Working In The UK

An Overview of Construction Employment in the UK

The construction market in the UK is showing ongoing signs of strength, with Construction output growing by 5% in 2022.

Many professionals employed in the construction industry across the UK are enjoying rising salaries, improved packages and promotions.

Although the extent and exact details of construction growth and career opportunities vary around different parts of the UK, it is universally the case that it seems like the UK construction industry can't get hold of enough skilled and high calibre people to employ either from the UK or from resourcing construction talent from overseas.

At Maxim Recruitment, the number of building and civil engineering/infrastructure jobs we are filling from our UK office is constantly rising, as is the need to find more Quantity Surveyors to take employment across most parts of the UK.

Take a look at our sections on relocating to the UK:

> Moving To The UK
> Returning To The UK
> Working In London

 

Construction Contracts Awarded by Region

 

Here's a Quick Summary of Where the Skills are in Demand

Quantity Surveyors, Project Managers, Engineers, Planners, Health and Safety and Estimators are all in need across the UK. There are job vacancies on the Maxim Recruitment website relating to these and many other professions.  The main concentration of projects, and therefore vacancies is on London and the South East of England.  

Outside of London, the highest demand can be found in the UK's other major cities. In particular Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool, Nottingham and Cambridge have been areas in which Maxim have seen large numbers of construction job vacancies.

Salaries will vary between regions within the UK.  The cost of living in London and much of the south east of England is higher than in the Midlands and the north of the country and salary levels usually reflect this.

London Construction

The highest levels of skill shortages are present in Central London and in the South East of England. Huge redevelopment projects are taking place in London. Numerous cranes are a familiar site in the capital, often on the sites of high rise luxury apartment developments.

Huge infrastructure projects such as Thames Tideway and HS2 are underway on site.

We also have international quantity surveying and construction job vacancies available in other countries.  Explore more at Working In Dubai and The Middle East and Working In Hong Kong and Asia.

Newsletter

Get construction industry news relating to the UK, Canada, Asia, the Middle East and other worldwide locations.

Subscribe

Testimonial

“Moving from working as an Engineer on-site to a Delay Analyst role was a big step and Maxim were able to guide me through the process smoothly. Nilam was very attentive, knowledgeable, and professional throughout. She was able to promptly answer any questions I had or was able to pass them on to the relevant people without hesitation. She kept me very well informed from the start and made contact before interviews to ensure I was prepared and after to understand how they went. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity Maxim presented me and to Nilam for her efforts and genuine enthusiasm for me starting a new phase of my career. ”

CANDIDATE TESTIMONIAL | DELAY SENIOR ASSOCIATE | 2024

Send Us Your CV

Need help finding the ideal job? Want to save time when searching?

Let us find your next job.

Send Us Your CV

Register for Job Alerts

Maxim Insights

Claims & Disputes Professionals | Private Equity or Privately Owned Consultancy?

The construction claims and disputes consultancy market is evolving quickly. While an increasing number of consultancies are now backed by private equity, we are also seeing more independent boutique firms being established by experienced experts and industry professionals. …

Read more »

The Difficulty of Hiring Construction Claims and Disputes Experts in Canada

Hiring construction claims and disputes experts in Canada is becoming increasingly challenging. As construction projects become larger, more complex and more commercially pressured, the demand for experienced claims, cost, damages, project controls and expert witness professionals continues to grow.…

Read more »

Construction Job Search Tips | Stop Doomscrolling

In the context of looking at construction industry job vacancies, if you feel your are "doomjobbing" you can easily end up feeling disheartened. The good news is that feeling this way can be avoided with a few changes in approach.…

Read more »

Clerk of Works Recruitment | Why Employers Need to Act Early

Employers looking to recruit Clerk of Works candidates in the UK have good reason to feel optimistic. Demand for construction professionals remains strong, and there are excellent candidates available for employers that plan ahead and move decisively.…

Read more »

Construction Project Management Information Systems Roles | What to Consider

Does your next employer have the scale, capital investment, and strategic intent. Are they investing in enterprise-level systems such as Primavera P6, Power BI, Aconex, and other integrated PMIS platforms to offer significantly stronger long-term career prospects?…

Read more »

Industry News

Recticel closes insulation loop

Recticel has opened a new plant in Belgium to recycle insulation board production waste into raw materials, closing a loop in the insulation manufacturing process.

Source: The Construction Index Last updated: 18 May, 07:43

Read more »

Murphy's zero emissions excavator debut

A Sany SY215E electric excavator from Murphy has been at work for United Utilities in Davyhulme.

Source: The Construction Index Last updated: 18 May, 07:32

Read more »

NHS Property Services boasts decarbonisation gains

NHS Property Services has cut carbon emissions in 2025/26 by 5.2%, beating its annual targets, due in part to investments in heat pumps and more energy-efficient systems.

Source: The Construction Index Last updated: 18 May, 07:25

Read more »

Egis appoints aviation head

Egis has appointed Shakir Khaja as aviation sector director for Europe and Africa. He will oversee the firm’s expansion across the airport sector, with a strategic focus on the UK, Ireland and wider European market. 

Source: The Construction Index Last updated: 18 May, 07:15

Read more »

Partnership agreed for GOSH MEP works

Dalkia has formed a partnership with Sisk and BDP to deliver mechanical, electrical and public health services for Great Ormond Street Hospital's planned £300m Children's Cancer Centre.

Source: The Construction Index Last updated: 18 May, 07:00

Read more »