Bricklayer Salary in the UK: Hourly Rates, Annual Pay and Regional Differences

Understanding the bricklayer salary in the UK is essential whether you are considering a career in construction, negotiating a pay rise, or comparing job offers. This article uses the latest official data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) to break down typical hourly and annual earnings, explain how to convert between the two, and highlight regional variations.

What the Latest Data Shows

According to the ONS ASHE 2025 provisional figures, the median gross annual salary for a bricklayer across all employees in the UK is £32,480. For full-time bricklayers specifically, the median rises to £33,030. The median hourly rate (excluding overtime) is £16.47 nationally, or £16.54 for full-time employees. These figures are based on employer-reported PAYE data and represent a reliable benchmark for the occupation.

It is important to note that these are median figures – half of bricklayers earn more, half earn less. The mean (average) salary is slightly lower at £32,313, indicating a fairly symmetrical distribution.

Converting Hourly Pay to Annual Salary

To convert an hourly rate to an annual salary, you need to know the typical number of hours worked per week and multiply by 52 weeks. For bricklayers, standard full-time hours in construction are often around 39 hours per week, though this can vary by employer and contract.

Using the median hourly rate of £16.47:

• At 37.5 hours/week: £16.47 × 37.5 × 52 = £32,121 per year
• At 39 hours/week: £16.47 × 39 × 52 = £33,401 per year
• At 40 hours/week: £16.47 × 40 × 52 = £34,258 per year

The reported median annual salary of £32,480 aligns closely with a 37.5- to 39-hour week, which is typical for many full-time roles. Our Hourly to Salary tool can help you perform this conversion for any rate and hours assumption.

How Bricklayer Pay Compares to UK Benchmarks

The UK median full-time annual salary across all occupations was £39,039 in April 2025 (ONS ASHE). A bricklayer's median of £33,030 for full-time workers is about 15% below this national median. However, bricklayer pay sits comfortably above the National Living Wage (NLW). In April 2025, the NLW for employees aged 21 and over was £12.21 per hour. At 37.5 hours per week, that equates to roughly £23,810 per year. The bricklayer median hourly rate of £16.47 is 35% higher than the NLW.

For 2026/27, the NLW has increased to £12.71 per hour (as per GOV.UK rates), which at 37.5 hours gives an annual equivalent of about £24,785. Bricklayer pay is expected to have risen similarly, though the 2026 ASHE data will not be published until late 2026.

Regional Variations: London and Yorkshire

Bricklayer salaries vary significantly by region. According to Salary Scout, which also uses ONS ASHE data, the median bricklayer salary in London is £24,404 – nearly 25% below the UK median. This may seem counterintuitive given London's higher cost of living, but it could reflect a different mix of employment types (more part-time or self-employed) or a lower concentration of high-paying construction projects in the ASHE sample.

In contrast, the median in Yorkshire and the Humber is £29,135, about 10% below the UK median. Other regions may be higher or lower; the ONS publishes detailed regional tables in its ASHE dataset.

London weighting is not typically applied to construction trades in the same way as for public sector roles like NHS staff. However, some employers may offer additional allowances for London-based work. The NHS pay scales for 2026/27 include Higher Cost Area Supplements (HCAS) for inner and outer London, but these are specific to health service roles.

Overtime and Self-Employment Considerations

The ASHE figures for bricklayers include overtime pay in the weekly earnings but exclude it from the hourly rate calculations. Many bricklayers work overtime, especially during peak construction periods, which can boost annual take-home pay significantly. However, overtime hours are not guaranteed.

A large proportion of bricklayers are self-employed or work through umbrella companies. The ASHE data only covers employees on PAYE, so self-employed bricklayers may have different earnings patterns. Self-employed workers need to account for their own tax, National Insurance, and overheads when comparing to employed salaries.

Using the Hourly to Salary Conversion

If you are a bricklayer paid by the hour, you can estimate your annual salary by multiplying your hourly rate by your contracted hours per week and then by 52. Remember that this assumes no unpaid leave and a consistent schedule. For part-time bricklayers, the same formula applies but with fewer hours. For example, a bricklayer working 20 hours per week at £16.47 per hour would earn approximately £17,129 per year.

Our salary data page provides further benchmarks for hundreds of occupations, including construction trades.

Summary

• Median bricklayer salary (all employees): £32,480 per year
• Median full-time bricklayer salary: £33,030 per year
• Median hourly rate (excluding overtime): £16.47
• Regional differences are significant: London median £24,404, Yorkshire £29,135
• Bricklayer pay is well above the National Living Wage but below the all-occupation median

When negotiating pay or planning your finances, always check your contract for exact hours, overtime rates, and any location allowances. Use the conversion method above to compare hourly and annual offers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average bricklayer salary in the UK in 2026?

The most recent official data from the ONS ASHE (2025 provisional) shows a median annual salary of £32,480 for all bricklayers and £33,030 for full-time bricklayers. The 2026 figures will be published in late 2026, but pay is expected to have increased in line with inflation and National Living Wage rises.

How do I convert my hourly bricklayer rate to an annual salary?

Multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours you work per week, then multiply by 52. For example, £16.47 per hour × 39 hours per week × 52 weeks = £33,401 per year. Use our Hourly to Salary calculator for quick conversions with different hours assumptions.

Why is the bricklayer salary in London lower than the UK average?

According to ONS ASHE data analysed by Salary Scout, the median bricklayer salary in London is £24,404, which is 24.9% below the UK median. This may be due to a higher proportion of part-time or lower-paid roles in the capital's construction sector, or differences in the types of employers captured in the survey. London weighting is not standard for construction trades.