JIB Rates 2026 and onwards

Right, so if you’re working as an electrician in the UK, or you’re thinking about getting into the trade, JIB rates are basically the wage framework that determines what you should be earning. The Joint Industry Board sets these rates annually, and honestly, they’re kind of a big deal because they cover everything from apprentice pay to what a fully qualified spark takes home per hour. 

For 2025, the rates vary depending on your grade and location, but here’s the thing, they’re structured to reflect your skill level and experience. Approved Electricians (the standard qualified grade) are looking at around £21.50 per hour outside London, whilst Technicians can pull in more depending on specialisms and project type. If you’re in London, particularly working on transport projects, you’ll see city weighting added on top, which can push rates significantly higher. Apprentices start lower (obviously), but the rates increase as you progress through each year of your training. The JIB also sets allowances for things like travel, lodging, and sick pay, so it’s not just about the hourly rate, there’s a whole package that comes with being on JIB terms. To be fair, these aren’t just suggestions either; most reputable contractors and main employers in the electrical industry use JIB rates as their baseline, which means knowing where you sit on that scale is pretty crucial for negotiating your worth. 

With all that said, How Much Extra Cash Are We Actually Talking? 

Let me put this into real terms: 

Year | Graded-Operative Uplift | Example: Approved Electrician | Weekly Sick-Pay Boost (Weeks 3-24)* 

2026 | +3.95% | £21.50 → £22.35/hr | +£10 (£210/wk) 

2027 | +4.6% | £22.35 → £23.38/hr | No change 

2028 | +4.85% | £23.38 → £24.51/hr | No change 

Illustrative, outside London. Exact figures vary by region and grade. 

Across three years, a site spark outside the capital could see £3 extra per hour, that’s around £6,000 more gross annually for someone billing a 40-hour week. In London, the gap widens even further once the city weighting compounds. Not too shabby, honestly. 

Why Did Employers Actually Agree to This? 

To be fair, there are some pretty solid reasons behind this deal: 

1. The Retention Crisis

Nearly a third of the UK electrical workforce is over 50. Wage stagnation would just accelerate retirements and push people towards data-centre gigs that already pay premium rates. Employers know they can’t afford to lose experienced sparks right now. 

2. Inflation Catch-Up

Even after recent Bank of England tightening, core inflation has been putting serious pressure on take-home pay. A near-4% rise helps narrow that gap, it’s not exactly generous, but it’s something. 

3. The Project Pipeline

The renewable-energy boom and the 300,000-public-charger target mean contractors can pass some labour costs to clients. Better to lock in predictable rises than face strike risk mid-project, which would cost everyone way more in the long run. 

What This Means for JIB Apprentices and Improvers, and the rates they can expect 

Here’s the thing about this deal, apprentices get a back-loaded benefit (2% in 2027 and 3% in 2028), but if you pair that with completing your Level 3, you bump your grade just as the biggest rise lands. Fast-tracking your NVQ now means you graduate into the 2027 uplift at the higher rate, which is basically free money for timing it right. 

The improved sick-pay safety net (£200-£220 per week) also makes it easier for career-changers to quit low-paid jobs and commit to full-time electrical training without fearing lost income if injury strikes. Let’s be real, that peace of mind matters when you’re making a big career move. 

Strategy for Working Sparks: Upskill Before the Pay Wave Hits 

If you’re already working in the industry, here’s what you should be thinking about: 

Nail the NVQ Level 3 by Q3 2025 

With 2026 rates set in stone, finishing the “Inspection, Testing & Commissioning” unit this year guarantees you draw the first 3.95% uplift as a graded operative, not a trainee. That’s the difference between a pay bump and a proper pay bump. 

Add Green-Tech Tickets 

EV-charger work already commands £250-£300 labour per 7kW domestic install. When baseline hourly pay goes up, premium niches go up-plus. A three-week EV-Skills Bootcamp or five-day Battery-Storage course bolts directly onto your NVQ logbook and positions you for the higher-paying work that’s coming. 

Secure Vendor Credentials 

Developers signing long-term O&M contracts want KNX Partner, CEDIA, or Tesla-approved installer status. Higher JIB rates raise tender costs, so having extra badges helps justify your day rate when clients are comparing quotes. 

What About Employers and Main Contractors? 

Budget Forecasting 

Build 4-5% annual labour upticks into your bid models now. Clients will push back way harder later if increases look like surprises, and honestly, nobody wants that conversation mid-project. 

Safety Investment 

The deal also bumps weekly sick pay, which means investing in advanced safety training (arc-flash PPE, LV rescue) reduces lost days and insurance excess, offsetting wage inflation. It’s one of those things that looks expensive until you calculate what accidents actually cost. 

Talent Pipeline 

Sponsor apprentices through condensed Skills-Bootcamp blocks. The 2% wage rise for trainees is cheap insurance against future shortages, and trust me, those shortages are coming with the number of people retiring. 

Training Windows and Funding 

Skills Bootcamp Grants still cover up to 100% of green-tech upskilling fees for eligible learners, but here’s the thing, many schemes close before the next fiscal year begins. If you’re thinking about it, don’t wait. 

Interest-free 12-month plans mean you can start Level 3 or EV courses in September 2025, complete by summer 2026, and meet the first pay-rise threshold as qualified staff. The timing actually works out perfectly if you get moving now. 

Let’s recap what you actually need to know: 

1. The 3.95% January 2026 uplift is locked in, and compounding rises total nearly 13% by 2028. 
   
   
2. Finish your NVQ Level 3 by mid-2025 to feel the full benefit as a graded operative. 
   
   
3. Stack green-tech certificates, higher base pay multiplies premium niche earnings, so you’re basically doubling down on the increase. 
   
   
4. Employers: bake wage inflation into bids now and train and retain to dodge future scarcity costs. 

The electrician’s pay packet is on an upward trajectory, but only those with current qualifications and specialist skills will capture the maximum gain. Book your next module, log that portfolio evidence, and be ready when the 2026 rate sheet lands, more pounds per hour for exactly the same 60-minute circuit test. 

Power up your future before the pay wave hits.