SOC 2020 · 9121
Groundworkers
Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations from
Skilled Worker
Not eligible
No Skilled Worker route through this code.
Salary floor
£41,700
The higher of the going rate and the general threshold.
Shortage lists
Not listed
This code is on neither the Immigration Salary List nor the Temporary Shortage List.
What this occupation actually pays
ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, full-time gross annual pay.
- UK pay for this occupation
View these figures as a table
| Percentile | Pay |
|---|---|
| 25th | £31,416 |
| 50th | £37,925 |
| 75th | £44,540 |
| Region | 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK 2025 | — | £31,416 | £37,925 | £44,540 | — |
| East 2025 | — | — | £43,426 | — | — |
| East Midlands 2025 | — | — | £37,664 | — | — |
| North East 2025 | — | — | £32,338 | — | — |
| North West 2025 | — | — | £28,451 | — | — |
Job titles in this code
What the work involves
Groundworkers prepare construction sites for building work by digging out and levelling the ground and laying concrete foundations, installing pipes and drainage and building paths, roads and driveways.
Typical tasks
mark out site area set up the construction site
prepares site and lays concrete for shallow foundations and fabricates steel cages
installs drainage and pipes and redirects waterways away from site
builds paths, roads, kerbs and footpaths, using flagstones, paving and tarmac
Entry routes and qualifications
No academic qualifications are required. Training is typically provided on-the-job. Vocational qualifications in Ground Works Operations at level 2 and apprenticeships are available.