IfysweetLearn which UK construction roles can pay £120,000 in 2026, visa sponsorship rules, salary thresholds, and how foreign workers can apply safely.
Let’s be honest upfront: £120,000 construction jobs in the UK are real, but they are not the average “site job” salary. In 2026, that level of pay is usually tied to senior management, commercial leadership, major project delivery, specialist engineering leadership, or high-risk accountability roles—often in London and the South East, or on large infrastructure and complex commercial builds.
This guide breaks down (1) which construction roles can hit £120k, (2) how visa sponsorship works in the UK, (3) what salary rules you must meet, and (4) how to find legitimate sponsored jobs without getting scammed—written in a human, practical tone and aligned with Google AdSense-friendly informational content.
Why £120,000 construction salaries happen in the UK
A £120k package is typically paid when you’re responsible for at least one of these:
- Budget ownership (tens/hundreds of millions)
- Contract risk and claims (NEC/JCT commercial exposure)
- Programme responsibility (multiple sites or a megaproject workstream)
- Safety and compliance accountability (serious legal risk)
- Client-facing delivery (public sector frameworks, major developers, tier-one contractors)
- Revenue and margin (commercial performance, cost control, procurement outcomes)
Senior roles are also more likely to include car allowance, bonus, private medical insurance, pension, and sometimes relocation support—all of which can push total compensation toward (or beyond) £120k.
You’ll see Project Director roles advertised at £120,000–£140,000 on UK job boards. (Reed)
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Construction jobs that can pay £120,000+ in 2026
Below are realistic job titles where £120k is achievable, especially with major contractors, developers, consultancies, or specialist subcontractors.
1) Project Director / Senior Project Director
If you’ve delivered large projects end-to-end, this is one of the clearest paths to £120k+. These roles are common on:
- Major commercial developments
- Infrastructure frameworks
- Multi-site programmes
Job boards in the UK show Project Director roles in the £120k–£140k range. (Reed)
High-CPC keywords you’ll naturally see around this role: project finance, construction contracts, risk management, construction management, programme delivery, procurement strategy, NEC contract, JCT contract.
2) Construction Director / Operations Director
Construction Directors carry big operational responsibility across multiple projects. Salary surveys and job market data often show London leadership roles averaging well into six figures and ranges climbing higher depending on scope. (ERI Economic Research Institute)
What employers look for
- Strong delivery track record (multiple projects, multiple teams)
- Commercial awareness and margin protection
- Stakeholder and client leadership
- Safety leadership and compliance
3) Director of Construction Operations / Head of Operations
This is a senior operations track role often touching £120k at the upper end of reported market ranges. (Glassdoor)
4) Senior Commercial Manager / Commercial Director (Construction)
If you manage claims, procurement, valuations, and contractual risk at scale, commercial leadership can pay extremely well—especially in London, infrastructure, and high-value build environments.
Related high-value areas:
- Quantity surveying leadership
- Claims & dispute resolution
- Contract administration
- Cost management and forecasting
(Commercial leadership compensation varies heavily by project size and sector, but it’s one of the most reliable routes to £120k packages.)
5) Senior Quantity Surveyor (Upper end) → Commercial Lead
Most QS roles won’t hit £120k early, but high-end QS careers do—especially when you move into:
- Lead QS / Commercial Lead
- Senior Commercial Manager
- Commercial Director
Market reports show higher salary bands in London and the South East for experienced QS pathways. (maximrecruitment.com)
6) Design Manager / BIM Manager / Digital Construction Lead (Senior)
On complex projects—especially MEP-heavy builds, hospitals, data centres, and large commercial developments—senior BIM and digital construction leadership can command strong salaries.
Typical value drivers:
- Clash detection and coordination at scale
- Programme certainty
- Cost avoidance and risk reduction
7) HSE (Health & Safety) Director / Senior HSE Manager
Top safety leadership is paid well when the risk profile is high (major infrastructure, heavy civils, high-rise, complex logistics). Certifications like NEBOSH plus strong site leadership can lift earning potential significantly.
The visa route: how construction visa sponsorship works in 2026
For most foreign workers aiming for long-term UK employment, the main route is the Skilled Worker visa.
Key rule: salary must meet UK thresholds
The UK government’s guidance says you’ll usually need to be paid at least £41,700 (the “standard” salary rate) or the going rate for your occupation, whichever is higher. (GOV.UK)
And the “going rate” is set by occupation code, published in the official going rates table. (GOV.UK)
Immigration Salary List (ISL) and construction
Some construction-related roles appear on the Immigration Salary List, which can allow a lower salary threshold in some cases—but it does not automatically make every construction job sponsorable. (GOV.UK)
For example, the list includes entries such as carpenters and joiners and certain defined construction trade categories. (GOV.UK)
Important: rules can be detailed and role-specific. Always cross-check:
- Your exact job title and occupation code
- Going rate
- Any applicable salary list conditions
Sponsorship is about the employer, not just the job title
To sponsor you, the employer must be licensed by the Home Office.
Two key official resources:
- The UK government overview on employer sponsorship (GOV.UK)
- The official Register of Licensed Sponsors (Workers) (GOV.UK)
This matters because you can find a great job ad, but if the company cannot sponsor, you cannot get a Skilled Worker visa through them (unless they obtain a licence, which many won’t do for a single hire).
Reality check: average construction pay vs £120k roles
If you search common mid-level roles, you’ll often see averages far below £120k. For example, salary tracking for construction project managers in England shows averages around the low-to-mid £50k range. (Indeed)
That doesn’t mean £120k is impossible—it means £120k is a senior tier. To compete for that tier as an international applicant, you need to present yourself as someone who reduces risk and delivers outcomes at scale.
What you need to be competitive for £120k construction jobs
1) Evidence of “scale”
UK employers hiring at £120k want proof like:
- project value (e.g., £50m, £200m)
- team size managed
- programmes delivered on schedule
- margin, cost savings, value engineering outcomes
- strong commercial control and reporting
2) Credentials that UK employers recognise
Depending on your track:
- Project leadership: PMP / PRINCE2, strong programme controls background
- Commercial: RICS pathway (or equivalent experience with strong NEC/JCT competence)
- Safety: NEBOSH, strong audit and incident prevention record
- Site access: CSCS card is commonly expected on UK sites; to apply you generally need the relevant CITB Health, Safety & Environment test. (Official CSCS Website)
3) UK-style CV and proof-based interviewing
Your CV should read like a “business case,” not a biography:
- “Delivered £80m project; achieved 6% cost reduction via procurement strategy”
- “Recovered programme delay from 12 weeks to 3 weeks using re-sequencing”
- “Managed NEC compensation events; reduced claim exposure by £X”
How to find legit UK construction jobs with visa sponsorship
Use search terms that employers and recruiters actually post
Try combinations like:
- “visa sponsorship project director UK”
- “Skilled Worker visa commercial manager construction”
- “sponsor licence construction director”
- “NEC contracts senior commercial manager London visa sponsorship”
- “construction operations director sponsorship”
Check sponsor eligibility the smart way
- Find the employer name on the Register of Licensed Sponsors (GOV.UK)
- Then check their careers page / recruiter listing for your role
- Apply with a role-specific CV
Target the employers most likely to sponsor senior hires
Rather than chasing “any construction job,” focus on organisations that often hire internationally:
- Tier-one contractors and major subcontractors
- Large consultancies (project management, cost management, engineering)
- Developers with big pipelines
- Specialist firms in data centres, MEP-heavy projects, heavy civils
Avoid sponsorship scams (this is critical in 2026)
There are active scam patterns where people sell fake sponsorship. A recent investigation highlighted illegal “payroll-only” sponsorship and fake job offers being sold to migrants. (The Times)
Protect yourself:
- Never pay an “agent” for a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
- Verify the employer on the official sponsor register (GOV.UK)
- Only accept written offers from legitimate corporate emails and HR processes
- If something feels rushed, vague, or pay-to-win, walk away
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Step-by-step: how the UK sponsored hiring process usually works
- Apply for a role with a sponsor-capable employer
- Interview (often 2–4 rounds for senior roles)
- Employer issues a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
- You apply for the Skilled Worker visa using your CoS
- You provide documents (passport, proof of English, qualifications if required, etc.)
- You receive a decision, then plan relocation/start date
FAQ
Can a foreign worker really earn £120,000 in UK construction in 2026?
Yes, but it’s typically for Project Director, Construction Director, Commercial Director, Operations Director, or senior specialist leadership roles, often tied to large projects and high accountability.
What visa do I need for a UK construction job with sponsorship?
Most long-term sponsored roles use the Skilled Worker visa, where salary must meet the general threshold or the occupation going rate (whichever is higher). (GOV.UK)
What is the minimum salary for Skilled Worker visa in 2026?
The UK government states you’ll usually need at least £41,700 or the going rate for your job—whichever is higher. (GOV.UK)
Are trade roles like carpentry eligible for sponsorship?
Some trade roles appear on the UK’s Immigration Salary List, which can affect salary thresholds and eligibility depending on the role and rules. (GOV.UK)
How do I check if a company can sponsor me?
Use the official Register of Licensed Sponsors (Workers) and confirm the employer is listed and eligible to sponsor the relevant worker route. (GOV.UK)
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