How Much Does a Bricklayer Make as Self-Employed?

Bricklaying sits in a strong place in the UK building industry. That steady need for bricklayers creates a market where self-employed workers can charge good rates and stay busy most of the year. Self-employment attracts a lot of bricklayers across the UK because it gives them freedom, choice and the chance to earn more money than a fixed salary would ever offer. Many tradespeople reach a point where they feel ready to step away from employed work and build something for themselves. Let’s ask the question: How much does a bricklayer make as a self-employed tradesperson?

Most guides, trade platforms and price listings show similar figures for self-employed bricklayers. Day rates sit around £240 to £320 a day, depending on experience, speed and location. A skilled bricklayer with a good reputation and a reliable flow of work can land at the top end of that range. On good long runs, price work sometimes pays even more. None of this means the job is easy, but it means self-employment can return better money than the average employed salary of £31,000–£36,000.

This guide breaks down how self-employed bricklayers earn, what affects their pay, how yearly income works, and what skills help increase earnings. If someone wants to build a real future in the trade, self-employment can be a good path — as long as they understand the full picture.

What Does a Self-Employed Bricklayer Actually Do?

When someone works for themselves, their day includes more than laying bricks. They take on jobs that a normal employee does not think about much because a company normally handles those parts. A self-employed bricklayer runs their own small business, even if it is only one person.

They quote for jobs, talk to clients, plan materials, order what they need, decide the schedule, visit sites, and manage health and safety. When things go wrong — like weather delays, missing materials, awkward clients or access problems — they solve it alone. They build walls, blockwork, extensions, retaining structures, garden features, porches, garages and more, but they also protect their own finances and their own time.

That mix of physical work and practical planning makes the job demanding. Still, many bricklayers prefer it because they decide when they work, how they work and what they charge.

How Much Does a Bricklayer Make As Self-Employed?

Most bricklayers want a clear answer: How much do I actually earn when I work for myself? The honest answer depends on how busy they stay and how well they price their work. But the numbers across the UK stay fairly steady.

A readable breakdown looks like this:

• Typical day rate: £240–£320
• Low end for new sole traders: £180–£220
• Experienced workers on straightforward runs: £280–£320
• Specialists or very fast workers: can exceed £320
• Employed average salary: £31,000–£36,000
• Experienced employed ceiling: around £45,000

Day rates come from trade sites and common market pricing. Many skilled bricklayers report that they aim for the £280–£300 space because that amount gives them a strong yearly total while keeping prices fair for clients.

Self-employed earnings beat normal salaries because they reflect skill, effort and availability. If a bricklayer stays booked most weeks, they can reach numbers that most employed workers never see. If you want a clearer look at how pay works on price jobs, the blog How Much Does a Bricklayer Get Paid Per Brick? gives a simple breakdown of per-brick rates and real UK earnings.

Do Self-Employed Bricklayers Earn More Than Employed Bricklayers?

In most cases, yes. Self-employment gives space to set higher rates. Employed roles in public listings often show £32k–£36k, and some “experienced” grades reach £45k. A self-employed bricklayer who works steady weeks at a rate around £280–£300 a day can go well past the top end of the employed scale.

But there is a trade-off. Self-employed workers pay for vans, fuel, tools, cement mixers, insurance and taxes. They do not get paid holidays or sick days. They need to chase payment, and they carry more risk. Still, many feel the higher income makes it worth it.

What Affects a Self-Employed Bricklayer’s Pay?

Pay changes from job to job and region to region. A bricklayer who understands these factors can increase their rates without losing clients.

Here are some of the biggest influences:

• Location: London and the South East pay the highest.
• Job type: Long straight runs pay differently to tricky decorative work.
• Weather: Wet, freezing or windy seasons slow work and reduce output.
• Speed: Faster bricklayers earn more because they finish more in a day.
• Client type: Developers and builders pay differently to homeowners.
• Access: Tight gardens or long carries slow progress and reduce earnings.
• Team setup: Some bricklayers earn more if they hire a labourer to speed work.

The more someone thinks about these factors, the more accurately they can price jobs. Self-employed bricklayers often charge more for awkward sites, short runs, decorative details or jobs that interrupt momentum.

What Does Daily Life Look Like for a Self-Employed Bricklayer?

Many people see bricklayers as workers who simply turn up and lay bricks, but self-employment adds layers to the day. A typical work pattern might look like this:

Someone wakes up early, loads the van with tools, and double-checks the mixer, trowels, strings and levels. They arrive on site before most homeowners wake up. They check plans and set out the lines because bad setting-out ruins the whole day.

After that, the day becomes physical. They lift blocks, mix mortar, build rows, keep joints tight, wipe faces clean and work to a clear plan. They balance speed with accuracy. If they work alone, they move every block themselves. If they have a labourer, they coordinate mixes and loads.

Halfway through the day, they adjust the plan depending on weather, progress and material availability. They may take a call from someone asking for a quote next week. They may get a text from a supplier about delivery delays.

By the end of the day, they clean tools, clear the site, measure progress, send an invoice or prepare a quote. It is hard work, but there is pride in seeing a wall rise under their hands.

What Skills Help Self-Employed Bricklayers Earn More?

Some skills affect earnings more than people realise. The stronger the skill set, the easier it becomes to charge higher day rates.

A few of the most useful skills include:

• Strong setting-out: Accurate foundations and straight lines stop delays and rework.
• Speed with quality: Clients talk about bricklayers who work fast but build clean work.
• Knowledge of materials: Better choices reduce waste and cut costs.
• Client communication: Clear updates keep customers happy and bring repeat work.
• Estimating: Correct quotes stop undercharging and protect profit.
• Problem-solving: Weather, access, missing bricks — things go wrong daily.

Self-employed bricklayers with these strengths can stay fully booked all year.

This is also why many new learners take structured training. A CPD-accredited Bricklaying Course from Open Learning Academy gives beginners the foundation they need to start their journey with safe and correct techniques. Proper training helps someone build a good reputation faster and earn stronger rates sooner.

Do Bricklayers Earn More in Certain Areas of the UK?

Yes. Regional pay differences are very clear. Bricklayers in London, the South East and some busy cities earn more than those in rural areas. Higher living costs, faster housing markets and more competition between developers raise the rates.

Live job ads often show employees in London earning £38k or more, and self-employed rates often climb higher than that. In rural regions, day rates sometimes fall closer to £200–£240, unless someone has a rare skill set.

People who want top earnings sometimes travel to bigger cities for long projects. Others stay local and maintain steady long-term relationships with builders and homeowners, which also pays well over time.

How Much Can a Self-Employed Bricklayer Make in a Year?

Most people want a yearly figure because it helps them decide if self-employment is worth it. Using a simple example gives a clear picture.

Example yearly income: £280 per day × 5 days × 48 weeks = £67,200 gross

At the top end: £320 per day × 5 days × 48 weeks = £76,800 gross

These numbers match trade guides and common experience among sole traders. But this is gross income. Someone must subtract:

• Van costs
• Fuel
• Materials bought upfront
• Tool replacements
• Insurance
• Accountant or bookkeeping
• Time off work
• Slow seasons
• Unpaid sick days

Even after those costs, many bricklayers still end up well above most employed salaries. That income gap explains why so many choose self-employment.

Can Self-Employed Bricklayers Increase Their Earnings?

Yes, and they have several routes to do so. In fact, bricklaying is one trade where small improvements in skill or planning can bring big improvements in income.

Here are some realistic ways bricklayers earn more:

• Improve speed without losing quality
• Take on price work for long block or brick runs
• Offer additional services like repointing or garden walls
• Partner with builders for long-term contracts
• Train in advanced brickwork or decorative styles
• Keep costs low with bulk buying and smart planning

When a bricklayer builds a strong name in their area, better-paying jobs appear naturally because word-of-mouth spreads fast in construction.

Why Self-Employment Appeals to So Many Bricklayers

Self-employment gives control. Many bricklayers choose it because they want to run their own working life. They choose their projects, clients, start times and rates. They want to decide whether to work five days a week or whether to take long weekends.

Ask self-employed bricklayers why they do it and the answers repeat: freedom, fair pay, no out-of-touch managers, and the satisfaction of building something with their own name on it.

Of course, it means more responsibility. But that responsibility also brings higher income and more pride in the work.

How Training Helps New Bricklayers Build Higher Earnings Faster

Many people who enter bricklaying start by learning on site from experienced workers. That method still works, but mistakes happen easily when the basics are not taught clearly. Some people waste months unlearning bad habits.

A structured course helps someone start with the correct foundation. It teaches safe handling, accurate setting-out, mortar mixes, joint finishing, blockwork and cavity wall basics. It teaches the mindset needed on site.

Once again, this is where beginners benefit from a CPD-accredited Bricklaying Course with Open Learning Academy. It provides the confidence and skills needed to approach self-employment at the right time, not too early and not too late. Training cannot replace experience, but it shortens the journey to becoming skilled, steady and employable.

Final Thoughts on Self-Employed Bricklayer Pay

Self-employment gives bricklayers a strong chance to earn more than most salaried roles. Day rates around £240–£320 and yearly gross earnings in the £60k–£76k range show how strong the trade can be when someone stays busy and prices work correctly.

A bricklayer who plans their jobs well, works with quality, and keeps a good reputation can turn the trade into a steady, high-earning career. The work takes strength, skill and patience, but it rewards those who take control of their own path.

Bricklaying stays in demand across the UK, and self-employed tradespeople who deliver good results rarely struggle to find work. With the right training, smart planning and strong customer relationships, a bricklayer can build a solid income and a secure future.

FAQs

How much do bricklayers get paid in the UK?

Most UK bricklayers earn £150–£250 per day or £35k–£50k yearly, with higher pay in London and commercial sites.

Can bricklayers make 100k?

Yes. Self-employed bricklayers running teams or working on high-demand sites can reach £80k–£120k with consistent contracts.

Can a bricklayer lay 1,000 bricks a day?

Highly skilled bricklayers sometimes hit 1,000 bricks a day, but 400–700 is more typical depending on conditions and job type.

Do bricklayers make good money?

Yes. Experienced bricklayers earn strong pay, especially when self-employed, subcontracting or specialising in commercial builds.

What jobs pay 300k a year in the UK?

Roles like top surgeons, hedge-fund managers, senior partners, tech executives and elite consultants can reach £300k+.

Is brick masonry a dying trade?

No. Demand stays strong due to housing shortages, commercial builds and a shortage of skilled tradespeople.

Will AI replace bricklayers?

AI may support planning and robotics may assist laying, but full replacement is unlikely because construction needs human skill and judgment.

Is bricklaying a stressful job?

It can be. The work is physical, time-pressured and weather-dependent, but many enjoy the routine, pay and job security.

Do bricklayers get paid every brick?

Some do. Certain firms use “price work,” paying per brick or per thousand, while others pay daily or hourly rates.