How much do self-employed electricians earn UK?

Self-employed electricians in the UK typically earn £35,000-£60,000 per year. Day rates range from £200-£400 depending on location and specialism. In London and the South East, experienced electricians can charge £300-£500/day. Those specialising in EV charging, solar, or commercial work often earn £55,000-£80,000+.

How much does an electrical apprentice earn UK?

Electrical apprentices earn between £14,000-£24,000 per year depending on age, year of apprenticeship, and employer. First-year apprentices start on the apprenticeship minimum wage (£7.55/hour) but most employers pay more. JIB recommended rates for electrical apprentices range from £7.81-£13.47/hour depending on stage of training.

Is it worth becoming an electrician UK?

Becoming an electrician is very worthwhile in the UK. There's a major skills shortage, qualified electricians are in strong demand, and earnings of £35,000-£75,000+ are achievable. The green energy transition (EV chargers, heat pumps, solar) is creating huge new demand. Self-employment offers flexibility and high earning potential.

How Much Do Electricians Earn in the UK? — 2026 Salary Guide | PocketWise

Q: How much do electricians earn in the UK 2026?

Employed electricians in the UK earn £30,000-£45,000 depending on experience and location. Self-employed electricians typically earn £35,000-£60,000, with experienced electricians in London and the South East earning £50,000-£75,000+. Specialist electricians (EV chargers, solar, commercial) can earn even more.

How Much Do Electricians Earn in the UK? — 2026 Salary Guide

Complete guide to electrician salaries in the UK for 2026. Employed vs self-employed pay, apprentice wages, specialist electrical work rates, regional differences, and how to increase your earning potential.

By PocketWise · 26 March 2026 · 4 min read

Electricians are among the highest-paid tradespeople in the UK, with strong demand driven by housing growth and the green energy transition. Here’s what electricians actually earn across different roles and settings.

Employed Electrician Salaries

By Experience Level

Level	Salary Range
Apprentice (Year 1)	£14,000-£17,000
Apprentice (Year 2-3)	£17,000-£24,000
Newly qualified	£26,000-£32,000
Experienced (3-5 years)	£32,000-£40,000
Highly experienced (5-10 years)	£38,000-£45,000
Supervisor / foreman	£42,000-£55,000
Contracts manager	£48,000-£65,000

JIB Recommended Pay Rates (2025/26)

The Joint Industry Board (JIB) sets recommended pay rates for the electrical industry.

Grade	Hourly Rate	Annual Equivalent
Electrician (standard)	£18.06	£35,200
Approved Electrician	£19.49	£38,000
Technician	£20.59	£40,100
Senior Technician	£21.66	£42,200

Based on standard 37.5-hour week, before overtime

By Employer Type

Employer	Typical Salary
Domestic installer	£28,000-£38,000
Commercial contractor	£32,000-£45,000
Industrial	£35,000-£50,000
Local authority / housing	£30,000-£38,000
Facilities management	£32,000-£42,000
Data centre / specialist	£40,000-£60,000

Self-Employed Electrician Earnings

Day Rates

Level	Day Rate	Annual Equivalent
Newly qualified	£180-£250	£36,000-£50,000
Experienced	£220-£350	£44,000-£70,000
Specialist	£280-£450	£56,000-£90,000
London/South East	£300-£500	£60,000-£100,000

Annual figures assume 200 working days

Typical Job Rates

Job	Typical Charge
Replace a consumer unit (fuse board)	£600-£1,200
Full house rewire (3-bed)	£3,500-£6,000
Install new ring main	£400-£800
Add a socket / light point	£80-£200
Install outdoor lighting	£200-£600
EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report)	£150-£300
PAT testing (per item)	£1-£3
EV charger installation	£800-£1,500
Solar panel electrical work	£500-£1,500

Running Costs (Self-Employed)

Cost	Annual Estimate
Van (finance/running costs)	£4,000-£8,000
Tools and equipment	£1,000-£4,000
Insurance (public liability + professional indemnity)	£500-£1,500
Part P scheme membership (eg. NICEIC, NAPIT)	£400-£700
Accountant	£500-£1,200
Phone/admin	£600-£1,200
Marketing/website	£500-£2,000
Test equipment calibration	£200-£500
Total typical overheads	£8,000-£20,000

Specialist Electrician Salaries

Specialising in high-demand areas significantly boosts earning potential.

Specialism	Self-Employed Earnings	Premium vs General
EV charger installer (OZEV approved)	£40,000-£70,000	+15-30%
Solar PV installer	£38,000-£65,000	+10-25%
Data/network cabling	£35,000-£55,000	+10-20%
Fire alarm specialist	£35,000-£55,000	+10-20%
Commercial electrician	£40,000-£65,000	+15-25%
Industrial electrician	£42,000-£70,000	+20-30%
Smart home / automation	£38,000-£60,000	+10-25%
High voltage (HV) electrician	£45,000-£75,000	+25-40%
Building services engineer	£45,000-£70,000	+20-35%

EV Charger Installation — Growing Opportunity

The shift to electric vehicles is creating huge demand for qualified EV charger installers.

Factor	Details
Typical job price	£800-£1,500 per charger
Time per install	3-6 hours
Jobs per week (busy)	5-8
Required qualification	18th Edition + EV charging course
OZEV installer registration	Required for government grant work
Market growth	30%+ year-on-year

Regional Salary Differences

Region	Employed	Self-Employed Day Rate
London	£38,000-£52,000	£320-£500
South East	£34,000-£45,000	£270-£400
South West	£30,000-£38,000	£220-£320
East of England	£32,000-£42,000	£240-£360
West Midlands	£30,000-£38,000	£220-£320
East Midlands	£28,000-£36,000	£200-£300
North West	£30,000-£38,000	£210-£320
Yorkshire	£28,000-£36,000	£200-£300
North East	£27,000-£34,000	£190-£280
Scotland	£30,000-£38,000	£210-£320
Wales	£28,000-£35,000	£200-£290
Northern Ireland	£26,000-£34,000	£190-£270

How to Become an Electrician

Qualification Routes

Route	Duration	Cost
Level 3 Apprenticeship (EAL/C&G)	3-4 years	Earn while learning
Level 3 Diploma (college)	2-3 years	Free (16-18) or £5,000-£10,000
Accelerated adult course	12-26 weeks	£5,000-£15,000
AM2 assessment (end-point)	1-2 days	£500-£800
18th Edition (BS 7671)	1-2 weeks	£250-£400

Essential Qualifications

Qualification	Purpose
Level 3 NVQ / EAL Diploma	Core competence
18th Edition Wiring Regulations	Current standards knowledge
AM2 Assessment	End-point practical assessment
Part P Competent Person Scheme	Self-certify domestic work (NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA)
ECS Card (gold)	Site access — Qualified Electrician card
Inspection & Testing (C&G 2391)	Required for EICR work

Worth Adding

Qualification	Value
EV charger installation	High demand, good income
Solar PV installation	Growing market
Fire alarm (BS 5839)	Specialist niche
Emergency lighting	Common add-on work
Data cabling	Business/commercial work

Career Progression and Earnings

Stage	Years in Trade	Typical Earnings
Apprentice	Years 1-4	£14,000-£24,000
Newly qualified (employed)	Years 4-6	£26,000-£34,000
Experienced (employed)	Years 6-10	£34,000-£45,000
Self-employed (building up)	Years 5-8	£36,000-£55,000
Established self-employed	Years 8+	£48,000-£70,000+
Specialist (EV, solar, commercial)	Years 10+	£55,000-£80,000+
Running own business (staff)	Years 12+	£75,000-£130,000+

Electrician vs Other Trades

Trade	Employed Average	Self-Employed Average
Electrician	£35,000-£42,000	£40,000-£65,000
Plumber	£30,000-£40,000	£35,000-£55,000
Gas Engineer	£32,000-£42,000	£40,000-£65,000
Carpenter	£28,000-£36,000	£32,000-£48,000
Bricklayer	£30,000-£38,000	£35,000-£50,000

Electricians typically earn near the top of trade salaries

Summary

Level	Typical Earnings
Apprentice	£14,000-£24,000
Employed (experienced)	£32,000-£45,000
Self-employed	£36,000-£65,000
Specialist (EV, solar, commercial)	£45,000-£80,000+
London premium	+20-30%
Running a business	£75,000-£130,000+