How Much Does a Bricklayer Earn in the UK (2025)?

So, how much does a bricklayer earn in the UK? The average pay now sits between £35,000 and £45,000 a year. A skilled hand with years in the trade can pass £50,000. Business owners who run their own limited company often hit £60,000 and more. If you work in London or on big builds, day rates can climb to £200–£250, especially if you bring your own van, kit, and insurance.

That’s the truth in one line. But there’s more to it than that. Let’s dig into the detail so you know what to expect, what pushes your pay higher, and how you can earn top rates in 2025.

Average Bricklayer Salary in the UK

Apprentices start low. They usually earn around £6 to £7 an hour, which is about £50 a day or roughly £11,000 a year. That’s minimum wage territory, but it’s the way in. Once you’re newly qualified, wages jump. A new bricklayer can earn around £18 an hour, close to £145 a day, which works out to about £32,000 a year.

With a couple more years behind you, things move up again. Employed bricklayers average £19 to £20 an hour. That’s about £155 a day and an annual wage of £40,000. Many brickies stay employed because it’s steady. But plenty make the leap into self-employment.

A sole trader who works for themselves often charges about £38 an hour or £300 a day. That means gross yearly earnings of £56,000. Set up a limited company, and rates usually edge higher. Business owners often bill about £40 an hour, £320 a day, and around £60,000 a year before costs.

Those are the broad averages, but they don’t tell the full story.

Hourly, Daily, and Per-Brick Rates

Bricklayers price work in different ways. The most common are hourly, daily, or per brick. Hourly rates give clients a simple deal, while day rates suit bigger jobs.

• Hourly rates range from £6 for an apprentice to £40 for a business owner.
• Day rates start around £50 for trainees and can rise above £300 for self-employed tradesmen.
• Per-brick rates come into play on large walls. A thousand standard bricks might bring £650 to £1,500, depending on type and job complexity. Facing bricks or handmade clay bricks cost more, and clients pay accordingly.

The method you choose affects take-home pay. Price work can be good for fast workers on straightforward jobs. Complex projects often pay better as day or job quotes.

What Impacts a Bricklayer’s Earnings

Plenty of factors shift how much you take home.

• Location matters: In London and the South East, demand is higher, and wages match it. A newly qualified bricklayer in Manchester may earn £30,000, but in Central London the same job can pay £37,000. That sounds great, but remember costs of fuel, tools, rent, and food are also higher down south.
• Experience counts: Apprentices bring in about £11,000. By the time you’ve got five years under your belt, £40,000 is normal. After that, self-employment opens the door to £50,000 and beyond.
• The type of work makes a difference: A straight garden wall pays less than a two-storey extension or a commercial site. Specialist work such as heritage restoration, eco-friendly builds, or custom masonry pushes rates higher again.
• Contracts also play a role: PAYE jobs give you stability and holiday pay. CIS or self-employed contracts give higher day rates but no safety net.

Self-Employed vs Employed Bricklayer Pay

Many bricklayers ask whether they should stick with employment or strike out on their own. The choice changes the money picture.

An employed brickie on PAYE can expect about £40,000 a year with set hours and tax handled. You get holiday pay, maybe some sick pay, but you can’t set your own rates.

A self-employed sole trader earns about £56,000 before costs. After fuel, van insurance, tools, and tax, take-home sits nearer £37,000. Still, you control your diary and your jobs.

As a limited company owner, gross earnings of £60,000 are common. Deduct around £10,000 for expenses, and net income lands around £39,000. The paperwork grows, but so do the opportunities to expand.

Costs That Eat Into Take-Home Pay

It’s easy to see the big gross numbers and forget the bills. Here’s what chips away at self-employed wages:

• Fuel and vehicle costs. Vans don’t run cheap.
• Insurance for public liability and tools.
• Tools and kit replacement. Trowels, levels, mixers, and safety gear all wear out.
• Software or accounting help.
• Training and cards like CSCS.
• Marketing — websites, ads, and even stickers on your van.

On average, sole traders lose about £7,000 a year to costs. Ltd company owners lose about £10,000. You’ll still earn good money, but it pays to track expenses carefully.

Regional Pay Differences Across the UK

Location shifts wages more than you’d think.

• Manchester: a trainee can start on £24,000+.
• Birmingham: newly qualified bricklayers average £33,000+.
• Central London: that same role pays £37,000+.
• A self-employed London bricklayer can top £50,000, sometimes much more if demand is high.

But higher wages often come with higher costs. Rent, fuel, and even material delivery all run dearer in London.

Bricklaying Compared to Other Trades

You may wonder if bricklaying pays more than other trades. It holds its own.

• Newly qualified electricians in London average £40,000.
• Plumbers earn close to £40,000 as well.
• Gardeners sit lower at around £30,000.
• Bricklayers average £37,000 for the same level.

For experienced trades with 1–5 years behind them, electricians average £52,000, plumbers £45,500, and bricklayers £40,000. So bricklaying sits slightly below the top earners but still well above the UK median salary.

Specialisms That Boost Bricklayer Pay

Not all bricklaying is the same. Some paths pay more.

• Heritage restoration is one. Restoring churches, listed homes, or historic buildings needs extra skill. It pays better because fewer tradesmen can do it.
• Eco-friendly builds are another. More clients want sustainable methods and materials. If you know low-impact techniques, you can charge more.
• Custom masonry is a third. Decorative work, arches, or even brick murals need patience and talent. Clients pay a premium for unique results.

Pick a niche, and your rates will rise.

Training, Courses, and Career Path

Every bricklayer starts with training. Routes include:

• Level 1 Certificate in Construction Skills
• Level 2 Diploma in Bricklaying
• Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Trowel Occupations
• T-Levels in On-Site Construction
• Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship in Bricklaying
• Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship in Craft Bricklaying

Each stage builds skills and bumps pay. An apprentice may make £11,000. A newly qualified worker jumps to £32,000. A few years later, £40,000 is standard. Move into self-employment, and £56,000 or more is possible.

How to Earn More as a Bricklayer

If you want more than the averages, here’s how:

1. Get extra qualifications. Higher NVQ levels show you can take on supervisory roles.
2. Take on emergency call-outs. Wall collapse at 9pm? Clients pay more.
3. Keep your reputation solid. Good reviews and word of mouth bring steady work.
4. Control your costs. Track fuel and tool spend to avoid waste.
5. Offer specialist services. Heritage, eco, or decorative jobs all carry premium rates.
6. Work smarter with quotes. Know when a day rate beats price work.

FAQs on Bricklayer Pay

Can bricklayers make 100k?

• Yes, but it’s rare. To hit £100k a year you need major contracts, a large team, or a niche like heritage restoration. Standard bricklayers usually top out around £60k.

How much for a bricklayer per day?

• Day rates range from £50 for apprentices to £320 for business owners. In London or on big builds, rates can hit £200–£250 a day.

Do bricklayers make good money?

• Yes. Most earn between £35,000 and £45,000 a year. Skilled self-employed tradesmen push past £50,000, which is well above the UK average wage.

Do bricklayers get paid 1 a brick?

• Sometimes. Per-brick pricing is used on big walls. Rates usually fall between £650 and £1,500 per 1,000 bricks, depending on the type and the job.

Do bricklayers get paid when it rains?

• If you’re PAYE, yes — you get wages regardless. Self-employed bricklayers lose out when weather stops work unless they’ve agreed a set day rate with the client.

How long is a bricklaying course?

• Basic courses take a few weeks. Full apprenticeships run 18 months to two years. Advanced NVQ or craft courses can take up to three years.

Do bricklayers work at night?

• Usually no. Bricklaying is a daylight trade. But on commercial jobs or emergency call-outs, some bricklayers do work nights for higher rates.

Why can’t bricklayers work in the rain?

• Rain washes out mortar and weakens walls. It also makes scaffolding slippery and unsafe. Most bricklaying stops in heavy rain for safety and quality reasons.

Where do bricklayers get paid the most?

• London and the South East pay the most, with newly qualified bricklayers earning around £37,000+. In Manchester and Birmingham, averages sit closer to £30,000–£33,000.

Final Word

So, how much does a bricklayer earn? In 2025, you can expect £35,000 to £45,000 a year on average. Experienced bricklayers see £50,000+, and business owners reach £60,000 and beyond. Pay depends on location, skills, contract type, and how well you run your business.

Bricklaying is solid work that pays well. The trade will always be needed. From small garden walls to city towers, bricks and mortar keep Britain standing — and the money in your pocket proves it.

Enrol in our Online Bricklaying Course at Course Cave today. Learn from industry experts, get certified, and start your journey toward top bricklayer pay.