Best Paid Trades in the UK: Complete Salary Guide 2026
Forget the myth that you need a degree to earn well. The UK's best-paid tradespeople are earning £50,000–£80,000+ a year. Here is the definitive salary guide for every major trade in 2026.
The UK's Best Paid Trades: Full Salary Table
These figures are based on 2025/26 data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), Glassdoor, Indeed, and trade industry bodies. Salaries vary by region, experience, and whether you are employed or self-employed.
| Rank | Trade | Employed Salary | Self-Employed | Training Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 1 | Electrician | £35,000–£45,000 | £50,000–£80,000+ | 3–4 years |
| 🥈 2 | Plumber / Gas Engineer | £30,000–£42,000 | £45,000–£70,000+ | 2–4 years |
| 🥉 3 | Welder / Fabricator | £28,000–£40,000 | £40,000–£65,000+ | 2–3 years |
| 4 | Roofer | £28,000–£38,000 | £40,000–£60,000+ | 2–3 years |
| 5 | Bricklayer | £30,000–£45,000 | £40,000–£60,000+ | 2–3 years |
| 6 | Carpenter / Joiner | £28,000–£38,000 | £35,000–£55,000+ | 2–3 years |
| 7 | Plasterer | £26,000–£35,000 | £35,000–£55,000+ | 1–2 years |
| 8 | Scaffolder | £30,000–£42,000 | £40,000–£60,000+ | CISRS training |
| 9 | Painter & Decorator | £24,000–£32,000 | £30,000–£45,000+ | 1–2 years |
| 10 | Tiler | £25,000–£35,000 | £35,000–£55,000+ | 1–2 years |
1. Electrician — £35,000–£80,000+
Electricians are consistently the best-paid tradespeople in the UK. The combination of high demand, specialist skills, and regulatory requirements means qualified sparkies command excellent rates.
What pushes electrician earnings to the top is specialisation. EV charger installation, solar PV, fire alarm systems, and data cabling all attract premium rates. An electrician specialising in EV charging can charge £300–£500 per installation on top of hardware costs.
The UK needs an estimated 12,000 new electricians every year. With the push to net zero, demand for electricians is only going one way. Training takes 3–4 years via an apprenticeship, but the investment pays off handsomely.
2. Plumber / Gas Engineer — £30,000–£70,000+
Plumbing is one of the most reliable high-earning trades. Every home and business needs plumbing, and emergency call-outs command premium rates — often £150–£250 for an evening or weekend visit.
The real money comes with Gas Safe registration. Gas engineers who can install and service boilers earn significantly more than general plumbers. With the UK government's push towards heat pumps, plumbers who add renewable heating qualifications are future-proofing their careers.
Self-employed plumbers with Gas Safe regularly earn £50,000–£70,000. Those running small teams can exceed £100,000 turnover.
3. Welder / Fabricator — £28,000–£65,000+
Welding is often overlooked but can be incredibly lucrative. Specialist welders — particularly those with coded welding certifications for oil and gas, nuclear, or aerospace — earn some of the highest rates in any trade.
TIG welders working on stainless steel or aluminium command day rates of £200–£350. Offshore welders can earn £60,000–£100,000+ due to the hostile working conditions and specialist certifications required.
4. Roofer — £28,000–£60,000+
Roofing pays well because it is physically demanding, involves working at height, and requires specialist skills. Not everyone is willing to climb scaffolding in January, which keeps wages high.
Self-employed roofers charging day rates of £200–£300 are common. Those who specialise in heritage slate work, leadwork, or green roofing systems earn even more. Storm damage and emergency repairs also attract premium call-out rates.
5. Bricklayer — £30,000–£60,000+
Bricklaying is one of the trades most affected by the skills shortage. The government's target of 1.5 million new homes by 2029 means bricklayers are in huge demand, and wages have risen sharply.
Price work (being paid per thousand bricks rather than per day) can be extremely lucrative for fast, skilled bricklayers. Top brickies laying 500+ bricks a day on price work can earn £300–£400+ per day.
What Affects Trade Salaries?
Location
London and the South East pay 15–30% more than the national average. However, the cost of living is higher too. Cities like Manchester, Birmingham, and Leeds offer a strong balance of good pay and lower costs.
Employed vs Self-Employed
Self-employed tradespeople typically earn 20–50% more than employed equivalents, but bear more risk. You need to cover your own tools, van, insurance, tax, and pension. The trade-off is freedom and higher earning potential.
Specialisation
Generalists earn good money. Specialists earn great money. An electrician who adds EV charging and solar PV earns more than one who only does domestic rewires. A plumber with Gas Safe and heat pump qualifications out-earns a general plumber.
Experience
Apprentices start on lower wages (£15,000–£22,000), but earnings rise steeply with experience. Most tradespeople hit their peak earning potential within 5–8 years of qualifying.
How to Maximise Your Earning Potential
Get specialist qualifications
EV charging (electricians), Gas Safe (plumbers), coded welding (welders) — each specialism adds £5,000–£15,000 to your annual earnings.
Go self-employed when ready
Work employed for 2–3 years after qualifying to build experience and contacts, then go self-employed to set your own rates.
Build a reputation
Google reviews, Checkatrade ratings, and word-of-mouth referrals allow you to charge premium rates. Reliability and quality beat cheap pricing every time.
Consider running a team
Once you have a steady workflow, hiring apprentices or labourers multiplies your capacity and income. Many trade business owners earn £80,000–£150,000+.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the highest-paid trade in the UK?▼
Electricians consistently top the charts, with experienced electricians earning £45,000–£60,000 employed and up to £80,000+ self-employed. Specialists in EV charging, solar PV, and industrial installations command the highest rates.
Can you earn £50k in a trade?▼
Absolutely. Electricians, plumbers with Gas Safe registration, welders, crane operators, and scaffolders all regularly earn £50,000+. Self-employed tradespeople with a strong reputation can earn significantly more.
Which trade is quickest to learn?▼
Painting and decorating and plastering have the shortest formal training routes (around 1–2 years). However, trades with longer training periods (electricians, plumbers) tend to have higher long-term earning potential.
Do tradespeople earn more than graduates?▼
Many do. The average UK graduate salary is around £28,000–£30,000 in 2026, while qualified tradespeople regularly earn £35,000–£50,000. Crucially, tradespeople start earning earlier and avoid student debt. See our full comparison in our trade vs university guide.
Is it worth becoming a tradesperson in 2026?▼
Yes. The UK has a severe skills shortage in construction and trades, with an estimated 225,000 new workers needed by 2027. Demand is being driven by housing targets, renewable energy, and an ageing workforce. Trades offer strong earnings, job security, and the option to run your own business.
Do self-employed tradespeople earn more?▼
Generally yes, but with more risk. Self-employed tradespeople set their own rates and can earn 20–50% more than employed equivalents. However, they need to manage their own tax, insurance, tools, and quiet periods between jobs.
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