jobfacts

Construction operatives n.e.c.

SOC 2020 8159

Job holders in this unit group operate insulating equipment, fix plasterboard to ceilings and walls, help construct, maintain, repair and demolish buildings and clean and resurface eroded stonework, lay, join and examine pipe sections for drainage, gas, water or similar piping systems, install lighting systems in roads, domestic and commercial settings and carry out a variety of other construction operative tasks not elsewhere classified in minor group 815: Construction operatives.

Also calledDemolition operativeDemolition workerCeiling fixerThermal insulation engineerPipework laggerThermal insulation installerand 130 more titles
Typical full-time pay£32,4002025 Provisional
People in the job85,000across the UK
New adverts a month2,500↓ 3.2%on last year · 75th of 412

Pay

ONS · ASHE 2025

Half of full-time construction operatives n.e.c. earn between £26,800 and £37,800 a year.

What full-time construction operatives n.e.c. earn, 2025
£32,400 typical£23,900lowest 10%£26,80025%£39,800top 20%n/ptop 10%
Middle half (£26,800–£37,800)n/p: top 10% not published by ONS
Show as table
Lowest 10% earn less than£23,900
Lowest 20% earn less than£26,100
25%£26,800
Median£32,400
75%£37,800
Top 20% earn more than£39,800
Top 10% earn more thanNot published
Many (38%) of construction operatives n.e.c. work for themselves. These pay figures only cover employees, so they may not reflect what self-employed construction operatives n.e.c. earn.
Typical pay by regionUK median £32,400
London£35,200
South East£34,900
South West£33,800
West Midlands£32,300
Yorkshire and The Humber!£31,700
North West£31,600
East Midlands!£31,100
Scotland£30,600
Wales!£30,200
East of England!£29,500
North East!£28,500
!Small sample: treat with caution
Show as table
UK median, £32,400
London£35,200
South East£34,900
South West£33,800
West Midlands£32,300
Yorkshire and The Humber£31,700 (small sample)
North West£31,600
East Midlands£31,100 (small sample)
Scotland£30,600
Wales£30,200 (small sample)
East of England£29,500 (small sample)
North East£28,500 (small sample)
Typical pay over 3 years
  • 2023 £27,600
  • 2024 £30,400
  • 2025 Provisional£32,400
↑ 18% since 2023Provisional figures are revised when ONS publishes the next year’s survey.

Jobs and demand

ONS · Textkernel adverts · DfE

About 2,500 jobs for construction operatives n.e.c. are advertised each month.

New job adverts a month, Jan 2017 to Aug 2026
New advertsMonth not published by ONS (1 in all)
Show as table
Aug 20262,627
Jul 20262,777
Jun 20262,285
May 20262,525
Apr 20262,476
Mar 2026Not published
Feb 20262,305
Jan 20262,695
Dec 20251,489
Nov 20252,638
Oct 20252,602
Sept 20252,830
Aug 20252,763
Jul 20252,985
Jun 20252,869
May 20253,039
Apr 20252,373
Mar 20252,695
Feb 20252,771
Jan 20252,350
Dec 20241,424
Nov 20242,200
Oct 20242,628
Sept 20242,756
Aug 20243,159
Jul 20243,044
Jun 20242,833
May 20243,197
Apr 20242,715
Mar 20242,049
Feb 20242,075
Jan 20242,452
Dec 20231,554
Nov 20231,793
Oct 20231,651
Sept 20231,737
Aug 20232,297
Jul 20232,285
Jun 20233,316
May 20233,135
Apr 20232,467
Mar 20233,013
Feb 20232,770
Jan 20233,055
Dec 20222,576
Nov 20223,329
Oct 20223,357
Sept 20223,225
Aug 20223,614
Jul 20223,549
Jun 20223,391
May 20223,610
Apr 20222,740
Mar 20223,493
Feb 20223,357
Jan 20223,443
Dec 20212,655
Nov 20213,125
Oct 20213,065
Sept 20213,237
Aug 20212,916
Jul 20213,092
Jun 20212,919
May 20213,119
Apr 20212,515
Mar 20213,439
Feb 20211,909
Jan 20211,943
Dec 20201,516
Nov 20201,820
Oct 20202,185
Sept 20202,128
Aug 20202,016
Jul 20201,743
Jun 20201,135
May 2020974
Apr 20201,083
Mar 20201,880
Feb 20202,401
Jan 20202,002
Dec 20191,339
Nov 20191,769
Oct 20191,970
Sept 20192,170
Aug 20192,084
Jul 20192,226
Jun 20192,041
May 20192,017
Apr 20191,475
Mar 20191,641
Feb 20191,411
Jan 20191,801
Dec 20181,079
Nov 20181,604
Oct 20181,885
Sept 20181,974
Aug 20181,827
Jul 20181,798
Jun 20181,888
May 20181,633
Apr 20181,582
Mar 20181,706
Feb 20181,625
Jan 20181,882
Dec 20171,040
Nov 20171,601
Oct 20171,897
Sept 20171,869
Aug 20172,016
Jul 20171,930
Jun 20172,183
May 20172,437
Apr 20172,339
Mar 20172,675
Feb 20171,961
Jan 20171,762
Vacancies hard to fill because of skills
43%against 27% for all jobs
DfE Employer Skills Survey 2024.
Where the most jobs are advertisedadverts a quarter
London946
Birmingham158
Manchester143
Leeds126
Glasgow City122
Bristol, City of106
City of Edinburgh81
Somerset81
Liverpool77
North Yorkshire68
London is published as one area. Averages leave out quarters ONS withheld.
Where construction operatives n.e.c. are most concentratedShare of local job adverts, compared with the UK.

Recruitment from abroad. Fewer than 10 sponsored work visas were granted for this job from July 2025 to June 2026. Home Office

Who does it

ONS · Annual Population Survey · April 2025 to March 2026
WomenToo few in the survey to give a reliable figure
Age of construction operatives n.e.c.
6%!
13%!
19%!
25%!
27%
10%!
!Small sample: treat with caution
Show as table
16–246% (small sample)
25–3413% (small sample)
35–4419% (small sample)
45–5425% (small sample)
55–6427%
65+10% (small sample)
Highest qualification
Degree or equivalent!6.4%
Higher education below degree!4%
A levels or equivalent26%
GCSEs or equivalent31%
Other qualifications22%
No qualifications!7%
!Small sample: treat with caution
Show as table
Degree or equivalent6.4% (small sample)
Higher education below degree4% (small sample)
A levels or equivalent26%
GCSEs or equivalent31%
Other qualifications22%
No qualifications7% (small sample)

Main employers: construction of residential and non-residential buildings (24%), construction of roads and motorways (3.7%), renting and operating of own or leased real estate (3.5%), combined facilities support activities (3.2%).

How to get in

Hold a degree
6.4%
as their highest qualification
Most common qualification
GCSEs or equivalent
held by 31%
Apprenticeships
6
from level 2
Apprenticeships take
18 months to 2½ years
typically
Self-employed
38%
of people in the job

Routes in

Demolition operative

You can get into this job through:

College

You could do a college course to learn some of the skills and knowledge you need in this job. You could then apply to a demolition company for a trainee position.

Courses include:

  • construction skills
  • construction operations
  • construction plant operations
Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a Demolition Operative Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship with a demolition or construction company.

Another option is to do a Groundworker Level 2, or Construction Plant Operative Level 2, Intermediate Apprenticeship. After getting experience on a construction site, you could do further training in demolition.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

Other ways in

Work your way up

You may be able to work as a construction site labourer, tradeperson's assistant or plant operator and do extra demolition training on the job.

Apply directly

You can apply for jobs directly with demolition contractors if you're over 18 and have construction work experience. Some employers may ask for GCSEs or equivalent in maths, English and design and technology.

Registration and professional bodies

Registration
  • a Certificate of Competence for Demolition Operatives (CCDO) card is usually required to work on site
Further information

You can find out more about working in demolition from Go Construct.

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for demolition operative. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Ceiling fixer

You can get into this job through:

College

You could take a college course which may help you to get a trainee job. Courses include:

  • construction skills
  • construction operations
  • interior systems
  • dry lining
Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an Interior Systems Installer Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.

This typically takes 2 years to complete and is a mix of on-the-job training and study off site.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

Apply directly

You could apply directly to work as a ceiling fixer. Employers may ask for GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) in English, maths and design and technology. Experience as a construction labourer or tradesperson will be helpful.

What you’ll need

  • have a good level of fitness

Registration and professional bodies

Registration
  • you'll need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card or equivalent to train and work on a construction site
Career tips

It may help when looking for work, if you've got a powered access licence to operate mobile elevated platforms, though this is not essential.

Further information

You can find out more about careers and training in construction from Go Construct.

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for ceiling fixer. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Thermal insulation engineer

You can get into this job through:

College

You can do a college course to get some of the skills you'll need to get a trainee job with a company.

Courses include:

  • building services engineering
  • fabrication and welding engineering
  • T Level in Building Services Engineering for Construction
Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

Apprenticeship

You can apply for a place on an apprenticeship to get started in this career, for example:

  • Commercial Thermal Insulation Operative Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
  • Industrial Thermal Insulation Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

These can take up to 2 years to complete and include a mix of training on the job with off-site study.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Apply directly

You can apply directly for jobs if you've got experience and qualifications in a related area of work, like:

  • pipe fitting
  • heating and ventilation engineering
  • building services engineering
  • refrigeration or air conditioning installation

Registration and professional bodies

Registration
  • you'll need a Thermal Insulation Contractors Association (TICA) skill card to train and work on commercial and industrial sites
Further information

You can find out more about careers in thermal insulation from the Thermal Insulation Contractors Association (TICA) and Go Construct.

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for thermal insulation engineer. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Cavity insulation installer

You can get into this job through:

College

You could learn some relevant skills by doing a college course, such as:

  • construction and building crafts
  • insulation building treatments
  • construction operations

Completing a college course can help when looking for a trainee job.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an apprenticeship with an insulation or construction company.

These include:

  • Insulation Installation Operative Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
  • Commercial Thermal Insulation Operative Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
  • Industrial Thermal Insulation Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Apply directly

You could apply directly for jobs. Employers will usually look for GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) in subjects like English, maths, or design and technology.

Experience in construction, loft insulation, pipe lagging or building cladding would be helpful.

Registration and professional bodies

Registration
  • you'll need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card or equivalent to train and work on a construction site
Career tips

You would fit materials in new buildings and upgrade or retrofit insulation in older ones.

You'll work on all types of premises from schools and hospitals to domestic properties.

Further information

You can find out more about a career in cavity insulation from Go Construct.

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for cavity insulation installer. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Apprenticeships

6 for this job

© Skills England 2025. This information is licensed under the Open Government Licence https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

The work

ONS · ESCO · O*NET

Typical tasks

  • fills machine with insulating mixture, positions hose, drills access hole and fills cavities or coats surfaces to prevent loss or absorption of heat and provide fire protections
  • cuts, shapes and fits wood, lays bricks and tiles, cleans exterior surfaces of buildings and resurfaces eroded stone or brickwork, and performs other tasks in the construction, alteration, repair and demolition of buildings
  • selects appropriate asbestos, clay, concrete, plastic or metal pipe sections and lowers them into prepared trenches using hoisting equipment
  • joints pipe by sealing with rubber, cement, lead, etc., connects piping to manholes and attaches pipe junctions as required
  • tests joints with electronic test equipment or by filling piping with water, smoke or compressed air
  • installs electrical lighting in streets, homes and business/manufacturing settings

Skills

  • keep records of work progress
  • follow health and safety procedures in construction
  • follow safety procedures when working at heights
  • use safety equipment in construction
  • work ergonomically
  • work in a construction team
  • keep personal administration
  • set up temporary construction site infrastructure
  • build scaffolding
  • construct working platform
  • inspect construction supplies
  • install insulation material
  • transport construction supplies
  • inspect insulation

Knowledge

  • mechanical tools
  • climbing equipment
  • construction products

Suits people who like

  • Practical, hands-on work
  • Organising and following procedures

Outlook

DfE · Skills Imperative 2035
Broader groupThese projections are for process, plant, machine and construction operatives, a group of 25 jobs that includes construction operatives n.e.c..
Change in jobs, 2020 to 2035↑ 19%about 142,000 more jobs
Workers needed by 2035496,000including people replacing those who retire or leave

Sources

Pay
ONS, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, 2025 provisional
People in the job, who does it
ONS, Annual Population Survey, April 2025 to March 2026
Job adverts
ONS, online job adverts (Textkernel), to Aug 2026
Demand, skill shortages
Department for Education and Skills England, Occupations in demand and the Employer Skills Survey
Outlook
The Skills Imperative 2035 (2024), NFER/Nuffield/DfE/IER/CE
Routes in
National Careers Service job profiles
Apprenticeships, qualifications
Skills England occupational maps
Skills, interests
ESCO classification of the European Commission; O*NET data, U.S. Department of Labor (CC BY 4.0, modified)
Visas
Home Office, immigration system statistics

Figures as of 10 October 2026.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: Office for National Statistics licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Occupations in demand and the Employer Skills Survey: Department for Education and Skills England. Immigration system statistics: Home Office. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

© Skills England 2025. This information is licensed under the Open Government Licence https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Source: The Skills Imperative 2035 (2024), NFER/Nuffield/DfE/IER/CE.

This service uses the ESCO classification of the European Commission.

This service includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This service has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. CC BY 4.0 licence.

jobfacts is independent. It is not part of, affiliated with or endorsed by the Office for National Statistics, the Department for Education, Skills England, the National Careers Service, the Home Office, the European Commission or the U.S. Department of Labor.