Salary by Profession in the UK: Compare Jobs, Regions and Pay LevelsHow Much Do Builders Earn in the UK? — 2026 Salary Guide
Complete guide to builder salaries in the UK for 2026. General builder vs specialist trades, employed vs self-employed pay, day rates, labourer to site manager progression, and regional differences.
Building is a broad construction trade, covering everything from general building work to specialist extensions and renovations. Here’s what builders across the industry actually earn.
For a broader comparison across occupations and pay bands, see our Salary by Profession hub.
Employed Builder Salaries
By Experience and Role
| Role | Salary Range |
|---|
| Labourer (unskilled) | £22,000-£28,000 |
| Labourer (experienced/skilled) | £26,000-£32,000 |
| General builder (qualified) | £28,000-£36,000 |
| Experienced builder (5+ years) | £32,000-£42,000 |
| Specialist builder | £35,000-£48,000 |
| Foreman | £38,000-£50,000 |
| Site manager | £42,000-£60,000 |
| Contracts manager | £50,000-£70,000 |
| Construction manager | £55,000-£80,000 |
By Construction Sector
| Sector | Builder Salary |
|---|
| Residential (house building) | £28,000-£42,000 |
| Commercial | £32,000-£48,000 |
| Industrial | £32,000-£48,000 |
| Refurbishment / renovation | £30,000-£45,000 |
| Heritage / listed buildings | £32,000-£50,000 |
| Infrastructure (roads, rail) | £35,000-£55,000 |
Self-Employed Builder Earnings
Day Rates
| Level | Day Rate | Annual Equivalent |
|---|
| Labourer | £100-£150 | £20,000-£33,000 |
| General builder (new) | £150-£220 | £30,000-£48,000 |
| Experienced builder | £200-£300 | £40,000-£66,000 |
| Specialist builder | £250-£350 | £50,000-£77,000 |
| London builder | £250-£400 | £50,000-£88,000 |
Annual based on 220 working days
Typical Job Prices
| Job | Typical Price (labour + materials) |
|---|
| Single-storey extension (3x4m) | £30,000-£55,000 |
| Double-storey extension | £50,000-£90,000 |
| Loft conversion | £30,000-£60,000 |
| Garage conversion | £10,000-£25,000 |
| New kitchen (build work only) | £5,000-£12,000 |
| Garden wall (brick, 10m) | £2,000-£5,000 |
| Patio / paving (20m²) | £2,000-£5,000 |
| Demolition and clearance (room) | £1,000-£3,000 |
| Damp proofing (whole house) | £3,000-£8,000 |
Self-Employed Running Costs
| Cost | Annual Estimate |
|---|
| Van | £3,000-£7,000 |
| Tools and equipment | £1,000-£4,000 |
| Insurance (public liability + employer’s) | £500-£2,000 |
| Skip hire / waste disposal | £1,000-£4,000 |
| Accountant | £500-£1,200 |
| CSCS card and training | £100-£500 |
| Marketing | £500-£2,000 |
| Total overheads | £7,000-£21,000 |
Specialist Builder Salaries
| Specialism | Employed | Self-Employed Day Rate |
|---|
| Bricklayer | £30,000-£42,000 | £200-£300 |
| Groundworker | £28,000-£40,000 | £180-£280 |
| Roofer | £28,000-£42,000 | £200-£320 |
| Plasterer | £28,000-£38,000 | £180-£280 |
| Tiler | £28,000-£38,000 | £180-£300 |
| Painter and decorator | £24,000-£34,000 | £150-£250 |
| Stonemason | £30,000-£42,000 | £200-£320 |
| Scaffolder | £30,000-£45,000 | £200-£300 |
| Demolition | £28,000-£40,000 | £180-£280 |
Bricklayer Pay (Detail)
Bricklaying is one of the highest-paid building trades.
| Payment Method | Rate |
|---|
| Day rate | £200-£300 |
| Per 1,000 bricks (price work) | £400-£600 |
| Good bricklayer (1,000/day possible) | £400-£600/day |
| Annual (employed) | £30,000-£42,000 |
| Annual (self-employed, busy) | £40,000-£70,000+ |
Regional Differences
| Region | General Builder Day Rate | Annual (Self-Employed) |
|---|
| London | £250-£400 | £50,000-£88,000 |
| South East | £220-£350 | £44,000-£77,000 |
| South West | £180-£280 | £36,000-£62,000 |
| East of England | £200-£300 | £40,000-£66,000 |
| West Midlands | £180-£270 | £36,000-£59,000 |
| East Midlands | £170-£260 | £34,000-£57,000 |
| North West | £180-£270 | £36,000-£59,000 |
| Yorkshire | £170-£260 | £34,000-£57,000 |
| North East | £160-£240 | £32,000-£53,000 |
| Scotland | £180-£270 | £36,000-£59,000 |
| Wales | £160-£250 | £32,000-£55,000 |
CSCS Cards and Qualifications
| Card Level | Requirements | Job Access |
|---|
| Green (Labourer) | Health & safety test | Basic site work |
| Blue (Skilled Worker) | NVQ Level 2 | Trade work |
| Gold (Advanced Craft) | NVQ Level 3 | Advanced/supervisory |
| Black (Manager) | NVQ Level 6-7 | Site management |
| White (Professionally Qualified) | Degree + membership | Professional roles |
Career Progression
| Stage | Years | Typical Earnings |
|---|
| Labourer / apprentice | Years 1-3 | £18,000-£28,000 |
| Qualified builder (employed) | Years 3-6 | £28,000-£38,000 |
| Experienced builder | Years 6-10 | £34,000-£45,000 |
| Self-employed (building up) | Years 5-8 | £30,000-£50,000 |
| Established self-employed | Years 8+ | £40,000-£65,000 |
| Running a building firm | Years 10+ | £60,000-£150,000+ |
| Property developer (own projects) | Varies | £50,000-£200,000+ |
Summary
| Level | Typical Earnings |
|---|
| Labourer | £22,000-£30,000 |
| General builder (employed) | £28,000-£42,000 |
| Self-employed builder | £30,000-£60,000+ |
| Specialist / London | £40,000-£80,000+ |
| Site manager | £42,000-£60,000 |
| Running a building firm | £60,000-£150,000+ |