How Much Does a Bricklayer Get Paid Per Brick in the UK

Have you ever stopped at a construction site and wondered how much does a bricklayer get paid per brick? In the UK, bricklayers don’t always earn per brick. However, on price work, that is exactly how they get paid. For normal walls, the usual rate is about £0.40–£0.60 per brick. In other words, that comes to £400–£600 for every 1,000 bricks.

If a brickie is fast and works on long, simple walls, they can earn more. But tricky or detailed jobs pay less. Also, your daily earnings depend on the job, the location, and whether you have a helper. Overall, with the right skills and support, price work can sometimes pay better than a regular day rate.

Now, let’s dive in and see exactly how bricklayers get paid and what affects their earnings per brick.

What Does a Bricklayer Do?

Here’s what a bricklayer does on a typical day:

• Builds walls and structures: Follows drawings and site standards to create walls, houses, and other buildings.
• Repairs and restores: Fixes damaged brickwork and restores old walls.
• Prepares materials: Mixes mortar and gets bricks or blocks ready for work.
• Plans the layout: Measures areas and reads blueprints to ensure accuracy.
• Lays bricks and stones: Puts bricks, blocks, or stones in place, making sure they are level and straight.
• Shapes materials: Cuts and shapes bricks or stones to fit designs perfectly.
• Works with a helper: Teams up with a labourer to keep bricks and mortar ready, so work moves smoothly.
• Maintains quality: Checks that all work meets safety and quality standards.

How Much Does a Bricklayer Get Paid Per Brick?

On price work, bricklayers usually earn £0.40–£0.60 per brick for standard walls. However, smaller projects, tricky patterns, or detailed work pay less because they take more time. In addition, some sites quote pay per 1,000 bricks. You can simply divide to find the per-brick rate.

For example, a skilled bricklayer can lay 500–700 bricks in a day. This means daily earnings of around £250–£350, which is similar to a good day rate. Overall, your speed, skill, and the type of job affect how much you can earn per brick.

If you want to know more about a bricklayer’s overall earnings in the UK, read our full article: “Average Wage for a Bricklayer UK: Salaries & Rates“

How Does Bricklaying Pay Work in the UK?

Bricklayers in the UK earn money in three main ways. Each method has its own benefits depending on the type of work, skill level, and experience.

Price Work – Pay Per Brick

Price work pays bricklayers per 1,000 bricks or blocks. This means the faster and more accurately you work, the more you earn. Long, straight walls and simple patterns are the easiest to make good money from. However, tricky jobs, short runs, or decorative work take longer and pay less.

Day Rate – Steady Daily Pay

Some bricklayers earn a set daily rate, often £240–£320 per day. This method provides steady pay even if work slows down due to weather or site delays. It is common on smaller sites, repairs, or mixed jobs where counting bricks isn’t practical. Also, overtime can increase earnings on busy days.

Employed Salary – Full-Time Income

Full-time bricklayers working for a company usually earn a salary between £31,000 and £36,000 a year. With a salary, you get steady pay, benefits and job security. It suits those who prefer a consistent income without worrying about speed or daily output. Plus, full-time roles may include holiday pay, pension contributions, and training opportunities.

How Many Bricks Can a Bricklayer Lay in a Day?

The number of bricks a bricklayer lays depends on their skill, experience, and the type of job. On simple, straight walls, a skilled brickie can lay 500–700 bricks per day. However, tricky walls, arches, or bad weather can slow progress to under 400 bricks. Also, breaks, site conditions, and mortar preparation affect daily output. Ultimately, a bricklayer’s daily pay depends on skill and the difficulty of the task.

Do Bricklayers Get Paid by the Brick or by the Day?

Yes, bricklayers can get paid both ways, depending on the job.

For price work, they earn per brick or block. This method rewards speed and accuracy on tasks that are easy to measure. However, smaller sites, repair jobs, or mixed work usually pay a day rate. Counting bricks in these situations takes too much time. In short, how a bricklayer gets paid depends on the type of work and what the site needs.

What Factors Affect Bricklayer Pay Per Brick?

The key factors that affect a bricklayer’s pay are:

• Location: Bricklayers in big cities like London and the South East usually earn more. This is because living costs and demand are higher.
• Experience: Skilled and experienced bricklayers work faster and more accurately. As a result, they can earn higher rates than beginners or apprentices.
• Job Complexity: Arches, cuts, and detailed designs take more time and skill. Therefore, complex jobs often pay more per brick.
• Materials: Specialised or handmade bricks need extra care. Consequently, these jobs cost more.
• Employment Type: Self-employed bricklayers set their own rates. Employees usually earn a fixed wage or hourly pay.
• Qualifications: Extra training or certifications show higher competence. This can increase pay.
• Demand and Supply: High demand boosts rates, while areas with many bricklayers may pay less.

Do Self-Employed Bricklayers Earn More Per Brick?

Yes, they often do.

Self-employed bricklayers can set their own rates, which gives them a chance to earn more per brick. At the same time, they cover all their own costs, such as a van, tools, insurance, and unpaid days. So, the per-brick rate doesn’t equal the actual take-home pay. Shortly, being self-employed can boost earnings, but it also comes with extra responsibilities.

How Do Location and Project Type Change Pay Rates?

Location and project type can change how much a brickie earns. In big cities like London, day rates and overall earnings are higher. The cost of living is higher, too. However, detailed or fussy jobs in these areas may not offer a higher per-brick rate.

For small builders or private extensions, the pay per 1,000 bricks can be higher. The runs are short, so the price goes up to cover the extra setup time. On large housing sites, the rate per brick may be a little lower. Even so, the steady flow of work helps bricklayers earn well through volume.

Tips to Maximise Daily Pay

Here are some practical tips to help bricklayers increase their daily pay and work more efficiently:

• Work with a labourer: Having help keeps bricks and mortar ready, so you don’t waste time.
• Focus on straight walls: Long, simple runs let you work faster and earn more.
• Choose price work when possible: Getting paid per brick often beats a fixed day rate.
• Keep your site organised: Tools and materials within reach save energy and time.
• Use smart techniques: Pre-cut bricks and working from both ends of a wall improve efficiency.
• Work as a team: A coordinated crew increases the number of bricks laid each day.
• Improve your skills: Experience, training and certifications help you negotiate higher pay.
• Be reliable: Showing up on time builds trust and leads to more work opportunities.

Final Thoughts: Understanding Bricklayer Pay Per Brick in the UK

So, how much does a bricklayer get paid per brick? Now you know the usual UK range, which is typically £0.40–£0.60 per brick. 

To put this into perspective, think about the number of bricks a brickie can lay in a day. Most skilled workers manage 500–700 bricks. This shows whether the price work could pay more than a regular day rate. Also, if you work quickly and have a labourer to help, long, straight walls can make the price work even more profitable.

Want to master bricklaying and boost your daily pay? Enrol in the Bricklaying Training Course at Open Learning Academy and unlock your potential.

FAQs

Can a bricklayer lay 1000 bricks a day?

It’s rare. Only very fast and highly experienced bricklayers can reach 1,000 on simple walls.

How much to lay a brick in the UK?

Most bricklayers earn £0.40–£0.60 per brick on standard site work.

What is the hourly rate of a bricklayer?

The hourly rate sits around £20–£30, depending on skill and location.

How long does it take to lay 500 bricks?

On simple runs, a skilled bricklayer can lay 500 bricks in one working day.

How much do bricklayers charge to lay 1000 bricks?

The cost is usually £400–£600 for 1,000 bricks on standard housebuilding work.

Do bricklayers get paid a lot?

Skilled bricklayers can earn good money, especially on price work or in high-demand areas.

Is brick masonry a dying trade?

No. The demand is still strong, especially with ongoing housing and construction needs in the UK.