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

“We have recently used Maxim Recruitment to recruit key individuals necessary for an important phase in growing our construction dispute consultancy. I was particularly impressed with the care, attention and time taken by Maxim to fully understand our business and recruitment needs. This resulted in them selecting - and us employing – precisely the right quality of professionals that has enabled the robust growth of our business. I would highly recommend Maxim. ”

CONSTRUCTION DISPUTE CLIENT | LONDON | 2025

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

2026 Annual Salary Guide for UK Construction Claims and Disputes Jobs

Our salary survey has become a valuable resource for both employers and candidates, offering insight into salary trends within this specialist field. It is an essential reference for professionals looking to transition into a career in claims and disputes.…

Read more »

The Hidden Market | Why Top Construction Roles Are Often Filled Before They Reach Job Boards

The best opportunities never appear on job boards. From Senior Quantity Surveyors to Project Directors on flagship infrastructure developments, top construction roles are often filled quietly, through networks, referrals and specialist recruiters.…

Read more »

Data-Driven Hiring | Using Market Insights to Set Competitive Salaries

For organisations hiring quantity surveyors, project managers, planners, commercial managers and construction consultants, understanding current salary trends is essential. Using reliable market insights helps employers set competitive offers and reduce hiring delays. …

Read more »

The Business Case for Long-Term Recruitment Partnerships

Lets be honest; in many construction businesses, recruitment is reactive. A project wins approval, a team member resigns, or a workload spike suddenly creates an urgent need for additional capability. …

Read more »

Salary Or Value | Why Flexibility and Culture are Redefining A Dream Job

For decades, salary was often the defining factor when construction professionals evaluated a job opportunity. While remuneration still matters, it feels like the idea of the “dream job” in 2026 has evolved significantly.…

Read more »

Industry News

Gow goes for Yanmar for wind work

Gow Plant Hire has been using Yanmar tracked carriers for materials handling on wind farms, as Scotland prioritises green energy.

Source: The Construction Index Last updated: 6 March, 03:51

Read more »

Willmott Dixon breaks ground on £136m Luton scheme

Dignitaries and stakeholders joined Willmott Dixon on site in Luton yesterday.

Source: The Construction Index Last updated: 6 March, 08:39

Read more »

Devonport finally out of special measures

Devonport dockyard returns to routine regulatory attention after safety improvements

Source: The Construction Index Last updated: 6 March, 08:15

Read more »

Polypipe invests in automation

Plastic pipe manufacturer Polypipe has invested in more robots to increase production capacity.

Source: The Construction Index Last updated: 6 March, 08:04

Read more »

Mace Consult goes it alone

The sale of Mace’s consultancy business – and brand name – to Goldman Sachs has now completed.

Source: The Construction Index Last updated: 6 March, 07:48

Read more »