2019 Trade Salary Snapshot: Electrician Pay Jumps 5 % and Stays Top of the League
Every spring the Office for National Statistics (ONS) releases its Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, giving us the most reliable picture of what UK tradespeople really bank. We have pored over the 2019 tables and—good news, sparkies—your pay packet is still the fattest on site. In fact, electricians enjoyed the single-biggest rise of any core trade last year.
The Headline Number: £32,315
The median electrician salary climbed from £30,784 to £32,315—a healthy 5 % leap. To put that in context, plumbers were next best with a 3.9 % bump, while most other trades managed 2 – 3 %. Median values are the ONS’s preferred yard-stick because they are less skewed by a handful of super-high earners; half of UK electricians made more than £32.3 k, half less.
Trade | 2018 Median | 2019 Median | % Δ |
Electrician | £30,784 | £32,315 | +5.0 % |
Plumber | £28,200 | £29,300 | +3.9 % |
Carpenter | £27,600 | £28,300 | +2.5 % |
Bricklayer | £27,100 | £27,600 | +1.8 % |
That gap means the typical spark now earns roughly £1,260 more than a plumber and nearly £5 k more than a roofer.
How Electricians Price Their Work
Most self-employed sparks charge day-rates or fixed fees rather than salaries. Typical figures gathered from regional job boards and wholesaler counter-chat look like this:
Task | Typical Fee | Time on Site |
Consumer-unit swap | £350–£500 | ½–1 day |
EICR (3-bed house) | £90–£180 | 4–8 h |
Add a double socket | £90–£125 | 1–3 h |
Replace a light fitting | £40–£60 | 30–60 min |
Fit an electric shower | £250–£400 | ½–1 day |
Hourly and daily rates span £40–£60 and £180–£350 respectively, with the South-East peaking at £45 per hour or £350 a day. Of course, being self-employed means covering van costs, test gear, insurance and membership of a competent-person scheme.
Trainee and Mate Earnings
Apprentices start low—around the statutory minimum of £3.70 an hour—but most employers top that up to about £170 a week. Many adult learners now front-load theory first (City & Guilds 2365 Level 2 & 3) and join sites as electricians’ mates on £21–25 k while they build an NVQ 3 portfolio.
JIB Rate Card 2019
The Joint Industry Board’s recommended national hourly rates (own transport) kicked in on 7 January 2019:
- Trainee Electrician – £12.08
- Electrician – £15.05
- Approved Electrician – £16.32
- Site Technician – £18.37
London and South-East uplifts run roughly £1.40–£2.20 higher across the board.
Moving Up the Pay Ladder
Qualification and experience still drive the biggest jumps:
- Trainee Electrician – normally C&G 2365 and on-site hours
- Electrician – NVQ 3 + AM2 (C&G 2357)
- Approved Electrician – add C&G 2391-52 Inspection & Testing
- Site Technician – over five years’ supervisory experience plus a Level-4 diploma or HNC
Add-on skills boost earnings too. EV-charger installation, for example, routinely pays £250 labour for a single domestic wall-pod and demand is snowballing.
Four Proven Income Boosters
- Agency contracts – great for improvers hunting varied experience and quick cash.
- Overtime – commercial projects under deadline pay time-and-a-half after hours.
- Up-skilling – design, inspection, renewables or fire-alarm courses push day-rates higher.
- Going self-employed – once you have a customer base, margins rise sharply.
Why the Outlook Remains Bright
The housing market keeps expanding, public EV-charger grants run until at least 2025, and a wave of older electricians are edging toward retirement. That supply gap should keep day-rates buoyant for years. In short, anyone willing to graft, invest in quality tools and keep qualifications current can realistically top £40–45 k—especially in the South-East.
Training Next Steps
- 18th Edition (C&G 2382-18) – mandatory for anyone signing work.
- Inspection & Testing (C&G 2391-52) – pathway to Approved status.
- Electrical Design (C&G 2396) – step toward Site Technician grade.
Elec Training Birmingham runs all of the above plus fast-track NVQ 3 programmes for career-changers. Whether you are starting as an apprentice or levelling up from improver, the latest ONS numbers show the electrical trade still offers the best financial upside in construction.
If you combine solid workmanship with smart up-skilling and a strong work ethic, there is no real ceiling on what you can earn. Sparkies once again top the trade wage table for 2019—and all indicators suggest the current is only getting stronger.
FAQs
How much do electricians make per hour?
UK electricians earn £15-£25/hour employed, £20-£50/hour self-employed, varying by region and experience.
How much does an electrician make an hour?
An electrician in the UK earns £15-£25/hour employed, £20-£50/hour self-employed, depending on location.
How much does an average electrician make?
The average UK electrician earns £38,077 annually, or £20/hour, with variations by region.
How much does an electrician make in the UK?
UK electricians make £38,077 annually on average, with higher earnings in London.
How do I train to be an electrician whilst working?
Take part-time or evening City & Guilds courses, balancing work with NVQ and AM2 training.
How do I train to be an electrician near me?
Enroll in local City & Guilds courses; check colleges or providers like Elec Training for options.
How do I train to be an electrician in the UK?
Complete City & Guilds Levels 2 and 3, an apprenticeship, NVQ Level 3, and AM2 assessment.
What colleges do electrician courses?
UK colleges like University College Birmingham and City of Westminster offer City & Guilds electrician courses.
How much are electrician courses?
City & Guilds Levels 2 and 3 cost £3,000-£6,000, depending on provider and location.
How long are electrician courses?
City & Guilds Levels 2 and 3 take 1-2 years each, totaling 2-4 years.
How much do electrician courses cost?
Electrician courses cost £3,000-£6,000 for City & Guilds Levels 2 and 3 in the UK.
What is the average day rate for an electrician in the UK?
The average UK electrician day rate is £150-£250, higher in London.
What is the average day rate for an electrician in the UK?
UK electricians average £150-£250/day, with rates up to £300 in London.
What is the electrician day rate in the UK for 2024?
In 2024, UK electrician day rates are £150-£250, higher for specialized work.
What is the self-employed electrician hourly rate?
Self-employed UK electricians charge £20-£50/hour, depending on experience and location.
What is the electrician UK hourly rate?
UK electricians earn £15-£25/hour employed, £20-£50/hour self-employed, varying by region.
What is the typical electrician hourly rate?
The typical UK electrician hourly rate is £15-£25 employed, £20-£50 self-employed.
What is the commercial electrician hourly rate?
Commercial UK electricians earn £18-£30/hour employed, £25-£50/hour self-employed, based on complexity.
What is the average hourly rate for an electrician in the UK?
The average UK electrician rate is £15-£25/hour employed, £20-£50/hour self-employed.
What is the hourly electrician rate?
UK electricians charge £15-£25/hour employed, £20-£50/hour self-employed, depending on region.
What is an electrician hourly rate?
An electrician’s hourly rate in the UK is £15-£25 employed, £20-£50 self-employed.
