JIB Rates 2025 Explained – What Changed & Who Benefits?
- Technical review: Thomas Jevons (Head of Training, 20+ years)
- Employability review: Joshua Jarvis (Placement Manager)
- Editorial review: Jessica Gilbert (Marketing Editorial Team)
- Last reviewed:
- | Changes: Initial publication covering 2025 JIB pay uplift and benefits changes
Introduction
In January 2025, thousands of JIB-graded electricians saw their hourly rates increase by 5%. That’s the second step in a two-year pay deal agreed between the ECA, Unite the Union, and the JIB National Board back in 2023. The first uplift, a 7% increase, landed in January 2024.
On paper, it sounds decent. Combined, that’s a 12.35% increase across two years. But if you’re working on a JIB site, scrolling through Reddit threads, or comparing your payslip to what self-employed sparks are charging, you’ve probably noticed something: opinions are divided. Some electricians see these increases as reasonable in a tough wage environment. Others argue they’re still falling behind inflation, and that minimum wage has risen faster than JIB rates over the past decade.
So what actually changed in 2025? Who benefits most from this deal? And where does it fall short? Let’s break it down without the hype, based on what the official sources say and what electricians are actually experiencing on the ground.
Quick Recap: The 2024-2025 JIB Deal in Plain English
Before diving into what the 2025 rates look like specifically, it helps to understand the comprehensive guide to UK electrician pay and JIB wage agreements covering both the 2024-2025 deal and the later 2026-2028 negotiations.
Here’s what actually happened. In 2023, Unite the Union members narrowly accepted a two-year pay deal: 7% in January 2024, then 5% in January 2025. This applies to JIB-graded operatives working under the collective agreement, which means electricians employed by contractors who are ECA members and follow JIB terms.
What this doesn’t apply to: self-employed electricians, agency workers, or anyone on non-JIB sites. If you’re working for a contractor who doesn’t follow the JIB agreement, this deal has no direct impact on your wages. You might see JIB rates used as a reference point, but there’s no obligation for non-JIB employers to follow these uplifts.
You might have seen headlines about a “14% pay rise over three years.” That’s not wrong, but it’s also not the full story. The 14% figure refers to the combined effect of the 2024-2025 deal (7% + 5%) plus a further uplift negotiated for 2026-2028. That later deal is separate and came after additional negotiations in 2025. This article focuses specifically on what happened in 2025 as part of the two-year agreement.
The scope matters here. The JIB represents around 10,000 electricians employed by roughly 550 contractors across the UK. It’s a significant chunk of the industry, but it’s not everyone. If you’re working domestic installation on a self-employed basis, or you’re with an agency doing commercial fit-outs, your pay structure is different.
JIB Rates in 2025: What the Pay Rise Actually Looks Like
Right. The headline is straightforward: a 5% increase to hourly rates for JIB-graded operatives from January 2025. That’s on top of the 7% from 2024, which gives you a combined 12.35% over two years.
But what does that actually mean in cash terms? Here’s where it gets slightly messier, because exact hourly figures depend on your grade, your band, and whether you’re working under national rates or London weighting. The dataset we’re working from doesn’t give us a complete table of every grade at every band, so let’s be honest about what we do and don’t know.
What we can confirm: Approved Electrician Band 6 rates moved from roughly £19.30-£19.44 per hour (pre-2025 uplift) to around £20.25 per hour after the 5% increase landed. That’s based on back-calculations from the 2026 rates, which show Approved Electricians at Band 6 hitting £21.06 after a further 3.95% rise.
For Electricians, Technicians, Labourers, and Adult Trainees, the 5% applies across the board, but the exact starting point varies by grade and band. If you’re trying to figure out your specific rate, the definitive figures sit in the JIB Handbook and the Industrial Determination documents published by the JIB. Those are the authoritative sources, not Reddit threads or forum estimates.
One thing worth noting: JIB graded rates remain only modestly above minimum wage. At £20.25/hour for an Approved Electrician, you’re earning roughly £5-£6 more per hour than the National Living Wage. That might sound reasonable until you consider the years of training, the CPD requirements, the responsibility for BS 7671 compliance, and the fact that you’re legally accountable for the safety of electrical installations.
Thomas Jevons, our Head of Training with 20 years on the tools, puts it plainly:
"In practice, the 2025 uplift helps, but electricians on JIB sites are still only marginally above minimum wage when you consider the years of training and ongoing CPD requirements. It's a baseline package with benefits, not a ceiling, and learners need to understand that distinction when planning their career progression."
That’s the reality. JIB rates are a floor, not a ceiling. Many electricians, especially in the South-East or working for contractors competing for labour, will see rates above JIB minimums. But those uplifts come from individual employers choosing to add percentages on top to stay competitive, not from the collective agreement itself.
Apprentice Pay in 2025: What Changed for Stage 1-4
Apprentices got separate, targeted changes in January 2025, and for Stage 1 learners in particular, the uplift was significant.
The standout change: Stage 1 National Standard rates jumped from £6.44 to £8.16 per hour. That’s a £1.72 increase, which matters when you’re living on apprentice wages. For a Stage 1 learner working 37.5 hours a week, that’s an extra £64.50 a week, or roughly £3,350 annually. It’s not life-changing money, but it’s the difference between scraping by and being able to cover basic living costs while you train.
The full Stage 2-4 rates aren’t completely surfaced in the dataset we’re working from, but the pattern is clear: apprentice rates have been aligned more closely with National Minimum Wage bands. That means younger apprentices (under 19) and those in their first year see rates tied to the apprentice NMW, while older learners and those progressing through later stages see higher rates linked to age-based NMW thresholds.
London weighting also applies, though the exact London apprentice rates for 2025 aren’t fully detailed in the sources. If you’re training in London, you should see slightly higher rates than the national standard, but you’ll need to check the JIB-PMES documentation or speak to your employer for specifics.
Why did the JIB and unions prioritise apprentice pay? Simple: retention. Too many apprentices were dropping out because the wages weren’t covering rent, transport, and food. The construction industry has a chronic skills shortage, and every apprentice who quits before completing their Level 3 NVQ and AM2 is a qualified electrician the industry doesn’t get.
ECA, SELECT, and Unite issued a joint announcement in January 2025 emphasising that these changes were designed to encourage completion and support progression to Gold Card level. The logic is straightforward: if you can’t afford to stay in the trade while training, you won’t finish, and the industry loses skilled workers before they even qualify.
For apprentices reading this, the reality is that Stage 1 wages are still tight. £8.16/hour is better than £6.44/hour, but you’re still earning well below what you’ll make once you’re a qualified Approved Electrician on £20+ per hour. The message from the JIB and unions is clear: stick with it, complete your four stages, log your site hours properly, and get to the point where the real earning potential kicks in.
Beyond the Hourly Rate: Sick Pay, Lodging & Other Benefits
The 2025 JIB deal wasn’t just about bumping hourly rates by 5%. There were also changes to the wider benefits package, which for some electricians matter just as much as the basic wage.
Sick pay increased across all grades. From January 2025, weekly sick pay rates are:
- Technician: £220/week
- Approved Electrician: £210/week
- Electrician: £200/week
- Others (Labourers, Adult Trainees): £190/week
That’s a £10/week increase compared to 2024 rates. Not huge, but if you’re off sick for a few weeks, that extra tenner adds up. Sick pay applies from weeks 3-24 of illness, with different rates potentially applying after 25 weeks depending on circumstances.
Lodging allowance and weekend retention also saw small uplifts. The tax-free lodging rate is now £51.29 per night, which covers accommodation costs when you’re working away from home. Weekend retention, which compensates you for staying away over weekends between jobs, sits at the same £51.29/night figure. The percentage uplift from 2024 wasn’t massive (around 0.9%), but it tracks with the overall 5% wage increase.
Mileage and travel allowances remained largely unchanged. You’re still looking at 12p per mile for the first 15 miles, then 22p per mile beyond that. There’s no major shift here, which has frustrated some electricians who’ve seen fuel costs rise without corresponding increases in mileage reimbursement.
One important note: the 2024-2025 deal included commitments to open negotiations on pensions, travel expenditure, and salary-sacrifice arrangements. Those discussions didn’t conclude in time for 2025, which means some of the longer-term reforms to the JIB package are still being worked out. If you’re expecting big changes to pension contributions or travel time pay, those are more likely to land in the 2026+ agreement.
For electricians working away from home regularly, lodging and travel allowances matter. If you’re doing domestic work within your local area, they’re less relevant. But for anyone on commercial or industrial contracts requiring overnight stays, these benefits are part of the reason JIB employment offers more security than self-employed work with no sick pay, no lodging support, and no pension contributions.
Who Actually Benefits Most from the 2025 Deal?
Not all electricians benefit equally from the 2025 JIB uplift. Let’s be specific about who gains most and who’s left wondering if it’s enough.
PAYE graded electricians on JIB cards. If you’re employed under the JIB agreement, you got the 5% increase automatically in January 2025. Your sick pay went up, your lodging allowance increased slightly, and you’ve got the security of structured benefits. For someone earning £20/hour, that 5% is an extra £1/hour, or roughly £1,950 annually if you’re working full-time. It helps, but it’s not transformative.
Apprentices, especially Stage 1. This group saw the most significant percentage increase. Going from £6.44 to £8.16 is a 26.7% jump. For a first-year apprentice trying to cover rent and transport, that extra £1.72/hour makes a tangible difference. Later-stage apprentices saw smaller increases, but the overall message is clear: the JIB and unions prioritised keeping apprentices in the trade.
Employers using JIB as a transparent framework. Some contractors explicitly tell their staff they follow JIB rates “for transparency” and then adjust from there. The 2025 uplift gives those employers a clear baseline to work from. It removes ambiguity about what the minimum expectation is, and it allows employers to position themselves as above-JIB if they want to attract better candidates.
Who doesn’t benefit directly: self-employed and agency workers. If you’re a subbie working on day rates, or you’re with an agency doing commercial fit-outs, the JIB 2025 deal doesn’t apply to you. You negotiate your own rates, which are often higher than JIB minimums, but you also carry your own tax, tools, van, insurance, and you’ve got no sick pay or holiday pay. The JIB uplift might influence what contractors are willing to pay (since they know PAYE employees are now costing them more), but there’s no automatic pass-through.
Joshua Jarvis, our Placement Manager, sees this dynamic play out daily:
"What we're seeing at the moment is that contractors using JIB rates as a baseline often add percentages on top to remain competitive in tight labour markets. The official 2025 rates are the floor, not the ceiling, and learners who complete their NVQ properly and interview well can negotiate from a stronger position."
That’s the key point. JIB rates set a minimum, but they don’t cap what you can earn. If you’re competent, reliable, and in a region with labour shortages, you’ve got room to negotiate. If you’re just starting out or working in an area with more electricians than jobs, you’ll be closer to the JIB minimum.Â
Where the Deal Falls Short: Inflation, Local Rates & Real-World Frustrations
Let’s not pretend everyone’s celebrating. The 2025 JIB uplift has generated plenty of criticism, and much of it comes down to one issue: inflation.
Between the last significant JIB pay rise before this deal and the 2024-2025 increases, inflation ran well above 12.35%. RPI inflation averaged over 4% in 2025, and it was higher in previous years. That means electricians who got 7% in 2024 and 5% in 2025 are still losing ground in real terms. You’re earning more nominally, but your purchasing power hasn’t kept pace with rising housing costs, energy bills, and everyday expenses.
This frustration shows up repeatedly in electrician forums and social media. One comment that captures the sentiment: “The JIB wage for electricians is only £5/hr more than minimum wage for 5 years training and continued CPD. May as well stack shelves in Tesco at night for the same money.” That’s harsh, but it reflects genuine anger about wages not reflecting the skill level and responsibility involved.
Another theme: self-employment looks more attractive. Forum posts frequently argue that going self-employed or working as a contractor brings in day rates of £200-£250, which translates to £25-£30+ per hour depending on how much you work. Compare that to £20/hour on a JIB site, and it’s easy to see why electricians feel frustrated. The counter-argument, of course, is that self-employed rates need to cover tax, tools, van costs, insurance, and gaps between jobs. But when you’re looking at JIB rates and thinking about your mortgage, the comparison stings.
There’s also a historical dimension. Some electricians point out that minimum wage has increased faster than JIB rates over the past decade, and that there was a prolonged pay freeze after 2008. We can’t verify exact percentages without a full historical dataset, but the sentiment is consistent: JIB wages haven’t kept pace with both inflation and alternative career options.
Not everyone sees it this way. Some electricians in Reddit threads argue that 7% + 5% is “pretty decent” in a wage environment where many workers got nothing. There’s acknowledgment that JIB provides structure, benefits, and job security that self-employment doesn’t. But the dominant tone in online discussions leans toward frustration.
To be fair, Unite the Union and the ECA both framed the 2024-2025 deal as a win. Unite highlighted that thousands of electricians would benefit, and that the deal represented meaningful progress in difficult economic conditions. But union rhetoric doesn’t always match how members feel on the ground, especially when they’re comparing their pay to what mates are earning as subbies.
JIB vs Real Market Rates: How 2025 Fits Into the Bigger Picture
Here’s something worth understanding clearly: JIB rates are not market rates. They’re a baseline for PAYE employees working under the collective agreement. What electricians actually earn in practice often sits above that baseline, sometimes significantly.
Joshua’s point about contractors adding percentages on top is crucial. We hear this constantly from our network of 120+ contractors. They’ll say something like “we use JIB as the starting point, then we add 10-15% depending on experience and location.” That means an Approved Electrician nominally on £20.25/hour under JIB might actually be earning £22-£23/hour from their employer.
Why do contractors do this? Labour shortages. If you’re competing for skilled electricians in the South-East or in specialist sectors like industrial maintenance, you can’t just offer JIB minimums and expect to fill positions. You’ve got to pay above the floor to attract and retain people.
But there’s a trade-off. JIB PAYE employment comes with:
- Structured benefits (sick pay, holiday pay, pension contributions)
- Job security (employment contracts, notice periods)
- Career progression (clear grading from Labourer through to Technician)
- No overheads (employer provides tools, PPE, transport or mileage)
Non-JIB / self-employed work offers:
- Higher potential day rates (£200-£250/day mentioned frequently)
- Flexibility (choose your jobs, set your schedule)
- But: no sick pay, no holiday pay, no pension unless you arrange it
- Plus: van costs, tools, insurance, tax and CIS deductions, gaps between contracts
Some electricians thrive in self-employment. They’re organised, they’ve built a client base, and they’re comfortable with the admin and financial management. Others prefer the stability of PAYE work, even if the hourly rate is lower, because they value predictable income and employer-funded benefits.
For learners and apprentices reading this, the full breakdown of JIB rates across all skill levels and regions helps you understand where you’ll sit once you’re qualified and how progression from Electrician to Approved to Technician affects your earning potential over time.
The broader point: don’t assume JIB = your actual wage. It’s the minimum you should be paid if you’re working for a JIB contractor. What you actually earn depends on your employer, your region, your competence, and your ability to negotiate.Â
Common Myths About JIB Rates in 2025
Let’s clear up some misconceptions that show up repeatedly in forums and social media.
Myth: “The 5% rise applies to all electricians, even non-JIB sites.”
Reality: The 2025 uplift only applies to electricians employed under the JIB collective agreement. If you’re working for a contractor who isn’t an ECA member or doesn’t follow JIB terms, this deal doesn’t automatically affect your wage. Your employer might use JIB as a reference point, but they’re not legally obligated to follow it.
Myth: “Self-employed sparks and subbies are automatically on JIB 2025 rates.“
Reality: Self-employed electricians negotiate their own day rates or hourly rates. JIB rates might influence what contractors are willing to pay (since they know PAYE employees are now more expensive), but there’s no direct link. Subbies typically charge above JIB rates because they’re covering their own tax, tools, van, and insurance, and they don’t receive sick pay or holiday pay.
Myth: “Apprentices can be paid just the bare apprentice minimum wage, JIB is optional.“
Reality: If you’re employed by a JIB member contractor, your employer must meet JIB apprentice minimums. For Stage 1, that’s £8.16/hour nationally in 2025. JIB apprentice rates are aligned with National Minimum Wage for certain ages, but they’re not optional for member employers. If you’re being paid less than JIB minimums, your employer is breaching the agreement.
Myth: “JIB rates include overtime in the headline figure.”
Reality: The £20.25/hour (or whatever your grade and band pays) is your basic hourly rate. Overtime is calculated separately, typically at time-and-a-half or double-time depending on when you work. The headline rate doesn’t include overtime premiums.
Myth: “Once the 2025 deal is signed, no more negotiations until 2028.”
Reality: The 2024-2025 deal is separate from the 2026-2028 agreement. Negotiations for 2026 onwards have already started or are scheduled to begin soon. The JIB doesn’t just agree a deal and walk away for three years. Wage talks are ongoing, and unions push for improvements whenever they can secure them.
The lesson here: check your actual contract and payslip against JIB tables rather than relying on what people say in forums. If you’re unsure whether your employer follows JIB terms, ask directly or check if they’re an ECA member.
What This Means for You in 2025
Right, let’s make this practical. If you’re reading this, you fall into one of a few categories. Here’s what the 2025 JIB deal means for each.
If you’re a JIB-graded PAYE electrician:
From January 2025, you should have seen a 5% uplift on your hourly rate, plus increases to sick pay and lodging allowances if applicable. Check your February or March payslip to confirm the increase landed. If you didn’t see it, and you’re employed by a JIB contractor, raise it with your employer or union rep.
The broader question is whether that 5% keeps pace with your cost of living. Honestly, for many electricians, it doesn’t fully close the gap created by inflation. But it’s better than nothing, and it maintains the structured benefits that come with JIB employment. If you’re frustrated by the rate, the options are: negotiate with your employer for above-JIB pay, look for contractors offering higher rates, or consider self-employment if you’re confident managing the overheads and admin.
If you’re an apprentice:
Stage 1 learners especially should have seen a meaningful jump (£6.44 to £8.16). That extra £1.72/hour helps with rent, transport, and living costs while you train. For Stages 2-4, the increases are smaller but still present, tied to NMW bands.
The key message from the JIB and unions: finish your apprenticeship. The wages improve significantly once you’re a qualified Electrician or Approved Electrician on £18-£20+/hour. Dropping out at Stage 2 or 3 because the pay feels tight means you never reach the point where the real earning potential kicks in. Stick with it, log your site hours properly, complete your NVQ portfolio, and pass your AM2. That’s where the payoff is.
If you’re non-JIB or self-employed:
The 2025 JIB deal doesn’t directly affect you, but it does influence the market. Contractors know PAYE employees now cost them more after the 5% uplift, which means they might be willing to pay slightly higher day rates to subbies who can step in and cover labour shortages. Use JIB as a reference point when negotiating, but don’t assume it’s a ceiling. Your day rate should reflect your tax, tools, van, insurance, and the lack of sick pay or holiday pay.
If you’re training toward your NVQ and Gold Card:
The 2025 rates matter because they set expectations for what you’ll earn once qualified. An Approved Electrician at £20.25/hour (JIB minimum) translates to roughly £42,000 annually if you’re working full-time. In reality, many electricians earn above that, especially in the South-East, in industrial sectors, or if they’ve got specialist skills (EV charging, solar, inspection and testing).
Understanding the complete overview of electrician wages and the 2024-2028 JIB deal helps you plan your training investment realistically. Completing Level 2, Level 3, 18th Edition, NVQ 2357, and AM2 takes time and costs money (around £10,000 at Elec Training for the full NVQ package, excluding PPE, tools, and AM2 fees). But the payback period is relatively short if you’re earning £20+/hour with structured progression and benefits.
JIB rates are an important part of the picture, but they’re not the whole story. For many electricians, the real decision is whether to stay PAYE on JIB terms for the security and benefits, move into higher-paid self-employed work with more risk and overheads, or invest in specialist qualifications (2391, EV, solar) that strengthen your negotiating position and open doors to better-paid contracts.Â
References
- JIB official publications: JIB National Working Rules and wage agreements (https://www.jib.org.uk/)
- Unite the Union: 2024-2025 JIB pay deal announcements (https://www.unitetheunion.org/)
- Electrical Contracting News: JIB wage agreement coverage (http://electricalcontractingnews.com/)
- ECA: Joint statements on 2024-2025 wage deal (http://eca.co.uk/)
- JIB-PMES: 2025 rate tables and Industrial Determination (http://jib-pmes.org/)
- SELECT: Apprentice rate announcements (SELECT official publications)
- ONS: Inflation data (RPI forecasts 2025-2026)
- Electrical Apprentice forums: User discussions on 2024-2025 deal (https://electricalapprentice.co.uk/)
- Reddit r/ukelectricians: User sentiment on JIB 2025 rates (https://www.reddit.com/r/ukelectricians/)
Note on Accuracy and Updates
Last reviewed: 24 November 2025. This page is maintained; we correct errors and refresh sources as JIB agreements and wage data change. The 2025 figures reflect the January 2025 uplift as part of the 2024-2025 two-year agreement. Future negotiations for 2026-2028 are ongoing and will be updated separately.Â
