UK Electrician Salary by Region 2026: JIB Rates, Regional Pay, and EV Charging Premium
UK electrician salary by region 2026: ONS ASHE data across 11 regions, JIB approved rates, self-employed day rates, EV and solar premiums.
Electricians are among the best-paid trades in the UK, and their earnings are increasingly boosted by the energy transition — EV charger installation, solar PV, and heat pump integration are creating a skills premium that the ONS data hasn't yet fully priced in. ASHE 2025 Provisional shows 11 of 12 regions with usable data, making electricians one of the better-covered trades in official statistics.
What is the average UK electrician salary in 2026?
ONS ASHE 2025 Provisional data gives a UK median salary for electricians (SOC 5241) of £39,187 per year, with a mean of £40,108. This covers employed electricians — those working for contractors, facilities management companies, and the public sector.
Self-employed electricians (sole traders and Ltd company directors) are excluded from ASHE and typically earn £45,000–£90,000+ depending on specialisation and location.
UK electrician salary by region in 2026
Electricians have one of the strongest regional data sets in ASHE for a trade occupation — 11 of 12 regions have usable figures. The South East and North West command premiums at different ends of the country.
| Region | ASHE 2025 Median (£/yr) | ASHE 2025 Mean (£/yr) |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | £39,187 | £40,108 |
| London | £39,267 | £42,750 |
| South East | £42,431 | £42,684 |
| East of England | £37,539 | £38,509 |
| South West | £36,270 | £34,355 |
| East Midlands | £39,842 | £43,729 |
| West Midlands | £39,921 | £39,875 |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | £41,620 | £41,339 |
| North West | £41,401 | £43,092 |
| North East | ONS data suppressed | — |
| Wales | £34,719 | £36,177 |
| Scotland | £37,928 | £38,070 |
Source: ONS ASHE 2025 Provisional, SOC 5241 "Electricians and electrical fitters". North East suppressed due to insufficient sample size.
Regional deep-dives
South East: new-build and infrastructure premium. The South East (£42,431) is the highest regional median — marginally above London. The major infrastructure projects (Lower Thames Crossing, Gatwick expansion planning, data centre construction in the M4 corridor) and strong new-build residential market drive above-national demand for qualified electricians.
North West: Manchester's construction boom. The North West (£41,401) is close behind, reflecting Manchester's ongoing city-centre redevelopment, MediaCity expansion, and the Northern Powerhouse rail programme. Manchester area contractors report difficulty recruiting JIB Approved Electricians and have pushed rates accordingly.
Yorkshire and the Humber: the energy sector premium. Yorkshire's figure (£41,620) is above the national median and reflects the Humber energy cluster — offshore wind (Hornsea, Dogger Bank) drives significant electrical work in Hull, Grimsby, and the surrounding area.
London: the counterintuitive result. London's median (£39,267) is almost identical to the UK figure — only marginally above. This reflects the mix: London has many employed electricians on facilities management contracts at JIB minimum rates alongside high-earning specialist electricians. Self-employed London electricians (not in ASHE) charge day rates of £400–£600+, significantly above the employed median.
Wales: lowest published median. Wales (£34,719) is the lowest region in the data. This reflects a smaller construction sector, lower commercial property market, and less infrastructure investment than England's major regions. South Wales (Cardiff) is the exception, with rates closer to Bristol.
JIB rates and the employment floor
The Joint Industry Board (JIB) for the Electrical Contracting Industry sets minimum rates for employed electricians:
| JIB grade | Minimum rate (2024/25) | Annualised (40hr/wk) |
|---|---|---|
| Apprentice Year 1 | £6.40/hr | ~£12,012 |
| Apprentice Year 4 | £12.20/hr | ~£22,880 |
| Electrician (standard) | £18.04/hr | ~£33,915 |
| Approved Electrician | £19.63/hr | ~£36,894 |
| Technician | £21.52/hr | ~£40,416 |
Source: JIB National Working Rules 2024/25. Annualised assuming standard 47.5 working weeks.
Most employed electricians earn above JIB minimum rates due to local market conditions, overtime, and subsistence/travel allowances that add materially to annual income.
Specialism premiums: EV, solar, and industrial
The fastest-growing earnings opportunities for electricians in 2026 are in the energy transition sector:
| Specialism | Additional qualification | Premium over standard |
|---|---|---|
| EV charger installation | OZEV installer certification | +£5,000–£10,000/yr |
| Solar PV / battery storage | MCS accreditation | +£5,000–£12,000/yr |
| Data centre / industrial | Experience + IPAF | +£10,000–£20,000/yr (employed) |
| Offshore wind (marine) | BOSIET + GWO | £65,000–£100,000+ (rotational) |
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme and the government's EV charging infrastructure targets are creating durable demand. Electricians with MCS certification and heat pump integration skills are among the most sought-after in the UK trades market.
How to earn more as an electrician in the UK
1. Achieve JIB Approved Electrician status. The Approved Electrician grade unlocks higher JIB minimum rates and is the standard benchmark for electrical contractors. It requires NVQ Level 3 + 18th Edition Wiring Regulations + AM2 assessment. Most apprenticeships lead to this grade automatically.
2. Get MCS accreditation for solar/heat pumps. MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) accreditation allows you to install systems eligible for government incentives. MCS-accredited installers charge a significant premium and benefit from a predictable workload driven by the BUS (Boiler Upgrade Scheme) and planning approvals.
3. Target industrial and data centre projects. Employed electricians on data centre construction projects in the UK (there are major active builds in London, Manchester, and the M4 corridor) earn £45,000–£65,000 in employed roles. Living-away-from-home allowances add further.
4. Go self-employed in the South East. The self-employed premium for electricians in the South East is highest in the UK: day rates of £350–£600+ versus £250–£400 nationally. If you can build a client base in the South East without full London cost-of-living exposure (e.g. Kent, Surrey, Hertfordshire), the earnings are compelling.
FAQ
What is the average electrician salary in the UK in 2026?
The ONS ASHE 2025 Provisional median for employed electricians (SOC 5241) is £39,187 per year. Self-employed electricians typically earn £45,000–£90,000+ depending on location, specialisation, and workload.
Do electricians earn more than plumbers?
In employed roles, yes: the UK ASHE median for electricians (£39,187) is £2,624 higher than for plumbers (£36,563). The gap is wider in self-employed work, where electricians — particularly those with solar PV, EV, or industrial credentials — command higher day rates.
What is the JIB Approved Electrician rate?
JIB Approved Electrician is a formal grade within the Joint Industry Board electrical contracting framework. The 2024/25 minimum rate is £19.63/hour (approximately £36,894 annualised at standard hours). Many employers pay above this minimum.
What qualifications do you need to become an electrician?
The standard route is a Level 3 Diploma in Electrical Installations (equivalent to NVQ Level 3), completed via a 4-year apprenticeship. Additionally, the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations (BS 7671) qualification is mandatory for domestic and commercial work. Part P registration is required for domestic work in England.
Is EV charging installation worth adding as an electrician?
Yes. OZEV (Office for Zero Emission Vehicles) registered installation is required for EV chargers funded through government schemes. Registration costs approximately £300 and takes 1–2 days' training. It opens access to the growing home charging infrastructure market, where demand consistently outstrips supply of qualified installers.
Next steps
Compare electrical trade salary data on SalaryScout:
Topics: uk salary, regional pay, ons, 2026, electrician, trades, electrical