How Much Does a Bricklayer Earn Per Brick UK?

How much does a bricklayer earn per brick UK? It depends on several factors, including experience, location, and the type of work you do. Bricklaying is always in demand, so it's worth knowing if you're on the right track at your stage. On average, most bricklayers earn between £14 and £25 an hour, around £150 and £250 a day, and between £ 28,000 and £ 50,000 a year.

How Much Does a Bricklayer Earn Per Brick UK?

Hourly Rates:

1. Apprentice: £6.30 per hour
2. Newly qualified: £18.19 per hour
3. Employed bricklayer: £19.28 per hour
4. Sole trader/self-employed: £38 per hour
5. Business owner (Ltd company): £40 per hour

Bricklayer hourly rates work best for small jobs or quick repairs. You get paid for the hours you actually work.

Day Rates:

1. Apprentice: £50.40 per day
2. Newly qualified: £145.52 per day
3. Employed bricklayer: £154.24 per day
4. Sole trader/self-employed: £304 per day
5. Business owner (Ltd company): £320 per day

Bricklayer day rates suit medium-sized projects like extensions or garden walls. They make planning and steady work simple.

Per-Brick Rates (per 1,000 bricks):

1. Common bricks: £650–£1,500
2. Engineering bricks: £700–£1,790
3. Facing bricks: £2,250–£5,000 

Bricklayer per brick rates are ideal for large projects, like building multiple walls or a full property. The more bricks you lay, the more you earn.

Pay by Experience: Apprentice to Business Owner

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How much does a bricklayer earn per brick UK depends on experience and role. Apprentices earn around £6–£7 an hour, about £50 a day, or £10–£15k a year. At this stage, you're learning the basics, working slower, and not quoting jobs yet.

1. Once newly qualified, bricklayers typically make £18–£20 an hour, £145–£155 a day, or £25–£30k a year. You work faster, can handle small jobs alone, and start building skills with a CSCS card or NVQ Level 2/3.
2. An experienced bricklayer earns £20–£28 an hour, £155–£250 a day, or £30–£40k a year. You can quote medium-sized jobs, handle engineering vs facing bricks, and take on more complex work. Skills like restoration masonry or eco-friendly bricklaying help increase rates.
3. Team leaders or foremen earn £25–£32 an hour, £200–£320 a day, and £35–£45k a year. They manage small teams, larger projects, and ensure quality work. Extra site tickets or heritage skills can boost pay.
4. Business owners running their own company can make £35–£40 an hour, £300–£400 a day, or £45–£60k a year. They handle invoicing, hiring, and projects. Those working in London may also benefit from London weighting.

Understanding how much does a bricklayer earn per brick UK helps both employed and self-employed workers plan pricing. Developing extra skills and holding certificates like a CSCS card or NVQ Level 2/3 can increase both bricklayer hourly rate and bricklayer day rate.

Employed vs Self-Employed: What You Really Take Home

Employed bricklayers:

1. Steady pay and benefits
2. Holiday, sick leave, pensions
3. Less admin and equipment stress

Self-employed bricklayers:

1. Pick your jobs and hours
2. Higher hourly or day rates
3. Specialise in restoration or eco-friendly bricklaying

However, being self-employed comes with extra costs. You'll need to budget for tools, van, fuel, PPE, insurance, software, accountant fees, and ongoing training.

Take-home pay can vary:

1. Lean year: Fewer jobs, costs stay high, slow earnings
2. Typical year: Steady work, most costs covered, decent take-home
3. Busy year: Packed schedule, higher earnings, but extra spending on van and fuel

Knowing these differences helps you plan your career and income smartly. Self-employed bricklayers can boost earnings with higher rates or specialist skills, while employed bricklayers enjoy stability, benefits, and less hassle.

Where Pay Is Highest in the UK

Bricklayer pay changes a lot depending on where you work. London weighting boosts rates in London and the South East to help cover high rent, travel, and living costs. While pay is higher, expenses like city traffic, tricky site access, and material logistics can reduce actual take-home income.

Top pay areas:

1. Central London: Highest rates, but costly living and tight sites
2. Birmingham: Good pay with easier travel
3. Manchester: Solid rates, moderate living costs

In other regions like Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, pay is generally lower, but living costs are cheaper, and site access is easier.

Hidden Factors: Travel time between jobs, access restrictions on sites, and managing tools and materials can all affect your earnings. Strategically choosing where to work—and combining it with specialist skills like restoration masonry or eco-friendly bricklaying—can significantly boost your overall bricklayer salary UK.

What Type of Work Pays More

Not all bricklaying jobs pay the same. Here's a quick look at which types usually earn more:

1. Domestic projects: Think extensions, garden walls, chimneys—steady, but pay is modest
2. New-builds: Houses or flats; better rates if you're part of a bigger project
3. Commercial work: Shops, offices, warehouses; higher pay thanks to scale and deadlines
4. Heritage or specialist work: Restoration, conservation, or bespoke builds; top rates because they need real skill

Complex jobs naturally pay more. Working in tight spaces, setting up scaffolding, creating tricky brick patterns, using special mortar, and managing waste all take extra time and skill. Jobs that require a really neat finish or specialist knowledge—like restoration masonry or decorative bricklaying—tend to earn the highest rates. The more detailed or careful the work, the more clients are willing to pay.

Special Skills That Boost Pay

Some skills let bricklayers earn more and stand out.

1. Heritage & Restoration: Working with lime mortar, old buildings, or conservation projects needs care and experience. Clients pay more because mistakes are costly. Certificates in heritage masonry or site tickets help you get these jobs.
2. Eco-Friendly Methods: Using low-carbon techniques and sustainable materials is in demand. Clients pay extra for green skills. Knowing eco-friendly bricklaying and having the right certificates make you more attractive.
3. Custom & Decorative Masonry: Arches, patterns, and special features need skill and precision. Clients value neat, unique work and pay more. Training in decorative masonry or NVQ Level 2/3 skills can help you get these jobs.

Other specialist skills also boost pay. Handling engineering vs facing bricks, chimney and fireplace work, or mixing bricks with stone adds value. High-rise or hard-to-reach jobs, waterproofing, and decorative finishes or colour matching also earn more because clients want quality and care.

How to Earn More This Year

Want to boost your income this year? Here's how smart planning and a few simple strategies can help.

1. Pricing: Set a minimum charge, clearly define the job, and add travel surcharges when needed. This ensures fair pay for every job.
2. Work Planning: Mix long projects with quick jobs and plan around the weather to keep income steady.
3. Get More Leads: Share photos or videos, gather reviews, use local SEO, list in directories, and partner with builders or architects. Good visibility brings better jobs.
4. Upsells: Offer extras like repointing, lintels, steps, or emergency call-outs. Clients often pay more for convenience and specialist work.
5. Money Management: Ask for deposits, use staged payments, and simple job tools to track progress and invoices. Staying organised keeps cash flowing.

Training and Cards You'll Need

Getting the right training and certificates shows you're skilled, safe, and reliable, and helps you earn more.

1. Learn the trade: College (Level 1/2/3), apprenticeships, or on-site experience.
2. CSCS card: Lets you work safely on most sites.
3. Quick tips: Master basics, get NVQ Level 2/3, and try specialist skills like restoration or eco-friendly bricklaying.
4. Time to get good: A few years of practice.
5. Why it pays: Proper training and certificates boost your bricklayer's hourly rate, day rate, and per brick rate.

Tools, Insurance and Start-Up Costs

Starting as a bricklayer means getting the right tools and insurance sorted from day one. You'll need hand tools, a cement mixer, levels or a laser, PPE like boots, gloves, a helmet, a van or some transport, and simple job-management software.

Insurance is just as important. Most bricklayers take out public liability cover, tools cover, and, if you hire anyone, employers' liability insurance. This keeps you safe if accidents happen or gear gets damaged.

Starter costs can vary: a low budget around £1,000–£2,000, a medium £3,000–£5,000, and a high £6,000–£8,000, depending on tools and vehicle choice. And don't forget maintenance! Replacing worn tools and keeping gear in good shape saves hassle and keeps jobs running smoothly.

Conclusion

Bricklaying can be a highly rewarding career if you understand rates, special skills, and how to plan your work. From apprentices learning the basics to business owners managing their own company, knowing how much a bricklayer earns per brick UK, plus hourly and day rates, helps you make smart choices and boost your income.

Want to take your bricklaying skills to the next level? Enrol in the Bricklaying Course at Course Cave here and get the training, tips, and guidance you need to work smarter, earn more, and tackle exciting projects. Start building your future today!

FAQs

1. How much should I pay a bricklayer per day?

Around £150–£250 for employed, £300+ for self-employed.

1. How long to lay 500 bricks?

Usually 4–6 hours for an experienced bricklayer.

1. Can a bricklayer lay 1,000 bricks a day?

Yes, on big or simple jobs.

1. How much does a level 1 bricklayer earn?

About £6–£7/hour or £50/day.

1. Do bricklayers get paid per brick in the UK?

Yes, often per 1,000 bricks, depending on type and finish.

1. What is a level 2 bricklayer?

Fully trained, can work alone, usually with NVQ Level 2 and CSCS card.