Job holders in this unit group undertake a variety of tasks in the construction, alteration, maintenance and repair of buildings, steeples, industrial chimneys and other tall structures, and of underwater structures not elsewhere classified in minor group 531: Construction and building trades.
Also calledCivil engineerEngineering consultantDiverCommercial diverFence installerFencerand 72 more titles
Middle half (£28,200–£44,600)n/p: top 10% not published by ONSShow as table
Lowest 10% earn less than
£23,600
Lowest 20% earn less than
£27,000
25%
£28,200
Median
£34,800
75%
£44,600
Top 20% earn more than
£47,900
Top 10% earn more than
Not published
!More than half (56%) of construction and building trades n.e.c. work for themselves. These pay figures only cover employees, so they may not reflect what self-employed construction and building trades n.e.c. earn.
Typical pay by regionUK median £34,800
Typical full-time pay for construction and building trades n.e.c. by region
North East!£38,000
Wales!£35,300
East Midlands!£35,000
London!£34,500
East of England!£34,500
West Midlands!£33,400
South East!£32,100
North West!£31,100
Yorkshire and The HumberNot published by ONS–
South WestNot published by ONS–
ScotlandNot published by ONS–
!Small sample: treat with cautionShow as table
UK median, £34,800
North East
£38,000 (small sample)
Wales
£35,300 (small sample)
East Midlands
£35,000 (small sample)
London
£34,500 (small sample)
East of England
£34,500 (small sample)
West Midlands
£33,400 (small sample)
South East
£32,100 (small sample)
North West
£31,100 (small sample)
Yorkshire and The Humber
Not published by ONS
South West
Not published by ONS
Scotland
Not published by ONS
Typical pay over 3 years
2023 £31,400
2024 £33,600
2025 Provisional£34,800
↑ 11% since 2023Provisional figures are revised when ONS publishes the next year’s survey.
Jobs and demand
ONS · Textkernel adverts · DfE
About 1,700 jobs for construction and building trades n.e.c. are advertised each month.
New job adverts a month, Jan 2017 to Aug 2026
New online job adverts for construction and building trades n.e.c. each month
01,0002,0003,000
20172019202120232025
New advertsMonth not published by ONS (3 in all)Show as table
Aug 2026
2,094
Jul 2026
1,735
Jun 2026
1,733
May 2026
1,755
Apr 2026
1,585
Mar 2026
Not published
Feb 2026
1,411
Jan 2026
1,820
Dec 2025
1,072
Nov 2025
1,778
Oct 2025
1,644
Sept 2025
1,617
Aug 2025
1,621
Jul 2025
Not published
Jun 2025
Not published
May 2025
1,930
Apr 2025
1,227
Mar 2025
1,516
Feb 2025
1,602
Jan 2025
1,360
Dec 2024
835
Nov 2024
1,228
Oct 2024
1,402
Sept 2024
1,516
Aug 2024
1,471
Jul 2024
1,690
Jun 2024
1,440
May 2024
1,645
Apr 2024
1,510
Mar 2024
1,324
Feb 2024
1,126
Jan 2024
1,606
Dec 2023
1,088
Nov 2023
1,195
Oct 2023
1,494
Sept 2023
1,285
Aug 2023
1,508
Jul 2023
1,491
Jun 2023
2,324
May 2023
2,134
Apr 2023
1,887
Mar 2023
2,099
Feb 2023
2,268
Jan 2023
2,280
Dec 2022
1,943
Nov 2022
2,139
Oct 2022
2,494
Sept 2022
2,286
Aug 2022
2,779
Jul 2022
2,517
Jun 2022
2,561
May 2022
2,645
Apr 2022
1,822
Mar 2022
2,466
Feb 2022
2,146
Jan 2022
2,404
Dec 2021
1,865
Nov 2021
2,010
Oct 2021
2,123
Sept 2021
2,219
Aug 2021
2,147
Jul 2021
2,742
Jun 2021
2,274
May 2021
2,527
Apr 2021
2,368
Mar 2021
2,743
Feb 2021
1,867
Jan 2021
1,967
Dec 2020
1,354
Nov 2020
1,605
Oct 2020
1,657
Sept 2020
1,568
Aug 2020
1,337
Jul 2020
1,207
Jun 2020
1,088
May 2020
853
Apr 2020
1,048
Mar 2020
1,767
Feb 2020
1,983
Jan 2020
1,717
Dec 2019
1,425
Nov 2019
1,824
Oct 2019
1,984
Sept 2019
1,730
Aug 2019
1,999
Jul 2019
2,390
Jun 2019
2,291
May 2019
2,096
Apr 2019
1,488
Mar 2019
1,710
Feb 2019
1,556
Jan 2019
1,740
Dec 2018
1,081
Nov 2018
1,624
Oct 2018
2,680
Sept 2018
1,681
Aug 2018
1,881
Jul 2018
1,581
Jun 2018
2,019
May 2018
1,605
Apr 2018
1,501
Mar 2018
1,559
Feb 2018
1,473
Jan 2018
1,586
Dec 2017
1,197
Nov 2017
1,450
Oct 2017
1,553
Sept 2017
1,580
Aug 2017
1,469
Jul 2017
1,540
Jun 2017
1,762
May 2017
1,801
Apr 2017
1,923
Mar 2017
1,965
Feb 2017
1,642
Jan 2017
1,837
Vacancies hard to fill because of skills
46%against 27% for all jobs
This groupAll jobs
Broader groupFigure for construction and building trades, which includes construction and building trades n.e.c.. DfE Employer Skills Survey 2024.
Where the most jobs are advertisedadverts a quarter
Local areas with the most adverts for construction and building trades n.e.c.
Recruitment from abroad. 40 sponsored work visas were granted for this job from July 2025 to June 2026, most to people from Croatia, Norway, Philippines, ranking it 150th of 313. Home Office
Who does it
ONS · Annual Population Survey · April 2025 to March 2026
26%aged 55 or over
23%hold a degree
56%self-employed
WomenToo few in the survey to give a reliable figure
Age of construction and building trades n.e.c.
Age profile of construction and building trades n.e.c.
7.9%!
21%
21%
24%
20%
5.8%!
16–2425–3435–4445–5455–6465+
!Small sample: treat with cautionShow as table
16–24
7.9% (small sample)
25–34
21%
35–44
21%
45–54
24%
55–64
20%
65+
5.8% (small sample)
Highest qualification
Highest qualification held by construction and building trades n.e.c.
Degree or equivalent23%
Higher education below degree4.5%
A levels or equivalent28%
GCSEs or equivalent21%
Other qualifications12%
No qualifications7%
Show as table
Degree or equivalent
23%
Higher education below degree
4.5%
A levels or equivalent
28%
GCSEs or equivalent
21%
Other qualifications
12%
No qualifications
7%
Main employers: construction of residential and non-residential buildings (43%), joinery installation (9.2%), construction of other civil engineering projects nec (4.6%), engineering activities and related technical consultancy (3.8%).
How to get in
Hold a degree
23%
as their highest qualification
Most common qualification
A levels or equivalent
held by 28%
Apprenticeships
7
from level 2
Apprenticeships take
18 months to 2½ years
typically
Self-employed
56%
of people in the job
Routes in
Civil engineer
You can get into this job through:
University
You can do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in civil engineering.
Many universities specialise in particular areas of civil engineering, like:
transport engineering
environmental engineering
coastal and maritime engineering
You can search for accredited courses through the Institution of Civil Engineers. Some courses include a work placement, which can be useful for making industry contacts to help you find work after university.
You can also do further study for a postgraduate master's qualification in civil engineering, if you've got a degree in a related subject like maths, science or geology.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including maths and a science for a degree
a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
College
You could take a course at college, which might help you to get work as a trainee civil engineer, or to apply for further study at university.
Subjects include:
civil engineering
maths, physics or geography
construction and the built environment
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
Apprenticeship
You can apply to do a Civil Engineer Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship with an engineering or construction company.
This takes around 5 years to complete.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
Work your way up
You could work as a civil engineering technician and study on the job for a degree or apprenticeship.
You'll usually need 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science. Employers may also look for 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent qualifications.
Registration and professional bodies
Professional and industry bodies
You can join the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) for professional development opportunities and to make industry contacts.
Further information
You can learn more about how to become a civil engineer from the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and This is Engineering.
Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for civil engineer. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Diver
You can get into this job through:
Work your way up
You may be able to apply for diver training through your employer. For example, if you're in the police, armed forces or work for a marine engineering company. Once qualified, you could work with an underwater unit.
Similarly, if you work in scientific research, like oceanography or archaeology, your employer may put you through specialist diver training, so that you can carry out tasks underwater.
Apply directly
You could apply directly for jobs if you've got the right diving and safety qualifications.
You'll also need experience relevant to the industry you're working in. For example, you'll need a background in welding to work as an offshore underwater engineer, repairing pipelines or cables.
Other routes
You can do a course with a commercial training organisation or professional body to get your diving qualifications.
Training must be approved by the Health and Safety Executive. Examples include courses offered by the:
Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI)
British Sub-Aqua Club
What you’ll need
pass a medical check
Registration and professional bodies
Career tips
You might find it helpful to have experience of recreational scuba diving before training as a commercial diver.
Many diving schools offer assessments to help you decide whether you'll be suited to working underwater.
Further information
You can find out more about commercial and leisure diving careers through the:
Health and Safety Executive
British Sub-Aqua Club
Professional Association of Diving Instructors
International Marine Underwater Contractors Association
Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for diver. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Fence installer
You can get into this job through:
College
You can do a college course to learn some of the skills you need to get a job as a trainee with a fencing company. Courses include:
basic construction skills
carpentry and joinery
construction plant operations
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
Apprenticeship
You could apply to do a Fencing Installer Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.
This takes up to 2 years to complete and combines training on the job with study off-site.
Entry requirements
There are no set entry requirements but it may help you to get in if you have:
some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
Apply directly
You can apply directly to employers if you have some experience in a practical job like construction or landscape gardening.
What you’ll need
have a good level of fitness
For fencing on construction sites or on Highways Agency contracts, you'll need a Fencing Industry Skills Scheme/Construction Skills Certification Scheme (FISS/CSCS) card.
You may need a driving licence for some jobs.
Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for fence installer. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Steel fixer
You can get into this job through:
College
You could take a construction or engineering qualification like construction skills. This could help you to find a trainee job with a company when you finish your course.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
Apprenticeship
You can apply to do a Steel Fixer Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.
This can take up to 2 years to complete.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
Apply directly
You could apply directly to work as a steel fixer. To do this, you'll usually need work-based qualifications in construction or engineering, or on-site experience.
Employers may also want you to have some GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C).
What you’ll need
be able to cope with working at height
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 details about working and training as a steel fixer from Go Construct and the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB).
Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for steel fixer. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Steeplejack
You can get into this job through:
Apprenticeship
You could apply to do an apprenticeship with a construction, engineering or heritage conservation company to give you some of the skills needed to be a steeplejack.
Engineering Construction Erector Rigger Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
Fall Protection Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
These can take between 2 and 3 years to complete.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
Apply directly
You can apply directly to become a steeplejack. Employers may ask for GCSEs, or equivalent, in maths, English, science or design and technology.
Experience in general construction, scaffolding, roofing or electrical work may give you an advantage.
If you want to work as a lightning conductor engineer, you'll need maths skills and a basic understanding of electrical theory.
What you’ll need
be able to cope with working at height
have a good level of fitness
You'll usually need a full driving licence, as you'll be expected to travel to jobs all around the country.
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 find out more about how to become a steeplejack from Go Construct and the Steeplejack and Lightning Protection Training Group.
Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for steeplejack. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Apprenticeships
7 for this job
Level 3About 18 months
Military engineering construction technician
Leads to
CSCS
Employers may ask for
All soldiers entering onto one of the three options are required to have successfully completed phase 1 basic military training and phase 2A combat…
selects, measures and cuts steel bars, rods and wire to required lengths, positions and fixes reinforcements into position and tensions as required using hydraulic jacks
lays bricks, tiles and building blocks to construct, repair and decorate buildings
pours and levels concrete, prepares surfaces for painting and plastering, and mixes and applies plaster and paint
installs plumbing fixtures, woodwork structures and fittings, and sets glass in frames
maintains and repairs steeples, industrial chimneys and other high structures, and installs and replaces lightning conductors
erects and repairs fencing
checks and puts on diving suit and equipment and descends underwater to carry out construction, maintenance and repair tasks on sites such as oil rigs, harbours, bridges etc
Skills
assess construction compliance
check compatibility of materials
create floor plan template
create smooth wood surface
design floor
follow health and safety procedures in construction
follow safety procedures when working at heights
inspect concrete structures
inspect roofs
install construction profiles
install wood elements in structures
maintain construction structures
perform roof maintenance
plan construction of houses
Knowledge
building codes
building materials industry
roofing techniques
construction product regulation
energy efficiency
energy performance of buildings
Suits people who like
Practical, hands-on work
Organising and following procedures
Outlook
DfE · Skills Imperative 2035
Broader groupThese projections are for skilled construction and building trades, a group of 12 jobs that includes construction and building trades n.e.c..
Change in jobs, 2020 to 2035↓ 1.5%about 14,000 fewer jobs
Workers needed by 2035374,000including people replacing those who retire or leave
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.
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.