How much does a banksman cost?

They exist to help operators manoeuvre their machines safely, reducing the risk of collisions with people, property, and other vehicles. In this article, we’ll be taking a closer look at the role of a banksman and how much it costs to hire one. 

What does a banksman do?

You’ll typically find a banksman in any environment where heavy vehicles and cranes are in operation, and also on any sites where there is a lot of movement of vehicles and people, such as construction sites or warehouses. 

The operators of these machines and vehicles often have limited visibility due to blind spots or poor conditions, so the banksman acts as their ears and eyes to guide them with hand signals or radios. 

A banksman is responsible for: 

• Overseeing and directing the movement of large vehicles, such as trucks and lorries, into tight spaces for loading and unloading goods. 
• Keeping the on-site traffic moving and flowing smoothly.
• Making sure entrances and exits of the site are secure. 
• Ensuring people do not enter areas where traffic is moving unsafely. 
• Guiding crane operators to ensure safe manoeuvres. 
• Removing any potential hazards that can affect traffic or safety. 

 What does it cost to hire a banksman in the UK?

The cost of hiring a banksman in the UK will depend on several factors, including:

• Location 
• Hours worked 
• Skills and qualifications 
• Experience and certification  
• Type of site – high-risk environments will typically pay more
• Day or night shifts 
• Agency or direct hire

As a rough guide, the average pay for a banksman in the UK in 2025 (according to https://uk.indeed.com/career/banksman/salaries) is as follows:

• Hourly rate: £15.50 – £18.30 per hour
• Day rate: £130 – £160 per day
• Annual salary (full-time): £31,000 – £35,000

Although this can vary wildly, depending on the factors previously mentioned. The type of site, day or night shifts, experience, and certification are some of the biggest factors that can affect hiring costs. Also, how you hire a banksman can make a big difference too. Hiring through a recruitment agency can often incur large fees. 

Additional costs of hiring a banksman  

Aside from their salary, hiring a banksman can also lead to additional costs that you may not have considered. These include: 

• PPE and uniforms: Banksman generally wear PPE such as hard hats and high visibility clothing for safety.
   
• Training and certification: You may need to pay for refresher training and certification for your banksman.  
• Travel or accommodation: If your banksman is working on a remote site, you may need to cover their travel and accommodation expenses. 

Are you looking to hire a banksman?

If you’re thinking about hiring a banksman for either a one-off event or a long-term booking, we can help. Our banksman are experienced, fully SIA trained and certified.

We support a number of industries with our banksman services, including events, construction sites and wedding halls, as well as warehouses and distribution centres. Please get in touch to discuss your requirements and find out  how we can help.