SOC 5313 Skilled construction and building trades

Bricklayers Salary

Median salary £32,480 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £32,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For bricklayers, £33,030 is the typical (median) pay. That is below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -15% versus the national average.

About this role

Plasterers plaster walls and ceilings in residential and commercial buildings, creating smooth or decorative finishes. They apply wet plaster, plasterboard dry lining and rendering, and may specialise in ornamental or heritage plastering.

Key responsibilities

Applying wet plaster to walls and ceilings
Installing plasterboard and dry lining systems
Rendering external walls
Creating decorative mouldings and cornices
Preparing surfaces and mixing plaster materials

Qualifications and entry routes

NVQ Level 2/3 in Plastering via apprenticeship. CSCS card required. City & Guilds qualifications in plastering. Heritage plastering qualifications for conservation work.

Career outlook

Consistent demand in house building and renovation. Heritage and decorative plastering offer premium specialist niches.

Key skills

Plastering techniques Surface preparation Finishing skills Physical stamina Speed and accuracy

Common industries

House building
Renovation and refurbishment
Commercial construction
Heritage restoration
Dry lining contractors

Data coverage

SOC code 5313

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2021–2025

Estimated jobs 8,000

Median Salary

£32,480

Mean Salary

£32,313

Jobs (000s)

Data Years

5 years

Salary Range (2025)

P25: £26,412Median: £32,480

P10: --P25: £26kMedian: £32kP75: --P90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£26,412

0-2 years

Mid Level

£26,412

3-7 years

Salary Trend (2021-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +14.7%Real growth: -7.2%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£32,480

Full-time Only

£33,030

Full-time premium: +£550

Bricklayers salary: common questions

How much do bricklayers earn in the UK?

Bricklayers earn a median of £33,030 a year (ONS ASHE 2025).

Is £33,030 a good salary in the UK?

For bricklayers, £33,030 is the typical (median) pay. That is below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -15% versus the national average.

What is the starting salary for bricklayers?

Entry-level bricklayers typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £26,412, though this varies by employer and region.

Have bricklayers salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2021, median bricklayers pay has risen from £28,560 to £33,030 — +16% in cash terms, or -6.0% after CPIH inflation. That is behind inflation over the period.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).