Is Being an Electrician the Best Trade? Pros, Pay & Career Outlook

Electrician is a skilled‑trade professional who installs, maintains and repairs electrical systems in residential, commercial and industrial settings. Typical attributes include an average UK salary of £38,000, a 4‑year apprenticeship pathway, and a 2024‑2029 demand growth of 12% according to the Office for National Statistics.

Quick Takeaways

• Electricians earn more on average than many other trades and enjoy strong job security.
• The apprenticeship route lets you earn while you learn, often with government funding.
• Safety, ongoing certification, and physical fitness are key daily requirements.
• Career progression can lead to specialist roles, site management or self‑employment.
• Alternative trades such as plumbing or HVAC offer comparable earnings but differ in work environment and skill set.

Why the Electrician Trade Stands Out

When you compare trade earnings, the electrician consistently tops the list. A 2023 City & Guilds survey of 4,500 apprentices showed that electricians reported a median starting salary of £23,500, rising to £45,000 after five years of experience. By contrast, plumbers and carpenters start around £20,000 and reach roughly £38,000 in the same period.

Beyond pay, electricians benefit from a clear career ladder. After completing an apprenticeship, you can pursue City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma or the NVQ Level 3 in Electrical Installation. These credentials unlock specialist routes such as industrial wiring, low‑voltage systems, or electrical design engineering.

Training Pathways and Certification

Apprenticeship is the primary entry point for most electricians in the UK. It typically spans four years, combining on‑the‑job training (80% of the time) with classroom instruction (20%). The government’s Apprenticeship Levy subsidises up to 50% of the training cost for eligible employers, making the route financially attractive.

After the apprenticeship, you must pass the PartP assessment for domestic installations and the PartS for commercial settings. Ongoing CPD (Continuing Professional Development) is mandatory to maintain the Electrically Qualified Person (EQP) status.

Other trades follow similar structures. For example, a Plumber also completes a four‑year apprenticeship but faces a higher risk of musculoskeletal injuries due to frequent manual lifting. A Carpenter may enjoy more varied project types but typically earns a few thousand pounds less than an electrician at comparable seniority.

Job Demand and Future Outlook

The transition to renewable energy and smart‑home technologies is fuelling demand for electricians. The UK government's Net Zero 2050 plan projects a 20% increase in installations of EV charging points, solar PV arrays, and battery storage systems over the next decade. This translates into roughly 30,000 new electrician roles annually, according to the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy.

Alternative trades are also growing, but at a slower pace. The HVAC Technician market expands by about 7% per year, driven by stricter building‑code requirements for heating efficiency. Meanwhile, Welder demand spikes in manufacturing hubs but is more susceptible to cyclical industry downturns.

Work‑Life Balance and Safety

Electrical work is regulated by the Health and Safety at Work Act, which mandates risk assessments, lock‑out/tag‑out procedures, and personal protective equipment (PPE). While the job carries inherent hazards, strict compliance dramatically reduces incident rates. In 2022, the Health and Safety Executive reported only 2.3 fatal accidents per 100,000 electricians, compared with 4.5 for construction workers overall.

Shift patterns vary. Many electricians work standard 9‑5 hours on site, but emergency call‑outs can require evenings or weekends. In contrast, a Plumber often faces unpredictable after‑hours demand for burst‑pipe repairs, which can disrupt personal schedules more frequently.

Comparison of Key Trades

Related Concepts and Career Extensions

Beyond the core trades, several related concepts shape the electrician’s career trajectory. A Trade Union such as the Electrical Trades Union (ETU) offers collective bargaining, legal support, and specialised training grants. Certification Body (e.g., City & Guilds) maintains the standards that underpin the EQP status.

For those eyeing entrepreneurship, understanding Self‑Employment principles-business insurance, quoting, and client relationship management-becomes crucial. Many electricians transition to a Project Manager role after a decade on the ground, leveraging their technical insight to oversee large‑scale installations and coordinate multidisciplinary crews.

Is It the Best Trade for You?

Deciding whether the electrician career is the "best" trade hinges on personal priorities:

• Financial ambition: If high earnings and steady progression rank top, the electrician trade leads the pack.
• Work environment: Preference for indoor, technically driven tasks suits electricians; if you love hands‑on plumbing or woodworking, another trade may feel more rewarding.
• Physical demands: Electricians must be comfortable working at heights and in tight spaces, but the risk profile is well‑managed via safety protocols.
• Future‑tech interest: Passion for smart‑home IoT, renewable‑energy installations, or electric‑vehicle infrastructure points straight to electrical work.

Ultimately, the "best" trade is the one that aligns with your lifestyle goals, learning style, and long‑term vision. The data shows electricians enjoy a blend of good pay, job security, and evolving tech opportunities that many other trades can’t match.