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Bricklayer

Lay the foundations of a great career! You'll use your bricklaying skills to build and repair all sorts of structures.

Also known as: builder, brickie

About the job

Salary (before tax)

Entry

£25,000

Arrow

Experienced

£45,000

In this job, new workers in Scotland start around £25,000 per year. Experienced workers can earn up to £45,000.

What it's like

Are you looking for a hands-on job where your keen eye for detail will come in handy? As a bricklayer, you'll build and repair a range of different structures.

You'll deal with walls, chimneys, tunnel linings and archways. Your work will help people's homes and other buildings stay safe and protected from the weather.

Bricklayers can also spend a lot of time working on home extensions. You may refurbish brickwork and masonry to restore old buildings as well. If you fancied it, you could even specialise in stonemasonry!

Your tasks might include:

  • reading building plans from architects or engineers

  • measuring the work area before you start laying bricks

  • setting out the first rows of bricks (courses) and the damp course

  • mixing mortar by hand or with a mechanical mixer

  • laying bricks on top of each other and using a trowel to apply the mortar

  • shaping and trimming bricks using hammers, chisels and power tools

On larger jobs, your team will work on a particular section of a building alongside other bricklaying groups. You'll need to be aware of safety issues, particularly when working at heights and carrying loads.

Hours

  • You'll normally work Monday to Friday.

  • Sometimes, you may need to do overtime in the evenings and at weekends.

Environment

  • You'll spend a lot of time outside, whatever the weather!

  • The work can be physically hard, so you'll need to be fit.

  • Your job may involve working at heights on scaffolding.

  • You'll be expected to use protective equipment, such as safety helmets and boots.

Travel

  • You'll travel between building sites.

  • Some jobs may involve overnight stays away from home.

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