Sub-contractor Pay Trends June 2019
Hudson Contract delivers the most accurate indications of pay trends across the construction industry, using payroll data for over 2,200 construction companies to publish the average pay for a spectrum of 17 different trades now split across ten regions.
Weekly earnings for freelance tradespeople in the construction sector bounced back last month, according to latest figures released by Hudson Contract.
Analysis of June payroll data for more than 2,200 construction companies in England and Wales reveals a 6.8 per cent month-on-month increase to an average of £893.
The strong performance for the month reverses the 5.5 per cent fall seen in May.
The North East region was the biggest winner with weekly earnings rising by 10 per cent to £770, followed by Yorkshire and Humber, up 8.9 per cent to £842, and the South West, up 8.8 per cent to £801.
Weekly earnings for June showed a 4.6 per cent improvement compared to the same month in 2018.
| Region | June 2019 Average | Month on Month % Change | Year on Year % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| North East | £770 | 10.0% | -0.9% |
| North West | £848 | 6.3% | 12.5% |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | £842 | 8.9% | 5.0% |
| East Midlands | £883 | 4.3% | 3.9% |
| West Midlands | £931 | 6.0% | 1.7% |
| Wales | £812 | 6.0% | 4.4% |
| East of England | £930 | 6.5% | 2.5% |
| London | £914 | 7.2% | 7.5% |
| South East | £904 | 7.0% | 3.7% |
| South West | £801 | 8.8% | 3.8% |
Mechanical and electrical engineers in the East Midlands topped the table in June, with weekly earnings rising 2.1 per cent to an average of £1,925.
Ian Anfield, managing director of Hudson Contract, said: “Weekly earnings for every trade rose by last month, a welcome return to growth after the fall in May.
“Freelance tradespeople are the lifeblood of the construction industry, providing specialist and flexible labour to contractors.
“Without their vital contribution to projects, it would be far more challenging for construction businesses to be competitive, productive and innovative.
“Our monthly Pay Trends reports show that skilled freelancers earn a premium for their services and highlight the many opportunities for young people to enter the industry.
“For example, a subcontractor specialising in mechanical and engineering work is earning the equivalent of a £100,000 salary in the East Midlands.”
The findings correspond with the latest IHS Markit / CIPS purchasing managers index for the construction industry which reports that demand for construction staff was relatively resilient in June.
To access Hudson Contract’s Construction Pay Trends index, please click here
North East
| NORTH EAST | Mar-19 | Apr-19 | May-19 | Jun-19 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIVIL ENGINEERING | £837 | £820 | £771 | £808 |
| ELECTRICAL | £1,016 | £825 | £756 | £911 |
| EQUIPMENT & OPERATOR HIRE | £653 | £555 | £615 | £685 |
| GENERAL CONSTRUCTION | £785 | £784 | £702 | £778 |
| INSULATION | £730 | £679 | £635 | £710 |
| PLASTERING | £683 | £683 | £593 | £670 |
| ROOFING | £1,083 | £918 | £1,043 | £945 |
| SCAFFOLDING & LIFTING | £463 | £413 | £351 | £468 |
| SHOP FITTING | £769 | £737 | £592 | £722 |
| SPECIALIST TRADES | £596 | £649 | £624 | £685 |
North West
| NORTH WEST | Mar-19 | Apr-19 | May-19 | Jun-19 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRICKLAYING | £811 | £843 | £803 | £891 |
| CIVIL ENGINEERING | £759 | £736 | £709 | £761 |
| DEMOLITION & WRECKING | £770 | £711 | £673 | £723 |
| ELECTRICAL | £825 | £791 | £714 | £812 |
| EQUIPMENT & OPERATOR HIRE | £737 | £668 | £704 | £754 |
| GENERAL CONSTRUCTION | £836 | £821 | £773 | £835 |
| INSULATION | £1,205 | £1,071 | £1,075 | £1,222 |
| JOINERY | £1,110 | £996 | £1,020 | £1,067 |
| MECHANICAL & ENGINEERING | £1,230 | £1,255 | £1,016 | £1,075 |
| PLASTERING | £553 | £562 | £583 | £648 |
| PLUMBING | £878 | £789 | £750 | £783 |
| ROOFING | £846 | £826 | £789 | £889 |
| SCAFFOLDING & LIFTING | £665 | £627 | £583 | £649 |
| SHOP FITTING | £1,251 | £1,064 | £1,104 | £1,060 |
| SPECIALIST TRADES | £823 | £1,329 | £1,242 | £1,254 |
| STEEL & TIMBER FRAME ERECTION | £654 | £570 | £510 | £640 |
| SURFACING CONTRACTORS | £752 | £941 | £869 | £855 |
Yorkshire & Humber
| YORKSHIRE & HUMBER | Mar-19 | Apr-19 | May-19 | Jun-19 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRICKLAYING | £725 | £714 | £651 | £767 |
| CIVIL ENGINEERING | £825 | £782 | £753 | £803 |
| DEMOLITION & WRECKING | £611 | £603 | £560 | £631 |
| ELECTRICAL | £930 | £895 | £802 | £884 |
| EQUIPMENT & OPERATOR HIRE | £859 | £867 | £793 | £862 |
| GENERAL CONSTRUCTION | £826 | £807 | £763 | £842 |
| INSULATION | £677 | £669 | £641 | £647 |
| JOINERY | £845 | £785 | £740 | £701 |
| MECHANICAL & ENGINEERING | £1,028 | £1,030 | £1,057 | £1,086 |
| PLASTERING | £824 | £835 | £838 | £839 |
| PLUMBING | £675 | £681 | £623 | £734 |
| ROOFING | £696 | £646 | £621 | £733 |
| SCAFFOLDING & LIFTING | £573 | £528 | £500 | £577 |
| SHOP FITTING | £1,416 | £1,171 | £1,313 | £1,249 |
| SPECIALIST TRADES | £1,017 | £1,033 | £904 | £1,010 |
| STEEL & TIMBER FRAME ERECTION | £1,106 | £1,072 | £1,346 | £1,204 |
| SURFACING CONTRACTORS | £902 | £886 | £756 | £841 |
East Midlands
| EAST MIDLANDS | Mar-19 | Apr-19 | May-19 | Jun-19 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIVIL ENGINEERING | £855 | £820 | £778 | £796 |
| ELECTRICAL | £914 | £955 | £872 | £989 |
| EQUIPMENT & OPERATOR HIRE | £806 | £1,111 | £979 | £984 |
| GENERAL CONSTRUCTION | £1,026 | £1,045 | £976 | £1,042 |
| INSULATION | £863 | £801 | £789 | £853 |
| JOINERY | £829 | £801 | £824 | £859 |
| MECHANICAL & ENGINEERING | £1,634 | £2,032 | £1,885 | £1,925 |
| PLASTERING | £688 | £727 | £647 | £736 |
| PLUMBING | £1,175 | £1,173 | £1,115 | £1,108 |
| ROOFING | £798 | £906 | £826 | £796 |
| SCAFFOLDING & LIFTING | £790 | £791 | £755 | £743 |
| SHOP FITTING | £879 | £838 | £843 | £678 |
| SPECIALIST TRADES | £823 | £809 | £787 | £771 |
| STEEL & TIMBER FRAME ERECTION | £671 | £1,175 | £1,145 | £903 |
| SURFACING CONTRACTORS | £911 | £860 | £784 | £824 |
West Midlands
| WEST MIDLANDS | Mar-19 | Apr-19 | May-19 | Jun-19 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRICKLAYING | £828 | £836 | £830 | £938 |
| CIVIL ENGINEERING | £969 | £951 | £896 | £939 |
| DEMOLITION & WRECKING | £624 | £596 | £542 | £687 |
| ELECTRICAL | £1,213 | £1,148 | £1,108 | £1,189 |
| EQUIPMENT & OPERATOR HIRE | £834 | £800 | £824 | £818 |
| GENERAL CONSTRUCTION | £897 | £880 | £825 | £863 |
| INSULATION | £855 | £832 | £818 | £797 |
| JOINERY | £1,196 | £1,152 | £1,081 | £1,166 |
| MECHANICAL & ENGINEERING | £1,118 | £1,220 | £1,432 | £1,549 |
| PLASTERING | £724 | £786 | £591 | £754 |
| PLUMBING | £911 | £896 | £985 | £1,036 |
| ROOFING | £596 | £589 | £559 | £659 |
| SCAFFOLDING & LIFTING | £688 | £748 | £628 | £746 |
| SHOP FITTING | £1,186 | £1,246 | £1,188 | £1,466 |
| SPECIALIST TRADES | £912 | £994 | £872 | £974 |
| SURFACING CONTRACTORS | £838 | £780 | £707 | £769 |
Wales
| WALES | Mar-19 | Apr-19 | May-19 | Jun-19 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIVIL ENGINEERING | £768 | £738 | £708 | £743 |
| ELECTRICAL | £891 | £800 | £738 | £859 |
| EQUIPMENT & OPERATOR HIRE | £1,409 | £1,224 | £1,273 | £1,315 |
| GENERAL CONSTRUCTION | £886 | £869 | £901 | £962 |
| Joinery | £1,102 | £409 | £1,455 | £2,228 |
| PLASTERING | £1,203 | £1,170 | £1,056 | £977 |
| PLUMBING | £1,079 | £938 | £917 | £1,004 |
| ROOFING | £520 | £476 | £441 | £554 |
| SCAFFOLDING & LIFTING | £789 | £881 | £806 | £941 |
| SPECIALIST TRADES | £774 | £789 | £751 | £808 |
| STEEL & TIMBER FRAME ERECTION | £757 | £827 | £665 | £730 |
| SURFACING CONTRACTORS | £1,229 | £1,287 | £1,045 | £1,045 |
East of England
| EAST OF ENGLAND | Mar-19 | Apr-19 | May-19 | Jun-19 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRICKLAYING | £781 | £794 | £728 | £785 |
| CIVIL ENGINEERING | £958 | £898 | £843 | £904 |
| DEMOLITION & WRECKING | £789 | £689 | £763 | £773 |
| ELECTRICAL | £1,304 | £1,292 | £1,241 | £1,326 |
| EQUIPMENT & OPERATOR HIRE | £917 | £848 | £820 | £858 |
| GENERAL CONSTRUCTION | £975 | £931 | £878 | £952 |
| INSULATION | £945 | £965 | £885 | £920 |
| JOINERY | £1,225 | £1,336 | £1,260 | £1,221 |
| MECHANICAL & ENGINEERING | £1,289 | £1,224 | £1,078 | £1,132 |
| PLASTERING | £939 | £872 | £838 | £864 |
| PLUMBING | £1,330 | £1,349 | £1,281 | £1,336 |
| ROOFING | £760 | £733 | £672 | £729 |
| SCAFFOLDING & LIFTING | £875 | £864 | £829 | £881 |
| SHOP FITTING | £1,331 | £1,330 | £1,258 | £1,290 |
| SPECIALIST TRADES | £886 | £828 | £832 | £833 |
| STEEL & TIMBER FRAME ERECTION | £661 | £674 | £624 | £691 |
| SURFACING CONTRACTORS | £758 | £695 | £683 | £699 |
London
| LONDON | Mar-19 | Apr-19 | May-19 | Jun-19 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRICKLAYING | £742 | £753 | £695 | £766 |
| CIVIL ENGINEERING | £827 | £821 | £785 | £832 |
| DEMOLITION & WRECKING | - | - | £465 | £744 |
| ELECTRICAL | £1,082 | £1,059 | £969 | £920 |
| EQUIPMENT & OPERATOR HIRE | £726 | £740 | £826 | £807 |
| GENERAL CONSTRUCTION | £987 | £992 | £918 | £1,008 |
| INSULATION | £924 | £805 | £956 | £827 |
| JOINERY | £1,140 | £1,086 | £1,123 | £1,240 |
| MECHANICAL & ENGINEERING | £1,146 | £1,132 | £989 | £1,184 |
| PLASTERING | £675 | £555 | £503 | £705 |
| PLUMBING | £983 | £916 | £906 | £966 |
| ROOFING | £934 | £931 | £861 | £988 |
| SCAFFOLDING & LIFTING | £1,137 | £1,119 | £1,056 | £1,109 |
| SHOP FITTING | £1,035 | £912 | £983 | £970 |
| SPECIALIST TRADES | £1,101 | £1,059 | £1,051 | £1,138 |
| STEEL & TIMBER FRAME ERECTION | £1,131 | £1,112 | £945 | £1,081 |
| SURFACING CONTRACTORS | £1,000 | £627 | £467 | £518 |
South East
| SOUTH EAST | Mar-19 | Apr-19 | May-19 | Jun-19 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRICKLAYING | £802 | £780 | £738 | £768 |
| CIVIL ENGINEERING | £824 | £799 | £760 | £805 |
| DEMOLITION & WRECKING | £1,186 | £1,244 | £1,083 | £1,220 |
| ELECTRICAL | £1,166 | £1,203 | £1,157 | £1,191 |
| EQUIPMENT & OPERATOR HIRE | £821 | £771 | £745 | £849 |
| GENERAL CONSTRUCTION | £886 | £851 | £835 | £899 |
| INSULATION | £875 | - | £865 | £843 |
| JOINERY | £986 | £1,009 | £956 | £1,008 |
| MECHANICAL & ENGINEERING | £1,062 | £935 | £969 | £1,048 |
| PLASTERING | £758 | £762 | £661 | £719 |
| PLUMBING | £1,083 | £1,086 | £1,105 | £1,127 |
| ROOFING | £784 | £760 | £692 | £769 |
| SCAFFOLDING & LIFTING | £841 | £793 | £783 | £805 |
| SHOP FITTING | £1,387 | £1,215 | £1,269 | £1,441 |
| SPECIALIST TRADES | £826 | £853 | £782 | £853 |
| STEEL & TIMBER FRAME ERECTION | £783 | £737 | £685 | £750 |
| SURFACING CONTRACTORS | £850 | £893 | £849 | £844 |
South West
| SOUTH WEST | Mar-19 | Apr-19 | May-19 | Jun-19 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRICKLAYING | £1,740 | £1,701 | £1,222 | £1,525 |
| CIVIL ENGINEERING | £743 | £703 | £685 | £730 |
| ELECTRICAL | £732 | £647 | £695 | £726 |
| EQUIPMENT & OPERATOR HIRE | £852 | £834 | £789 | £790 |
| GENERAL CONSTRUCTION | £849 | £829 | £791 | £865 |
| INSULATION | £1,483 | £1,254 | £1,218 | £1,427 |
| JOINERY | £1,069 | £1,145 | £1,019 | £1,113 |
| MECHANICAL & ENGINEERING | £689 | £626 | £587 | £649 |
| PLASTERING | £722 | £786 | £648 | £798 |
| PLUMBING | £1,763 | £1,441 | £1,540 | £1,164 |
| ROOFING | £866 | £857 | £764 | £879 |
| SHOP FITTING | - | - | £846 | - |
| SPECIALIST TRADES | £802 | £1,196 | £846 | £1,360 |
| SURFACING CONTRACTORS | £685 | £612 | £587 | £629 |