Salary by Profession in the UK: Compare Jobs, Regions and Pay Levels

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.

· · 4 min read

Salary and income data is based on ONS and other official UK statistical sources. Figures are averages and may not reflect your individual circumstances.

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.

For a broader comparison across occupations and pay bands, see our Salary by Profession hub.

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

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+

Sources

  1. ONS — Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings