If you enjoy practical, site-based work and like solving real problems, then drainage engineering is a role with your name on it. It is hands-on, varied and built around skills that many people already have - from working with tools and equipment to understanding systems, layouts and fault-finding.

Lanes is the largest employer of drainage professionals in the UK. We have major contracts with the country's water suppliers, and support business and domestic customers in every region. If you're looking for a new challenge, a stable way to earn a good living or looking for your first professional role after college or University, then read on. We'll tell you how much you could earn, and the technical skills you can expect to learn as you increase your earning potential and build a career you can be proud of.

What Does a Drainage Engineer Do Day to Day?

A drainage engineer works across internal and external drainage systems, often on commercial sites. The work is practical and varied, with no two weeks looking exactly the same. Curious to hear from our team members? Read what our drainage engineers Brian Macallister and James Lewis have to say about working for Lanes.

Day-to-day tasks often include inspecting drainage systems, clearing blockages, carrying out repairs and using cutting-edge CCTV equipment to assess underground pipework. Engineers may work inside buildings, outside on sites or across larger commercial drainage networks. Jobs can range from planned maintenance to reactive call-outs, depending on the contract and location.

Our drainage engineers usually work as part of a team and deal directly with sites and clients. The role suits people who are comfortable taking responsibility for technical work, enjoy problem-solving and prefer being active rather than desk-based.

How Much Does a Drainage Engineer Earn in the UK?

Pay is one of the main reasons people look into this role, and drainage engineering offers competitive earnings from the day you join Lanes.

A drainage engineer salary in the UK typically starts with a solid base salary, with total earnings increasing through overtime, call-outs and shift patterns. While figures vary by company and location, most entry-level drainage engineers can expect a base salary in the region of £28,000 to £32,000 a year when first starting out. With regular overtime and weekend or out-of-hours work, which is common in commercial drainage, total annual earnings for early-career engineers often sit closer to £32,000 to £38,000, depending on location and shift patterns. In higher-cost areas such as London and the South East, starting salaries and overtime rates can push total earnings even higher.

Across the UK, the average salary for a drainage engineer rises as experience builds, particularly for those working in commercial drainage or using specialist skills such as CCTV surveying. With a few years’ experience under your belt, it is typical to see salaries move into the £35,000 to £45,000 range, with experienced engineers and technical leads earning more still, especially when you take on supervisory duties, complex projects or specialised tasks.

What Affects Drainage Engineer Salary at the Start?

In the early stages, several factors will influence your pay packet:

Location plays a role. Salaries in London and the South East tend to be higher than in other parts of England, reflecting travel demands and site density. Scotland and other regions may offer different pay structures, but regular work and overtime still contribute strongly to overall earnings.

Skills and experience also matter. Engineers with a background in plumbing, mechanical engineering or site-based technical work often progress more quickly. Experience using CCTV equipment, understanding drainage layouts, and working on commercial sites can all affect salary levels. Of course, at Lanes, we have a real focus on continuous upskilling and development, and we'll offer you plenty of opportunities to train, which will enable you to progress your career with us and earn more.

Overtime and shift patterns are another key factor. Many drainage engineers increase their earnings by working additional hours, particularly on contracts that require out-of-hours cover. Over a week, this can have a clear impact on take-home pay.

Alongside your pay, we also offer plenty of rewards and benefits to boost your morale as well as your bank balance.

Salary Progression as Experience Builds

As you gain confidence across different sites and systems, there is potential for your pay to increase. Moving from a drainage technician role into a more experienced drainage engineer position often comes with higher earnings, particularly where engineers take on more responsibility or oversee work on site.

Specialist skills add further potential. Engineers who develop strong skills in disciplines like jetting engineering, gain an understanding of complex commercial drainage systems or mentor newer team members, will see their salary reflect that added depth of experience.

Why Drainage Engineering Appeals to Hands-on People

Drainage engineering suits people who enjoy practical work and seeing the results of their efforts. It involves using tools, equipment and technical knowledge every day, often in situations where problem-solving makes a direct difference.

Commonly, our team members come to us from:

• Applying for an advanced civil engineering apprenticeship, and choosing a drainage focus.
• Completing a relevant HNC or foundation degree via a college or training provider.
• Starting as a trainee drainage engineer or assistant and learning on the job.
• Moving from another trade, such as plumbing or groundworks, and retraining.

The role offers variety, with different sites, systems and challenges throughout the week. Our engineers work closely with their team and develop skills that are used repeatedly across real-world situations. For many, this combination of technical work and physical activity is a strong draw.

Working as a Drainage Engineer at Lanes

At Lanes, drainage engineers work as part of a large, established UK company with long-term contracts and regular workloads. This provides you with consistency of work and clear expectations around roles, sites and responsibilities - though you'll find plenty of variety, and no two days are ever the same.

Engineers are supported through internal training and structured teams, helping them develop skills and settle into the role. With operations across England and Scotland, Lanes offers opportunities to work on a wide range of commercial drainage projects.

For people seeking reliable work within a well-established company, this scale and structure makes a real difference to both earnings and job security.

Interested in Joining Lanes?

If you enjoy hands-on engineering work and want to understand your earning potential from the start, drainage engineering is a role worth exploring. Lanes offers opportunities all over the UK to join established teams, work on varied sites and build a career with regular, reliable work. Interested in learning more? You can read about our application process, see how we're supporting more women to get into our industry and apply for our latest drainage engineering jobs via our open roles page. 

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