Bricklayer
Build walls, structures, and chimneys with bricks, blocks, and stone.
This UK bricklayer career guide covers what the role involves day to day, typical salary at each stage, the usual entry route, the skills employers expect, and related careers worth comparing.
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £20,000 - £28,000 (apprentice/labourer)
- Mid-career salary
- £32,000 - £45,000
- Senior salary
- £50,000 - £80,000+ (self-employed/sub-contracting)
- Work environment
- Sites, outdoors, all weather
- Time to entry
- 2 - 4 years (apprenticeship or fast-track course + site time)
- Degree required
- Not required (CSCS card required)
- Category
- Skilled Trades
What a Bricklayer does
Build walls, structures, and chimneys with bricks, blocks, and stone.
- Heritage / Stonemason - Restoration work on listed buildings and stone structures.
- Sub-contract Brickie - Price-work on new-build estates - higher earnings if fast.
How to become a Bricklayer
- Look up Bricklayer roles on LinkedIn or Indeed and read 5 real job ads
- Talk to someone already working as a Bricklayer - even a 15-minute call helps
- Find one beginner course or qualification used by people in this role
- Build one small piece of evidence you've explored this (project, shadowing, short course)
- Apply to one entry-level role or related opportunity within the next month
Key skills
- Trowel work
- Stamina
- Spirit-level accuracy
- Reading drawings
- Mortar mixing