Bricklaying Average Salary and Hourly Pay Rates in the UK Today

Bricklaying can be a good career if you enjoy practical work. It lets you work with your hands and learn a useful trade. In the UK, the bricklaying average salary for an employed bricklayer can range from £35,000 to £45,000 a year. A self-employed bricklayer can often earn £56,000 to £65,000 or more a year. However, pay is not the same for everyone. Your experience, location, skills, and type of work can affect your income. Self-employed bricklayers may charge more for their work. However, they also need to pay for tools, travel, insurance, and tax. 

This guide looks at the average bricklaying salary in the UK. It also explains hourly pay, day rates, and what can help you earn more.

How Much Do Bricklayers Make a Year?

Experience can make a big difference to a bricklayer's pay. When you start, you may earn less while you learn the trade. As you gain skills, you can work faster and take on harder jobs. This can help you earn more.

In the US, an apprentice or entry-level bricklayer can earn around $45,000 to $48,000 a year. In the UK, an apprentice may earn around £11,000 to £25,000 a year. The pay often rises as you gain more skills and work experience.

A newly qualified bricklayer can earn around $53,000 to $57,000 a year in the US. In the UK, they may earn around £30,000 to £38,000 a year. At this stage, they can usually handle many jobs without much help.

Experienced bricklayers can earn much more. In the US, senior workers may earn around $73,000 to $98,000 or more a year. In the UK, experienced bricklayers can earn around £38,000 to £45,000 or more.

However, these figures can change from job to job. Location, skills, and the type of work can all affect your pay. With time and hard work, you can build your skills and aim for better-paid jobs.

What Is the Bricklaying Average Salary in the UK?

The bricklaying average salary in the UK is about £40,000 a year for an employed bricklayer. However, not every bricklayer earns the same. Your skills, experience, location, and type of work can all affect your pay.

Here is a simple breakdown:

1. Apprentice: An apprentice can earn around £11,000 to £21,000 a year. They learn the trade while working on real building sites.
2. Newly qualified: A qualified bricklayer may earn around £30,000 to £38,000 a year. Pay can grow as they gain more work experience.
3. Experienced bricklayer: Skilled workers can earn around £38,000 to £45,000 a year. They may also get better jobs and higher rates.
4. Self-employed bricklayer: A sole trader can make around £56,000 to £85,000 a year before tax. However, they must pay for tools, travel, insurance, and other costs.
5. Limited company owner: Some business owners can earn £59,000 to £90,000+ a year before tax.

How Much Do Bricklayers Get Paid Per Hour?

Bricklayers in the UK can earn around £18 to £40 per hour. Some skilled self-employed bricklayers may charge even more. However, pay can change based on experience, skills, location, and the type of job.

Here is a simple guide:

1. Apprentice: An apprentice may earn around £6.30 to £8 per hour. They learn the job while working.
2. Newly qualified: A newly qualified bricklayer can earn around £18 to £22 per hour. They can handle most normal jobs.
3. Employed bricklayer: An employed bricklayer may earn around £19 to £25 per hour. They may also get holiday pay and a pension.
4. Self-employed bricklayer: A sole trader may charge around £35 to £55 per hour. They also pay for their own tools, travel, and insurance.
5. Limited company owner: A business owner may charge around £40 to £60 per hour. They may work on bigger jobs and manage other workers.

Other Ways Bricklayers Get Paid

Bricklayers do not always charge by the hour. They may also use a day rate or charge for each brick.

1. Day rate: Bricklayers may charge around £240 to £320 per day.
2. Per brick: Common bricks may pay around 50p to £1 per brick.
3. Special bricks: Detailed or facing bricks can pay up to £5 per brick.

A skilled bricklayer may lay 500 or more bricks in one day. This can help them earn more on jobs that use a per-brick rate.

How Much Do Bricklayers Make a Year?

Experience can make a big difference to a bricklayer's pay. When you start, you may earn less while you learn the trade. As you gain skills, you can work faster and take on harder jobs. This can help you earn more.

In the US, an apprentice or entry-level bricklayer can earn around $45,000 to $48,000 a year. In the UK, an apprentice may earn around £11,000 to £25,000 a year. The pay often rises as you gain more skills and work experience.

A newly qualified bricklayer can earn around $53,000 to $57,000 a year in the US. In the UK, they may earn around £30,000 to £38,000 a year. At this stage, they can usually handle many jobs without much help.

Experienced bricklayers can earn much more. In the US, senior workers may earn around $73,000 to $98,000 or more a year. In the UK, experienced bricklayers can earn around £38,000 to £45,000 or more.

However, these figures can change from job to job. Location, skills, and the type of work can all affect your pay. With time and hard work, you can build your skills and aim for better-paid jobs.

What Affects a Bricklayer's Salary?

A bricklayer's pay can change for many reasons. Some workers earn more because they have better skills or more experience. Others may earn more because they work in a busy area or take on larger jobs.

Experience and skills play a big part in pay. A new bricklayer usually starts with a lower wage. As they gain experience, they can work faster and handle harder jobs. This can help them earn more.

Location also matters. Bricklayers in London and the South East may earn more than those in some other parts of the UK. Busy areas often have more building work and higher costs.

The type of work can affect pay too. Simple house building may have a lower rate. Specialist brickwork, repairs, and detailed work may pay more because they need extra care and skill.

Employment type can also change your income. Employed bricklayers get regular wages and may receive holiday pay and a pension. Self-employed bricklayers can charge higher rates. However, they must pay for tools, travel, insurance, and other costs.

Training and qualifications can help you get better jobs. They can also build your skills and confidence.

Finally, overtime and demand can affect your earnings. Extra hours and weekend work can increase your income. When skilled bricklayers are in high demand, employers may offer better pay.

Bricklayer Salary by Location

Where you work can affect your bricklayer salary. Some parts of the UK have more building work than others. So, bricklayers in busy areas may earn more. London and the South East often have good pay for bricklayers. These areas have many new homes, offices, and building projects. However, the cost of living can also be high.

Major cities such as Manchester, Birmingham, and Leeds can also offer many jobs. Large building projects can create more work for skilled bricklayers. Your skills and experience will still affect your pay.

Northern England may have lower pay in some areas. However, you can still find good work in busy towns and cities. The cost of living may also be lower, which can help your money go further. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland also have bricklaying jobs. Pay can change from one place to another. Cities often have more building work than smaller towns.

Local demand can also affect your pay. When builders need more skilled bricklayers, they may offer higher rates. For this reason, it can help to check local job adverts before choosing where to work.

Employed vs Self-Employed Bricklayer Pay

How you work can make a big difference to your pay. Self-employed bricklayers often earn more than employed workers. However, they also have more costs to cover. Employed bricklayers usually earn around £25,000 to £45,000 a year. Their daily pay may be around £150 to £200. They can also get paid holidays and a pension. This can make employed work a good choice if you want regular pay.

Self-employed bricklayers can earn around £56,000 a year before tax. They may charge around £240 to £320 per day. They have more control over their work and rates. However, they must pay for tools, travel, insurance, and other work costs.

Limited company owners can earn around £59,000 to £65,000 or more a year. They may take on bigger jobs and work with other bricklayers. However, running a business also brings extra costs and work. So, self-employed work can give you a chance to earn more. On the other hand, employed work can give you more regular income and benefits. It really depends on what you want from your career.

Final Thoughts

Bricklaying can be a good career if you enjoy practical work and want to learn a useful skill. The bricklaying average salary can grow as you gain more skills and experience. Your location, job type, and work setup can also affect your pay. If you are thinking about starting this career, learning the basics first can give you more confidence. You can start with our Free Bricklaying Training Course. It can help you learn more about bricklaying before you move into practical work. With the right skills and effort, you can build a strong future in this trade.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can bricklayers make £100k?

1. Yes, some bricklayers can earn £100,000 a year. This is more common for self-employed bricklayers or business owners. It is not a normal salary for most bricklayers.

2. How much do UK bricklayers earn per brick?

1. UK bricklayers may earn around 50p to £1 per common brick. Special or detailed bricks can pay more. Some jobs may pay up to £5 per brick.

3. How much should I pay a bricklayer per hour?

1. A bricklayer may charge around £18 to £40 per hour. Skilled workers may charge more for difficult or special jobs.

4. Is bricklaying a high paying job?

1. Bricklaying can be a well-paid job. Your pay can grow as you gain more skills and experience. Self-employed bricklayers can often earn more.

5. Is bricklaying a dead-end job?

1. No, bricklaying is not a dead-end job. You can gain more skills, become a team leader, or start your own business.

6. Do I need GCSE to be a bricklayer?

1. You do not always need GCSEs to start bricklaying. However, some courses and employers may ask for English and maths GCSEs.

7. How hard is bricklaying?

1. Bricklaying can be hard physical work. You may lift heavy bricks and work outside in different weather. Good fitness and regular practice can help.