2121 Civil engineers

In short

• ONS unit group 2121, in minor group 212 (Engineering professionals) and major group 2 (Professional occupations).
• Appendix Skilled Occupations (figures as at 3 August 2026, re-checked 26 October 2026): On the list: Table 1, Table 2.
• Going rate as the tables print it:
  • Table 1, Going rate (SW – options A and D): £50,400 (£25.85 per hour)
  • Table 2, Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU): £39,200 (£20.10 per hour)

What the ONS says

Description

Civil engineers undertake research and design, direct construction and manage the operation and maintenance of civil and mining engineering structures.

Typical entry routes

Civil engineers usually possess an accredited three or four year degree in civil engineering or engineering science or an accredited Higher National Diploma or Certificate. The status of ‘incorporated engineer’ is obtained upon the completion of further training at work and associate membership of a chartered engineering institution. The status of ‘chartered engineer’ is achieved through the completion of postgraduate training and full membership of a chartered engineering institution.

Tasks

• undertakes research and advises on soil mechanics, concrete technology, hydraulics, water and waste water treatment processes and other civil engineering matters
• determines and specifies construction methods, materials, quality and safety standards and ensures that equipment operation and maintenance comply with design specifications
• designs foundations and earthworks
• designs structures such as roads, dams, bridges, railways, hydraulic systems, sewerage systems, industrial and other buildings and plans the layout of tunnels, wells and construction shafts
• organises and plans projects, arranges work schedules, carries out inspection work and plans maintenance control
• organises and establishes control systems to monitor operational efficiency and performance of materials and systems

Related job titles

• Building engineer
• Civil engineer (professional)
• Highways engineer
• Petroleum engineer
• Public health engineer
• Site engineer (building construction)
• Structural engineer

What the Appendix Skilled Occupations says

The Appendix lists this code in the tables below, with the tables’ own caption and the row as printed. Read the full table, and any condition in it, on GOV.UK.

Table 1: Eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates based on median Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) data

SOC 2020 occupation code

2121 Civil engineers

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Building and building services engineers
• Geotechnical engineers
• Mining engineers
• Structural engineers
• Transportation engineers
• Water engineers (professional)
• Civil engineers not elsewhere classified

Going rate (SW – options A and D)

£50,400 (£25.85 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option B)

£45,300 (£23.23 per hour)

80% of going rate (SW – option C)

£40,300 (£20.67 per hour)

70% of going rate (SW – option E)

£35,200 (£18.05 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

Yes

Table 2: Eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates based on 25th percentile Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) data

SOC 2020 occupation code

2121 Civil engineers

Equivalent SOC 2010 occupation code(s)

2121, 2122, 2126

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Building and building services engineers
• Geotechnical engineers
• Mining engineers
• Structural engineers
• Transportation engineers
• Water engineers (professional)
• Civil engineers not elsewhere classified

Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU)

£39,200 (£20.10 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option G)

£35,300 (£18.10 per hour)

80% of going rate (SW – option H)

£31,300 (£16.05 per hour)

70% of going rate (SW – option J, GTR)

£27,400 (£14.05 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

Yes

Other unit groups in minor group 212

• 2122 Mechanical engineers (professional)
• 2123 Electrical engineers
• 2124 Electronics engineers (professional)
• 2125 Production and process engineers
• 2126 Aerospace engineers
• 2127 Engineering project managers and project engineers
• 2129 Engineering professionals n.e.c.

Sources

Occupation text: Office for National Statistics, SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions of unit groups (file dated 27 August 2026, version V13). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0. Tables: Home Office, Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations on GOV.UK, page updated 3 August 2026; re-checked against the page updated 8 October 2026 on 26 October 2026, tables unchanged.

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