Civil engineers vs Mechanical engineers: Salary Compared
A Civil engineers earns more — a median £51,366 vs £51,110 for a Mechanical engineers. That is £256 more per year (1%). Real ONS ASHE figures, April 2025.
Quick answer
In the UK, a Civil engineers is paid more than a Mechanical engineers: median gross pay of £51,366 versus £51,110 — a £256 (1%) gap. Source: ASHE 2025 provisional, April 2025 reference period, ONS, OGL v3.
Pay compared, side by side
Gross annual pay for full-time UK employees, ASHE 2025 provisional, April 2025 reference period, ONS, OGL v3.
| Measure | Civil engineers | Mechanical engineers |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | £32,149 | £33,274 |
| 25th percentile | £39,802 | £39,125 |
| Median | £51,366 | £51,110 |
| 75th percentile | £65,000 | £62,237 |
| 90th percentile | — | — |
SOC 2020 codes: Civil engineers = 2121; Mechanical engineers = 2122.
Regional pay gap
The pay gap is widest in Scotland, where a Civil engineers earns a median £55,172 versus £38,478 for a Mechanical engineers — a £16,694 difference. Regional medians are published by ONS where the sample is large enough.
Frequently asked questions
- Does a Civil engineers or a Mechanical engineers earn more in the UK?
- A Civil engineers earns more. The median UK gross annual pay is £51,366 for a Civil engineers versus £51,110 for a Mechanical engineers — a difference of £256 (1% more). Source: ONS ASHE, April 2025.
- What is the typical salary range for a Civil engineers?
- Most Civil engineers earn between £39,802–£65,000 (25th–75th percentile), with a median of £51,366. Top earners (90th percentile) reach higher.
- What is the typical salary range for a Mechanical engineers?
- Most Mechanical engineers earn between £39,125–£62,237 (25th–75th percentile), with a median of £51,110. Top earners (90th percentile) reach higher.
- Where do these pay figures come from?
- From the Office for National Statistics Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE 2025 provisional, April 2025 reference period, ONS, OGL v3) — gross annual pay for full-time employees by 4-digit SOC 2020 occupation, published under the Open Government Licence. These are medians, not guarantees: individual pay varies by employer, region and experience.
Related comparisons
Data: Office for National Statistics — Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), ASHE 2025 provisional, April 2025 reference period, ONS, OGL v3. Open Government Licence v3.0. Figures are medians for full-time employees and do not guarantee individual pay. A Gera Systems product.