Every year, a survey is conducted to find out which trade is the best paid in the industry... a statistic we eagerly look forward to sharing with you.
The results are in for 2019 and yet again the sparkies have taken the financial lead. For not one, not two, but FIVE years running, electricians have been earning the most money of all trades. In 2019, the average salary rose to £33,176 per annum - that's a 2.7% increase compared to 2018!
Why not consider one of our Electrical Courses for a bright start to the new decade?
Browse Our Electrical Courses >
What about the other trades?
Don't worry - it's not just electricians who saw an average pay rise in 2019. Plumbers, plasters, bricklayers and roofers all saw a wage increase between 1 and 10 per cent!
- Plasterers saw an average wage increase of 9%
- Plumbers saw an average wage increase of 1%
- Bricklayers saw an average wage increase of 4.6%
Browse Plastering Courses > Browse Plumbing Courses >
Where do these statistics come from?
You're probably wondering... how accurate are these numbers? Are they representative of the whole workforce?
Well, these numbers are recorded by the Office of National Statistics. They take the median wage in each individual industry to establish a fair average. This means the small percentage of exceptionally high earners don't skew the data.
To put this in context: exactly 50% of electricians in the UK earn below £33,176 and 50% earn more!
Is it realistic to think you'll earn a high wage straight away?
As you may expect, these average salaries aren't necessarily representative of entry-level wages, so it's unlikely you'll earn over £30k at the very beginning of your electrical career, for example.
That being said, these comfortable salaries are fairly accurate for self-employed tradespeople. Why? Because once you have the qualifications, experience and confidence under your belt, you can decide on a daily/hourly rate that suits your monetary expectations.
What's the key to earning more?
Increasing your earning potential is simpler than you may think. With determination, some hard work and a bit of self-investment, you can go from earning a trainee wage of around £12 - £14 per hour to earning a qualified tradesperson or site technician's wage of up to £20 per hour! Here's how...
1. Apply for agency work
Agency work is a great option if you are starting out in a new trade. It will give you the chance to gain some very basic knowledge and experience before considering further training.
2. Work overtime
If you are already working in your desired trade, why not ask your boss if you can work some overtime? This is a great way to increase your earnings short-term and boost your earning potential.
3. Gain new qualifications
We can't stress enough how important refreshing your qualifications is if you want to improve your earning potential in a particular trade. We offer a range of different courses for beginners and established tradespeople alike, allowing you to offer a better, more comprehensive service to your clients and command a higher salary! Whether you're keeping your knowledge up-to-date or learning a completely new trade, you'll find it easier to earn more money when you develop your skillset.
4. Start your own business
Becoming a self-employed tradesperson really does put the reigns (and money) in your hands. When you become your own boss, you can choose exactly how much you want to contract your services out for. An average hourly rate for an electrician is £45-£70 per hour, giving you plenty of room to adjust your profit margins to suit your business goals.
Browse Our Training Courses Now >
Starting Your Own Business - Case Study:
So you want to earn more money - who doesn't? Find out how we can help you achieve your monetary goals by taking a look at this incredible success story!
These two students, Peter and Omar, were working in completely different professions before they decided to learn a trade at Access Training Academies. Since completing their courses, they've set up their own independent plumbing and gas businesses. You can see our full interview with them here:
For more information on learning a trade at Access Training Academies, get in touch now! Call us on 0800 345 7492 or get in touch online.
Contact Us >
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we are helping people to retrain for new careers in the trades. Our courses combine live online learning with hands-on skills training - browse our trade courses here!