Sub-contractor Pay Trends February 2021
Strong demand for labour drives growth in earnings
Demand for skilled labour on building sites rebounded strongly last month, according to the construction industry’s biggest payer of subcontractors.
Hudson Contract said average weekly earnings for freelance tradespeople increased by 6.1 per cent during February after the annual fall in January.
Hudson supplies professional services to more than 2,500 construction SMEs and has a turnover of £1.6bn.
Ian Anfield, managing director, said: “We are seeing growing demand for skilled labour on building sites across England and Wales.
“Many of our clients are in the housebuilding sector and are reporting full order books.
“Interest rates are at a near record low, latest Bank of England data show the mortgage market is strong and the government is committed to new infrastructure spending.”
February earnings were down by 4 per cent compared to the same month last year but as always, significantly up on the January figures as the industry hits its stride after slowing down for Christmas and the New year
Mr Anfield added: “Considering the UK economy shrank by nearly 10 per cent during 2020, this shows the powerful underlying demand for skilled labour.
“The construction industry continues to offer great earning potential for people who want to start or switch careers.
“We are playing our part in promoting the sector through our 10-year-old apprentice sponsorship scheme, which is creating meaningful training opportunities for young people in our home county of Yorkshire.”
Steel and timber frame contractors had the best month with weekly earnings growing by 17.1 per cent to £934 in February, followed by joiners (up 13.4 per cent to £1,038) and electricians (up 12.7 per cent to £1,088).
The best-performing regions for earnings growth were the North East (up 10.6 per cent), the East of England (up 10.4 per cent) and the South East (up 8.2 per cent).
NATIONAL WEEKLY AVERAGE EARNINGS FEBRUARY 2021: £887
| Region | February 2021 Average | Month on Month % Change | Year on Year % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| North East | £770 | 10.6% | 0.5% |
| North West | £876 | 6.2% | -0.5% |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | £799 | 6.3% | -3.6% |
| East Midlands | £934 | 4.1% | -1.7% |
| West Midlands | £884 | 5.1% | -10.8% |
| Wales | £851 | -1.8% | 6.1% |
| East of England | £968 | 10.4% | 0.2% |
| London | £880 | 3.0% | -3.7% |
| South East | £941 | 8.2% | 1.0% |
| South West | £861 | 5.8% | 0.3% |
Hudson delivers the most accurate indication of subcontractor pay trends across the construction industry, publishing the average pay for a spectrum of 17 different trades split across 10 regions in England and Wales.
It supplies statistics to the Bank of England to keep policymakers updated with real-time insights on demand for skilled labour.
To access Hudson Contract’s Construction Pay Trends index, please click here
North East
| NORTH EAST | Nov-20 | Dec-20 | Jan-21 | Feb-21 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIVIL ENGINEERING | £949 | £1,042 | £882 | £922 |
| ELECTRICAL | £1,296 | £928 | £682 | £687 |
| EQUIPMENT & OPERATOR HIRE | £631 | £615 | £562 | £853 |
| GENERAL CONSTRUCTION | £716 | £766 | £556 | £645 |
| INSULATION | £809 | £847 | - | - |
| JOINERY | £684 | £733 | £687 | £758 |
| PLASTERING | £783 | £687 | £689 | £765 |
| ROOFING | £901 | £1,152 | £858 | £1,038 |
| SCAFFOLDING & LIFTING | £304 | £425 | £511 | £535 |
| SHOP FITTING | £670 | £783 | £604 | £560 |
| SPECIALIST TRADES | £648 | £724 | £656 | £704 |
North West
| NORTH WEST | Nov-20 | Dec-20 | Jan-21 | Feb-21 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRICKLAYING | £711 | £788 | £610 | £685 |
| CIVIL ENGINEERING | £783 | £805 | £738 | £779 |
| DEMOLITION & WRECKING | £761 | £790 | £792 | £805 |
| ELECTRICAL | £814 | £844 | £727 | £926 |
| EQUIPMENT & OPERATOR HIRE | £767 | £842 | £920 | £716 |
| GENERAL CONSTRUCTION | £949 | £980 | £826 | £967 |
| INSULATION | £721 | £965 | £478 | £822 |
| JOINERY | £1,183 | £1,302 | £1,194 | £1,203 |
| MECHANICAL & ENGINEERING | £840 | £1,124 | £1,071 | £1,140 |
| PLASTERING | £585 | £431 | £458 | £564 |
| PLUMBING | £823 | £1,122 | £842 | £941 |
| ROOFING | £872 | £965 | £840 | £915 |
| SCAFFOLDING & LIFTING | £739 | £656 | £637 | £712 |
| SHOP FITTING | £1,018 | £998 | £1,205 | £1,051 |
| SPECIALIST TRADES | £808 | £941 | £794 | £709 |
| STEEL & TIMBER FRAME ERECTION | £638 | £599 | £530 | £545 |
| SURFACING CONTRACTORS | £940 | £1,002 | £801 | £962 |
Yorkshire & Humber
| YORKSHIRE & HUMBER | Nov-20 | Dec-20 | Jan-21 | Feb-21 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRICKLAYING | £712 | £726 | £547 | £692 |
| CIVIL ENGINEERING | £811 | £817 | £725 | £787 |
| DEMOLITION & WRECKING | £752 | £696 | £730 | £734 |
| ELECTRICAL | £1,280 | £1,228 | £1,139 | £1,104 |
| EQUIPMENT & OPERATOR HIRE | £767 | £792 | £771 | £763 |
| GENERAL CONSTRUCTION | £819 | £858 | £732 | £800 |
| INSULATION | £833 | £742 | £636 | £725 |
| JOINERY | £730 | £772 | £707 | £794 |
| MECHANICAL & ENGINEERING | £1,024 | £987 | £898 | £1,062 |
| PLASTERING | £724 | £879 | £707 | £729 |
| PLUMBING | £799 | £712 | £687 | £718 |
| ROOFING | £663 | £707 | £563 | £580 |
| SCAFFOLDING & LIFTING | £615 | £562 | £511 | £566 |
| SHOP FITTING | £1,018 | £1,083 | £1,118 | £894 |
| SPECIALIST TRADES | £961 | £773 | £648 | £730 |
| STEEL & TIMBER FRAME ERECTION | £1,040 | £1,264 | £1,086 | £1,285 |
| SURFACING CONTRACTORS | £925 | £902 | £746 | £730 |
East Midlands
| EAST MIDLANDS | Nov-20 | Dec-20 | Jan-21 | Feb-21 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIVIL ENGINEERING | £918 | £860 | £842 | £873 |
| DEMOLITION & WRECKING | £672 | £714 | ||
| ELECTRICAL | £879 | £890 | £891 | £1,081 |
| EQUIPMENT & OPERATOR HIRE | £1,023 | £1,290 | £1,287 | £844 |
| GENERAL CONSTRUCTION | £1,032 | £968 | £849 | £934 |
| INSULATION | £786 | £820 | £690 | £785 |
| JOINERY | £768 | £766 | £745 | £847 |
| MECHANICAL & ENGINEERING | £1,397 | £1,445 | £1,542 | £1,820 |
| PLASTERING | £785 | £789 | £722 | £763 |
| PLUMBING | £1,311 | £1,211 | £1,116 | £1,082 |
| ROOFING | £700 | £778 | £692 | £722 |
| SCAFFOLDING & LIFTING | £831 | £804 | £666 | £734 |
| SHOP FITTING | £1,226 | £1,250 | £941 | £1,059 |
| SPECIALIST TRADES | £811 | £842 | £801 | £797 |
| STEEL & TIMBER FRAME ERECTION | £518 | £619 | £954 | £1,069 |
| SURFACING CONTRACTORS | £907 | £942 | £819 | £846 |
West Midlands
| WEST MIDLANDS | Nov-20 | Dec-20 | Jan-21 | Feb-21 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRICKLAYING | £844 | £811 | £655 | £731 |
| CIVIL ENGINEERING | £1,019 | £994 | £918 | £965 |
| DEMOLITION & WRECKING | £652 | £651 | £569 | £548 |
| ELECTRICAL | £1,225 | £1,219 | £1,121 | £1,222 |
| EQUIPMENT & OPERATOR HIRE | £863 | £846 | £827 | £853 |
| GENERAL CONSTRUCTION | £917 | £883 | £841 | £914 |
| INSULATION | £891 | £847 | £838 | £812 |
| JOINERY | £1,204 | £1,010 | £1,178 | £1,184 |
| MECHANICAL & ENGINEERING | £1,626 | £1,101 | £1,369 | £1,260 |
| PLASTERING | £668 | £659 | £600 | £681 |
| PLUMBING | £939 | £876 | £821 | £964 |
| ROOFING | £617 | £638 | £556 | £600 |
| SCAFFOLDING & LIFTING | £743 | £638 | £586 | £642 |
| SHOP FITTING | £1,321 | £1,285 | £1,488 | £1,348 |
| SPECIALIST TRADES | £949 | £852 | £823 | £826 |
| SURFACING CONTRACTORS | £816 | £792 | £651 | £689 |
Wales
| WALES | Nov-20 | Dec-20 | Jan-21 | Feb-21 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRICKLAYING | £1,199 | £1,278 | £1,397 | £1,125 |
| CIVIL ENGINEERING | £755 | £728 | £789 | £756 |
| ELECTRICAL | £812 | £874 | £897 | £830 |
| EQUIPMENT & OPERATOR HIRE | £1,562 | £1,423 | £1,257 | £1,266 |
| GENERAL CONSTRUCTION | £750 | £723 | £745 | £862 |
| JOINERY | - | - | - | - |
| MECHANICAL & ENGINEERING | £589 | £830 | £752 | £914 |
| PLASTERING | £968 | £915 | £800 | £881 |
| PLUMBING | £823 | £830 | £885 | £711 |
| ROOFING | £1,427 | £1,282 | £392 | £609 |
| SCAFFOLDING & LIFTING | £713 | £718 | £768 | £664 |
| SPECIALIST TRADES | £760 | £789 | £846 | £774 |
| STEEL & TIMBER FRAME ERECTION | £738 | £647 | £842 | £1,022 |
| SURFACING CONTRACTORS | - | - | - | - |
East of England
| EAST OF ENGLAND | Nov-20 | Dec-20 | Jan-21 | Feb-21 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRICKLAYING | £773 | £779 | £661 | £719 |
| CIVIL ENGINEERING | £1,011 | £991 | £903 | £955 |
| DEMOLITION & WRECKING | £789 | £730 | £698 | £758 |
| ELECTRICAL | £1,510 | £1,515 | £1,207 | £1,544 |
| EQUIPMENT & OPERATOR HIRE | £921 | £1,010 | £925 | £874 |
| GENERAL CONSTRUCTION | £941 | £924 | £849 | £894 |
| INSULATION | £947 | £941 | £805 | £854 |
| JOINERY | £1,138 | £1,210 | £986 | £1,151 |
| MECHANICAL & ENGINEERING | £1,162 | £1,228 | £1,162 | £1,214 |
| PLASTERING | £1,084 | £967 | £1,017 | £1,032 |
| PLUMBING | £1,131 | £1,060 | £1,063 | £1,106 |
| ROOFING | £803 | £792 | £658 | £794 |
| SCAFFOLDING & LIFTING | £775 | £820 | £778 | £723 |
| SHOP FITTING | £1,465 | £1,550 | £1,213 | £1,539 |
| SPECIALIST TRADES | £761 | £755 | £693 | £829 |
| STEEL & TIMBER FRAME ERECTION | £745 | £730 | £601 | £750 |
| SURFACING CONTRACTORS | £696 | £710 | £636 | £697 |
London
| LONDON | Nov-20 | Dec-20 | Jan-21 | Feb-21 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRICKLAYING | £813 | £772 | £685 | £749 |
| CIVIL ENGINEERING | £874 | £886 | £788 | £860 |
| DEMOLITION & WRECKING | £856 | - | - | - |
| ELECTRICAL | £1,117 | £911 | £954 | £985 |
| EQUIPMENT & OPERATOR HIRE | £788 | £727 | £709 | £758 |
| GENERAL CONSTRUCTION | £1,007 | £993 | £987 | £974 |
| INSULATION | - | - | £2,040 | - |
| JOINERY | £916 | £1,019 | £823 | £932 |
| MECHANICAL & ENGINEERING | £654 | £768 | £735 | £757 |
| PLASTERING | - | - | - | - |
| PLUMBING | £1,156 | £1,099 | £1,092 | £1,155 |
| ROOFING | £782 | £789 | £719 | £726 |
| SCAFFOLDING & LIFTING | £903 | £921 | £872 | £915 |
| SHOP FITTING | £864 | £1,023 | £630 | £703 |
| SPECIALIST TRADES | £1,055 | £1,113 | £980 | £1,059 |
| STEEL & TIMBER FRAME ERECTION | £644 | £640 | £661 | £733 |
| SURFACING CONTRACTORS | £475 | £480 | £550 | £400 |
South East
| SOUTH EAST | Nov-20 | Dec-20 | Jan-21 | Feb-21 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRICKLAYING | £932 | £922 | £590 | £757 |
| CIVIL ENGINEERING | £768 | £789 | £783 | £798 |
| DEMOLITION & WRECKING | £1,357 | £1,313 | £1,130 | £1,292 |
| ELECTRICAL | £1,142 | £1,286 | £1,137 | £1,261 |
| EQUIPMENT & OPERATOR HIRE | £858 | £860 | £860 | £837 |
| GENERAL CONSTRUCTION | £926 | £890 | £889 | £868 |
| INSULATION | £719 | £716 | £797 | £801 |
| JOINERY | £1,045 | £1,067 | £950 | £1,176 |
| MECHANICAL & ENGINEERING | £1,246 | £1,402 | £1,336 | £1,100 |
| PLASTERING | £742 | £814 | £704 | £785 |
| PLUMBING | £965 | £1,102 | £827 | £974 |
| ROOFING | £747 | £848 | £661 | £687 |
| SCAFFOLDING & LIFTING | £862 | £861 | £792 | £792 |
| SHOP FITTING | £1,297 | £1,097 | £1,176 | £1,276 |
| SPECIALIST TRADES | £786 | £806 | £676 | £753 |
| STEEL & TIMBER FRAME ERECTION | £639 | £671 | £760 | £871 |
| SURFACING CONTRACTORS | £834 | £876 | £732 | £866 |
South West
| SOUTH WEST | Nov-20 | Dec-20 | Jan-21 | Feb-21 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRICKLAYING | £600 | £600 | - | £540 |
| CIVIL ENGINEERING | £806 | £831 | £800 | £809 |
| ELECTRICAL | £793 | £867 | £669 | £772 |
| EQUIPMENT & OPERATOR HIRE | - | - | - | - |
| GENERAL CONSTRUCTION | £921 | £927 | £795 | £908 |
| INSULATION | £1,368 | £1,284 | £1,378 | £1,358 |
| JOINERY | £941 | £1,144 | £828 | £1,099 |
| MECHANICAL & ENGINEERING | £753 | £756 | £647 | £714 |
| PLASTERING | £1,118 | £754 | £582 | £695 |
| PLUMBING | £871 | £916 | £1,172 | £1,275 |
| ROOFING | £833 | £803 | £738 | £815 |
| SCAFFOLDING & LIFTING | £811 | £865 | £688 | £709 |
| SPECIALIST TRADES | £965 | £1,161 | £1,168 | £964 |
| SURFACING CONTRACTORS | £634 | £666 | £599 | £622 |