construction scaffolder
Construction scaffolders put up scaffolds and platforms in order to make safe construction work at heights possible.
construction scaffolder construction scaffolders put up scaffolds and platforms in order to make safe construction work at heights possible. The role shows low AI exposure (0.30 on a 0-1 scale) — the role's core work resists automation. The most in-demand skills for the role include scaffolding components, work ergonomically, position sole plates, work in a construction team, inspect construction supplies.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £32,446 a year for Construction operatives n.e.c. (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
Middle half of full-time jobs: £26,836 to £37,754 a year
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 8159). ONS rates this estimate precise. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Craft and related trades workers” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only construction scaffolder, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 7. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Mechanical
- Public Safety and Security
- Production and Processing
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administration and Management
- Design
- English Language
- Education and Training
What you'd actually do
- Test rigging to ensure safety and reliability.
- Signal or verbally direct workers engaged in hoisting and moving loads to ensure safety of workers and materials.
- Control movement of heavy equipment through narrow openings or confined spaces, using chainfalls, gin poles, gallows frames, and other equipment.
- Tilt, dip, and turn suspended loads to maneuver over, under, or around obstacles, using multi-point suspension techniques.
- Select gear, such as cables, pulleys, and winches, according to load weights and sizes, facilities, and work schedules.
- Dismantle and store rigging equipment after use.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does construction scaffolder do?
Construction scaffolders put up scaffolds and platforms in order to make safe construction work at heights possible.
What skills does construction scaffolder need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include scaffolding components, work ergonomically, position sole plates, work in a construction team, inspect construction supplies, follow health and safety procedures in construction. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace construction scaffolder?
Our AI-durability model gives construction scaffolder a score of 0.30 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at low AI exposure — the role's core work resists current-generation automation. It's a comparatively AI-durable choice within its field.