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Bricklayer jobs in the United Kingdom

Brick and block work in the UK is judged fast: straight lines, clean joints, safe site behaviour, and zero surprises at handover.

Construction & Trades Mid Sponsorship: possible for some roles (not typical) Gross pay guide included
CV required: candidates without a CV are not considered.
Work eligibility: non-UK candidates must have the right to work in the UK or target roles where sponsorship is genuinely available (employer-dependent and salary-dependent).
Typical PAYE hourly (gross) £17.50–£22.00 per hour (many adverts fall in this band)
Typical CIS / day rate (gross) £200–£260 per day (often quoted for site work)
Annual pay signal (gross) ~£29k–£42k typical range (market estimate)

Notes: figures are indicative and depend on region, project type, productivity, and contract structure (PAYE vs CIS). Always confirm the exact gross rate, hours, and deductions before starting.

Candidate portrait (what UK sites reward)

This role looks simple from a distance—until the tolerance checks start. Strong candidates are consistent, calm under pace, and detail-driven.

  • Hands: clean trowel control, joint finish consistency, minimal waste
  • Eye: plumb/level/line discipline (corners, reveals, openings)
  • Brain: reads drawings, understands set-out and tolerances
  • Habits: safe lifts, tidy work zone, protects finished areas
  • Team: works with labourers/groundworkers, keeps pace without chaos

Reality check: UK contracts & gross pay

Bricklaying pay is commonly quoted in three ways: hourly PAYE, daily CIS/subcontractor, or “price work” (by output). Confirm the format before you accept.

  • PAYE (employment): many adverts quote ~£17.50–£22.00 gross per hour.
  • CIS / subcontractor: day rates are often quoted around ~£200–£260 gross per day.
  • Annual signal: market averages for bricklaying often land around ~£29k–£42k gross per year, depending on region and role type.

Legal floor (age dependent): National Living Wage for 21+ is £12.71/hour from April 2026. Bricklaying roles typically exceed this when skilled output is required.

What bricklayers actually do (UK site view)

  • Set out walls to drawings: lines, levels, corners, openings, and movement joints.
  • Brick and block work: bonding, perp alignment, joint thickness, and clean finishes.
  • Mix/handle mortar correctly; maintain consistent workability and minimise contamination.
  • Install lintels, DPCs, insulation interfaces (where specified), and maintain cavity cleanliness.
  • Quality control: fix snags early, protect finished work, and keep tolerances tight.

Requirements (detailed)

Employers will test competence indirectly: your CV, your references, and how you speak about real site situations.

  • English CV: mandatory (no CV — no consideration).
  • Experience: evidence of housing/commercial/refurb projects and your typical output pace.
  • Quality proof: photos (before/after), snag-free handover examples, or reference contacts.
  • Tools readiness: basic bricklaying tools and ability to maintain them.
  • Site discipline: punctuality, safe behaviour, tidy work area, coordination with the gang.
  • Site access rules: some sites require specific cards/tickets; requirements are contractor-defined.
  • Work eligibility: you must have the right to work or match roles where sponsorship is feasible.

UK working conditions (practical)

  • Rest breaks: workers generally have the right to an uninterrupted 20-minute break if working more than 6 hours.
  • Paid holiday (PAYE): statutory minimum is 5.6 weeks (28 days for a 5-day week), subject to contract and working pattern.
  • Pension (PAYE): employers must provide workplace pension automatic enrolment for eligible workers.
  • CIS (subcontractors): contractors may deduct amounts from subcontractor payments as advance payments toward tax/NIC.
  • Hours: bricklayers often work full-time site weeks (commonly around 40–44 hours), project dependent.

Your exact rights and take-home depend on whether you are PAYE employed, agency placed, or paid as a CIS subcontractor.

Visa & sponsorship: what “possible” means

Bricklayers appear on UK Skilled Worker eligible occupation lists (occupation code is used by sponsors), and the immigration salary list includes bricklayers nationwide in the published table. This does not mean every employer sponsors. Sponsorship is a commercial decision and depends on salary thresholds, compliance, and genuine vacancy needs.

Immigration salary list signal (Bricklayers, UK wide):
  • Standard rate: £33,400 per year (based on a 37.5-hour week)
  • Lower rate (where applicable under the rules): £25,000 per year

These are immigration rule references; your offered gross pay can be higher and must be confirmed in the contract/offer.

How MaViAl screens bricklayers (anti-template flow)

We do not “bulk submit” CVs. For bricklaying, we look for evidence you can deliver clean work at pace without supervision.

  1. CV check: projects, role scope, tools, availability, and work eligibility.
  2. Competence signal: photos, references, and how you explain set-out and quality control.
  3. Role matching: PAYE vs CIS, location, project type, start windows.
  4. Shortlist: only CVs that meet the client’s real site needs.
  5. Start readiness: confirm docs, PPE expectations, reporting line, and first-day plan.
Go to CV page (Required) Browse more Construction roles

A short “job story” (unique page narrative)

A UK site manager rarely asks for “fast.” They ask for “repeatable”: corners that stay true, perps that stay clean, and openings that do not drift by the time follow-on trades arrive.

The bricklayer who keeps output stable—without leaving snags for tomorrow—wins trust quickly. That trust becomes better sections, steadier starts, and fewer disputes about rework.

In your CV, describe what you built, how you set out, and how you controlled quality. “Bricklayer” is a title; your method is the proof.

FAQ

What gross pay can a bricklayer expect in the UK?

Many adverts quote gross hourly rates in the high-teens to low-twenties for PAYE roles, while CIS day rates are often quoted in the low-to-mid £200s. Actual gross pay depends on region, project type, pace, and whether you are PAYE or CIS.

PAYE or CIS — which is better?

Neither is “better” universally. PAYE usually includes standard employment payroll handling and statutory holiday accrual. CIS is common in construction subcontracting and can involve deductions toward tax/NIC and more admin responsibility. Choose based on your situation and confirm deductions and responsibilities in writing.

Is sponsorship realistic for bricklayers?

It can be possible for some roles because bricklayers are listed in the published eligible occupation guidance and appear in the immigration salary list table. However, most bricklaying hiring is still driven by immediate site needs and availability of workers already eligible to work. Treat sponsorship as “role-specific,” not guaranteed.

What should I include in my UK CV as a bricklayer?

Projects (housing/commercial/refurb), scope (brick/block, set-out, lintels, DPC), your typical pace/output, tools, safety habits, and references. If you have photos of finished work or snag-free sections, mention them.

What are the common working conditions I should expect?

Construction work is weather-exposed, schedule-driven, and quality-checked at multiple points. Breaks, holiday, and pension rules depend on whether you are PAYE employed or working as a subcontractor. Confirm start time, hours, reporting line, and site rules before day one.

Important: This page provides role guidance and application flow. Work eligibility and sponsorship depend on the specific employer and role requirements.

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