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The Global Insight

How much do builders make in the UK?

Author

Sarah Martinez

Published Jan 18, 2026

The average salary for Builder jobs is £42,500. Read on to find out how much Builder jobs pay across various UK locations and industries.

How much does a builder earn a day UK?

Builder Day Rate The average daily rate of a builder is £190 per day, although this can range from £130 to £260, depending on the size of the company and the actual job.

How much does a self employed builder earn UK?

Not sure how much self-employed builders earn in the UK? The average hourly wage in 2017 for a self-employed builder was between £120 and £200, depending on experience and specialism. This compares favourably with other tradesman jobs, putting it in the same bracket as specialists such as electricians and plumbers.

Do builders earn good money UK?

A Builder with less than three years of experience can expect to earn an average total compensation of £19,400 gross per year. A mid career Builder with 4-9 years of experience earns an average total compensation of £30,200, while an experienced Builder with 10-20 years of experience makes on average £42,400.

What trade earns the most money UK?

To help you decide what type of trade job to go for, here are the highest paying trade jobs:

  • Site Manager.
  • Structural Engineer.
  • Electrician.
  • Plasterer.
  • Plumbing.
  • Carpenter.

How much does a joiner charge per day UK?

Joinery prices and carpentry prices vary, but you can expect to pay a day rate of around £200 for most jobs.

What qualifications do I need to be a builder?

Building contractors need to have:

  • building and carpentry skills.
  • ability to interpret building plans and drawings.
  • knowledge of building methods and materials.
  • knowledge of building standards and safety regulations.
  • knowledge of health and safety procedures on building sites.
  • maths skills.
  • small business skills.

How much does a builder make per year?

A no experience Builder with less than three years of experience can expect to earn an average total compensation of £19,400 gross per year. A mid career Builder with 4-9 years of experience earns an average total compensation of £30,200, while an experienced Builder with 10-20 years of experience makes on average £42,400.

How much do self employed builders make in UK?

Getting builder clients. Now that you’re set up, it’s time to start winning clients! Not sure how much self-employed builders earn in the UK? The average hourly wage in 2017 for a self-employed builder was between £120 and £200, depending on experience and specialism.

How much does a Mid Career Builder Make?

A mid career Builder with 4-9 years of experience earns an average total compensation of £30,200, while an experienced Builder with 10-20 years of experience makes on average £42,400. Builders with more than 20 years of experience earn £45,600 on average.

How much does a roofer make in the UK?

We know several experienced employed roofers in the south of the UK that earn around £40,000 pa so the lower figure suggested below appears to be an error. It’s similar to what a semi-experienced labourer would earn in this sector: Again, we see a huge difference between the data supplied by Total Jobs and This is Money.