Engineering and manufacturing salaries: 2026 market outlook

What are the engineering and manufacturing salary and market trends?

The engineering and manufacturing sectors are at a pivotal moment. As businesses adapt to supply chain pressures, sustainability demands, and rapid technological change, the market for talent is evolving too. In this article, we explore how salary trends are shifting and what hiring leaders and professionals alike need to know to stay ahead.

What are the engineering and manufacturing market trends?

Investments boosting demand: The UK government’s multi-billion-pound investment in key manufacturing areas (automotive, clean energy, life sciences, etc.) is providing longer-term optimism for growth, which should boost hiring demand.

More than salary: Candidates increasingly prioritise flexible working, shorter commutes, and a positive candidate journey. Salary is of course still important, but it is not the only factor that plays a part in hiring and retention.

CI and Opex: There's a focus on efficiency and waste reduction, making professionals who have Continuous Improvement (CI) experience and/or Operational Excellence (Opex) highly sought after.

Broader experiences: Rather than focusing strictly on industry-specific expertise and only hiring candidates who match sector expertise perfectly, employers should consider candidates who align well with the company’s culture, values, and ways of working. 

What are the engineering and manufacturing salary benchmarks?

Salaries for engineering and manufacturing roles are shifting and professionals are looking for competitive offers. Discover what the benchmarks are for roles based on seniority and location by access in the Michael Page Salary Guides for 2026 today for free.

Want to stay ahead of the curve?  

Once you're confident that your salaries are competitive, get in touch with Michael Page. We will find the very best candidates for you so you can stay competitive and achieve your business goals.

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