Most manufacturing and engineering roles we fill reach an accepted offer in about 6 weeks, and the new starter joins about 4 weeks later, once they have worked their notice. These figures come from Sigma Recruitment’s own permanent placements and are updated every quarter.
Figures correct as of 14/10/2026. The headline time to offer and notice figures cover the last 3 years; the salary tables and travel distances cover the last 5 years, so that every figure is based on at least 10 placements; repeat clients cover the last 12 months.
Time to an accepted offer, by salary
6 weeks
5 weeks
4 weeks
8 weeks
11 weeks
14 weeks
6 weeks
| Salary | Typical (median) | Middle half of placements |
|---|---|---|
| Under £24,785 | 45 days (about 6 weeks) | 20 to 84 days |
| £24,785 to £29,784 | 36 days (about 5 weeks) | 27 to 56 days |
| £29,785 to £34,784 | 31 days (about 4 weeks) | 19 to 72 days |
| £34,785 to £39,784 | 59 days (about 8 weeks) | 28 to 85 days |
| £39,785 to £44,784 | 74 days (about 11 weeks) | 29 to 204 days |
| £44,785 to £49,999 | 101 days (about 14 weeks) | 47 to 230 days |
| £50,000+ | 43 days (about 6 weeks) | 22 to 66 days |
Salary bands start at the National Living Wage for a full-time 37.5-hour week (£24,785 a year from April 2026) and rise in £5,000 steps, with every role over £50,000 in one band. Every figure shown is based on at least 10 placements.
How far new starters travel
| Salary | Typical (median) | Middle half of placements |
|---|---|---|
| Under £24,785 | 12 miles | 6 to 15 miles |
| £24,785 to £29,784 | 13 miles | 4 to 21 miles |
| £29,785 to £34,784 | 10 miles | 4 to 14 miles |
| £34,785 to £39,784 | 11 miles | 6 to 23 miles |
| £39,785 to £44,784 | 8 miles | 5 to 14 miles |
| £44,785 to £49,999 | 11 miles | 4 to 16 miles |
| £50,000+ | 18 miles | 10 to 27 miles |
Repeat clients
Of the employers who gave us a vacancy in the last 12 months, 4 in 5 had worked with us before.
Fees
Sigma Exclusive fees are typically 15% to 17.5% of the candidate’s first-year salary.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to hire an engineer or manufacturing professional?
Most roles reach an accepted offer in about 6 weeks, then the candidate’s notice period, typically around 4 weeks. Roles from £24,785 to £35,000 are usually quicker (4 to 5 weeks), and roles between £35,000 and £50,000 usually take longer (8 to 14 weeks).
Does salary affect how long hiring takes?
Yes, but not in a straight line. Roles from £24,785 to £35,000 usually reach an accepted offer in 4 to 5 weeks and roles between £35,000 and £50,000 often take 8 to 14 weeks. Roles over £50,000 typically take about 6 weeks.
How far do new starters travel to work?
Half of the people we place live within about 12 miles of their new workplace, measured in a straight line between postcode districts. For roles over £50,000 it is about 18 miles.
How much does a recruitment agency cost?
Sigma Exclusive fees are typically 15% to 17.5% of the candidate’s first-year salary. Across the UK, agency fees commonly range from 15% to 30%.
Where do these figures come from?
From Sigma Recruitment’s own records of permanent placements, recalculated every quarter. We only publish a figure based on at least 10 placements, and never anything that could identify a client or a candidate.
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