Bricklayer Salary UK 2026/27: Regional Pay, Day Rates and Take-Home

Understanding the Bricklayer Salary UK in 2026/27

Bricklaying remains one of the largest skilled trades in the UK construction sector, and understanding the bricklayer salary UK landscape is essential for both employees and job seekers. Pay varies widely depending on employment type (PAYE vs self-employed), region, qualifications, and seniority. This article draws on the latest official data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the National Careers Service, and industry recruitment benchmarks to give you a clear picture of what bricklayers earn across Britain.

Median and Mean Pay: What the Official Data Shows

The most authoritative source for employee earnings is the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE). For the 2025 provisional release, bricklayers (classified under SOC 2020 code 5313) had a median full-time gross annual pay of £33,030. The mean (average) was slightly higher, reflecting a smaller group of high earners pulling the figure up. It is important to note that ASHE covers PAYE employees only; self-employed bricklayers are not included in these figures.

The National Careers Service provides broader guidance, suggesting a starter salary of around £25,000 and an experienced salary of up to £45,000 per year. These are career ranges rather than precise averages, but they align with the ASHE median for mid-level employees.

Regional Pay Variations: London vs the Rest

One of the most striking findings is the regional disparity in bricklayer pay. According to Salary Scout, which analyses ONS ASHE data, the UK median for bricklayers is £32,480, but London has the lowest median at just £24,404 — a full 25% below the national figure. This may seem counterintuitive given London’s higher cost of living, but it reflects the dominance of lower-paid new-build housing work and a high proportion of apprentices and improvers in the capital’s workforce.

At the other end of the scale, the South East has the highest median at £39,171 (21% above the UK median), followed by the West Midlands (£34,722) and Wales (£33,204). Regions such as the North West (£24,525) and North East (£24,648) are among the lowest, similar to London. The spread between the highest and lowest region is nearly £15,000, or 61%.

Region	Median Pay	vs UK Median (£32,480)
South East	£39,171	+21%
West Midlands	£34,722	+7%
Wales	£33,204	+2%
Scotland	£32,309	-1%
East Midlands	£30,428	-6%
Yorkshire and the Humber	£29,135	-10%
East of England	£28,355	-13%
South West	£24,892	-23%
North East	£24,648	-24%
North West	£24,525	-24%
London	£24,404	-25%

Source: Salary Scout based on ONS ASHE data.

PAYE vs Self-Employed: Different Pay Structures

Bricklayers can be employed directly (PAYE) or work on a self-employed basis, often through the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS). The pay structure differs significantly.

PAYE employees typically work a 39-hour week under industry agreements such as the CIJC (Construction Industry Joint Council). The CIJC craft rate for bricklayers in 2026/27 is £16.40 per hour, annualising to £33,259 — almost exactly the ASHE median. Senior bricklayers and gang leaders can earn more, especially in London where a £50,000 salary is common for an NVQ Level 3 qualified worker.

Self-employed bricklayers charge day rates that typically range from £220 to £350 per day, according to Phoenix Gray Recruitment. However, this gross day rate does not account for unpaid gaps between contracts, tools, transport, insurance, and materials. A self-employed bricklayer working 220 chargeable days at a blended rate of £250 per day would have a gross profit of £55,000. After deducting business costs and accounting for tax and National Insurance, the take-home pay would be around £43,211 (based on salarytax.uk calculations).

For those at the top end — heritage specialists working on listed buildings with lime mortar — profits can reach £85,000, yielding a take-home of approximately £60,611. Ltd company directors can achieve even higher net pay by taking a combination of salary and dividends.

Take-Home Pay Examples

To illustrate the difference between gross and net, here are some scenarios for the 2026/27 tax year (assuming standard tax code, no student loan, and 5% pension contribution for PAYE roles):

Scenario	Gross / Profit	Income Tax	NI	Annual Take-Home
Apprentice Year 3 (PAYE, CIJC minimum)	£20,828	£1,652	£661	£18,516
NVQ Level 2 bricklayer (PAYE, regional)	£35,000	£4,136	£1,654	£27,460
NVQ Level 3 senior bricklayer (London, PAYE)	£50,000	£6,986	£2,794	£37,720
Self-employed general bricklayer (£55k profit)	£55,000	£9,432	£2,357	£43,211
Self-employed heritage specialist (£85k profit)	£85,000	£21,432	£2,957	£60,611
Ltd company director (£35k salary + £50k dividends)	£85,000	£17,375	£1,794	£65,831

Source: salarytax.uk calculations. Note: Scotland uses different Income Tax bands, which would alter the take-home for Scottish residents.

Seniority and Qualifications

Pay increases with experience and qualifications. An apprentice in their third year (without NVQ 2) earns around £20,828 under CIJC rates, but once qualified to NVQ Level 2, the median rises to £33,000–£35,000. NVQ Level 3 senior bricklayers or gang leaders can command £50,000 or more, especially in London. Heritage and conservation work, which requires specialist skills in lime mortar and stonemasonry, can push earnings to £85,000+ for self-employed professionals.

How to Use This Information

When evaluating a bricklayer salary UK offer, consider the following:

• Employment type: PAYE offers stability and benefits (holiday pay, pension, sick pay), while self-employed offers higher gross rates but less security.
• Region: Use the regional medians as a benchmark. If you are in London, expect lower median pay but potentially higher day rates for specialist work.
• Take-home: Always calculate net pay after tax, NI, and pension. Use HMRC’s tax calculator or a reputable take-home pay tool.
• Scotland: Remember that Scottish Income Tax bands differ from the rest of the UK, so take-home pay will vary.

For more context on how bricklayer pay compares to other occupations, see our UK Average Salary page. You can also explore salary articles for detailed breakdowns of other trades.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average bricklayer salary in the UK for 2026/27? The median full-time gross annual pay is around £33,030 according to ONS ASHE 2025 provisional data. However, this varies by region and experience. The National Careers Service suggests a range of £25,000 for starters to £45,000 for experienced workers. Permanent roles typically offer £38,000–£52,000, while self-employed day rates range from £220 to £350 per day.

How does bricklayer pay differ between London and other regions? London has the lowest median bricklayer pay in the UK at £24,404, 25% below the UK median of £32,480. The South East has the highest median at £39,171. Other regions such as the West Midlands (£34,722) and Wales (£33,204) are above the UK median, while the North West (£24,525) and North East (£24,648) are among the lowest.

What is the take-home pay for a bricklayer earning £50,000 as a self-employed worker? For a self-employed bricklayer with a profit of £50,000 in 2026/27, the estimated take-home pay is around £39,521 nationally. This accounts for Income Tax, Class 4 National Insurance (6% on profits between £12,570 and £50,270, then 2% above), and the abolition of mandatory Class 2 NIC. In London, a gang leader earning £65,000 profit might take home around £48,258. These figures are estimates and depend on individual circumstances.

Disclaimer: Figures are public-statistics benchmarks for guidance. Actual pay varies by role, region, seniority, hours, overtime, London weighting and employer. Always check offer letters and official GOV.UK or ONS releases.