SOC 9121 Elementary trades and related occupations

Groundworkers Salary

Median salary £37,849 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £38,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For groundworkers, £37,925 is the typical (median) pay. That is around the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -3.0% versus the national average. Experienced groundworkers (top 25%) earn over £44,182.

About this role

Groundworkers prepare construction sites by excavating foundations, laying drainage, constructing sub-bases and carrying out earthwork operations. They perform the essential below-ground and site preparation work that precedes building construction.

Key responsibilities

Excavating trenches, foundations and drainage runs
Laying drainage pipes, manholes and soakaways
Constructing concrete foundations, bases and floor slabs
Operating mini-diggers, compactors and other plant
Setting out levels and working to engineering specifications

Qualifications and entry routes

CSCS labourer or groundworker card (requires CITB Health, Safety and Environment test). CPCS or NPORS plant operation tickets for machinery. NVQ Level 2 in Construction Operations (Groundwork) for skilled card.

Career outlook

Strong demand driven by house building and infrastructure. Skilled groundworkers with plant tickets command good wages in a sector with persistent labour shortages.

Key skills

Excavation Drainage installation Concreting Plant operation Drawing interpretation

Common industries

Groundwork contractors
House builders
Civil engineering
Utilities
Landscaping

Data coverage

SOC code 9121

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2021–2025

Estimated jobs 13,000

Median Salary

£37,849

Mean Salary

£37,839

Jobs (000s)

13k

Data Years

5 years

Salary Range (2025)

P25: £31,012Median: £37,849P75: £44,182

P10: £25kP25: £31kMedian: £38kP75: £44kP90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£25,448

0-2 years

Mid Level

£31,012

3-7 years

Senior

£44,182

8-15 years

Potential career growth: +74% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2021-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +27.9%Real growth: +3.4%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£37,849

Full-time Only

£37,925

Full-time premium: +£76

Groundworkers salary: common questions

How much do groundworkers earn in the UK?

Groundworkers earn a median of £37,925 a year (ONS ASHE 2025). The middle half earn between £31,012 and £44,182.

Is £37,925 a good salary in the UK?

What is the starting salary for groundworkers?

Entry-level groundworkers typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £31,012, and the lowest-paid 10% earn under £25,448.

Have groundworkers salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2021, median groundworkers pay has risen from £29,926 to £37,925 — +27% in cash terms, or +2.0% after CPIH inflation. That is roughly in line with inflation over the period.

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