18th December 2024 | Hudson Contract
Construction trades hit record earnings as demand remains strong
Self-employed tradespeople achieved record weekly earnings last month, with average payments reaching £1,053 according to our latest Pay Trends analysis. October’s figures show a month-on-month increase of 0.5 per cent and year-on-year growth of 2.6 per cent, despite broader economic headwinds.
Monthly earnings growth was strongest in roofing, where rates increased by 5.6 per cent. Demolition and surfacing subcontractors followed with robust rises of 5 and 4.1 per cent respectively.
Regional analysis shows the North East leading growth at 3.7 per cent, with the East of England and South East following at 2.4 and 2.1 per cent, reflecting continued strength in these key markets.
Ian Anfield, managing director of Hudson Contract, said: “As it has been all year, demand for good skilled labour remains high. Earnings are continuing to increase at a measured pace.”
Mr Anfield added: “We’re hopeful the government’s planning reforms and housing market stimulation measures will materialise next year. Sir Keir Starmer has promised ‘a golden era of building’ to improve the country’s prosperity. Our numbers are showing steady growth, which suggests the market might be moving in the right direction.”
| Region | November 2024 Average | Month on Month % Change | Year on Year % Change |
| North East | £843 | 3.7% | 7.5% |
| North West | £975 | 1.1% | 0.0% |
| Yorkshire & Humber | £994 | 0.7% | 0.4% |
| East Midlands | £1,083 | -1.3% | 0.2% |
| West Midlands | £1,004 | 0.8% | 0.5% |
| Wales | £1,127 | -6.7% | 3.1% |
| East of England | £1,128 | 2.4% | 0.6% |
| London | £1,142 | -0.4% | 5.8% |
| South East | £1,081 | 2.1% | 4.3% |
| South West | £1,081 | 1.1% | 10.6% |
To view our interactive pay trends map click here
| Trade | November 2024 Average | Month on Month % Change | Year on Year % Change |
| Bricklaying | £1,005 | 2.3% | 3.6% |
| Civil Engineering | £1,002 | 2.9% | 7.0% |
| Demolition & Wrecking | £1,038 | 5.0% | 6.4% |
| Electrical | £1,269 | 1.0% | 3.3% |
| Equipment & Operator Hire | £1,006 | -1.0% | 2.8% |
| General Construction | £1,066 | 0.8% | 3.2% |
| Insulation | £1,269 | -0.8% | 10.6% |
| Joinery | £1,068 | -6.7% | -4.8% |
| Mechanical & Engineering | £1,177 | -3.6% | 0.6% |
| Plastering | £923 | -1.6% | 3.9% |
| Plumbing | £1,159 | 2.6% | -0.7% |
| Roofing | £888 | 5.6% | 6.2% |
| Scaffolding & Lifting | £1,013 | 4.1% | 6.8% |
| Shop Fitting | £1,169 | 0.5% | 2.9% |
| Specialist Trades | £979 | 0.3% | 2.1% |
| Steel & Timber Frame Erection | £938 | -8.3% | 2.1% |
| Surfacing Contractors | £1,041 | 4.1% | 2.5% |
To view our interactive pay trends map click here
We are a leading provider of services to the construction industry with a client base of 2,600 SMEs. We provide the most accurate indication of pay trends across the sector, publishing average pay for 17 different trades across 10 regions in England and Wales. Since 2019, we have supplied these statistics to the Bank of England to help inform policymakers with crucial insights on skilled labour demand.
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