Electrician Salary UK — 2026 Guide

UK electrician salaries range from £22,000 for apprentices and newly qualified tradespeople to £55,000+ for experienced specialists and contractors, with a national average of £35,000. Self-employed electricians who build a strong client base can earn significantly more, with some pulling in £60,000-£80,000+ depending on specialism and workload. London rates run about 25% above the national average.

Electrician Salary Overview

Electricians are among the most in-demand tradespeople in the UK. With the push towards renewable energy, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and smart home technology, the need for qualified sparks is only growing. It is a career that offers genuine job security, the option to be your own boss, and earnings that rival many graduate professions.

The national average salary for an electrician in the UK is £35,000 in 2026. But that number tells only part of the story. Employed electricians work on a relatively predictable salary, while self-employed electricians have the potential to earn considerably more, particularly those who specialise in commercial or industrial work.

Salary Ranges by Experience Level

Entry Level (0-2 years): £22,000 - £28,000

Apprentice and newly qualified electricians earn between £22,000 and £28,000. During an apprenticeship (typically three to four years), pay starts lower but increases each year. Once you achieve your NVQ Level 3 and AM2 assessment, you are a qualified electrician and can expect to reach the upper end of this range.

The first couple of years after qualification are about building confidence and speed. You are qualified on paper, but experienced electricians will tell you the real learning starts on the job.

Mid Level (3-5 years): £30,000 - £40,000

With a few years under your belt, electricians earn between £30,000 and £40,000 employed. At this stage, you can work independently, handle more complex installations, and potentially supervise apprentices. Many electricians begin thinking about self-employment around this point.

Specialising in areas like fire alarm systems, data cabling, or electric vehicle charging can push you towards the higher end. Employers value electricians who can handle specialist work without needing additional subcontractors.

Senior Level (6+ years): £42,000 - £55,000

Experienced electricians, site supervisors, and specialists earn between £42,000 and £55,000 employed. Project managers and contracts managers in electrical firms can earn more. The ceiling for employed electricians is real, which is why many of the highest earners in the trade are self-employed.

Self-employed electricians with established reputations and steady work pipelines routinely earn £50,000-£80,000. Some, particularly those doing commercial or industrial work, exceed £100,000 in turnover, though this comes with the responsibilities of running a business.

Regional Salary Breakdown

Electrician pay varies across the UK, reflecting both the cost of living and the volume of construction and maintenance work.

London (avg. £43,750) offers the highest rates, driven by constant construction activity, a large housing stock, and a higher cost of living that feeds into pricing. Day rates for self-employed electricians in London can reach £250-£350+.

South East (avg. £37,450) benefits from significant construction activity and proximity to London. Many electricians live in the South East and work across the region and into London.

South West (avg. £33,950) has a solid market, particularly in Bristol and around the growing housing developments in the region. Tourism-related properties also generate seasonal demand.

Midlands (avg. £32,200) and North West (avg. £32,200) offer steady work, driven by large-scale infrastructure projects, housing developments, and industrial maintenance. Birmingham and Manchester both have active construction sectors.

Scotland (avg. £32,200) has its own electrical regulatory framework through SELECT (the trade association for the electrical industry in Scotland). Rates are comparable to the Midlands, with Edinburgh and Glasgow offering the most opportunity.

North East (avg. £30,450) and Wales (avg. £30,450) tend to offer lower rates, though the cost of living is also lower. The renewable energy sector, particularly wind farms, is creating new opportunities in both regions.

Career Progression Paths

Electricians have more career options than many people realise:

• Employed Electrician: Apprentice, Improver, Qualified Electrician, Approved Electrician, Site Supervisor, Contracts Manager. This route offers steady income, pension contributions, and holiday pay.
• Self-Employed/Sole Trader: Many electricians set up their own businesses after gaining experience. This offers higher earning potential but requires business skills, self-discipline, and the ability to manage cash flow.
• Specialist Routes: Fire and security systems, data and networking, electric vehicle charging installation, solar panel installation, testing and inspection. Specialisms can command premium rates.
• Electrical Design and Consultancy: Moving into design work for buildings and infrastructure. Requires additional qualifications (e.g., IET Wiring Regulations, BS 7671) and experience, but offers higher day rates and office-based work.
• Teaching and Training: Experienced electricians can move into lecturing at colleges or running training courses. This route offers regular hours and the satisfaction of developing the next generation.
• Building Services Engineering: Moving into broader building services management, potentially via further qualifications. This can lead to senior roles in facilities management or construction.

Skills That Increase Salary

Several skills and qualifications directly impact what you can earn as an electrician:

• 18th Edition IET Wiring Regulations (BS 7671): This is the baseline standard. Staying current with each edition is essential for credibility and compliance.
• Inspection and testing qualifications (2391/2394/2395): Being able to inspect and test electrical installations is a valuable additional skill that opens up more work and higher rates.
• EV charging installation (e.g., OZEV-approved installer): With the electric vehicle market growing rapidly, qualified EV charger installers are in high demand.
• Solar PV installation: Renewable energy skills are increasingly valuable. MCS-certified installers can access incentive schemes and premium work.
• Commercial and industrial experience: Moving beyond domestic work into commercial and industrial installations significantly increases earning potential. Three-phase experience is particularly valued.
• Part P Building Regulations competence: Being registered with a competent person scheme (NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA) is essential for domestic work and signals quality to customers.
• Business and customer service skills: For self-employed electricians, the ability to quote accurately, communicate clearly, and manage customer expectations is directly linked to earnings and reputation.

Factors That Affect Your Pay

Employment status is the biggest variable. Self-employed electricians generally earn more than employed ones but take on more risk. You need to factor in downtime between jobs, materials costs, van expenses, insurance, and the absence of employer pension contributions.

Domestic versus commercial work matters. Commercial and industrial electricians typically earn more than those doing purely domestic work. The complexity and scale of commercial projects justifies higher rates, and the clients often have bigger budgets.

Overtime and weekend work boost earnings. Many employed electricians significantly increase their annual pay through overtime, weekend callouts, and emergency work. These can add 20-30% to base salary for those willing to put in the hours.

Reputation drives self-employed income. Word of mouth remains the most powerful marketing tool in the trade. Electricians with strong reputations and good online reviews can charge premium rates and maintain full diaries.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for an electrician in the UK?

Newly qualified electricians typically earn between £22,000 and £28,000. Apprentice wages start lower, from around £14,000-£18,000 in the first year, increasing each year of the apprenticeship. Once fully qualified and with a couple of years of experience, £28,000-£32,000 is achievable.

How much do self-employed electricians earn?

Self-employed electricians in the UK can earn £35,000-£80,000+ depending on specialism, location, and workload. Day rates for self-employed electricians range from £150-£250 regionally to £250-£350+ in London. Turnover and profit are different things, so factor in business costs when comparing.

How long does it take to become a qualified electrician?

A typical electrician apprenticeship lasts three to four years and combines on-the-job training with college-based learning. You will work towards NVQ Level 3 in Electrical Installation and complete the AM2 practical assessment. After qualification, most electricians spend another year or two building confidence before working fully independently.

Is being an electrician a good career?

Electricians enjoy strong job security, good earning potential, and the flexibility to work for themselves. The work is physical but varied, and no two days are quite the same. With the growth in electric vehicles, smart homes, and renewable energy, the demand for skilled electricians is set to increase over the coming decade.

What qualifications do I need to be an electrician?

The standard route is an apprenticeship leading to NVQ Level 3 in Electrical Installation, the AM2 practical assessment, and 18th Edition IET Wiring Regulations certification. You will also need to register with a competent person scheme for domestic work. Additional qualifications in inspection and testing, EV charging, and solar PV installation enhance your career prospects.

Can electricians earn over £50,000?

Yes. Experienced employed electricians in senior or supervisory roles can earn £42,000-£55,000. Self-employed electricians with strong reputations and full order books regularly earn £50,000-£80,000+. Those specialising in commercial or industrial work, or running small electrical firms, can exceed £100,000 in turnover.

What is the difference between domestic and commercial electricians?

Domestic electricians work in homes, handling tasks like rewiring, consumer unit upgrades, and lighting installations. Commercial electricians work in offices, shops, factories, and public buildings, dealing with larger-scale installations and three-phase systems. Commercial work generally pays more but often requires additional experience and qualifications.

Are electricians in demand in the UK?

Yes. Electricians are consistently listed among the UK’s most in-demand trades. Factors driving demand include housing development, commercial construction, the electric vehicle rollout, renewable energy installation, and the general need for maintenance and upgrades of the UK’s ageing electrical infrastructure.

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