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SOC 9129 Elementary trades and related occupations

Elementary construction occupations n.e.c. Salary

Median salary £26,723 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £27,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For elementary construction occupations n.e.c., £28,591 is the typical (median) pay. That is well below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -27% versus the national average. Experienced elementary construction occupations n.e.c. (top 25%) earn over £33,418.

About this role

Elementary construction occupations n.e.c. provide manual labour and general assistance on construction and building sites. They carry out physical tasks including moving materials, site clearance, mixing materials and supporting skilled tradespeople in their work.

Key responsibilities

  • Moving materials, tools and equipment around site
  • Carrying out site clearance and preparation work
  • Assisting skilled tradespeople with their tasks
  • Mixing materials (concrete, mortar, plaster)
  • Following site health and safety rules and wearing PPE

Qualifications and entry routes

CSCS Labourer card (requiring CITB Health, Safety and Environment test) is required for most construction sites. No formal qualifications are always needed, but construction-related training improves prospects.

Career outlook

Entry-level roles with opportunities for progression through experience, additional training and skills development. Apprenticeships offer structured routes into skilled occupations.

Key skills

Physical fitness and stamina Reliability Health and safety awareness Teamwork Willingness to learn

Common industries

  • Construction
  • Civil engineering
  • Demolition
  • Groundworks
  • House building

Data coverage

SOC code 9129
Data source ONS ASHE
Years available 2021–2025
Estimated jobs 45,000

Median Salary

£26,723

Mean Salary

£27,260

Jobs (000s)

45k

Data Years

5 years

Salary Range (2025)

P10: --P25: £23kMedian: £27kP75: £33kP90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£22,855

0-2 years

Mid Level

£22,855

3-7 years

Senior

£33,418

8-15 years

Potential career growth: +46% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2021-2025)

Nominal growth: +24.6%Real growth: +0.8%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£26,723

Full-time Only

£28,591

Full-time premium: +£1,868

Elementary construction occupations n.e.c. salary: common questions

How much do elementary construction occupations n.e.c. earn in the UK?
Elementary construction occupations n.e.c. earn a median of £28,591 a year (ONS ASHE 2025). The middle half earn between £22,855 and £33,418.
Is £28,591 a good salary in the UK?
For elementary construction occupations n.e.c., £28,591 is the typical (median) pay. That is well below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -27% versus the national average. Experienced elementary construction occupations n.e.c. (top 25%) earn over £33,418.
What is the starting salary for elementary construction occupations n.e.c.?
Entry-level elementary construction occupations n.e.c. typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £22,855, and the lowest-paid 10% earn under £21,323.
Have elementary construction occupations n.e.c. salaries kept up with inflation?
Since 2021, median elementary construction occupations n.e.c. pay has risen from £21,952 to £28,591 — +30% in cash terms, or +5.0% after CPIH inflation. That is ahead of inflation over the period.

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