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Bricklayer

Alternative titles for this job include Mason, brickie

Bricklayers build houses, repair walls and chimneys and refurbish decorative stonework. They also work on restoration projects.

Average salary (a year)

£17,000 Starter

to

£40,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

42 to 44 a week

You could work

between 8am and 6pm away from home

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a bricklayer

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role

College

You can take a college course like a:

  • Level 1 Certificate in Construction Skills
  • Level 2 Diploma in Bricklaying
  • Level 2 Diploma in Trowel Occupations
  • T Level in On Site Construction

These courses teach the skills needed for the job and can help you to find a trainee position with a building company.

Some colleges and private training organisations may offer short or part-time bricklaying 'taster' courses. These may help you try the job if you're thinking of a change in career.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a level 1 course
  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T level

More Information

Apprenticeship

You can do a bricklaying intermediate apprenticeship.

This will usually take 2 years to complete. You'll do on-the-job training and spend time with a college or training provider.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You could start as a construction site labourer with a bricklaying 'gang' and take training on the job to become a bricklayer.

More Information

Registration

Professional and industry bodies

You can join an organisation like the Federation of Master Builders for professional recognition and training opportunities.

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a bricklayer from Go Construct and House Building Careers.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of building and construction
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work well with others
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • physical skills like strength, balance and coordination
  • the ability to organise your time and workload
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In your day-to-day tasks you could:

  • measure work areas and set out the first rows of bricks or blocks
  • mix mortar by hand or with a mechanical mixer
  • use a trowel to lay bricks and mortar
  • shape and trim bricks using hammers, chisels and power tools
  • check that rows are straight using a spirit level, laser level or plumb line

Working environment

You could work on a construction site.

Your working environment may be physically demanding, outdoors in all weathers, at height and you'll travel often.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

You could specialise in a particular type of bricklaying like heritage work or stonemasonry.

You could become self-employed and set up your own business.

With experience, you could become a construction site supervisor, or move into related areas like estimating, training or teaching apprentices or students in a further education college.

Find out more about teaching in further education from teach in further education.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Bricklaying Apprentice

  • Wage: £10,004.80 Annually
  • Location: Plymouth

Apprentice Bricklayer

  • Wage: £12,430.60 Annually
  • Location: MOOR LANE, STAINES UPON THAMES
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Bricklaying

  • Provider: SUFFOLK NEW COLLEGE
  • Start date: 12 September 2023
  • Location: Ipswich

Bricklaying Diploma

  • Provider: SOUTH DEVON COLLEGE
  • Start date: 11 September 2023
  • Location: Paignton
Find courses near you

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