What is it?
Bricklaying and masonry is the skilled trade of constructing, repairing, and restoring structures using bricks, blocks, stone, and mortar. Bricklayers and masons work on everything from the walls of a new housing estate to the restoration of a centuries-old listed building.
What would you actually do?
Depending on your specialism and employer, you could be:
Laying bricks and blocks to construct walls, foundations, and structural elements
Mixing and applying mortar to correct consistency and specification
Reading and interpreting technical drawings and building plans
Building chimneys, arches, and decorative brickwork features
Cutting and shaping bricks and blocks using hand tools and power saws
Repointing and repairing existing brickwork and stonework
Working on new-build housing, commercial developments, or civil engineering projects
Restoring and conserving historic structures using traditional materials and techniques
Working alongside other trades such as carpenters, plumbers, and electricians on site
Price work is common and can be very rewarding. Many experienced bricklayers are paid per thousand bricks rather than by the hour, which means the faster and more accurate you become, the more you earn.
Career Paths
Site bricklaying - the most common type, working on new-build housing and commercial construction projects as part of a larger team.
Repointing and repair - specialist work maintaining and restoring existing brickwork, often on older properties.
Stone masonry - working with natural stone rather than brick, requiring additional skill and precision. Often found in heritage and conservation work.
Ornamental and decorative brickwork - creating arches, corbelling, and complex patterns that require a high level of craft skill.
Heritage and conservation masonry - restoring listed buildings and historic structures using period-appropriate materials and traditional techniques. A highly specialist and well-regarded area.
Dry stone walling - a distinct craft skill, particularly common in rural areas and national parks, involving building walls without mortar.
Is it right for you?
You might suit this trade if you:
Enjoy physical, outdoor work and do not mind all weathers
Like the satisfaction of seeing something tangible built with your own hands
Are patient and methodical -- good brickwork requires care and consistency
Enjoy working as part of a team on site
Want a trade with strong demand and solid self-employment potential
Take pride in neat, accurate, quality work
It might not suit you if you are not comfortable working outdoors in cold or wet conditions, or if physical labour over a full working day does not appeal.
Heritage masonry is a growing specialism. As the UK's stock of older buildings requires ongoing maintenance and restoration, skilled conservation masons are in high demand and command premium rates.
Skills you will build
Setting out and establishing correct levels, lines, and plumb
Laying bricks and blocks to accurate courses and bond patterns
Mixing and gauging mortar correctly for different applications
Cutting and shaping bricks and masonry materials accurately
Reading technical drawings and working to specification
Working safely at height on scaffolding
Problem-solving on site when materials or conditions vary
Communication with site managers and other trades
How do you get in?
Apprenticeship - the most well-regarded route. A Bricklayer apprenticeship at Level 2 typically takes around two to three years and combines on-site work with college attendance. You earn while you learn and come out with recognised qualifications and real experience.
College course - a Level 1 or Level 2 Diploma in Bricklaying gives you the core practical skills and knowledge. Many students move into apprenticeships or find site work after completing their course.
T Level in Construction - a broader construction qualification that includes a substantial industry placement and is accepted by many employers as a valid entry route into site-based trades.
Direct entry - more common in bricklaying than in some other trades. Some smaller contractors and self-employed bricklayers take on labourers and train them on the job. Getting your foot in the door this way and building your skills practically is a legitimate path.
Weather affects the work. Bricklaying in frost or heavy rain is difficult and sometimes impossible, which can affect earnings in winter for the self-employed. Many experienced bricklayers plan for this and save accordingly.
Qualifications to know about
Level 1 Award in Bricklaying -- a short introductory qualification, often used as a taster before committing to a full course
Level 2 Diploma in Bricklaying -- the main qualification for entering the trade, covering both practical skills and underpinning knowledge
Level 3 Advanced Diploma -- for those progressing towards supervisory and specialist roles
NVQ Level 2 or 3 -- competence-based qualifications often completed as part of an apprenticeship to demonstrate on-the-job ability
CSCS Card -- essential for working on most construction sites; you will need one before you can work on larger projects
CPCS Card (Construction Plant Competence Scheme) -- relevant if you move into operating plant machinery alongside your bricklaying work
Heritage Masonry qualifications -- specialist certifications available through organisations such as the Building Crafts College for those moving into conservation work
What can you earn?
Apprentice: Around £8,000 - £14,000 per year
Newly qualified bricklayer: Around £26,000 - £34,000 per year
Experienced bricklayer: £34,000 - £45,000 per year
Self-employed / specialist: £45,000 - £60,000+ per year
Bricklaying is one of the trades where self-employment can be particularly lucrative. Many experienced bricklayers work on a price-work basis - paid per thousand bricks laid - which rewards speed and quality. Fast, accurate bricklayers can earn well.
What could it lead to?
Self-employed bricklayer working directly for developers or homeowners
Heritage and conservation mason working on listed buildings and historic structures
Site supervisor or foreman overseeing bricklaying teams on large developments
Construction project manager with further training and experience
Dry stone waller working in rural and landscape settings
Bricklaying instructor or assessor in further education
Your own bricklaying or groundworks contracting business
The UK has a significant shortage of bricklayers. Housebuilding targets and infrastructure projects mean demand for skilled bricklayers consistently outstrips supply, giving you strong job security and negotiating power.