jobfacts

Civil engineering technician

Building and civil engineering technicians — SOC 2020 3114

Building and civil engineering technicians perform a variety of technical support functions to assist civil and building engineers.

Also calledCivil infrastructure technicianCivil and structural technicianBuilding technicianSite technicianSurveying technicianSurvey technicianand 15 more titles
Typical full-time pay£37,2002025 Provisional
People in the job20,000across the UK
Demand for workersNot high
New adverts a month538↑ 13%on last year · 254th of 412

Pay

ONS · ASHE 2025
What full-time civil engineering technicians earn, 2025
£37,200 typical£31,50025%n/ptop 10%
n/p: top 10% not published by ONS
Show as table
Lowest 10% earn less thanNot published
Lowest 20% earn less thanNot published
25%£31,500
Median£37,200
75%Not published
Top 20% earn more thanNot published
Top 10% earn more thanNot published
Typical pay by regionUK median £37,200
East of England!£51,200
London!£38,400
Scotland!£36,700
North EastNot published by ONS–
North WestNot published by ONS–
Yorkshire and The HumberNot published by ONS–
East MidlandsNot published by ONS–
West MidlandsNot published by ONS–
South EastNot published by ONS–
South WestNot published by ONS–
WalesNot published by ONS–
!Small sample: treat with caution
Show as table
UK median, £37,200
East of England£51,200 (small sample)
London£38,400 (small sample)
Scotland£36,700 (small sample)
North EastNot published by ONS
North WestNot published by ONS
Yorkshire and The HumberNot published by ONS
East MidlandsNot published by ONS
West MidlandsNot published by ONS
South EastNot published by ONS
South WestNot published by ONS
WalesNot published by ONS
Typical pay over 3 years
  • 2023 £31,100
  • 2024 £32,100
  • 2025 Provisional£37,200
↑ 20% since 2023Provisional figures are revised when ONS publishes the next year’s survey.

Jobs and demand

ONS · Textkernel adverts · DfE

About 538 jobs for civil engineering technicians are advertised each month. The Department for Education rates demand for workers as not high.

New job adverts a month, Jan 2017 to Aug 2026
New advertsMonth not published by ONS (3 in all)
Show as table
Aug 2026616
Jul 2026673
Jun 2026449
May 2026645
Apr 2026487
Mar 2026Not published
Feb 2026557
Jan 2026554
Dec 2025280
Nov 2025526
Oct 2025585
Sept 2025544
Aug 2025530
Jul 2025Not published
Jun 2025Not published
May 2025565
Apr 2025459
Mar 2025505
Feb 2025656
Jan 2025478
Dec 2024321
Nov 2024360
Oct 2024430
Sept 2024450
Aug 2024400
Jul 2024504
Jun 2024434
May 2024521
Apr 2024510
Mar 2024479
Feb 2024504
Jan 2024599
Dec 2023464
Nov 2023513
Oct 2023484
Sept 2023494
Aug 2023479
Jul 2023591
Jun 2023818
May 2023734
Apr 2023660
Mar 2023778
Feb 2023771
Jan 2023767
Dec 2022681
Nov 2022768
Oct 2022771
Sept 2022681
Aug 2022715
Jul 2022716
Jun 2022789
May 2022853
Apr 2022629
Mar 2022818
Feb 2022783
Jan 2022881
Dec 2021627
Nov 2021646
Oct 2021792
Sept 2021744
Aug 2021609
Jul 2021839
Jun 2021731
May 2021736
Apr 2021646
Mar 2021673
Feb 2021458
Jan 2021496
Dec 2020416
Nov 2020378
Oct 2020462
Sept 2020348
Aug 2020369
Jul 2020271
Jun 2020262
May 2020231
Apr 2020430
Mar 2020710
Feb 2020767
Jan 2020735
Dec 2019560
Nov 2019602
Oct 2019681
Sept 2019631
Aug 2019602
Jul 2019730
Jun 2019731
May 2019652
Apr 2019506
Mar 2019548
Feb 2019497
Jan 2019657
Dec 2018425
Nov 2018525
Oct 2018509
Sept 2018531
Aug 2018472
Jul 2018497
Jun 2018500
May 2018582
Apr 2018568
Mar 2018592
Feb 2018608
Jan 2018626
Dec 2017444
Nov 2017488
Oct 2017540
Sept 2017465
Aug 2017542
Jul 2017478
Jun 2017672
May 2017704
Apr 2017671
Mar 2017774
Feb 2017571
Jan 2017805
Is there a shortage of civil engineering technicians?
Not high

The Department for Education rates demand as not high, elevated or critical, using five indicators. This is its 2025 assessment.

  • Visas grantedAbove usual
  • Online job advertsAbove usual
  • Wage growthUsual
  • Pay against similar jobsUsual
  • Hours workedUsual
Vacancies hard to fill because of skills
30%against 27% for all jobs
Broader groupFigure for science, engineering and production technicians, which includes civil engineering technicians. DfE Employer Skills Survey 2024.
Where the most jobs are advertisedadverts a quarter
London319
Manchester48
Birmingham44
Bristol, City of42
Leeds38
Glasgow City32
Cardiff31
Nottingham29
City of Edinburgh19
Sheffield19
London is published as one area. Averages leave out quarters ONS withheld.
Where civil engineering technicians are most concentratedShare of local job adverts, compared with the UK.

Recruitment from abroad. 13 sponsored work visas were granted for this job from July 2025 to June 2026, most to people from India, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, ranking it 207th of 313. Home Office

Who does it

ONS · Annual Population Survey · April 2025 to March 2026
WomenToo few in the survey to give a reliable figure
Age of civil engineering technicians
20%!
n/p
n/p
34%!
12%!
n/p
!Small sample: treat with cautionn/p: too few in the survey to publish
Show as table
16–2420% (small sample)
25–34Not published
35–44Not published
45–5434% (small sample)
55–6412% (small sample)
65+Not published
Highest qualification
Degree or equivalent43%
Higher education below degree!27%
A levels or equivalent!18%
GCSEs or equivalent!8.8%
Other qualifications–
Not published
No qualifications–
Not published
!Small sample: treat with caution
Show as table
Degree or equivalent43%
Higher education below degree27% (small sample)
A levels or equivalent18% (small sample)
GCSEs or equivalent8.8% (small sample)
Other qualificationsNot published
No qualificationsNot published

Main employers: engineering activities and related technical consultancy (20%), construction of residential and non-residential buildings (9.7%), development of building projects (9.3%), construction of other civil engineering projects nec (8.2%).

How to get in

Hold a degree
43%
as their highest qualification
Apprenticeships
13
from level 3, including degree apprenticeships
Apprenticeships take
1 to 5 years
typically
T Levels
1
college courses for 16 to 19 year olds

Routes in

Civil engineering technician

You can get into this job through:

University

You could study for a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in civil engineering.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

College

You could do a college course that would teach you some of the skills needed to become a trainee civil engineering technician.

Relevant courses include:

  • civil engineering
  • construction and the built environment
  • T Level in Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction

It may be helpful to have some knowledge of computer-aided design (CAD) software, like AutoCAD, Civil 3D, PDS or Site3D. However, you'll usually learn how to use CAD software during your course.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

Apprenticeship

You could apply for an apprenticeship, such as:

  • Civil Engineering Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Civil Engineering Senior Technician Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship

These usually take around 3 years to complete and combine training on the job with study.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Registration and professional bodies

Registration
  • you'll need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card or equivalent to train and work on a construction site
Professional and industry bodies

You can join the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) for professional development opportunities.

Further information

You can find out more about careers in civil engineering from the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and This is Engineering.

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for civil engineering technician. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Building technician

You can get into this job through:

University

You could study for a foundation degree or higher national diploma in:

  • construction
  • the built environment
  • surveying
  • civil engineering

Courses that give you the opportunity to gain work experience through internships or industry placements may give you an advantage when looking for jobs.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma

College

You can do a college course, which may help you to get a job as a trainee technician.

Courses include:

  • civil engineering
  • construction and the built environment
  • computer-aided design
  • T Level in Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction
Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

Apprenticeship

You could apply for a place on an apprenticeship wth a construction company. These include:

  • Construction Support Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Surveying Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Building Services Engineering Senior Technician Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
  • Construction Design and Build Technician Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
  • Civil Engineering Senior Technician Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship

These can take between 2 and 3 years to complete and combine on-the-job training with study.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Registration and professional bodies

Registration
  • you'll need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card or equivalent to train and work on a construction site
Further information

You can get more advice on how to become a building technician from Go Construct.

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for building technician. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Surveying technician

You can get into this job through:

University

You can do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a subject like:

  • construction
  • building surveying
  • civil engineering
Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

College

You can take a college course to learn some of the skills needed for the job. This may help when you apply for a trainee position.

Relevant courses include:

  • construction and the built environment
  • engineering surveying
  • civil engineering for technicians
  • T Level in Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction
Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a Surveying Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship with a surveying company, construction firm or local authority.

This takes around 2 years to complete and combines on-the-job training and time spent with a learning provider.

Find out more about surveying apprenticeships from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Registration and professional bodies

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors for professional development opportunities.

Further information

You can find out more about surveying careers from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for surveying technician. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Apprenticeships

13 for this job
Level 3About 3 years

Civil engineering technician

You gain
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Civil Engineering (603/1217/8)
Leads to
Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)
Employers may ask for
Individual employers will set the selection criteria for their Apprenticeships. Apprenticeship candidates will typically have at least 5 GCSEs at Grades A*-C…
Details on Skills England
Level 4About 3 years

Building services engineering senior technician

You gain
one of the following qualifications: Pearson L4 HNC in Building Services Engineering…
Leads to
Engineering Council (EngTech)
Details on Skills England
Level 4About 3 years

Civil engineering senior technician

You gain
one of the following qualifications: Pearson L4 HNC in Civil Engineering (RQF/2023)…
Leads to
Engineering Council (EngTech)
Details on Skills England
Level 4About 3 years

Construction design and build technician

Leads to
The Chartered Institute Of Building (CIOB)
Details on Skills England
Level 6About 5 yearsDegree

Civil engineer

You gain
Civil Engineering degree accredited by the Engineering Council
Leads to
Engineering Council in partnership with the Joint Board of Moderator professional engineering institutions
Employers may ask for
Whilst individual employers will set the selection criteria for their Apprenticeships, employers will work with their chosen training provider to agree…
Details on Skills England
Level 3About 2 years

Geospatial survey technician

You gain
TQUK Level 3 Diploma in Geospatial Surveying (integrated apprenticeship) QAN: 610/3069/7
Details on Skills England

© Skills England 2025. This information is licensed under the Open Government Licence https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Other qualifications

QualificationTypeLevel
Design, surveying and planning for constructionT Level3
Cert HE Construction Quantity Surveying TechnicianHigher technical4
CertHE Civil Engineering TechnicianHigher technical4
CertHE Construction Design and BuildHigher technical4
CertHE Construction Quantity SurveyingHigher technical4
CertHE Construction Quantity Surveying PracticeHigher technical4
CertHE Quantity SurveyingHigher technical4
Certificate of Higher Education in Construction Design and Build TechnicianHigher technical4
Certificate of Higher Education in Technical Practice in Architectural Technology and Design ManagementHigher technical4
Higher National Certificate in Building Services Engineering for EnglandHigher technical4
Higher National Certificate in Civil Engineering for EnglandHigher technical4
HNC Construction and Digital InnovationHigher technical4
HNC Construction Quantity SurveyingHigher technical4
Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Architectural Technology for EnglandHigher technical4
Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Construction Management for EnglandHigher technical4
Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Modern Methods of Construction for EnglandHigher technical4
Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Quantity Surveying for EnglandHigher technical4
Construction Design and Build Technician (Foundation Degree)Higher technical5
Construction Quantity Surveying Technician (Built Environment Technician) Foundation DegreeHigher technical5
FdSc Civil Engineering and Construction ManagementHigher technical5
FdSc Construction ManagementHigher technical5
FdSc Sustainable Construction and the Built EnvironmentHigher technical5
Higher National Diploma in Building Services Engineering for EnglandHigher technical5
Higher National Diploma in Civil Engineering for EnglandHigher technical5
HND Sustainable Construction DesignHigher technical5
HND Sustainable Construction ManagementHigher technical5
Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Architectural Technology for EnglandHigher technical5
Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Construction Management for EnglandHigher technical5
Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Modern Methods of Construction for EnglandHigher technical5
Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Quantity Surveying for EnglandHigher technical5

The work

ONS · ESCO · O*NET

Typical tasks

  • sets up apparatus and equipment and undertakes field and laboratory tests of soil and work materials
  • performs calculations and collects, records and interprets data
  • sets out construction site, supervises excavations and marks out position of building work to be undertaken
  • inspects construction materials and supervises work of contractors to ensure compliance with specifications and arranges remedial work as necessary
  • creates and designs plans (using computer aided software)
  • estimates project costs
  • estimates timescales for project delivery

Skills

  • advise on heating systems energy efficiency
  • advise on safety improvements
  • follow health and safety procedures in construction
  • identify energy needs
  • inspect construction supplies
  • promote sustainable energy
  • undertake inspections
  • write work-related reports
  • advise on construction materials
  • work ergonomically
  • analyse energy consumption
  • carry out energy management of facilities
  • conduct land surveys
  • develop energy policy

Knowledge

  • energy efficiency
  • energy performance of buildings
  • renewable energy technologies
  • construction methods
  • engineering principles
  • engineering processes
  • mathematics
  • solar energy

Suits people who like

  • Practical, hands-on work
  • Organising and following procedures

Outlook

DfE · Skills Imperative 2035
Broader groupThese projections are for science, engineering and technology associate professionals, a group of 11 jobs that includes civil engineering technicians.
Change in jobs, 2020 to 2035↓ 4.9%about 34,000 fewer jobs
Workers needed by 2035228,000including people replacing those who retire or leave

Sources

Pay
ONS, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, 2025 provisional
People in the job, who does it
ONS, Annual Population Survey, April 2025 to March 2026
Job adverts
ONS, online job adverts (Textkernel), to Aug 2026
Demand, skill shortages
Department for Education and Skills England, Occupations in demand and the Employer Skills Survey
Outlook
The Skills Imperative 2035 (2024), NFER/Nuffield/DfE/IER/CE
Routes in
National Careers Service job profiles
Apprenticeships, qualifications
Skills England occupational maps
Skills, interests
ESCO classification of the European Commission; O*NET data, U.S. Department of Labor (CC BY 4.0, modified)
Visas
Home Office, immigration system statistics

Figures as of 10 October 2026.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: Office for National Statistics licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Occupations in demand and the Employer Skills Survey: Department for Education and Skills England. Immigration system statistics: Home Office. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

© Skills England 2025. This information is licensed under the Open Government Licence https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Source: The Skills Imperative 2035 (2024), NFER/Nuffield/DfE/IER/CE.

This service uses the ESCO classification of the European Commission.

This service includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This service has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. CC BY 4.0 licence.

jobfacts is independent. It is not part of, affiliated with or endorsed by the Office for National Statistics, the Department for Education, Skills England, the National Careers Service, the Home Office, the European Commission or the U.S. Department of Labor.