Bricklayer Wage UK 2025: What You Really Get Paid

Sick of low-pay and dead-end jobs? Want a career that actually pays your bills? Let’s cut the fluff: the average bricklayer wage UK 2025 is around £36,000 a year. And that’s just the start.

Work hard. Build skills. You can pull in over £60,000 as your own boss. We’re breaking it all down right here—wages, growth, platforms to find work, and how to level up fast.

Bricklayer Starting Wages in 2025 (Apprentice Pay Breakdown)

Brand new? Don’t panic. Apprentice bricklayers earn between £11,000 and £18,000 a year. Not glamorous, but it’s a start. And you’re learning on the job.

You earn while others sit in lecture halls. You avoid student debt. Your money grows with your skills. Some companies pay top-end apprentice rates if you’re in the right region. South East? You might see £20k in year one.

After training, you jump fast. Expect £19,000 to £24,000 once qualified. Stick with it. In a year or two, that goes up quick. And apprentices get more than money. You get site experience, safety skills, and speed. You learn how to hustle. All of that sets you up for better pay later.

What Qualified Bricklayers Earn in the UK Right Now (2025 Wage Range)

Once you’re skilled up, it pays.

• Average salary: £36,000
• Mid-career range: £40,000 to £45,000
• High-demand areas (like London): £50,000 and up

Hourly? Most earn around £14 to £18 an hour. Some pull over £25.

The more experience you get, the more you make. Simple. Supervisors or team leads often pass £55,000. Specialise in restoration or heritage builds? You get even more. And with private clients or night shifts, your rate can jump fast. Bricklayers who say yes to weekend work? They earn big.

Self-Employed Bricklayers Make Even More (Be Your Own Boss)

Want full control? Go self-employed. Sole traders make around £38 an hour. That’s £56,000 a year.

If you run your own limited company, expect around £60,000. Some even hit £70,000+.

You set your rate. You choose your hours. You pick your projects. But remember: you handle your tax, tools, quotes, and bookings. It’s more work, but the reward is bigger.

Want to grow fast? Partner up with a mate and start hiring. Set up a website. Offer extra services. Brick cleaning. Paving. Repairs. Add-ons mean more cash.

Bricklayer Wage UK Breakdown: Apprentice to Boss

Here’s the full picture of your earning journey:

• Apprentice Bricklayer: You start at £11,000–£18,000 per year, which works out at around £6–£8 an hour. You’re learning on the job, so the pay reflects that.
• Newly Qualified Bricklayer: Once you’re certified, expect to earn £19,000–£24,000 annually, or £9–£11 an hour. It climbs quickly with hands-on experience.
• Experienced Employee: After a few solid years, most earn between £36,000 and £45,000. Hourly, that’s £14–£18, depending on your speed and skill.
• Sole Trader Bricklayer: Work for yourself, and you could earn around £56,000 per year. At £38 an hour, you’re in control of your workload and rates.
• Ltd Company Owner: If you go all in and run your own team, you’re looking at £60,000 or more annually. Some charge over £40 an hour and take on large projects.

This isn’t fantasy. These are real wages from real people doing the job.

Where You Work Matters: Regional Bricklayer Wage UK Differences

London and the South East always pay better.

In London, even new bricklayers earn £37,000+. Rates rise fast. There’s always building going on. Sole traders there hit £50,000+ easily.

In Manchester or Birmingham, you’ll still see solid money. Think £30,000 to £40,000, depending on demand. Scotland and Wales have strong local projects, but smaller towns may pay less If you live rural, look for travel jobs. Projects in cities often need more hands and pay more to get them.

Bonus tip: major infrastructure builds (like HS2, airport expansions) need bricklayers. And they pay above average.

What Drives Bricklayer Wages in 2025 (Market Trends That Matter)

Short answer: demand.

The UK needs over a million new homes. The construction boom is real. Bricklayers are essential. That means bricklayers stay in demand. High demand pushes wages up. But wages are rising slower than last year. The average raise is around 4%.

Rising insurance and material costs affect your bottom line. But clients pay more for solid, fast work. Private homeowners want brick extensions, patios, and garden walls. These jobs are everywhere—and pay better than you’d think. Commercial work is stable, but competitive. Want those jobs? Show up clean, on time, and fast.

How to Get the Top Bricklayer Jobs (Train, Certify, Succeed)

Do you want higher pay? You need proper training.

Start with:

• NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Bricklaying
• CSCS Blue Card (Skilled Worker)
• Gold Card if you go the supervisor route

T-levels are another route. These are newer but include hands-on training.

Do short courses, too. Speed bricklaying, heritage work, scaffolding awareness. The more skills you show, the more work you land. Got experience overseas? Get it recognised in the UK through the ECS or NARIC.

Extra tip: keep a portfolio of your work. Take photos. Log jobs. It helps when quoting and winning clients.

The Platforms That Help Bricklayers Get Paid (Tools That Work)

If you’re self-employed, don’t just wait around.

Use platforms that bring you jobs:

• MyJobQuote: Connects you with real people needing work
• Rated People and Checkatrade: Good for reviews and visibility
• Bark: Lets people find you based on skills

Also, try:

• Facebook Groups: Local jobs often pop up here
• Instagram and TikTok: Show off your best builds
• LinkedIn: Network with developers and builders

Got a van? Wrap it with your logo. Got tools? Keep them clean. Appearances matter when clients choose. Use accounting apps like QuickBooks or Xero. Keep your books tidy, and tax time won’t be a nightmare.

Bricklaying Career Paths Beyond the Trowel

Bricklaying is just the start. Once you’ve mastered the basics, the next steps can boost your income and expand your role. You could become a site supervisor or foreman. These roles often pay £50,000–£65,000 and come with more authority.

Want to teach? Become an assessor or instructor. Colleges and training centres look for experienced bricklayers to guide new recruits. Or move into project management. With extra training, you could oversee full builds, budgets, and teams. That path can lead to £70,000+ salaries.

The trowel gets you in. After that? You choose where you go.

Cost of Living vs. Bricklayer Pay: Is It Enough in 2025?

Wages matter, but so does what you keep. In 2025, costs have gone up—fuel, rent, food, everything. But here’s the good news: bricklayers are still ahead.

With average bricklayer wage UK sitting around £34,000, most bricklayers are already above the national average. Cut back tax as a sole trader. Claim for tools, transport, and gear. Keep more of what you earn.

Live smart, spend smart, and this trade gives you freedom most jobs can’t.

Want to Boost Your Bricklayer Salary UK? Do These 5 Things

1. Train fast: Get NVQs and CSCS cards. No skipping steps.
2. Get smart with quotes: Know your value. Don’t undercharge.
3. Pick the right jobs: Travel for better pay if needed.
4. Use tech: Project management apps save time and stress.
5. Network like mad: Join trade groups. Say yes to new builders.

Bonus: keep your gear top-notch. Broken tools slow you down. Slow work kills profits. Don’t just do bricks. Offer extra skills: re-pointing, stonework, garden walls. Upsell. That’s real money.

Final Word: This Trade Can Change Your Life (If You Let It)

Bricklaying doesn’t need a degree. It doesn’t care about your background.

It rewards skill, speed, and reliability. Want freedom? Money? Control over your day? This path’s wide open. But only if you’re ready to hustle.

Start small. Learn fast. Show up. Get the skills. Get the card. Get on site.

And stack that cash. This is your chance to build something real. Block by block. Day by day.

You just have to start. Ready to lay the foundation for serious income? Check out our Bricklaying Training Course at Open Learning Academy and start building your future today. No fluff—just skills that pay.