New research has revealed how construction apprentices are set to earn thousands of pounds more every year than many university graduate roles.

The Federation of Master Builders' (FMB) latest study asked small building firms across the UK how much they pay their tradespeople each year.

The highest reported average annual salary was £51,266 for site managers, with plumbers (£48,675) and supervisors (£48,407) coming second and third respectively. The highest reported annual salary for bricklayers in London was £90,000 a year.

When compared with the average annual salaries of university graduates, pharmacists topped the list with £42,252 per year, followed by dental practitioners (£40,268) and architects (£38,228).

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Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: "Money talks and when it comes to annual salaries, a career in construction trumps many university graduate roles. The average university graduate in England earns £32,000 a year whereas our latest research shows that your average bricky or roofer is earning £42,000 a year across the UK. In London, a bricklayer is commanding wages of up to £90,000 a year. Pursuing a career in construction is therefore becoming an increasingly savvy move."

This trend also continues in Scotland, with electricians earning on average £57,194 per year, followed closely by site managers (£56,576) and plumbers (£53,609). The highest reported annual salary was for civil engineering operatives in Aberdeenshire, some of which are commanding wages of £98,000 a year.

Gordon Nelson, Director of FMB Scotland, said: "The average bricky or roofer in Scotland earns £47,000 a year and in Aberdeenshire, some civil engineering operatives are commanding wages of £98,000 a year.

"Comparatively, Scottish vets, chartered and certified accountants and teachers, all of whom have studied at university, earn around £36,000 a year on average. Given that apprentices also earn while they learn, with the average construction apprentice taking home around £17,000 a year, starting a career in construction is becoming an increasingly shrewd move for young Scots."

(LM/MH)