Scaffolder: how busy are scaffolders?
No trend data yet CITB needs 400 extra a year, 1.7% of the workforce, one of the highest rates among trades.
No verified wait-time figure yet; tell us yours.
The figures
| Where | Measure | Figure | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | Extra workers needed per year, 2026-2030 CITB group: Scaffolders | 400 workers per year | 2026-2030 average | CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026 |
| UK | Extra workers needed per year (% of workforce) CITB group: Scaffolders | 1.7% | 2026-2030 average | CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026 |
| UK | Workforce, 2025 CITB group: Scaffolders | 23,770 workers | 2025 actual | CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026 |
| UK | Workforce forecast, 2030 CITB group: Scaffolders | 24,790 workers | 2030 forecast | CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026 |
| England | Experienced salary | £51,000 | Live page | National Careers Service, not stated (live pages) |
| England | Starter salary | £25,000 | Live page | National Careers Service, not stated (live pages) |
Industry backdrop
Across construction, most demand signals point quieter: PMI 43.6 in October 2026 and builders' enquiries at -10 in H1 2026. See all demand signals.
Getting into the trade
- Apprenticeship: see the job profile
- College course, then a trainee role
- Start as an assistant or mate and train on the job
- Private adult courses for career-changers (below)
Routes: National Careers Service job profile
We haven't yet verified published course prices for this trade. Course providers can get in touch.
Common questions
How long is the wait for scaffolders?
We haven't yet found a verified, published wait-time figure for scaffolders specifically. Our tradesperson poll will add one. For urgent repairs of any kind, Markel Direct's survey found waits of 3 to 10 days depending on the city.
Source: Markel Direct via Fix Radio, 15 Jul 2025
Are scaffolders getting busier or quieter?
We don't have a trade-specific trend yet. CITB needs 400 extra a year, 1.7% of the workforce, one of the highest rates among trades. Across construction as a whole, most indicators point quieter: the UK Construction PMI was 43.6 in October 2026.
Source: CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026; S&P Global UK Construction PMI, 5 Nov 2026
Is there a shortage of scaffolders?
CITB's Construction Workforce Outlook says the UK needs about 400 extra scaffolders a year from 2026 to 2030 to cover growth and people leaving, around 1.7% of the current workforce each year.
Source: CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026