What is the Average Salary for an Electrician?

Electrician salaries can vary significantly based on factors such as experience, location, and specialisation. The average salary for an electrician in the UK is approximately £33,500 per year. This average takes into account both newly qualified electricians and those with more experience. 

Entry-level electricians can expect to earn between £18,000 and £22,000 per year, while those with several years of experience can see their earnings rise significantly.

What is a Master Electrician’s Salary?

A master electrician, who typically has the highest level of expertise and experience, can command a higher salary. In the UK, a master electrician can earn between £40,000 and £60,000 per year, depending on the region and the complexity of the projects they undertake.

Starting Salary for an Electrician

Newly qualified electricians can expect to start with a salary ranging from £18,000 to £22,000 per year. This starting salary can increase with experience, additional qualifications, and specialisations.

Electrician Salary Based on Specialisation

Specialising in specific areas of electrical work can significantly impact an electrician’s salary. Here are a few examples of how specialisation can affect earnings:

• Renewable Energy: Electricians who upskill into renewable energy technologies, such as solar power, electric vehicle (EV) charging, and battery storage, can earn an additional £12,000 to £15,000 per year. This reflects the growing demand for renewable energy solutions and the specialised knowledge required.
• Industrial Electricians: Those working in industrial settings often earn more due to the complexity and scale of the projects. Industrial electricians can earn between £35,000 and £45,000 per year.
• Commercial Electricians: Electricians who focus on commercial projects, such as office buildings and retail spaces, typically earn between £30,000 and £40,000 per year.

Regional Variations in Electrician Salaries

Electrician salaries can vary based on geographic location. In general, electricians in London and the South East of England tend to earn higher salaries compared to those in other regions. Here’s a breakdown of average salaries by region:

• London: £35,000 – £40,000 per year
• South East: £33,000 – £38,000 per year
• Midlands: £30,000 – £35,000 per year
• North West: £28,000 – £33,000 per year
• Scotland: £30,000 – £35,000 per year
• Wales: £28,000 – £33,000 per year

Electricians’ Rates: A Quick Guide

Electricians typically charge for their work in one of three ways:

1. Fixed Fee per Job: Many electricians prefer to provide a fixed fee for specific jobs. This can offer transparency and predictability for both the electrician and the client.
2. Hourly Rate: The average hourly rate for an electrician in the UK is around £40 per hour. This can vary based on factors such as location and the complexity of the work.
3. Day Rate: For jobs that are expected to take a full day or more, electricians often charge a day rate. The industry-accepted average day rate for an electrician is between £200 and £250.

Electricians’ Emergency Hourly Rate

In emergency situations, electricians typically charge a higher hourly rate. The standard emergency hourly rate ranges between £80 and £100 per hour. This higher rate reflects the urgency and often the unsociable hours involved in emergency work.

Pricing on the Job (POA)

While hourly and day rates provide a good benchmark, many electricians prefer to price each job individually. This approach takes into account various factors, including:

• Material Costs: The cost of materials required for the job.
• Labour Costs: Any additional labourers needed to complete the job.
• Travel Expenses: Fuel costs and travel time to the job site.
• Duration: The expected time required to complete the job.
• Location: Differences in pricing based on geographic location.
• Nature of the Job: Whether the job is routine maintenance or an emergency repair.

Additional Factors Influencing Electrician Salaries

Several additional factors can influence an electrician’s salary:

• Experience: More experienced electricians tend to command higher salaries.
• Qualifications: Advanced qualifications and certifications can lead to higher pay.
• Specialisations: Focusing on high-demand areas like renewable energy can increase earnings.
• Work Environment: Electricians working in hazardous or challenging environments may earn more.

Electricians’ Earnings: Subcontracting vs. Working Directly

Electricians often work in two main ways: sub-contracting or working directly for clients. Each has its own set of advantages and considerations.

• Sub-Contracting: Subcontracting can provide steady work and help build experience. Sub-contractors typically earn between £130 and £150 per day. However, this rate may not include additional costs such as materials and travel.
• Working Directly for Clients: Electricians who work directly for clients can often charge higher rates, typically between £200 and £250 per day. This approach allows for greater control over pricing but requires managing additional business costs.

Electricians’ Pricing Recommendations

Pricing electrical work can be challenging, especially for newly qualified electricians. Here are some resources to help with pricing:

• MyBuilder Pricing Guide for Electricians
• Electricians Price List by Tradesmencosts.co.uk
• Electrician Hourly Rate Guide by Checkatrade
• Cost Guide: Electrician by TrustedTraders
• Electricians Price List for 2021 by Household Quotes

These guides provide valuable insights into average costs for various electrical jobs, helping electricians price their services competitively.

Common Electrical Jobs and Their Average Costs

Here are some common electrical jobs and their average costs:

• PAT Testing: £1 to £2 per electrical appliance tested
• Full Domestic Rewire: £2,500 for a 2-bedroom mid-terrace house to £5,000-7,000 for a 4-bedroom detached house
• Smoke Alarm Installation: £80-130
• Carbon Monoxide Alarm Installation: £80-130
• Electric Underfloor Heating Installation: £50-80 per square metre

Conclusion

Electricians play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and functionality of electrical systems in homes, businesses, and industrial settings. Understanding the potential earnings in this profession can help aspiring electricians make informed decisions about their careers.

The salary of an electrician in the UK varies based on experience, location, and specialisation. Entry-level electricians can expect to earn between £18,000 and £22,000 per year, while experienced electricians can earn £33,500 or more. Specialising in areas like renewable energy can further increase earnings.

Electricians have various ways to charge for their work, including fixed fees, hourly rates, and day rates. The average hourly rate is around £40, while the average day rate ranges between £200 and £250. Emergency rates are higher, typically between £80 and £100 per hour.

Whether working as a sub-contractor or directly for clients, electricians can find lucrative opportunities in the UK. By understanding the factors that influence salaries and pricing their services competitively, electricians can achieve financial success and job satisfaction in this essential trade.

For more information, further training, resources and insights, reach out to us at City & Guilds Training – Electrical – we can help you take your electrician career to the next level!

The post How Much Can I Make? The Definitive Guide To An Electrician Salary appeared first on Tradeskills4u.

The results are in!

Compared to last year (2021) salaries have increased across every trade. This follows a year of decline after Covid and shows things in the construction industry have bounced back.

Average Electricians Salary in the UK (£33,636)

This year the average electrician salary recorded by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) is £33,636, compared to £32,540 from the year before. We have also seen increases for almost every trade with some surprise increases for trades such as bricklayers and decorators.

Average salaries by trade

Last year we saw electrician salaries increase by 3.4%. We are still seeing increases across the sector as Brexit and an overall skills shortage impact wages. On average each trade earns:

• Electrician £33,636
• Plumber £33,380
• Carpenter £29,171
• Bricklayer £30,672
• Plasterer £28,693
• Tiler £28,805
• Painter £29,231
• Roofer £26,099

The data above is based on the 2022 Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, which is taken from the Office of National Standards (ONS). Check out what the average percentages are by clicking on the interactive chart above.

How realistic is it to earn over £30K as an electrician?

Established electricians tend to work on a self-employed or contract basis and whilst salaries in this article represent what you could earn when employed by a company the amounts earned as a contractor tend to be more realistic.

An established self-employed electrician is likely to earn around £35-40K per year, and in London and the South East this figure could be higher. Please note that the salary ranges reported in this article are only intended as a guideline.
How do electricians charge for their time?

Self-employed electricians will charge a day rate or a fixed rate depending on the job.

As a self-employed electrician or contractor you will be able to charge a day rate or fixed rate depending on the job itself and the part of the country you are working in. But as a rough guide, below is a list what you could expect to charge:

• Consumer unit (fuse box) replacement £500 (0.5 – 1 day)
• Electrical inspection report £90 – £180 (4 – 8 hours)
• Install and supply a double socket £80 – £130 (1 – 3 hours)
• Light fitting replacement £40 – £60 (0.5 – 1 hour)
• Repair a damaged power cable £40 – £60 (0.5 – 1 hour)
• Electric cooker installation £50 – £80 (0.5 – 1 hour)
• Electric shower installation £250 – £400 (1 day)
• Install an external security light £90 – £140 (1 – 3 hours)
• EV charge point installation £200 – £300 (1 day)

Hourly rates / day rates (£45-£70 per hour / £180-£350 per day)

It’s hard to gather accurate data on how much electricians charge as this depends on whether they are self-employed or contracting and what part of the country they work in. In the South East and London and depending on experience, it’s realistic for an electrician to charge £45-70 per hour or £180-£350 per day.

When quoting for a job, smart working and marking up on materials can make a real difference to how much you charge for your hourly rate. The average price to supply and install a new consumer unit (fuse box) is approx. £500, and with the consumer unit costing around £100 and the job taking less than a day it’s clear to see where the money can really start to add up.

Although self-employed electricians tend to earn more than those employed, don’t forget that by being self-employed there are other costs to consider, such as the cost of tools, vehicle expenses, scheme registrations and business insurance.

How much do trainee electricians earn?

Apprentices tend to start out earning below the minimum wage, which is mainly because their employer is paying for their learning whilst they are earning. The current national minimum wage for a first-year apprentice is £3.90 per hour. However, many employers opt to pay more, with an average wage of approx. £178 per week.

For those that choose not to go down the Apprenticeship route, there are other options when starting out. One is to front load your training and complete a technical certificate first with a C&G 2365 Level 2&3 qualification. This will mean that you will then be able to command a better trainee salary of up to £24K.

JIB Electrician wage grades

You can view the electrical wages and pay grades that the JIB publish on their website. The JIB have clear guidelines for what an electrician can earn, however these are only guidelines and not every employer sticks to them.

As of the 7th Jan 2019, the JIB hourly rates for graded operatives who own their own transport are:

• Trainee Electrician (stage 1 and stage 2) – £12.41 – £13.93
• Electrician – £15.46
• Approved Electrician – £16.77
• Site Technician – £18.88

And if you live in London or the south east you should expect:

• Trainee Electrician (stage 1 and stage 2) – £13.90 – £15.60
• Electrician – £17.32
• Approved Electrician – £18.78
• Site Technician – £21.14

To qualify for the higher pay grades you may need to fulfil the following criteria:

1. Trainee Electrician – Apprenticeship or electricians mate usually with C&G 2365 Diplomas
2. Electrician – Relevant qualifications, Level 3 NVQ & AM2 (These days a 2357)
3. Approved Electrician – As per number 2 plus periodic inspection and testing qualification such as the C&G 2394/2395
4. Site Technician – As per number 3 plus over 5 years’ experience (3 of which in a supervisory role) plus a level 4 qualification such as an HNC

The key to earning more?

There are a number of ways you can increase your earning potential, and this really comes down to how much time and hard work you are willing to put in:

Ensure your work is carried out to a high standard

Be prepared to work hard

Always turn up when you say you will

Invest in yourself by increasing your knowledge through experience and further training

If you follow these simple rules, not only will your reputation grow but your income will too.

Ways of working:

1. Agency work is great when starting out as it allows you to gain confidence and experience ready to go out to apply for contracts direct.
2. Overtime is a great way to increase your earnings for those employed, as it’s often paid at a higher hourly rate.
3. Up-skilling with further training is a great way increase your skills set and your earning potential.
4. Self-employed electricians apply directly for their own contracts so allows for the opportunity to increase earnings.

4 KEY ROUTES TO BECOME AN ELECTRICIAN

View all our electrician courses or check out the info below:

(1) New Entrants – 4 Steps Electrical Training Programme.

The post 2022 UK Trades Salary Survey: Average Electrician Salary Still the Highest! appeared first on Tradeskills4u.

In January 2020, we asked our social media followers the following question “Have you been financially impacted by COVID & the latest UK lockdown?”. We received nearly 120 responses and 80% of the surveyed electricians and electrical contractors have admitted they have been financially impacted by COVID and the lockdown restrictions that have happened in the UK.

Despite the latest lockdown restrictions, electricians (as keyworkers) are allowed to continue to work in people’s homes to carry out essential maintenance and repair work. For tips and advice on how to work safely during the COVID pandemic, please read our “Covid 19 Safe Working Guidelines for Electricians” blog article.

Electricians’ Rates

Electricians often charge for their work in one of 3 ways:

1. Fixed fee per job
2. Hourly rate
3. Day rate

Generally, electricians will prefer to price by specific jobs but having a standard hourly rate can be a good benchmark to start.

We asked our social media followers how they price up jobs and the responses were as follows:

• By looking at competitors/colleagues prices (20%)
• Industry websites (10%)
• Price on application (50%)
• Industry Average (20%)

Electricians’ Day Rate

For a job that is likely to take an entire day or more, an average daily rate of between £200-250 is the industry-accepted amount. The first hour will be more expensive and travel expenses, taxes and material will need to be factored in the final price (source MyBuilder).

Electricians’ Hourly Rate

Many websites such as MyBuilder, Checkatrade and Which? all suggest that a standard electrician’s hourly rate is around £40 per hour.

To confirm this, we asked our social media followers about their average hourly rate – out of 85 responses, 67% said that £40 is the average hourly rate whereas 33% said over £40 is their average hourly rate.

Electricians’ emergency hourly rate

Many industry websites agree that the standard electrician’s emergency hourly rate ranges between £80-100 per hour.

Once again, to confirm this, we asked our social media followers and out of 91 responses, 70% of the respondents confirmed that their standard hourly emergency rate is £80. The remaining 30% of respondents confirmed their emergency hourly rate is more than £80 per hour.

Price on the Job (POA) 

Whilst using hourly rate is a good benchmark, the majority of electricians will price on the job as many factors can affect the end price including:

• Material
• Labourers
• Fuel costs
• Duration
• Where you live
• Whether the job is an emergency or maintenance

Pricing on the job can be a tricky business for newly registered electricians but fear not! We have summarised below the best websites (apart from our own of course) to get inspiration from when pricing electrical jobs on the go:

• MyBuilder Pricing Guide for Electricians
• Electricians Price list by Tradesmencosts.co.uk
• Electrician hourly rate guide by Checkatrade
• Cost Guide: Electrician by TrustedTraders (Which?)
• Electricians Price List for 2021 by Household Quotes

Moreover, to help you on the go – we’ve summarised the top pricing recommendations for the most common electrical jobs:

Other common electrical jobs and their average costs are also summarised below:

• PAT Testing on average £1 to £2 per electrical appliance tested
• Full domestic rewire range from £2,500 for a 2 bedroom mid terrace house up to £5,000-7,000 for a 4 bedroom detached house
• Smoke alarm installation from £80-130
• Carbon monoxide alarm installation from £80-130
• Electric underfloor heating installation £50-80 per square metre

Do you want to train with us?

If you are looking to train with us, we have a number of courses for beginners and other trades and for experienced electricians. If you are interested in training with us, give our team a call on 0800 8564448 alternatively keep in touch by following us on our social media channels.

Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Instagram

The post Electricians’ Rates – A Quick Guide appeared first on Tradeskills4u.

Average Electrician Salary (£30,765)

The average salary recorded by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) of £30,765 is actually the median value. This means that 50% of electricians earn more than this amount and 50% earn less. It’s the ONS’s preferred measure of average earnings as it is less affected by a relatively small numbers of very high earners that can skew the data upward. Therefore this average gives a better indication of typical pay than the mean which comes out at £31,648.

When we ran this survey last year we saw the biggest increase for plumbers whilst electrician pay seemed to have stalled. This year we can see plumber salaries have dropped by around 2% whilst electricians have increased by around 1%.

Why have some trades seen a drop in average salary?

When we last ran this survey it was surprising to see that the biggest increases in salaries had been in some of the less skilled trades where people still earned much less than an electrician on average. However the drop this time around is most likely a slight adjustment to these larger increases last year. It is also important to note that the data is for salaries, and as the construction sector sees increased demand more workers tend to go freelance or self-employed where they can earn a much higher wage.

How realistic is it to earn over £30K as an electrician?

The majority of electricians tend to work on a self-employed or a contracting basis. Whilst salaries represent what you can earn when employed by a company the amounts earned as a contractor tends to be more realistic. With established self-employed electricians you will be hard pushed to find anyone earning below £30K per year and earnings are more likely to be around £35-40K per year. In London and the south east this figure is likely to be higher.

Hourly Rates / Day Rates (£20-£50 Per Hour / £140-£350 Per Day)

Since most of the people working as electricians are either self-employed or contracting it is very hard to gather data on how much they charge or earn. In the South East and London it is very realistic for an established electrician to charge £45 per hour or £300 per day, further north this amount will drop. However, these days it is more likely that a sparky will charge a set rate for a particular job. In this situation smart working and marking up on materials such as sockets, cables and consumer units can make a real difference to an hourly rate. You will be hard pushed to get a new consumer unit supplied and installed for less than £450 these days, and with the boxes costing around £130 and the job taking less than a day you can see that this is where the money really can start to add up.

What are trainee salaries like? (Around £21K)

If you start out as an apprentice then you will most likely earn below the minimum wage. This is because you are earning and learning at the same time. However if you front load your training, like most of our customers, you can start out on a trainee salary usually around £21K per annum.

If you do a quick search online you will find that most jobs for electrician mates start off at around £11 per hour which is great for someone starting out.

The key to earning more?

If you do a search for electrician jobs on a website such as Indeed you will see that there are lots of jobs available offering some fairly decent salaries. You will find most of the jobs are advertised by agencies. These agencies will be taking a cut from your hourly wage- usually around 10-15%! So one very simple way to earn more is to put in the leg work and apply direct to numerous building and contracting companies. This will allow you to maximise your earning potential. There is nothing wrong with working for an agency and especially in the early days agencies can play an important part in finding you work. However as you progress your career you should make lots of contacts who will assist you in finding the latest and best contracts.

As well as working direct the best way to increase your earnings is simply to work hard, be on time, build a good reputation and of course progress your knowledge through great experience and further training. For most electricians one way to increase their wage or grade is to take the following courses:

1. C&G 2394/95 Inspection & Testing Courses – For Approved Electrician status
2. C&G 2396 Electrical Design course – For Site Technician status

For more information on JIB wage grades see below:

JIB Wage Grades

The JIB publish wage grades on their website. Whilst the JIB have clear guidelines for what an electrician can earn these are guidelines only and not every employer sticks to these.

As of the 4th January 2016 the JIB suggests you should earn the following hourly rates if you have your own transport:

• Trainee Electrician – £11.56 – £13.68
• Electrician – £14.39
• Approved Electrician – £15.61
• Site Technician – £17.57

And if you live in London or the south east you should expect:

• Trainee Electrician – £12.94 – £15.33
• Electrician – £16.13
• Approved Electrician – £17.48
• Site Technician – £19.68

In order to qualify for the higher pay grades most people will need to fulfil the following:

1. Trainee Electrician – Apprenticeship or electricians mate usually with C&G 2365 Diplomas
2. Electrician – Relevant qualifications, Level 3 NVQ & AM2 (These days a 2357)
3. Approved Electrician – As per number 2 plus periodic inspection and testing qualification such as the C&G 2394/2395
4. Site Technician – As per number 3 plus over 5 years’ experience (3 of which in a supervisory role) plus a level 4 qualification such as a HNC

Remember at the end of the day it isn’t just about how much you can earn but also about how happy you are in your job. Most people choose to train as an electrician not just because of the earning potential but because they are sick of being stuck behind a desk and want to work on the road, on site and with their hands. Remember being a sparky is the perfect job for someone who wants to work with their hands and their mind.

The post 2017 Trades Salary Survey: Electrician Salaries Rise Whilst Many Others Fall appeared first on Tradeskills4u.

It seems there is no hard and fast rule when it comes to deciding a day rate, and indeed, approximately a third of our responses suggested that a day rate is not always used in all circumstances.

Day Rate Influences

When discussing day rates with electricians through our survey, it was clear that 2 reasons were identified that influenced heavily over the final day rate that was charged to the customer:

• Business Costs
• Competition with other electricians

How electricians are working

Rather than pin electricians down to reveal their day rate, we decided to listen more to how they actually work which adds usefulness to the results. Rather than obtain an array of ‘day rates’ we decided to compare the earning potential of the differing ways of working which will hopefully serve to help other electricians who are struggling in increase their earnings.

Sub-Contracting vs Working Directly for your Customer

We had a good response from the guys who work as sub-contractors as well as getting their own work. Many of them spoke from experience when deciding on a day rate for their own work. A lot of sub-contractors forget to add the additional costs such as materials, accreditation, insurance and travel and quote what they are used to earning.

Many electricians work both directly for customers and as sub contractors, however it is important to distinguish your day rate from the two.

Sub-contract work can be great for building up experience and bringing your skills in line with other electricians. Although you will earn less than working direct for a customer, you will not have to worry about additional business costs.

Sub Contract Work Rate: £130-£150 per day

Day Rate vs Quote for Individual Works

Some electricians who responded suggested their customers save money by being quoted a price for the work itself. This allows the customer to budget sensibly for the work needed as they know exactly how much it will cost.

This method allows several jobs to be completed efficiently in the one day which could actually result in better earnings than quoting one price for the whole day.

Result: Win:Win – Customer can manage their budget better

Quote for work rate: £200+ per day

Day Rate vs Hourly Rate

A small number of electricians chose to work to hourly rates. This can be useful for smaller jobs and if there may be problems in the property that may present themselves such as removal of furniture before the job starts, lifting of carpets, floorboards, parquet flooring etc. Hourly rates can work out well if you are working in older homes where it is not clear what has been done before.

Hourly Rate: £34 per hour in London

Electricians who choose to work on day rates

Day rates vary between electricians, and is dependant on factors such as location, parking, and travel costs. Add to this the cost of accreditation and insurance that every electrician has to consider and it is clear to see how the costs are worked out.

The key point is to identify the rate which you would be happy with. Then demonstrate to the customer how your services are worth paying for. There is no point working to make no money, after all we all have bills to pay. Getting work is not just about your day rate. Customers also rate character as a high influence over whether they use an electrician. Factors such as

• knowledge,
• confidence,
• politeness
• professionalism are key.

If you get these items right, you are half way to getting the job. The other part is turning up on time.

Domestic Electricians Day Rate: £200 – £250 per day

Other Considerations

Naturally day rates can be affected by the number of electricians required to carry out the work and if you have a trainee electrician or apprentice working with you. There is also a difference between working 2 half days to one full day in terms of costs and paperwork as well as whether you charge VAT.

Conclusion

Simply asking an electrician what their day rate is touching the tip of the iceberg. There is so much more to a day rate than simply calculating business costs and adding a bit on for yourself. The resulting day rate is the culmination of marketing research, great customer service, a great job and positioning yourself as a knowledgeable electrician in your area.

However, when all said and done it is not the amount paid that makes you good. It is ‘would the customer call you again’ is where it is really at.

The post What’s the Average Day Rate for Domestic Electrical Work? appeared first on Tradeskills4u.

Each year we compile a blog post reporting on average salaries based on the data released from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) for those working in the construction industry.

Last year we reported that the average UK salary for an electrician was £30,784. This year, for another year running, it’s been a great period for Sparkies, who not only continue to earn the most of the trades but also see the biggest increase of all at 5%.

Average Electrician Salary (£32,315)

According to the Office of National Statistics the average salary for an electrician in the last year has risen by 5% to £32,315. This is the highest increase seen in the trades with plumbers following at 3.9%.

Average Salaries by Trade

The data below is based on the 2015 and 2018 Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings taken from the Office of National Statistics.

To check out what the average percentage increase has been over the last 12 months please click on the interactive chart below. You will see that most of the trades have seen some impressive increases in pay with electricians still earning the most, and are now earning around £1,260 more than plumbers.

Trades Salary Survey

The figures shown are based on the median value meaning that half will earn more and half will earn less. This is the Office of National Statistics preferred measure of average earnings and is less affected by a relatively small number of very high earners that can skew the data upward. The median average gives a better indication of typical salaries than the mean which shows salaries at £32,627.

How do electricians charge for their time?

When working in someone’s home most electricians will charge a day rate or a fixed rate depending on the job. Electricians who are employed and earn a salary are in the minority with the majority working on a self employed basis.

As a guide you could expect to charge the following for:

• Consumer Unit replacement £350 – £500 (0.5 – 1 day)
• Perform an Electrical Inspection report £90 – £180 (4 – 8 hours)
• Install and supply a double socket £90 – £125 (1 – 3 hours)
• Replace a light fitting £40 – £60 (0.5 – 1 hour)
• Repair a damaged power cable £40 – £50 (0.5 – 1 hour)
• Electric shower installation £250 – £400 (0.5 – 1 day)
• Install an external security light £90 – £140 (1 – 3 hours)

Hourly Rates / Day Rates (£40-£60 Per Hour / £180-£350 Per Day)

Because there are no statistics available on a national level it is quite hard to obtain accurate data regarding how much is actually charged. Also, because most electricians will charge either an hourly rate, day rate or a fixed rate depending on the type of job, their earnings will fluctuate from year to year. Rates can also vary drastically depending on location and experience. However, an experienced electrician working in the South East on average charges £45 per hour or £350 per day.

As you would expect, a self-employed electrician will tend to earn more than someone who is employed. However, you should take into account that there are other costs to consider such as the cost of buying tools, vehicle expenses, business insurance and registration on a competent persons scheme.

As mentioned the average annual salary for electricians is approx. £32K per year, however research suggests that this figure is actually more likely to be around £35-40K and can be higher still for those working in the South East.

What are trainee electrician salaries like? (Around £23K)

Whilst many electricians will start out as an apprentice earning below the minimum wage, they do benefit from being able to gain a qualification whilst earning a wage. The current national minimum wage for an apprentice in their first year is £3.70 per hour, however many employers prefer to pay more with the average salary being approx. £170 per week.

However, there are other options available, and we find that a lot of our customers prefer to front load their training and complete technical certificates first (C&G 2365 Level 2 & 3). This enables students to command a higher starting salary of between £21-25,000 per year when they start working as an electrician’s mate.

JIB Electrician Wage Grades

The JIB publish guidelines to what electricians can earn on their website, however, be aware that not all employers will adhere to these guidelines.

From and including Monday 7th January 2018 the JIB suggests that the national standard rates if you have your own transport are:

• Trainee Electrician – £12.08
• Electrician – £15.05
• Approved Electrician – £16.32
• Site Technician – £18.37

And for those who work in London or the south east you should expect:

• Trainee Electrician – £13.53
• Electrician – £16.86
• Approved Electrician – £18.28
• Site Technician – £20.57

Experience and obtaining further qualifications can help towards achieving higher pay grades:

1. Trainee Electrician – apprenticeship or electricians mate usually with C&G 2365 Diplomas
2. Electrician – relevant qualifications, Level 3 NVQ & AM2 (C&G 2357)
3. Approved Electrician – as per number 2 plus periodic inspection and testing qualification such as the C&G 2391-52
4. Site Technician – As per number 3 plus over 5 years’ experience (3 of which in a supervisory role) plus a level 4 qualification such as a HNC

Ways to earn more

The salary ranges reported in this article are only intended as a guideline. Depending on your experience, how many hours you are prepared to put in and how hard you are prepared to work we believe that there is really no limit to what you could potentially earn.

We still believe that becoming an electrician remains a great career choice especially as the demands from the growing housing sector continue to rise. There are also issues around the number of older electricians wanting to retire, which will inevitably lead to further shortfalls in labour required to meet demand.

There are many ways to increase your earning potential, and this really comes down to how much hard work you are willing to put in.

1. Agency work – for those starting out working for an agency is a good option. Here you will be able to gain the confidence and experience needed to go out to apply for contracts direct.
2. Overtime – For those employed working on a job where deadlines need to be met then overtime is a great way to increase your earnings as this is often paid at a higher hourly rate.
3. Up-skilling – to improve your skills set as an electrician, further training is a great way increase your earning potential.
4. Self employed – for the more experienced electrician who wishes to work for themselves and apply directly for their own contracts, setting up in business provides the opportunity to increase earnings further.

To help you achieve better pay or a higher grade you might want to consider undertaking the following courses:

C&G 2382-18 18th Edition Course – For anyone working in industry

C&G 2396 Electrical Design course – for Site Technician status

C&G 2391-52 Inspection & Testing Course – for Approved Electrician status

Want to know more about Trade Skills 4U? Find out more about how we provide electrician courses for beginners and experienced electricians or simply view our all electrical courses.

The bottom line is, if you are prepared to work hard, invest in yourself and ensure your work is carried out to a high standard your income as well as your reputation will increase significantly.

The post 2019 Trades Salary Survey: Electrician Salary Increases by 5% appeared first on Tradeskills4u.

The latest electricians salaries results are now in. You may remember that last year we posted that the average UK electrician salary was £30,765. This year’s results show that there has been a slight increase of 0.1% with the average electrician earning £30,784.

Salary ranges will depend on a number of factors eg, experience, location, qualifications, professional credentials (NVQ and ECS Card level), employer and job responsibility. Of course the starting salary for an entry level electrician will inevitably be lower, but will rise once they have gained the relevant Electrical NVQs and experience.

Average Electrician Salary (£30,784)

The average salary for electricians is currently £30,784, according to the Office of National Statistics (ONS) and has risen by 0.1% in the last year. This is based on the median value which means that half will earn more than this amount and half will earn less. This is the ONS’s preferred measure of average earnings and is less affected by a relatively small numbers of very high earners that can skew the data upward. The median average gives a better indication of typical salaries than the mean which shows salaries at £31,617.

The data below is based on the 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings taken from the Office of National Statistics (ONS).

Average Salaries by Trade

Other trades salaries have increased across the board with Roofers showing the biggest increase of 5.8% followed by Plumbers at 4.4%. We believe the reason these salaries have increased more is that they are catching up with the increase seen for electricians last year. When we ran this survey last year we saw that plumbers, carpenters, bricklayers, and tilers salaries had dropped. This year all trades salaries have increased, ranging from 0.1% for electricians to 5.8% for Roofers, however, electricians still earn most. However, it is good to report that electricians still earn nearly £1000 more than any other trade on average.

Hourly Rates / Day Rates (£20-£60 – £ Per Hour / £180 – £350 Per Day)

Obtaining accurate data is a challenge as many electricians are either self-employed or contracting. Most self-employed electricians generally charge a day rate, an hourly rate or fixed rate for individual jobs, therefore their earnings tend to fluctuate year on year, because work is not guaranteed. This iswhy it is difficult to gauge exactly how much they earn as there are no statistics available on a national level for this.
However, depending on where you are based in the country, on average it appears that an experienced electrician working in the South East charges £45 per hour or £350 per day.
Whilst self-employed electricians tend to earn more than those who are employed, there are other costs to take into account such as the cost of tools, van, costs of quoting and business insurance and your registration on a competent persons scheme.

How realistic is it to earn over £30K as an electrician?

Self employed electricians are more likely to earn more than those employed as they are not tied down by company pay categories. Whilst salaries represent what you can earn when employed by a company the amounts earned as a contractor tends to be more realistic.
An experienced self-employed electrician should be earning on average above £30K per year. In fact our research suggests that earnings are more likely to be around £35-40K per year, with this figure being higher if working in London and the south east.

Ways to earn more

As with any career, the better you are at your job the more you can earn. There are a number of ways you can increase your earnings, and this really comes down to how much effort you are prepared to put in.

1. Overtime – If you are employed and working on a job where deadlines need to be met then overtime is a great way to increase your earnings. Especially as overtime is often paid at a higher hourly rate.
2. Agency work – if you are starting out then working for an agency is an option. This will allow you to gain the confidence and experience to then go on to apply for contracts direct to building and contracting companies.
3. Up-skilling – if you want to progress in your career as an electrician then taking further electrician training to improve your grade could increase your earning potential. Electrical Courses to consider are the C&G 2394/95 Inspection & Testing Courses – For Approved Electrician status and the C&G 2396 Electrical Design course – For Site Technician status.
4. Going self employed – once, you’ve got some experience and made some good contacts and you’re being offered work outside of your employed day job, you might find that it’s time to go self-employed. This means that you will be able to earn a much higher wage once you’ve set up on your own.

What are trainees salaries like?

Apprentices tend to earn below the minimum wage, however the benefit here is that they can earn while gaining a qualification. The current National Minimum Wage for apprentices in their first year is £3.50 per hour, although most employers will pay more and research shows that the average salary is approximately £170 per week. However, apprentices can start earning a higher salary once they have completed their training and get qualified.
An option many of our customers at Trade Skills 4 U choose is to front load their training and complete their technical certificates first (C&G2365 Level 2&3). This allows those entering the market as electricians mates to earn between £21-25,000 per year. This is a guide and will vary depending on the employer, where you work in the country, and the type of job you have been employed to do.

JIB Wage Grades

Each year the JIB publish wage grades on their website, however, whilst the JIB have clear guidelines for what an electrician can earn these are only guidelines and not every employer will stick to these. Since last year, the figures below have increased by approx. 1.9%

From and including Monday 2nd January 2017, the JIB suggests you should earn the following hourly rates if you have your own transport:

National Standard Rates:

• Trainee Electrician – £11.79 – £13.95
• Electrician – £14.68
• Approved Electrician – £15.92
• Site Technician – £17.92

And if you live in London or the south east you should expect:

• Trainee Electrician – £13.20 – £15.64
• Electrician – £16.45
• Approved Electrician – £17.83
• Site Technician – £20.07

A great way to increase your earnings potential is to get plenty of on the job experience, build a good reputation, work hard and improve your knowledge through further training. The courses below will help you to qualify for the higher pay grades:

1. Trainee Electrician – apprenticeship or electricians mate usually with C&G 2365 Diplomas
2. Electrician – relevant qualifications, Level 3 NVQ & AM2 (These days a 2357)
3. Approved Electrician – as per number 2 plus periodic inspection and testing qualification such as the C&G 2394/2395
4. Site Technician – As per number 3 plus over 5 years’ experience (3 of which in a supervisory role) plus a level 4 qualification such as a HNC

The Sky’s the limit

The salary ranges listed in this article are only guidelines. We believe that the sky’s the limit when it comes to what you could actually earn and as mentioned above this will depend on a number of factors, however, from our experience and from talking to our students, we believe that if you are prepared to put in the hours to build your business and work hard then there is no limit to what you could potentially earn.
We know that electricians are the highest earners among the trades, and to support this there have been some very interesting articles posted recently, one of which is a little extreme and did create quite a bit of stir on social media. I hope you enjoy reading them and wonder whether you agree with what they are saying!

The post 2018 Trades Salary Survey: Electricians Salaries are Still Higher than Other Trades appeared first on Tradeskills4u.