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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 heritage and restoration projects.

Average salary (a year)

£25,000 Starter

to

£45,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

40 to 44 a week

You could work

between 8am and 6pm away from home

Meet Andrew

Andrew gained confidence working as a bricklayer and has developed his machine skills.

1 minute 40 second watch

View transcript

Hello, my name is Andrew Henderson. I'm a bricklayer and I work for Shaws Construction Management.

I was at school and I always wanted to like, work in the construction industry. So I went to college. I went to Gateshead College and I did the NVQ level 1 and 2. I learned how to communicate, how to listen, how to be aware of your surroundings you know. It's hard at first, but once you do it, it’s loads of repetition you know so you just... It's just like riding a bike you know.

You arrive on site, you go to your gaffer, you get your inductions. You come on site and you and you speak to people. It's good to communicate. So you just talk to everybody like all the different trades and it's, everything all comes together, you know.

I’ve been to France, I’ve been to Lyon. I’ve been all over Germany. I’ve been Ireland, Wales, Scotland, all around the UK. I met some awesome people, you know, it's a really good industry to be in you know.

I've gained a lot. I’ve gained how to be super confident. I've gained loads of health and safety, like awareness. I walk on anywhere and just be like, well, you know. I've learnt my machine skills. How to drive cherry pickers to, to everything really you know.

I haven't really got a favourite thing. Everything. I wake up in the morning and just think I'm going to work, you know, like, it's a new thing every day you know. You're not just like laying bricks, you're doing everything. You know, it’s really good.

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

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

College

You can take a college course like:

  • basic construction skills
  • bricklaying
  • T Level in On Site Construction

These courses teach you some of the skills you'll need to find a trainee bricklayer job with a construction company.

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

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 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 apply to do a:

  • Bricklaying Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
  • Craft Bricklaying Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

These usually take around 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
  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You could start as a construction site labourer or hod carrier, with a bricklaying team or 'gang', and do training on the job to become a bricklayer.

More Information

Registration

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
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • the ability to organise your time and workload
  • concentration skills
  • the ability to analyse quality or performance
  • 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

As a bricklayer, you would:

  • read and follow building plans for each job
  • 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 mortar and place bricks
  • shape and trim bricks using hammers, chisels and power tools
  • check rows are straight using a spirit level, laser level or plumb line
  • repoint brickwork to repair old or damaged mortar joints
  • build architectural and ornamental brickwork features

Working environment

You could work on a construction site or at a client's home.

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

With experience, you could become a:

  • bricklaying team supervisor
  • construction estimator
  • site inspector

You might continue to develop your craft skills to specialise in heritage brickwork or stonemasonry.

You could also become a self-employed contractor or set up your own business.

A further option is to train apprentice bricklayers at a further education college.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Bricklaying Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £15,704 a year Annually
  • Location: Kempshott, Basingstoke

Bricklaying Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £15,704 a year Annually
  • Location: Bracknell Beeches, Old Bracknell Lane West, Bracknell
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

BRICKLAYING LEVEL 3

  • Provider: BARNSLEY COLLEGE
  • Start date: 01 September 2025
  • Location: Barnsley

Diploma in Bricklaying

  • Provider: UNITED COLLEGES GROUP
  • Start date: 01 September 2025
  • Location: London
Find courses near you

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