Professional qualification can boost engineers' salaries by up to £7,000, survey reveals

Professionally qualified engineers make more money than their non-qualified counterparts, a recent survey by The Engineer revealed (The Engineer registration required to view).

On average, professional qualifications can boost earning potential within the industry by up to £7k more per year.

Across the various sectors, engineers working in rail and civil, and structural are the second most likely to be professionally registered, at 68%.

Engineers working in these sectors lead the way with the highest average salaries of about £74k. More specifically:

• Junior engineers can expect to earn about £42.5k;
• Senior engineers will have salaries around £67k; and
• Directors on average earn £120k.

Many employers have professional qualification as a "soft requirement" to grant promotions, explained Conchita Munar, who's a Chartered Engineer. 

"Most employers understand that a Chartered Engineer has shown the required skills and knowledge to be a senior engineer," she said.

Not just about the money

As well as having a higher earning potential, civil engineers and technicians have highlighted how professional qualifications have benefitted their careers and development.

“Obtaining my Engineering Technician (EngTech) professional qualification helped me learn more and gain respect in the field,” said Monica Chandran.

Chandran reflected on how EngTech proves that she has the skills and knowledge to meet the industry’s high standards, which could open more opportunities for her.

Already, it’s given her the chance to work on complex projects “that make a real difference in the world”.

Chinwe Odili, a Chartered Engineer (CEng), agreed, noting that, “[being professionally qualified] demonstrates to society, my employers, clients and really, to myself, that I have enhanced my competencies and that I’m a committed professional”.

For Odili, it’s given her the chance to take on more responsibility for high-value work.

“It creates more opportunities to take on other dynamic roles and make progress in my career,” she said.

10 years of ICE growth

The survey results follow the ICE’s historic milestone of 10 years of consecutive growth in professionally qualified members.

It highlights the significant value that the ICE’s membership support offers in transforming the careers of civil engineers and technicians through professional qualifications.

“These findings underscore the significant value and importance of obtaining professional qualifications,” said Séan Harris, ICE deputy director general and director of membership.

“The high average salaries in civil engineering reflect the strength of the sector and the promising career prospects it offers."