Salary by Profession in the UK: Compare Jobs, Regions and Pay LevelsHow 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.
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 |
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+ |