How to Read the Headline Rate for a Bricklayer Salary UK

How to Read the Headline Rate for a Bricklayer Salary UK

If you are searching for a bricklayer salary UK figure, you will quickly find a range of numbers – from statutory minimum wage rates to advertised salaries and self-employed day rates. Understanding what each figure represents is essential to knowing what you can realistically earn or pay. This guide explains the different layers of pay for bricklayers in 2026/27, using the latest official data and industry sources.

Statutory Minimum Wage Rates

The legal minimum a bricklayer can be paid depends on their age and apprenticeship status. From April 2026, the rates set by the UK government are:

• National Living Wage (21 and over): £12.71 per hour
• National Minimum Wage (18–20): £10.85 per hour
• National Minimum Wage (under 18): £8.00 per hour
• Apprentice Rate: £8.00 per hour

These rates are confirmed in and explained in GOV.UK guidance. However, most employed bricklayers earn well above these floors. The Construction Industry Joint Council (CIJC) Working Rule Agreement, which applies to many sites, sets higher craft rates – for example, a Year 1 apprentice on the CIJC agreement earns at least £8.29 per hour, and a bricklayer with NVQ Level 2 can earn £13.13 per hour under the same agreement.

Typical Employed Bricklayer Salaries

When you look up a bricklayer salary UK online, you will often see figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE). The provisional 2025 ASHE data for SOC 5313 (Bricklayers) gives a median full-time gross annual salary of £33,030. Another salary survey, Salary Scout, reports a UK-wide median of £32,480 for 2025/26, with significant regional variation:

• London: £24,404 (lowest of all UK regions)
• South East: £39,171 (highest)
• Scotland, North West, East of England: typically between £30,000 and £36,000

Why is London so low? The median is dragged down by a high proportion of apprentices and improvers in the capital. For qualified bricklayers, London rates are actually higher. According to industry pay guides on, typical employed salaries by experience level are:

Experience Level	Regional (outside London & SE)	London & South East
NVQ Level 2 (builder grade)	£30,000 – £37,000	£37,000 – £44,000
NVQ Level 3 (senior bricklayer)	£37,000 – £44,000	£44,000 – £52,000
Foreman / Site Supervisor	£52,000 – £65,000	£62,000 – £75,000

These figures are based on recruiter postings, CIJC rates, and ONS data. Individual employers may vary by £2,000–£4,000 either way depending on the type of work (new-build housing, commercial, or heritage).

Self-Employed and Day Rates

Many bricklayers work as subcontractors, especially on larger sites. Day rates vary widely by specialism and location:

• General bricklayer (new-build, commercial): £180–£280 per day regionally, £250–£400 in London. Annual net earnings around £40,000–£60,000.
• Senior / gang leader (NVQ Level 3): £230–£320 regionally, £300–£450 in London. Net £50,000–£75,000.
• Heritage / conservation (lime mortar, listed buildings): £300–£450 regionally, £400–£550 in London. Net £65,000–£110,000+.
• Stonemasonry crossover: £250–£400 regionally, £350–£500 in London. Net £55,000–£90,000.
• Hard landscaping (walls, paving): £200–£320 regionally, £280–£420 in London. Net £45,000–£70,000.

These estimates assume 200–220 chargeable days per year and are based on data from. Self-employed bricklayers must account for CIS tax deductions and their own pension and insurance costs.

Take-Home Pay After Tax and NI

Understanding what you actually keep is crucial. For employed bricklayers, take-home pay depends on gross salary, tax code, and National Insurance contributions. The guide provides estimates for 2026/27:

• Apprentice bricklayer: National gross £18,000 → take-home £16,480 (£1,373/month). London gross £22,000 → take-home £19,360 (£1,613/month).
• Qualified bricklayer (CSCS Blue/Gold): National gross £38,000 → take-home £30,880 (£2,573/month). London gross £48,000 → take-home £38,080 (£3,173/month).
• Experienced / Foreman: National gross £50,000 → take-home £39,520 (£3,293/month). London gross £63,000 → take-home £47,097 (£3,925/month).

These calculations use 2026/27 HMRC rates and assume no pension or student loan deductions. Employee NI rates for 2026/27 are tiered: 5.1% on earnings up to £13,259, 5.7% up to £26,831, 8.3% up to £32,691, 9.8% up to £49,078, 10.7% up to £62,924, and 12.5% above that.

How to Use This Information

When you see a headline bricklayer salary UK figure, ask yourself:

• Is it the statutory minimum, an advertised employed salary, or a self-employed day rate?
• Does it include overtime, travel allowances, or bonuses?
• Is it for a specific region or the UK average?
• Is it gross or net (take-home)?

For a more personalised estimate, use our pay guides and pay data tools. Remember that your actual pay depends on your age, qualifications, region, and contract type. Always check your contract and the current statutory rates on UK Minimum Wage before accepting a role.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum wage for a bricklayer in the UK in 2026? The statutory minimum wage depends on your age. From April 2026, the National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over is £12.71 per hour. For 18–20 year olds it is £10.85 per hour, and for under 18s and apprentices it is £8.00 per hour. However, most qualified bricklayers earn well above these rates. The Construction Industry Joint Council (CIJC) Working Rule Agreement sets higher craft rates for apprentices and operatives on many sites.

How much does a qualified bricklayer earn per year in the UK? According to ONS data and salary surveys, a typical employed bricklayer with NVQ Level 2 earns between £30,000 and £44,000 a year, depending on region and experience. London and the South East tend to pay more, though London's median is lower due to a mix of roles. Self-employed bricklayers can earn significantly more, with day rates from £180 to over £500, leading to annual net earnings of £40,000 to over £110,000 for specialists.

What is the take-home pay for a bricklayer after tax and National Insurance? Take-home pay depends on your gross salary, tax code, and deductions. For example, a qualified bricklayer earning £38,000 nationally would take home approximately £30,880 per year (£2,573 per month) after income tax and NI, assuming no pension or student loan deductions. In London, a salary of £48,000 would yield about £38,080 take-home (£3,173 per month). Use an online calculator with your specific figures for a more accurate estimate.