UK AI JobsExpected · in use · happened
Hands-on, growing

Bricklayer

45.7K UK workers · typical pay £35,000 · entry route Entry Level / GCSEs grades 1-3. Projected growth of +9% to 2035.

How AI is actually used here · measured · Anthropic Economic Index
51%
Augmentation
AI mostly assists
13.5×
Time compression
~6.4h → ~28min
3.09/5
AI autonomy
how hands-off it runs
49%
Automation
of measured usage
How the collaboration splits · the six measured modes
task iteration 43.6%directive 41.2%feedback loop 6.7%learning 5%unclassified 2.3%validation 1.1%
What people make with AI here
data / spreadsheet38%document / report15%math / calculation14%

Real Claude.ai usage mapped to this occupation's SOC group, Apr+May 2026, CC-BY. Claude users only; task times model-estimated; augment/automate is how AI is used, not a count of jobs lost. Method →

Facts · ONS + NCS
UK workers (2024)
45.7K
Median pay
£35.0K
Our scored call · a labelled hypothesis, not a measurement
AI exposure
1 / 10
Elasticity
6.5 / 10
2035 outlook
+9%
Exposure · 1/10
Why AI can do the work

Bricklaying is a highly physical, manual trade performed in unpredictable outdoor environments and at height, which provides a natural barrier to AI automation. While robotic bricklayers exist, they are currently limited to highly controlled environments and cannot yet replicate the dexterity, problem-solving, and mobility required for the diverse range of UK construction sites and residential repairs.

Elasticity · 6.5/10
Gated by regulation
Whether demand expands when it gets cheaper

Lower construction costs unlock a massive backlog of deferred residential repairs and stalled housing developments, though output is ultimately constrained by land availability and planning permissions.

Trajectory to 2035

Headcount grows +9%, a Jevons-pattern curve.

Adoption scenario
×1.00 · Consensus

Change the scenario in the nav to reshape this curve.

Headcount projection · 2024 → 2035
Baseline 45.7K workers (2024) · % change vs baseline
Peak 2035 +9%2035 +9%
Peak 20352024202620282030203220342035-7%+0%+10%+9%
Peak headcount
2035
+9% vs 2024
2035 endpoint
+9%
49.6K workers
Time to −10%
Never crosses in model
Total wage pool
£1.6B
pay × jobs
Where this role lives

UK employment share by region, SOC-joined to 5313.

West Midlands
7.5K · 21.2%
South East
7.2K · 20.3%
South West
5.3K · 15%
North West
5.2K · 14.7%
North East
3.8K · 10.7%
Scotland
3.2K · 9%
Northern Ireland
3.2K · 9%
Gender split

Majority-male role (100.0% men).

0 women · 0%45.2K men · 100%
slug: bricklayer · dataset 2026.03 · CC-BY-4.0