Latest news : ICE recession recovery

A moderate rise in civil engineers’ salaries is further evidence that the UK is slowly recovering from the recession the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) has said.

The annual survey, which measures ICE members’ salaries and job satisfaction across the civil engineering sector, found that the average basic income of civil engineers rose by 2.8% to £48,588 in the 2009/10 tax year. Total salary, which includes secondary income and bonuses, also rose, by 4% to £53,965.

The professional body welcomed this as positive news, after the 2008/9 report showed a drop in salaries for the first time since the survey’s inception in 2003. This year’s increase puts the trend back on track, with basic salaries showing a 2.5% increase on the pre-recession average income in the 2007/8 survey of £47,414. Total income is up 2.26% on the 2007/8 average of £52,771.

‘The last two years have been extremely tough on the civil engineering sector and it will be imperative as we move forward that the industry has the confidence to invest in long-term planning, skills development and retention. This requires ongoing Government support and commitment to progressing crucial infrastructure projects that will underpin our economic recovery and the shift to a low carbon economy. We hope that this will be reflected in the upcoming spending review,’ said Paul Jowitt, ICE President.

The survey also highlighted the ongoing gender gap, with males earning an average of 42% more across the board than females (£50,056 and £35,152 respectively). Also unsurprising was a major drop in job security across the profession, with those who felt ‘very secure’ falling by 40%, to just 8%, and those who felt ‘insecure and very insecure’ doubling year on year, from 13% to 26%.

‘Although it has obviously been a really tough time for civil engineers, the salary rises in some areas of the profession is a sign of recovery. However, the continuing disparity between men’s and women’s salaries and the impact of reduced graduate recruitment on starting salaries remains a concern, and something the industry must seek to address,’ added Paul.