Bricklaying Jobs UK 2025 — Trade Guide, Salary & How to Find Work | ConstructionJobBoard.co.uk
11/03/2026
Bricklaying Jobs in the UK — Trade Guide, Salary & Opportunities
Bricklaying is one of the oldest and most enduring trades in the construction industry. In a country that builds millions of new homes and renovates millions more every year, skilled bricklayers are in consistently high demand. With 49 live vacancies currently listed on ConstructionJobBoard.co.uk and a nationwide housing shortfall driving sustained construction activity, there has never been a better time to find bricklaying work in the UK.
This guide covers everything aspiring and experienced bricklayers need to know about finding work, earning potential, and building a long-term career in the trade.
Types of Bricklaying Work Available in the UK
Residential new build: The largest segment of bricklaying work, driven by housebuilder programmes from volume developers such as Barratt, Persimmon, Taylor Wimpey, and Bellway. Social housing and affordable housing: A growing sector as local authorities and housing associations invest in new stock. Commercial and industrial: Brickwork on retail, office, warehouse, and industrial buildings. Restoration and heritage: Specialist pointing, re-bedding, and conservation work on listed buildings and historical structures. Refurbishment and extension: Residential extensions, conversions, and renovation projects, often via local contractors and sole traders.
Bricklayer Salary and Day Rates 2025
Bricklayers in the UK typically earn between £200 and £350+ per day depending on location, experience, and the nature of the work. On large residential sites, gang rates (price per thousand bricks laid) can be very lucrative for fast, high-quality layers. Annual earnings for full-time bricklayers range from approximately £35,000 to £55,000, with self-employed bricklayers on major schemes earning considerably more.
London and the South East command the highest rates, followed by the Midlands and the North West where housebuilding activity is concentrated. CSCS Blue Card (Skilled Worker) is required on most sites, and employers often provide additional training and NVQ support.
How to Find the Best Bricklaying Jobs
Register on a specialist construction job board and upload your CV with clear details of your CSCS card, NVQ qualification level, and types of projects you have worked on. Connect with labour-only subcontractors and bricklaying gangs who work regularly for major housebuilders. Many of the best bricklaying opportunities come through word of mouth and personal networks within the trade.
Self-employed bricklayers should also register with the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) and ensure their tax affairs are in order to maximise take-home pay. Many bricklaying jobs are now offered on a CIS basis, particularly on residential new build.
FAQs: Bricklaying Jobs UK
Q: What qualifications do I need to work as a bricklayer in the UK?
A: A CSCS Blue Card (Skilled Worker) is required on most commercial and new build sites. This is typically underpinned by an NVQ Level 2 in Bricklaying. Many bricklayers also complete an apprenticeship that leads to NVQ Level 3.
Q: Is bricklaying a good career in 2025?
A: Yes. There is a well-documented shortage of skilled bricklayers in the UK, and with ambitious housebuilding targets, demand is set to remain strong. Self-employed bricklayers with strong skills and a good reputation can earn excellent incomes.
Q: Can bricklayers work abroad?
A: Yes. UK-trained bricklayers are well regarded internationally, and opportunities exist in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, and the UAE, among other countries with strong construction markets.
