Are Electricians Really Earning £156k a Year?
Recent media reports have caused a stir by claiming that some electricians in the UK are earning over £150,000 per year. While there’s some truth to these figures, they only represent a small fraction of the workforce — mainly c ontractors working on large-scale commercial projects.
For most tradespeople, pay levels are far more realistic — though still on the rise. If you’re studying Manual Handling Lesson 4 or Construction Team Lesson 14, this topic links directly to how market demand, skill shortages, and workplace organisation can influence pay progression in the industry.
What the Reports Say
The Daily Mail and other outlets reported that some recruitment agencies are placing electricians on six-figure salaries, citing a national shortage of skilled trades. These figures often relate to high-end commercial contracts, renewable energy infrastructure, or overseas work — not the day-to-day domestic or small business market.
While stories of electricians earning over £100,000 grab headlines, most qualified electricians in the UK earn between £30,000 and £45,000 per year, with self-employed specialists occasionally exceeding £70,000 through overtime and project work.
Understanding these variations is essential for those managing site teams or career planning — a concept explored further in Manual Handling Lesson 5.
Why the Figures Are So High
There are several factors driving the apparent pay spike:
- Skills shortage – The UK is still short of thousands of qualified electricians, leading to strong competition for experienced talent.
- Specialist projects – Work on data centres, battery storage sites, or major rail and infrastructure contracts often attracts premium rates.
- Contractor pay models – Some agencies quote annualised day-rate figures, inflating perceived salaries without factoring in downtime or costs.
The takeaway? Those headline salaries represent the top 1% of electricians — not the industry average.
The Bigger Picture
Rather than focusing on the rare top-end cases, the real story is how the entire electrical sector is benefitting from rising demand. Salaries across most trades have increased by 5–10% over recent years, driven by the need for skilled professionals.
This positive trend gives electricians more opportunities to move up through training, qualifications, and hands-on experience. For learners working in teams, topics such as fair pay and workload balance are covered in Construction Team Lesson 3, which explores communication and professional respect within trade environments.
Planning Your Next Step
If you’re thinking about switching careers or u pskilling to secure better pay, now is one of the best times to train as an electrician.
With the right qualifications and experience, it’s possible to move from domestic installation into commercial, industrial or green-energy roles where higher rates are available.
Elec Training offers recognised City & Guilds electrical qualifications, including the 2365 Level 2 & 3 Diplomas, 18th Edition Wiring Regulations, and NVQ Level 3 2357 — designed to help learners progress confidently in a growing trade.
Find out more or enrol today at Elec Training.
Are electricians in the UK really earning over £150,000 a year?
No, earning over £150,000 a year as an electrician in the UK is not realistic for the vast majority—it’s an exaggeration often seen in viral media or outdated claims. While top earners in specialized, high-risk roles like offshore wind or nuclear engineering can approach £100,000-£120,000 with overtime and bonuses, the average is far lower at £32,000-£38,000 annually, per 2025 ONS and industry data. Only 1-2% of electricians exceed £100,000, typically through self-employment or niche contracts, not standard domestic work. Elec Training confirms that while the skills shortage drives competitive pay, £150k claims stem from unrepresentative outliers or pre-tax hype.
What types of electrical work pay the highest salaries?
Highest-paying electrical work in 2025 focuses on specialized, high-risk, or e merging sectors, with salaries 20-50% above average due to demand and expertise:
Type of Work | Average Salary (£) | Why High-Paying? |
Offshore Wind/Renewables Engineering | 60,000-100,000+ | High-risk locations, technical complexity; 15,000 jobs needed by 2030. |
Nuclear/Substation Electrician | 55,000-90,000 | Safety certifications, shift premiums; up to £120k with overtime. |
EV Charging Infrastructure Specialist | 50,000-75,000 | Net-zero boom; MCS accreditation adds 20% premium. |
Industrial/Commercial Project Manager | 45,000-80,000 | Supervisory roles; JIB rates up to £60k base. |
Data Center/High-Voltage Engineer | 50,000-85,000 | Tech integration; £70k+ in London. |
Domestic work averages £32k, but specialisms like renewables boost earnings. Elec Training’s courses in EV/solar target these high-pay areas.
What is the average income for a qualified electrician in the UK?
The average income for a qualified electrician in the UK in 2025 is £32,000-£38,000 gross annually (£16-£19/hour), based on ONS 2024 data (latest available, projected stable into 2025). This varies by experience (£25k-£30k newly qualified, £40k+ mid-career) and region (London £35k-£55k). Self-employed day rates (£250-£400) can push net income to £50k+. Elec Training’s grads often start at £25k-£30k, rising quickly with specialisms.
Why do media reports exaggerate electrician salaries?
Media reports exaggerate salaries to attract attention or promote training (e.g., “£150k potential” headlines), often citing unrepresentative outliers like offshore roles (£100k+) or self-employed day rates (£1,000/week) without deductions (taxes, expenses reduce net 30-40%). Sensationalism ignores averages (£32k-£38k) and regional variations, per ONS critiques. Elec Training debunks this, focusing on realistic £40k-£60k paths.
How does the national skills shortage affect electrician pay?
The shortage (15,000 needed by 2030, 100,000 by 2032) drives pay up 8-10% annually, with 2024-2025 rises of 5-8% due to demand in renewables/EV, pushing averages from £30k (2020) to £35k+. Specialisms see 20-30% premiums. Elec Training leverages this for trainee placements.
What kinds of projects offer premium pay rates for electricians?
Premium projects include:
Project Type | Premium Rate (£/year) | Why Premium? |
Offshore Wind Farms | 60,000-100,000+ | High-risk, remote; 4-weeks-on/4-off shifts. |
Nuclear/Substation | 55,000-90,000 | Security clearances, overtime. |
EV Infrastructure | 50,000-75,000 | Net-zero boom; MCS cert adds 20%. |
Data Centers | 50,000-85,000 | High-voltage, 24/7 ops. |
Commercial Renewables | 45,000-70,000 | Solar/wind installs; grants boost. |
Elec Training’s specialisms courses target these for higher earnings.
Do agency or contractor day rates reflect real annual earnings?
Agency/contractor day rates (£250-£400, £50k-£80k gross/year) don’t fully reflect real earnings after deductions (tax 20-45%, NI 8%, expenses £5k-£10k, insurance £1k), netting 60-70% (£30k-£56k). Irregular work and downtime cut effective income 10-20%. Elec Training teaches financial planning for accurate projections.
How have electrician salaries changed in recent years?
Salaries rose 8-10% annually from 2020-2025, from £28k-£30k average (2020) to £32k-£38k (2025), driven by shortages and inflation—ONS data shows £30k median in 2020 to £35k in 2024, with 5-8% projected for 2025. Specialisms like EV added 15-20%. Elec Training tracks this for trainee guidance.
What qualifications can help electricians move into higher-paying roles?
Qualifications like City & Guilds 2921 (EV Charging) or MCS for Renewables boost pay 20-30% (£10k-£20k uplift), enabling premium projects. 2391 Inspection & Testing for supervisory roles (£5k-£10k more). Elec Training offers these for progression.
Is now a good time to retrain or upskill as an electrician in the UK?
Yes, 2025 is an excellent time to retrain or upskill, with 100,000 needed by 2032 amid shortages, offering quick entry (12-18 months via fast-track NVQ) and rising pay (8-10% YoY), plus net-zero demand for EV/renewables. Elec Training’s flexible courses make it accessible.
FAQs About Electrician Salaries in the UK
Are electricians in the UK really earning over £150,000 a year?
No, earning over £150,000 a year is extremely rare and not representative of the typical electrician. While some high-end contractors in specialized sectors like offshore wind or data centers might reach £100,000-£150,000 with overtime and bonuses, the vast majority earn far less. Media reports often highlight these outliers to attract attention, but official data shows averages around £35,000-£45,000 annually, with top earners (90th percentile) at £50,000-£60,000.
What types of electrical work pay the highest salaries?
Highest-paying work includes industrial and commercial installations (e.g., data centers, manufacturing plants, up to £50,000-£70,000/year), renewables like solar PV and EV charging (£45,000-£60,000), offshore or high-voltage projects (£60,000-£100,000+ with premiums), and supervisory roles like electrical engineers (£50,000-£80,000). These roles demand advanced certifications and often involve shift work or travel, boosting earnings beyond domestic jobs (£30,000-£40,000).
What is the average income for a qualified electrician in the UK?
The average annual income for a qualified electrician in 2025 is £35,000-£45,000 gross, or £22-£23 per hour (£46,000-£47,000 full-year equivalent). Newly qualified earn £32,000, mid-career £38,000-£42,000, and experienced £45,000-£55,000. Self-employed can hit £50,000+ after deductions, with London/South East 10-20% higher due to demand.
Why do media reports exaggerate electrician salaries?
Media reports often focus on outliers like offshore or self-employed high-earners (£100,000+) to create sensational headlines, ignoring averages (£35,000-£45,000). They cite unverified surveys or anecdotal stories (e.g., a 2017 Daily Mail article claiming £156,000 based on Manpower data for rare cases), amplifying demand narratives without context, leading to misconceptions about typical pay.
How does the national skills shortage affect electrician pay?
The shortage (15,000 needed by 2030) drives up pay by 5-10% annually, with 37% of businesses reporting vacancies pushing rates higher, especially in renewables/EV (£45,000+). It favors qualified workers, increasing day rates (£250-£350) and overtime premiums, but also raises competition for apprenticeships; overall, it boosts earnings potential amid net-zero demands.
Premium projects include data centers and commercial rewires (£300-£400/day), renewables like solar farms or EV installations (£250-£350/day), offshore wind/high-voltage (£400-£500/day with allowances), and emergency/high-risk work (£50-£75/hour). These often involve travel or certifications, paying 20-50% above domestic rates (£200-£300/day).
Do agency or contractor day rates reflect real annual earnings?
Agency/contractor day rates (£250-£350 average) don’t directly reflect annual earnings due to deductions (20-40% for taxes, insurance, materials) and downtime (2-4 weeks/year). A £300/day rate yields £50,000-£60,000 gross annually (180-200 days), but net £35,000-£45,000 after expenses; consistent work is key, with shortages boosting rates but variability reducing reliability.
How have electrician salaries changed in recent years?
Salaries have risen 5-8% annually from 2020-2025, from £30,000 average in 2020 to £35,000-£45,000 in 2025, driven by shortages and inflation. Hourly rates increased from £18-£20 to £22-£23, with self-employed seeing 10% growth due to renewables demand; London rates up 12% to £40,000-£55,000.
What qualifications can help electricians move into higher-paying roles?
Qualifications like NVQ Level 3 in Electrotechnical Systems (£3,000-£5,000, 12-18 months), 18th Edition Wiring Regulations (£150-£300, 1-3 days), MCS certification for renewables (£500-£1,000), or C&G 2391 for inspection/testing (£800-£1,200) unlock roles in EV/solar (£45,000+). Experienced Worker Assessment fast-tracks time-served to Gold Card status for supervisory pay (£50,000+).
Is now a good time to retrain or upskill as an electrician in the UK?
Yes, 2025 is an excellent time due to shortages needing 104,000 more by 2032, rising salaries (5-10% growth), and demand from net-zero projects (EV, renewables). Retraining via apprenticeships (funded, earn £15,000-£20,000) or intensive courses (£5,000-£8,000, 12-18 months) offers quick ROI (£35,000 starting); Elec Training’s flexible programs suit career changers.
