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Kerem IsmailFor most people who don't mind hard physical work, yes. CITB expects the UK to need 41,200 more construction workers each year between 2026 and 2030. Once you're qualified, trade pay sits a little under the UK average for full-time employees, and supervisors earn well above it. The downsides are just as clear. Construction is one of Britain's most dangerous industries, it wears your body down, and hiring is slow right now.
Will there still be work? What CITB's forecast says
CITB's latest forecast is the Construction Workforce Outlook 2026 to 2030, published on 17 June 2026. It's the annual forecast CITB used to publish as the Construction Skills Network.
It says the UK needs an average of 41,200 extra workers a year to 2030, around 206,000 in total. That covers growth and replacing people who retire or leave. The workforce was about 2.61 million in 2025 and is forecast to reach 2.68 million by 2030.
On site, the biggest needs each year are:
- carpenters and joiners, 1,900
- labourers, 1,810
- electrical installation trades, 1,690
- plumbing and heating trades, 1,570
- bricklayers and masons, 1,080
The short term is weaker, and it's worth knowing before you quit a job. CITB expects output to dip 0.2% in 2026 and grow again from 2027. The workforce shrank by 42,800 people in 2025. Construction vacancies fell to 1.7 per 100 jobs, from 2.8 a year earlier. So the long-term demand is there, but your first job may take more chasing than the headlines suggest.
What does construction pay?
ONS's annual earnings survey gives median pay for employees by job. These are the latest figures, for April 2025.
| Job | Median full-time pay a year | Median pay an hour |
|---|---|---|
| General construction labourer | £28,591 | £13.85 |
| Bricklayer | £33,030 | £16.75 |
| Carpenter or joiner | £34,014 | £17.04 |
| Plumber or heating installer | £37,881 | £18.18 |
| Groundworker | £37,925 | £16.29 |
| Construction trades supervisor | £45,021 | £20.62 |
| Construction project manager | £47,665 | £23.34 |
| All UK full-time employees | £39,039 | £19.74 |
Figures from the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Table 14, 2025 provisional, UK full-time employees, gross pay. "General construction labourer" is the ONS group "elementary construction occupations n.e.c.". Accurate as of September 2026.
As an employee, a qualified tradesperson usually earns a bit under the UK full-time median, and the money climbs once you supervise.
Two things the table doesn't show. The survey counts employees only, so self-employed tradespeople setting their own rates aren't in it. And the legal floor has moved since. From April 2026 it's £12.71 an hour at 21 and over, and £8 for a first-year apprentice.
The downsides nobody puts on the poster
Safety comes first. HSE puts construction's fatal injury rate at 1.92 per 100,000 workers, averaged over the five years to 2024/25. That's about 4.8 times the rate for all industries. More than half of those deaths were falls from height. In 2025/26, HSE's provisional figures show 25 construction workers killed, more than in any other industry.
Your body takes a hit too. About 2.0% of construction workers have a work-related musculoskeletal disorder, against 1.2% across all industries. Years of lifting, kneeling and reaching overhead add up.
The hours are long and the weather doesn't care. The National Careers Service puts a labourer's typical week at 40 to 44 hours, outdoors, sometimes away from home.
Work can be patchy. CITB says most construction firms employ fewer than five people and plan only three to six months ahead. Gaps between jobs are normal, especially if you go self-employed.
Who construction suits
It suits you if you'd rather be on your feet than at a desk, and you like seeing what you built at the end of the day. It suits people who want to earn while they learn. Apprentices are paid employees, and the common trade apprenticeships take 18 months to two years.
It's a harder sell if you need fixed, indoor hours, or you already have a back or joint problem. Heavy lifting doesn't go away until you move into supervising.
How to start, and where it leads
Most people start by labouring, on an apprenticeship or with a college course. On most sites you'll need a CSCS card whichever you choose. CSCS says the card isn't a legal requirement, but most principal contractors and major house builders insist on one.
- To get your first job on site, read how to become a labourer with no experience.
- To compare every route into a trade, see how to become a builder.
- To move up once you're on site, read about the step from labourer to skilled labourer.
- To aim higher, compare site supervisor and site manager roles.
If you've decided to try it, the first step is the same for almost everyone. Get the Green Labourer card. If you'd like one place to handle it, our CSCS Green Card package lets you do the Level 1 course and exam online while we line up your CITB test at a local Pearson VUE centre and deal with CSCS for you. Try our free CITB mock tests first to see where you stand.
Frequently asked questions
Is construction a good career in the UK?
For most people who like practical, physical work, yes. CITB forecasts demand for 41,200 extra workers a year to 2030, and qualified trades earn close to the UK average for full-time employees. The trade-offs are a higher risk of serious injury, wear on your body and patchy work between jobs, especially at the start.
Is there demand for construction workers in 2026?
Long term, yes, but 2026 itself is slow. CITB expects output to fall 0.2% this year before growing from 2027. Construction vacancies dropped to 1.7 per 100 jobs in its latest report, from 2.8 a year before. Expect to chase your first role harder than the long-term forecast suggests.
How much do construction workers earn in the UK?
It depends on the job. Going by the ONS survey for April 2025, the full-time median was £28,591 for general labourers, around £33,000 to £38,000 for trades such as bricklayers, carpenters and groundworkers, and £45,021 for trades supervisors. These cover employees only. Self-employed rates aren't included.
What are the disadvantages of working in construction?
Risk is the biggest. Construction's fatal injury rate is about 4.8 times the all-industry average, mostly from falls from height. Musculoskeletal problems are more common than in other work. Days run 40 to 44 hours a week outdoors, and small firms often can't promise work beyond a few months ahead.
Can I start a construction career with no experience?
Yes. Labouring needs no qualifications. Most sites just want to see a CSCS Green Labourer card, which you get with a Level 1 health and safety award and a pass in the CITB HS&E test. Apprenticeships are open to anyone 16 or over in England who isn't in full-time education, and you're paid while you train.
How long does it take to qualify in a trade?
Most level 2 trade apprenticeships in England take 18 months to two years. Skills England lists 24 months for bricklaying and for carpentry and joinery, and 18 months for groundworking. If you're already working on site, an NVQ assessed on your own work can be quicker, depending on how much evidence you can show.
Which construction jobs pay the most?
On site, supervising pays best. Construction trades supervisors earned a median £45,021 full time in 2025, and construction project managers £47,665. Among the trades, electricians, groundworkers and plumbers had the highest medians, all between about £37,900 and £39,700, according to ONS.
Kerem Ismail is Managing Director of The Builders Academy and has been helping people secure work in the construction industry since 2016.
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