Hudson Contract said that self-employed tradespeople on its books saw their pay rise by 1.2% in August 2024 to an average of £1,028 per week, the second highest on record.
However, year-on-year, earnings increased by just 1.6% compared to August 2023, falling behind the 2.2% consumer price inflation over the same period.
Insulation trades saw the strongest growth, with earnings rising 7.3% to a £1,218 per week last month. They were followed by bricklayers (up 4.6% to £1,032); demolition workers (up 3.5% to £1,025); and scaffolders (up 2% to £975).
Hudson’s pay trends analysis is based on services provided to approximately 2,600 construction SMEs across England and Wales.
Managing director Ian Anfield said: “Our latest figures demonstrate the continued demand for the most highly skilled, safe and productive tradespeople in construction – the self-employed subcontractors. Several trades are seeing record earnings even when house-building activity is relatively flat and way below government targets.
“We encourage the new government and its agencies to recognise the positive contribution made by self-employed tradespeople in delivering ambitious housebuilding targets and enabling economic growth more widely. Self-employment is frequently the first step towards establishing a new business and employing other people and passing on trade skills.”
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