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.

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Testimonial

“Steve and Nilam at Maxim work very hard to research, interview and present suitable quantum and delay candidates for consideration. As a result of their introductions, we have added high calibre professionals that strengthen our team. We enjoy working with them and can recommend them for their integrity and attention to detail.”

G.B. | Director, Specialist Dispute Consultancy, UK | November 2023

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Evesham-based road planing company Jet Plant Hire has invested in a range of new equipment.

Source: The Construction Index Last updated: 13 November, 11:16

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Anglesey to get first small modular reactors

Wylfa on the isle of Anglesey in North Wales has been selected as the site for the UK’s first small modular reactor nuclear power station.

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Construction output rises just 0.1% in third quarter

Total construction output in Great Britain is estimated to have grown by 0.2% in September 2025 and by 0.1% in the third quarter.

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Morgan Sindall has started work on Kadans Science Partner’s £100m Plus Ultra Manchester development

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Speller Metcalfe starts at Droitwich leisure centre

Speller Metcalfe has begun work on a £12.7m redevelopment of Droitwich Spa Leisure Centre.

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