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Total Skills UK
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How much more could you earn as a qualified electrician?

Enter your current salary below. We’ll show your annual uplift, how long the course pays for itself, and your 5- and 10-year career income swing. Numbers are from ONS ASHE 2025 and JIB 2025–26 rates — all citations at the bottom of this page.

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The four UK electrician pathways, compared

Each pathway has a median salary, typical range, and experienced range. Figures are UK-wide; London adds roughly +10%, the North and South West roughly -5%.

Installation Electrician (employed)

Full-time employed by an electrical contractor or in-house maintenance team, after completing 2365 + NVQ + AM2 and holding the ECS Gold Card. Figures reflect experienced electricians (2+ years post Gold Card).

£38,000
Typical range
£32,000–£46,000
Experienced (5+ yrs)
£42,000–£55,000

Self-employed electrician

Running your own business after Gold Card + competent person scheme registration (NICEIC / NAPIT / ELECSA). Income scales with local demand, hours worked and repeat customer base.

£58,000
Typical range
£48,000–£72,000
Experienced (5+ yrs)
£65,000–£95,000

Self-employed earnings vary significantly. Figures assume 40-hour working week, competent-person-scheme registration, and an established customer base (typically 2–3 years after going self-employed).

EV & Solar specialist

Qualified electrician adding EV charging (2921-34) and solar PV + battery storage (2922/2923). Premium day rates, growing market, £4–8k per solar install and £800–1,500 per EV charger.

£56,000
Typical range
£48,000–£68,000
Experienced (5+ yrs)
£65,000–£85,000

Inspection & Testing specialist

Electrician with 2391-52 focusing on EICRs, landlord inspections, and periodic testing. Landlord PRS Regulations 2020 create steady recurring demand — £150–300 per domestic EICR, 2–4 per day.

£48,000
Typical range
£42,000–£58,000
Experienced (5+ yrs)
£55,000–£75,000

Sources

Every number in the calculator comes from a named, verifiable source. Updated quarterly; last review 2026-04-19.

  • ONS ASHE 2025

    Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, occupation code 5241 (Electricians & electrical fitters).

  • JIB Rates 2025–26

    Joint Industry Board agreed grades: Installation Electrician, Approved Electrician, Technician.

  • OZEV installer data 2025

    UK EV charging market size and installer network data — informs specialist pay ranges.

Figures are medians and typical ranges for full-time UK workers. Individual earnings vary with region, employer, specialisation, and experience. The calculator is a guide, not a guarantee.

Ready to see the route?

The calculator shows the destination. Our courses are the path. Start with the 2365 Level 2 + 3 Package if you’re new to the trade, or take our 60-second course quiz if you’re unsure.