If you’re considering a career in the construction industry, it’s important to have clear understanding of your earning potential, but exactly how much does a construction worker earn in the UK?
What is the average salary for a construction worker in the UK?
According to Indeed, the average base salary for a construction worker in the UK is £28,974 per year.
However, a wide range of factors can impact this amount including relevant qualifications, experience, specialist skills, job location, and role.
For example, a plant operator in the UK can make anywhere in the range of £23K-£37 a year, according to data from three different job and recruitment sources.
What is a typical entry-level salary for a construction worker in the UK?
The National Careers Service estimates the average starter pay for a construction worker in the UK to be around £23,000 per year, while Glassdoor data suggests a £20,000 annual salary for individuals with up to one year of experience.
As a result, most entry-level construction workers would be looking at an annual salary within this range, however, entering the industry as an apprentice construction worker could reduce these earnings further to £17,000 per year.
Which factors impact on a construction worker’s pay?
Qualifications
Naturally, construction workers in possession of relevant qualifications or professional recognition are likely to earn more than those without.
While some credentials are essential (though not legally mandatory), such as Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) cards, qualified tradespeople who have achieved a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) or chartered status can earn substantially more than general labourers.
Earnings increase again if they obtain the necessary qualifications to move into more senior or managerial positions.
Experience
As with most industries, those with more experience tend to earn a higher wage. Apprentices with the least amount of experience can make around £17,000 a year, with pay gradually rising as skills are gained over time.
If the worker decides to gain more experience in a certain area and become a skilled labourer, such as an electrician, heavy machinery operator, or groundwork operative, pay can jump significantly.
Skills
Right now, the UK is facing a significant skills shortage in the construction industry due to an ageing workforce that is not being replaced by young workers.
In fact, just 19% of construction workers are under the age of 25, according to Construction News.
As a result, certain skilled construction workers are in high demand with employers likely to pay much more to secure them. In short, a combination of relevant qualifications, experience, and skills is highly desirable to employers.
Location
Location of the construction site can also make a big difference to pay, with many workers being paid more in London and the South East of the UK due to the higher cost of living in these areas alongside the greater demand for skilled labourers.
How can I increase my construction worker’s salary?
Get qualified
Although not legally mandatory, most construction sites in the UK will require workers to hold a relevant CSCS card.
However, to obtain this card, the individual must have passed the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) Health, Safety, and Environment (HS&E) test and possess the required construction-related qualifications.
To apply for your Green CSCS Card – a card designed for a wide range of entry-level, general labour positions such as general labourers, site cleaners, groundworkers, and demolition workers – you must hold either:
- Level 1 (Scotland Level 4) Award in Health and Safety in a Construction Environment
- Scottish Level 5 REHIS Elementary Health and Safety Certificate
Or, have passed the NOCN (National Open College Network)/CSkills Awards Construction Health and Safety (F/618/0738) unit.
To apply for most skilled CSCS cards (Blue, Gold, Black), you’ll typically need at least a Level 2 NVQ or equivalent qualification.
With a skilled CSCS card, you can increase your chances of securing more specialised, higher-paying construction site roles.
For clearer guidance on which courses and qualifications can help you to take that next step, talk to our knowledgeable team today!
Gain experience
Typically, if you want to gain experience in the construction industry you should start by applying for an apprenticeship which allows you to learn and earn at the same time.
Once you’ve registered for an apprenticeship and passed a CITB HS&E test, you can then apply for the CSCS Apprenticeship Card which will support you with gaining access to construction sites in the UK.
Alternatively, you can also get experience by taking on an entry-level role, if you possess the relevant qualifications to apply for your Green CSCS Card.
Develop a specialism
If you’re already working on a construction site, you can increase your earning potential by developing a specialism, such as becoming a Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)-certified chartered quantity surveyor, a plumber and Heating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) technician, or an excavator operator.
If you’re unsure which area would be the most suitable avenue to explore, why not discuss your goals with a member of our team and see how we can help?
Explore managerial opportunities
Generally, those in managerial positions, like construction site managers, will earn much more than the average construction worker – depending on other factors such as location, skills, experience, and specialism.
Typically, you’ll already work within the construction industry before completing a site manager training course, such as a Level 6 NVQ in Construction Site Management.
However, other routes into managerial positions also exist, including university degrees and higher or degree apprenticeships.
How SB Skills courses can help you to secure a job in construction
Here at SB Skills Solutions, our expert team of instructors and assessors can help you to broaden your opportunities in the construction industry with a wide range of courses, including NVQs, health and safety training, and plant operator courses.
Regardless of whether you want to work your way into a managerial position or specialise in operating a certain type of heavy machinery, we want to hear from you!
To learn more about the contents of our training, discuss your specific training requirements in more detail, or book a course, please feel free to give us a call on 01695 558420.
You can also reach out via email by sending your enquiry to info@sbskills.co.uk.
