Bricklayers Are Raking It In Right Now — So Why Aren’t More People Getting Into It?

If you’ve been anywhere near a site lately, you’ve probably heard it:

“Can you get a bricklayer?”

And the answer is usually the same…

👉 “Not anytime soon.”

Because right now, good bricklayers aren’t just busy — they’re in serious demand.

And that demand is pushing wages up across the UK.

The Shortage Is Real — And It’s Getting Worse

This isn’t a temporary gap.

There simply aren’t enough skilled bricklayers to keep up with the amount of work out there.

Sites are waiting. Developers are chasing. Jobs are being delayed.

And when that happens, one thing always follows:

👉 Prices go up

Because when supply is low and demand is high, the people who can do the job become more valuable.

That’s exactly what’s happening now.

Bricklayers Are Earning More — Especially in London

This is where things get interesting.

In London right now, experienced bricklayers are typically earning anywhere between £250 and £350 a day — and in some cases, even pushing £400+ a day on the right jobs.

That’s not hype — that’s what the shortage is doing.

But there’s a catch.

Those higher rates usually go to bricklayers who:

• Are fast and consistent

• Deliver clean, high-quality work

• Can be relied on to get the job done properly

Lower-end site work still exists, often around the £200–£250 mark.

But the top end?

👉 That’s where the real money is — and it’s being driven by demand.

It’s Not Just About Day Rates

A lot of people focus on the daily rate.

But right now, it’s bigger than that.

Bricklayers who are reliable and skilled are:

• Booked solid weeks ahead

• Turning work down

• Choosing better-paying jobs

They’re not chasing work.

Work is chasing them.

So Why Isn’t Everyone Jumping Into It?

This is the interesting part.

With wages going up, you’d expect loads of people to pile in.

But they’re not.

Because bricklaying isn’t easy.

It’s physical. It takes time to get good. And you can’t fake experience.

You’ve got to:

• Learn the basics properly

• Put the hours in

• Build speed and consistency

That puts a lot of people off.

But that’s also why the demand stays high.

The Opportunity Most People Are Missing

Here’s the reality.

Trades like bricklaying don’t get replaced overnight.

You can’t automate skill. You can’t rush experience.

And right now, there’s a clear shortage.

Which means anyone willing to learn and stick with it is stepping into a trade where:

• Work is already there

• Demand is already high

• And earning potential is growing

Not many industries offer that.

It’s Not Just New Builds Either

A lot of people assume bricklaying is only about big sites.

It’s not.

There’s plenty of work coming from:

• Extensions

• Garden walls

• Structural alterations

• Refurb projects

As more people improve their homes instead of moving, that type of work keeps growing.

So it’s not just one pipeline — it’s multiple.

Where This Is Heading

The shortage isn’t being fixed anytime soon.

Training takes time. Experience takes years.

And demand isn’t slowing down enough to balance things out.

That means one thing:

👉 Skilled bricklayers will stay in demand for the foreseeable future

The Reality Most People Don’t See

A lot of people are chasing careers where the path isn’t clear.

Bricklaying is different right now.

The path is obvious:

• Learn the trade

• Get good at it

• Stay consistent

And the work is already waiting.

🔚 Final Thought

Bricklayers aren’t just “doing alright” right now.

They’re in a position where:

• Demand is high

• Work is steady

• And earning potential is strong

With top bricklayers in London earning £300–£400+ a day, the opportunity is clearly there.

But it’s not handed to you.

It’s earned.