SOC 5330 Skilled construction and building trades

Construction and building trades supervisors Salary

Median salary £45,000 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £45,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For construction and building trades supervisors, £45,021 is the typical (median) pay. That is above the UK full-time median of £39,039 — +15% versus the national average. Experienced construction and building trades supervisors (top 25%) earn over £53,572.

About this role

Construction and building trades supervisors coordinate and oversee teams of tradespeople on construction sites. They plan work schedules, monitor quality, ensure safety compliance and manage the day-to-day delivery of construction activities within their area of responsibility.

Key responsibilities

Supervising teams of construction tradespeople
Planning and allocating daily work activities
Monitoring work quality and ensuring specification compliance
Ensuring health and safety procedures are followed on site
Liaising with site managers, subcontractors and suppliers

Qualifications and entry routes

Requires substantial trade experience plus supervisory skills. SMSTS (Site Management Safety Training Scheme) or SSSTS certification is standard. NVQ Level 3/4 in construction supervision. CSCS gold or black card.

Career outlook

Experienced supervisors are in strong demand. Progression pathway from trades to site supervision to site management offers clear career development.

Key skills

Trade knowledge Team supervision Health and safety Quality management Programme awareness

Common industries

Construction contractors
House builders
Civil engineering
Fit-out contractors
Maintenance

Data coverage

SOC code 5330

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2015–2025

Estimated jobs 42,000

Median Salary

£45,000

Mean Salary

£46,491

Jobs (000s)

42k

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

P25: £36,874Median: £45,000P75: £53,572

P10: £31kP25: £37kMedian: £45kP75: £54kP90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£30,549

0-2 years

Mid Level

£36,874

3-7 years

Senior

£53,572

8-15 years

Potential career growth: +75% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +38.6%Real growth: +0.5%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: 19.9%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£45,000

Full-time Only

£45,021

Full-time premium: +£21

Construction and building trades supervisors salary: common questions

How much do construction and building trades supervisors earn in the UK?

Construction and building trades supervisors earn a median of £45,021 a year (ONS ASHE 2025). The middle half earn between £36,874 and £53,572.

Is £45,021 a good salary in the UK?

What is the starting salary for construction and building trades supervisors?

Entry-level construction and building trades supervisors typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £36,874, and the lowest-paid 10% earn under £30,549.

Have construction and building trades supervisors salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2015, median construction and building trades supervisors pay has risen from £32,525 to £45,021 — +38% in cash terms, or +0.0% after CPIH inflation. That is roughly in line with inflation over the period.

Is there a gender pay gap for construction and building trades supervisors?

Male construction and building trades supervisors earn a median £45,968 and female construction and building trades supervisors £36,802 — a gap of +20% in 2025.

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