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

“Trying to navigate the best time to move from a Quantity Surveyor role into the world of construction disputes can be a challenging endeavour. If you are like me, you might not have any idea where to start. That is how I found Maxim Recruitment who showed me the way in which I could make the transition. The guidance and support I received from Nilam was absolutely fantastic and I can confidently say I would not have been able to make the transition without her support. Her knowledge from the type of firm to the role and all the information I needed to make the successful transition was immeasurable. Having only three years’ experience as a QS but with a keen interest in Construction disputes paired with the guidance of Nilam secured my role as an Associate with a world leading construction disputes consultancy. Although I was a little apprehensive at first having only three years’ experience as a QS, my opinion is that it has enabled me to start with an open view and an eagerness to learn in this niche industry. The one piece of advice I would give those of similar experience (or lack of) is that if you are interested, willing to learn and certain this is the area you wish to work in then do not wait - you could make the transition sooner than you think! ”

C.S. Quantum Associate | September 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

Construction Claims & Disputes | Qualifications, Memberships and Accreditation

Professionals working as claims consultants, quantum experts, delay analysts, or dispute resolution specialists, typically pursue a combination of academic qualifications, professional memberships, and industry-recognised accreditation.…

Read more »

Connecting with Canada’s Construction Elite | Lessons from a Week of Networking, Conferences & Seminars

My business development trip to Toronto was both productive and enjoyable. I forged new relationships, strengthened existing ones, and gained fresh insights into how the Canadian construction industry is evolving from P3 models to collaborative delivery approaches.…

Read more »

Choosing Between A Big and Small Consultancy as a Quantity Surveyor

Candidates for quantity surveyor jobs often ask if a large, big-name consultancy or a smaller, specialist firm is better. The answer depends on what you as a QS value most day-to-day and long-term. Here, we look at the pros and cons of big vs small client-side consultancies to help you decide your next move as a Quantity Surveyor.…

Read more »

Why You Should Start Recruiting Now for Your 2026 Starters

We’re already seeing smart employers begin the process of identifying and securing the best candidates for next year’s project launches, graduate intakes, and leadership development pipelines. Here’s why acting early makes business sense.…

Read more »

Key Skills to Display as a Clerk of Works to Excel in Your Next Job Interview

As a Clerk of Works, you safeguard quality and represent the client’s interests on site. Here are some practical tips so that you can approach your next Clerk of Works job interview with confidence.…

Read more »

Industry News

Re:Construction podcast – Episode 190

COP 30 and CPD, the price of being a professional

Source: The Construction Index Last updated: 12 November, 03:30

Read more »

Three shortlisted for fifth section of A9 dualling

Transport Scotland has shortlisted three contractors for a £205m highway widening scheme.

Source: The Construction Index Last updated: 12 November, 07:53

Read more »

Cracks exposed in UK’s construction pipeline

Economists are warning that Britain’s £530bn construction and infrastructure pipeline is “starting to crack”.

Source: The Construction Index Last updated: 12 November, 07:37

Read more »

District heating acquisition for OCU

Utilities contractor OCU Group has acquired Valmech Welding, a specialist provider of district heating and mechanical engineering services.

Source: The Construction Index Last updated: 12 November, 07:11

Read more »

Decom launches onshore chop saw

Subsea cutting technology specialist Decom Engineering has a new range of hydraulic chop saws aimed at onshore civil engineering and demolition projects.

Source: The Construction Index Last updated: 12 November, 07:10

Read more »