The roofing industry experienced the highest increase in earnings year-on-year for subcontractors across England and Wales, according to new research.
Payroll services firm Hudson Contract has developed a new pay trends index for self-employed tradesmen and subcontractors. It has found that roofers enjoyed the highest increase, 6.1%, in earnings year-on-year for subcontractors and self-employed tradesmen in the construction industry, followed by 4.8% in plastering and 4.2% in scaffolding.
The interactive tool, which is available online, reveals weekly pay differences by region, age and sub-sectors such as bricklaying and joinery through to roofing and surfacing contractors.
Providing tradesman, building apprentices and other industry analysts with an insight into pay levels, it also reveals the impact that weather, location and economic factors have on earning potential. The results were compiled from an analysis of payroll data from more than 2,000 building firms across the UK.
It found those working in the equipment and operator hire industry experienced a difficult year with a 4.1% average drop in earnings compared to 2015. This was followed by a notable yearly pay decrease of 1% in bricklaying and only a 1.1% average increase in earnings for civil engineering tradesmen.
Regional differences in wages have also been broken down with the tool showing that self-employed tradesman in Wales have seen a 5.3% year-on-year increase in earnings over the past year, compared to just a 1.8% rise nationally across England.
There was a 4.2% rise in Yorkshire & The Humber but a 2.1% fall in the neighbouring north-east region. London builders also saw a fall in earnings, of 0.4%.
Ian Anfield, managing director at Hudson Contract, said: “The index will update monthly to reveal the latest pay trends, providing the perfect online career resource for building apprentices through to industry analysts assessing the ongoing health of the construction sector.”
The index can be accessed here
