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Wide shot of towns and cities in the English countryside showing examples of infrastructure work Carrington West recruits for, including highways, railways and bridges.

Civil Engineer - Job Profile

Two drainage professionals inspecting a blocked manhole cover with a lengthy hose being aimed down into the hole in order to clear the blockage.

What work do you do as a civil engineer?

Civil engineers design, build, and maintain infrastructure projects such as highways, bridges, drainage systems, and water treatment facilities. Employed across the construction, utilities, rail and highways sectors, they are involved in every stage of a project, from feasibility and planning through to construction and maintenance.

Strong technical knowledge, project management capability, and a good grasp of relevant regulations and standards are essential. Many civil engineers work within multidisciplinary teams, liaising with planners, architects, and contractors to ensure projects are delivered efficiently, safely, and within budget. The role is well-suited to professionals who enjoy problem-solving and technical design within the built environment.

Are civil engineers well paid?

Yes, civil engineering jobs are typically a very technical job so is well paid, with contract rates ranging from £25 - £30 per hour for starter roles, increasing up to £35 - £55 / hour depending on the complexity and qualifications required for the role.

For permanent roles, the salary ranges from £25k - £35k for entry level roles, increasing up to £50-£70k for more senior roles - again, the salary range is very wide due to the wide variety of skills, industry-specific knowledge and qualifications that can be required for civil engineering roles.

For project managers and directors who work in civil engineering, the salary can be even higher, but differs widely by industry.

You can learn more in our 2025 Salary Surveys. Use the button to view the full collection:

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What industries do civil engineers work in?

Carrington West recruits civil engineers for contract and permanent roles in highways and infrastructure, rail, water, wastewater and utilities.

You can use the link below to search for civil engineering roles with leading private and public sector organisations all over the UK through Carrington West's job search.

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