Planner

Planners create programmes for all the work needed on large construction projects and direct activities. Planners oversee logistics, deploy workers, manage budgets, ensure that work is on schedule, and work closely with estimators, engineers, surveyors and architects. The average salary for a planner is around £35,000-£40,000 but senior planners may be able to earn up to £70,000.

Quantity surveyor

Quantity surveyors estimate and control building costs, focusing on materials and labour, and make sure construction projects meet legal and quality standards. Quantity surveyors work across all types of projects and types of buildings, from commercial to industrial, and can earn between £25,000 - £65,000.

Electrical project managers

Electrical project managers oversee the installation of electrical systems and the supply of electricity to homes, businesses and infrastructure, such as roads or power stations. The starting salary for electrical project managers is around £40,000 and this could rise to £75,000 for senior members of the profession.

BIM manager

BIM (Building Information Modelling) managers act as collaborators between the client’s team, design team, contractor team and supply chain. As a BIM Manager, you will oversee the production of project information models which contain 3D visualisations that bring together data, drawings and schedules associated with the design and construction phase of a project. BIM managers earn in the region of £30,000 - £90,000.

Civil engineer

Large construction projects take a significant amount of planning, involving bridges, transport links and infrastructure. A civil engineer will work with blueprints, technology, surveys and data to design and manage these projects, helping to minimise the environmental impact and risk. From a starting salary of £20,000, they can earn up to £80,000 as a senior, chartered or master civil engineer.

Architect

Architects can be highly paid depending on the types of projects they design, as they are sometimes responsible for shaping entire landscapes or environments. Demanding creativity as well as an understanding of safety and efficiency, architects collaborate with others to ensure designs are fit for purpose. Newly registered architects can earn from £35,000-£60,000 and senior or chartered architects might make up to £100,000.