Ad
Tuesday, March 24, 2026

Scaffolders Ranked in UK’s Top 3 Highest Earners

ADVERTISEMENT
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Scaffolders have been named the third highest-paid trade in the UK, according to new data from Tradefix Direct.

With an average annual salary of £38,365, scaffolders have emerged as one of the most lucrative professions in the construction industry, following closely behind carpenters and gas engineers.

Tradefix Direct’s analysis, based on data from job site Indeed, reveals that carpenters top the list of highest-paid trades, earning £45,482 per year, while gas engineers take second place with an average salary of £39,395.

Scaffolders, known for their essential role in supporting large construction projects, are now cashing in on the demand for their skills.

However, regional salary differences within the scaffolding trade are dramatic. Scaffolders in Chelmsford enjoy the highest earning potential in the UK, pulling in up to £48,199 annually.

Meanwhile, those in St Albans are seeing a much lower average wage of £21,744, a striking difference of £26,455. This vast regional disparity highlights the importance of location when it comes to earning power in the trades.

The study also explored the broader landscape of UK trade salaries, revealing a patchwork of pay across various professions and cities. Welders in Plymouth take home the highest average salary for any trade, earning an impressive £58,268. At the same time, roofers experience the greatest salary fluctuations, with wages varying by as much as £40,967 depending on location.

Though many trade professions show significant regional pay gaps, some, like electricians, have more consistent salaries across the UK. For example, electricians in Westminster earn £40,386 annually, while those in Ripon earn £30,420—a difference of just £9,966 compared to the large swings seen in other trades.

Demand for Skilled Scaffolders Drives Up Pay

The rise of scaffolders into the top three highest-paid trades reflects the growing demand for skilled labour in the UK. As large construction projects and housing developments continue to expand, scaffolders have become indispensable, not only ensuring the safety and efficiency of construction sites but also securing substantial paychecks for themselves.

As salaries in the trade sector rise, more and more professionals may find themselves considering a career in scaffolding. For those looking to earn top wages in this field, location seems to play a critical role, with key cities offering significantly higher earning potential than others.

For the latest jobs in scaffolding, visit our Scaffolding Jobs Board

ADVERTISEMENT

Popular Categories

Latest posts

Scafom-rux delivers Manchester’s tallest ground-based scaffold

In the heart of Manchester’s financial district, a major high-rise development is setting new benchmarks for construction scaffolding in the UK. For this complex...

Teen scaffolding labourer dies after fall through shaft on London site

A construction company has been fined after a teenage scaffolding labourer died in a fall from height on a London building site. Renols Lleshi, 19,...

Government launches consultation on plan to merge CITB and ECITB

The UK government has launched a consultation on proposals to merge the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board...

Robotics firm KEWAZO secures $35m backing to scale industrial lifting technology

KEWAZO, a robotics company focused on heavy industry, has raised $35m in funding to accelerate the rollout of its lifting robot across global industrial...

Pay gap pushing scaffolders from New Zealand to Australia

Construction firms in New Zealand are facing a growing shortage of scaffolders as experienced workers move to Australia in search of higher wages and...

Barking Riverside expansion approved to deliver up to 20,000 homes

Revised outline plans for the Barking Riverside development in east London have been approved by the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham, enabling a...

Beyond the Hype: Where AI Actually Delivers Value for a Scaffold Business

AI can draft a site report in seconds, but it cannot plumb a standard or assume legal accountability. Scaffold businesses operate in a world...

New data shows construction workforce becoming younger and more skilled

New data from the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) suggests the profile of the UK construction workforce is changing, with more young people entering...

Teen in coma after scaffolding accident on Fife housing project

A teenager remains in a coma after being seriously injured by falling scaffolding material while working at a housing block in Kirkcaldy. Brodie Thomson, 16,...

NASC gains formal role in CITB levy consensus process

The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) has been granted Prescribed Organisation status by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), giving the trade body...

Latest news

Magazine

Spring Issue #29 | Past issues >>

Trending now ⚡︎

Teen scaffolding labourer dies after fall through shaft on London site

A construction company has been fined after a teenage...

Teen in coma after scaffolding accident on Fife housing project

A teenager remains in a coma after being seriously...

Robotics firm KEWAZO secures $35m backing to scale industrial lifting technology

KEWAZO, a robotics company focused on heavy industry, has...

New data shows construction workforce becoming younger and more skilled

New data from the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS)...

Barking Riverside expansion approved to deliver up to 20,000 homes

Revised outline plans for the Barking Riverside development in...

Related articles

Latest topics

Two taken to hospital after building collapse in Oldham

Two people have been taken to hospital after a...

Scafom-rux delivers Manchester’s tallest ground-based scaffold

In the heart of Manchester’s financial district, a major...

Teen scaffolding labourer dies after fall through shaft on London site

A construction company has been fined after a teenage...

Government launches consultation on plan to merge CITB and ECITB

The UK government has launched a consultation on proposals...
ADVERTISEMENTS