Construction day rates UK 2026
What labourers, trades, plant operators and site staff are earning right now, region by region. Gross CIS or temp day rates, labour only, from live agency benchmarks and trade surveys.
Snapshot: five regions, twelve roles
Rates vary by up to 45% between Northern Ireland and inner London for the same trade. Full tables on each region page.
| Role | Inner London | South East | West Midlands | North West | Scotland |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General labourer | £155–185 | £130–155 | £120–140 | £115–135 | £115–135 |
| Skilled labourer | £175–205 | £145–170 | £135–155 | £130–150 | £130–150 |
| Groundworker | £215–255 | £180–215 | £165–195 | £160–190 | £160–190 |
| Steel fixer | £255–300 | £220–255 | £200–230 | £190–225 | £190–225 |
| Bricklayer | £285–335 | £245–285 | £220–260 | £215–250 | £215–250 |
| Joiner / carpenter | £270–315 | £230–265 | £205–245 | £200–235 | £200–235 |
| Plasterer / dryliner | £250–295 | £215–250 | £195–225 | £185–220 | £185–220 |
| Roofer | £265–310 | £225–260 | £200–240 | £195–230 | £195–230 |
| Painter & decorator | £220–260 | £185–220 | £170–200 | £165–195 | £165–195 |
| Scaffolder (Part 2) | £250–295 | £215–250 | £195–225 | £185–220 | £185–220 |
| Dumper / roller driver | £195–230 | £165–195 | £150–180 | £145–175 | £145–175 |
| Telehandler operator | £210–245 | £175–210 | £160–190 | £155–185 | £155–185 |
Gross day rates, labour only, 8–10 hour day. Guide only; the rate for any job depends on experience, tickets and duration.
Rates by region
Pick your region for all 23 roles, hourly equivalents and what moves rates locally.
How to read these rates
The figures are the gross amount paid to a temporary worker for a day's work, before tax, and before any agency margin. They are what a worker on CIS or PAYE-through-agency should expect to see on their statement. If you're an employer, the charge rate you pay will be higher, typically 20–35% on top, which covers employer NI, holiday pay, insurance and the agency's margin.
What moves the rate
- Region. Inner London pays roughly 30% above the national mid-point; Northern Ireland roughly 12% below. Everywhere else sits between.
- Tickets. A 360 operator with a slinger ticket, an electrician with 2391, a scaffolder with Advanced: each adds £10–30 a day.
- Duration. A three-day fill costs more per day than a three-month one.
- Shift pattern. Nights, weekends and 12-hour days attract uplifts of 20–50%.
- Demand spikes. Big regional projects pull rates up for every trade in their catchment.
Sources
Baseline rates are compiled from agency salary guides, published trade surveys and live job adverts, reviewed each quarter. Regional multipliers follow the pattern in published regional salary data. We update the tables every quarter; the date at the top of each page tells you when.
Hiring, or looking for work?
Post a requirement and we'll quote a rate for your site. Or register as a candidate and we'll tell you what you should be earning.
Contact us
Tell us what you're working on and what you need. We reply the same working day, and usually within the hour during site hours.