Ad
Thursday, October 30, 2025

Scaffolders See Record Earnings as Demand for Skilled Labour Surges

ADVERTISEMENT

Subcontractors across the UK’s scaffolding sector have seen a significant rise in earnings, reflecting the growing demand for skilled labour in key trades.

According to data from Hudson Contract, a leading payroll provider for the construction industry, scaffolding subcontractors enjoyed record weekly pay in August 2024, with earnings up 2 per cent to £975 on average.

This increase places scaffolders alongside other key trades, such as insulation and bricklaying, which also experienced notable growth. Insulation workers saw the most substantial rise, with earnings surging by 7.3 per cent to £1,218 per week. Bricklayers followed closely, with a 4.6 per cent increase, bringing their average weekly earnings to £1,032.

Ian Anfield, Managing Director of Hudson Contract, highlighted the ongoing demand for self-employed subcontractors, particularly those with specialist skills like scaffolding.

He noted, “Our latest figures demonstrate the continued demand for the most highly skilled, safe, and productive tradespeople in construction. Scaffolders are increasingly essential to maintaining high safety standards on complex building projects, and their wages reflect their critical role.”

The data is based on payments made on behalf of around 2,600 construction SMEs across England and Wales. Year-on-year, scaffolding earnings have risen by 1.6 per cent compared to August 2023, as the demand for skilled workers in the sector continues to grow, even amidst relatively flat housebuilding activity.

Anfield cautioned that while there is increasing pressure to ramp up housebuilding, especially with government targets aiming for 300,000 new homes annually, the solution lies in maximising existing skills rather than simply increasing the number of tradespeople.

“Construction is cyclical,” he said, “and companies will adapt and reorganise their resources to maximise the skills available to them on-site.”

Scaffolding has been identified as one of the most critical trades for ensuring safety and efficiency in the construction sector. As the industry faces fluctuating demand, scaffolders are well-positioned to benefit from sustained wage growth as construction firms prioritise highly skilled labour over-rapid expansion of the workforce.

Hudson Contract’s pay trends analysis offers one of the most accurate snapshots of subcontractor earnings across the UK, with data provided to the Bank of England to help inform economic policy and decisions regarding the construction workforce.

With the scaffolding sector continuing to see strong wage growth, the outlook for skilled subcontractors remains positive amidst shifting economic conditions.

ADVERTISEMENT

Popular Categories

Latest news

Staht secures largest ever distribution deal with Leach’s

One of the UK’s leading testing technology firms, Staht, has announced its largest ever distribution agreement after joining forces with Leach’s. The partnership will expand...

Avontus to host free webinars on digital scaffold management this November

Avontus Software has announced a series of free, live webinars in November designed to help contractors overcome the everyday challenges of tracking and managing...

Scaff25 announces global line-up of industry leaders for Sydney conference

The Scaffolding Association Australia (SAA) has revealed an impressive line-up of international speakers for its upcoming Scaff25 Annual Conference & Awards Night, set to...

Demolition firm issues statement following Manchester building and scaffolding collapse

Manchester-based demolition contractor P.P. O’Connor has released an official statement following Friday’s partial collapse of a building surrounded by scaffolding in the city centre. The...

Building and scaffolding partially collapses in Manchester city centre

A building in Manchester city centre has partially collapsed during demolition work, with scaffolding and debris seen falling into the nearby River Irwell. Emergency services...

Benchmark Scaffolding wins Silver at national awards

Benchmark Scaffolding has been recognised with the Silver Award in the Specialist Contractor of the Year category at the 2025 National Building and Construction...

Construction leaders unite against government plan to shorten apprenticeships

More than 20 construction organisations, including the NASC, have signed an open letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer warning that plans to cut apprenticeships to eight months risk undermining skills, safety, and confidence in training.

HSE launches major construction site safety inspections in Manchester

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is carrying out a series of unannounced inspections at construction sites across Manchester city centre this week. Twelve inspectors...

JR Scaffold honoured with Ministry of Defence Silver Award

Paisley-based JR Scaffold has been recognised among a select group of leading Scottish businesses to receive the prestigious Silver Award from the Ministry of...

Brogan Group acquires Sunbelt Rentals UK hoist division

Brogan Group has announced the acquisition of Sunbelt Rentals UK’s hoist division in a deal that significantly expands its operations and fleet across the...

Latest news

ADVERTISEMENT

The magazine

Issue 27 | Past issues >>

Popular

Building and scaffolding partially collapses in Manchester city centre

A building in Manchester city centre has partially collapsed...

ScaffChamp 2025: Teams Gather in Vilnius for Opening Day

The international scaffolding competition ScaffChamp 2025 has officially begun,...

Demolition firm issues statement following Manchester building and scaffolding collapse

Manchester-based demolition contractor P.P. O’Connor has released an official...

Scaff25 announces global line-up of industry leaders for Sydney conference

The Scaffolding Association Australia (SAA) has revealed an impressive...

Benchmark Scaffolding wins Silver at national awards

Benchmark Scaffolding has been recognised with the Silver Award...

Related articles

Scaffolders voted UK’s toughest trade

Scaffolders have been crowned the UK’s toughest trade by their fellow workers, according to new research – although the public believes roofers deserve the title. The nationwide study, commissioned by TROJAN workwear, polled tradespeople...
ADVERTISEMENTS

Latest topics

House-building recovery delayed until 2029, industry warns

The Construction Products Association warns UK house-building will not recover to pre-pandemic levels until 2029 or 2030, urging government support for first-time buyers to prevent further insolvencies and job losses.

Staht secures largest ever distribution deal with Leach’s

One of the UK’s leading testing technology firms, Staht,...

Avontus to host free webinars on digital scaffold management this November

Avontus Software has announced a series of free, live...

Scaff25 announces global line-up of industry leaders for Sydney conference

The Scaffolding Association Australia (SAA) has revealed an impressive...
ADVERTISEMENTS