FM salaries in 2026: what 54 roles pay.

Every week we’re asked the same two questions. Engineers want to know if they’re being paid fairly. Clients want to know what it will take to fill a role. Our 2026 Salary Survey answers both, with minimum, average and maximum pay for 54 facilities management roles, from fabric engineers to managing directors.

The figures come from the roles CBW has recruited and the offers we’ve seen across the UK market this year. Here’s what stands out.

1. Shifts still pay a premium

An electrical or mechanical maintenance engineer on days averages £48,000. Move the same engineer onto shifts and the average rises to £52,000, with the top of the range at £55,000. That’s around £4,000 a year for working the rota.

The gap carries on up the ladder. An M&E shift manager averages £65,000, ahead of a days-based site or maintenance manager at £62,000. For engineers who don’t mind nights and weekends, shift work remains one of the quickest ways to add to a salary without changing trade.

2. Specialist tickets are worth more than general skills

Multi-skilled mobile engineers are the backbone of most FM contracts, but they’re not the best paid. The specialists are. Average salaries:

• Commercial combustion engineer: £55,000
• Chiller engineer: £53,000
• A/C engineer (days/mobile): £50,000
• Electrician / mechanical (days): £48,000
• M&E multi-skilled (mobile): £45,000

Chiller and combustion engineers can earn up to £60,000. Gas, F-Gas and refrigeration qualifications take time and money to gain, and the supply of qualified engineers hasn’t kept pace with demand. If you’re an engineer weighing up your next course, this is where the return is.

3. The biggest jump is from trade to engineer

Junior engineers, fabric engineers and painters and decorators all average £36,000. A qualified electrical or mechanical engineer on days averages £48,000. That £12,000 step is the largest single jump on the engineering side of the survey, and it’s why apprenticeships and improver roles matter so much to the sector.

4. The step into management

For engineers looking to move off the tools, the path is clear and well rewarded. Average salaries:

• M&E lead engineer: £55,000
• M&E supervisor: £58,000
• Site / maintenance manager: £62,000
• Engineering manager: £75,000
• Contract manager: £75,000
• Account manager: £80,000
• Area / operations manager: £90,000
• Account director / operations director: £100,000
• Managing director: £150,000

The move from supervisor to contract manager is worth around £17,000 on average. Contract managers who take on a larger account, or several, can reach £90,000 as account managers.

5. Specialist and technical roles are pulling ahead

Outside the core operational roles, some of the strongest salaries in FM now sit with specialists. Chartered engineers average £90,000, data centre managers £85,000, energy managers £75,000 and BMS engineers £60,000. Energy has the widest range in the survey, from £65,000 to £85,000 and above, reflecting how much net zero targets now shape what clients need.

On the soft services side, facilities managers average £55,000, senior facilities managers £65,000, and heads of FM £75,000.

What this means if you’re hiring

If a role has been open for weeks, pay is usually the first thing to check. Offers pitched at the minimum of these ranges tend to attract fewer applicants and lose candidates at offer stage, particularly for shift and specialist roles. Benchmarking against the average gives you a much better chance of filling a role first time.

We’re always happy to share how your package compares with the market. Send us a vacancy or call 0203 583 3099.

What this means if you’re looking

If you’re below the minimum for your role, it’s worth a conversation. Pay isn’t everything, and travel, hours, overtime and progression all count, but you should know where you stand. Browse our live roles or send us your CV, and a consultant who knows your trade will tell you honestly what you’re worth.

Download the full survey

The full 2026 Salary Survey covers all 54 roles across engineering, supervisory and management, soft services and specialist positions. Download it here or ask your CBW consultant for a copy.