Belfast ranks near the bottom for construction workers in the UK, facing limited opportunities despite decent pay

A city with a thriving construction market doesn’t just offer work, it can offer stability, the chance to move up, and a sustainable wage that keeps up with everyday costs.

New research from Premier Timber Frame Builders, using data from Indeed, CV‑Library, the Office for National Statistics (ONS), and Numbeo, reveals that Westminster stands out as the UK’s top city for construction workers, outperforming other major cities across multiple key measures. The study examined average construction labourer salaries, the number of jobs per 10,000 residents, salary-to-cost-of-living ratios, new building permits, and the density of construction businesses. Each factor was carefully weighted to give a clear picture of where construction workers are most likely to succeed.

Belfast ranks 57th overall in the UK for construction workers. Belfast offers a monthly construction salary of £2,265, which is in line with the national average, but job availability is low at just 6.29 positions per 10,000 residents, ranking 55th. Its salary-to-cost-of-living ratio is 3.04, indicating that wages stretch reasonably far relative to living costs. However, the local construction market is limited, with only 14.34 construction businesses per 10,000 residents, restricting choice and flexibility, and new building permit activity is modest. This combination of low job availability and limited business density keeps Belfast near the bottom of the rankings.

Other cities, such as Durham, Bradford, and Stoke-on-Trent, face similar challenges, with fewer roles, limited employers, and modest development activity making it difficult for construction workers to secure stable, long-term employment. In contrast, cities like Westminster, Canterbury, and Winchester offer abundant jobs, strong business density, and ongoing projects, creating both opportunity and stability for skilled tradespeople.

Omar Stoltzfus, a spokesperson for Premier Timber Frame Builders, commented on the study's findings:

“Construction workers look for three main things when choosing where to base themselves: steady work, fair pay, and signs that projects are not about to dry up. It’s not just about the headline wage. If there are plenty of firms operating locally and a strong flow of new permits, that usually means ongoing contracts and less time between jobs. Job availability per 10,000 residents tells you how competitive a market really is. A higher figure often means workers can move between employers more easily, negotiate better rates, and specialise in certain types of projects. Business density matters as well, because a healthy mix of contractors, developers and subcontractors creates resilience.”

“The salary-to-cost-of-living ratio is also important. A high monthly wage can lose its appeal if rent and daily expenses eat most of it. Workers are increasingly weighing up how far their earnings stretch, especially when travelling or relocating for work. There are advantages in the sector right now. Skills shortages in certain trades have strengthened bargaining power for experienced workers, and large regeneration and housing schemes across the country are creating varied opportunities. At the same time, challenges remain. Work can still be cyclical, and in areas with limited new permits, competition for contracts becomes tighter. Looking at pay alongside development activity gives a clearer picture of long-term prospects.”

List of the UK’s top cities for construction workers: