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Contracting civil engineer : Salary and conditions

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  1. Job description
  2. Salary and conditions
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The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) strives to promote and progress civil engineering. We are a qualifying body, a centre for the exchange of specialist knowledge and a provider of resources to encourage innovation and excellence in the profession worldwide. Get qualified with the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE).

Logo: ICE - Institution of Civil Engineers
  • Average total graduate starting salary is: £24,000.
  • Typical salary of graduates aged under 25, with two years' experience, is £25,000. Those with five years' experience earn an average of £31,000.
  • The average income of Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) members is £47,000, down 0.3% as a result of the recession. The top 10% earners remain unaffected. 
  • The London weighting is a generous 23%, taking average income of members to £58,000.
  • The average salary of fellowship ICE members is £78,000. (Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)  salary survey 2009)
  • 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, and 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 before setting 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 locally based. 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 Women into Science, Engineering and Construction (WISE)  have implemented some initiatives to encourage girls to consider entering into the profession.
  • Whilst on site, hard hats and other safety equipment must be worn, and there is a very strong health and safety culture.
  • The work is challenging, demanding and pressurised 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 at night is frequent.
  • There are many opportunities to work internationally.
 
AGCAS
Written by AGCAS editors
Date: 
October 2010
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