UK Electrician Statistics

Number of Electricians in the UK

Key Highlights

• Electricians earn 190.64% more after 20 years than apprentices.
• Over 12 years, Electricians in the UK have declined by 27.28% from 2010 to 2022.
• Electrical engineers in the UK are projected to number 40,500 in 2022, down from 55,700 in 2010—a loss of 15,200, or 3.18%.
• People want solar: From 2018 to 2023, Google searches for solar PV panels in the UK increased by 61%. 
• 46,141 electrician businesses operate in the UK as of 2023, a 14% increase from 2022.

Information source Statista

Top 10 perceived challenges for growth in 2023

As was the case last year, the major issue for electricians in 2023 is the rising cost of materials (48%) on average.

According to a recent study, four out of five (80%) people in the electrical business lack the confidence to talk about sustainability with clients.

Information source Electrical Direct report

Cost of hiring an electrician in the UK

City	Cost of hiring an Electrician (per hour)
Birmingham	£20
Belfast	£21	Manchester	£32
Sheffield	£25	Edinburgh	£33
Stoke	£26	Leeds	£33
Cardiff	£29	Plymouth	£33
Newcastle	£29	Northampton	£37
Nottingham	£30	Leicester	£38
Bristol	£31	Southampton	£38
Liverpool	£31	Luton	£41
Bradford	£32	Reading	£41
Glasgow	£32	London	£49

Costs vary around the country

If you live in or around London you will pay 145% more per hour than someone living in Birmingham.

Average task charge

Repairing a light switch		£85
Fixing electrical sockets		£90
Replacing a ceiling light		£100
Installing a video doorbell		£110
Fixing a fuse box		£111
Repairing an electrical shower		£112
Installing electric hob		£127
Electrician inspection report		£160

Information source Nimblefins

Electrician searches

Over the last 5 years, from 2018 to 2023, Electricians searches have increased by 33.9%. 

Electrician searches on Google decreased by a whopping 23.07% in 2022.

The top locations in the UK searching for electricians are:

• Scotland
• Wales
• England
• Northern Ireland

Information source Google Trends

Domestic installer electricians 

Google searches for domestic electricians, also known as domestic installers, started in February 2018 and closed in January 2023 at the same level. However, in December 2022, there was a 59.52% increase in searches.

England was the main search area.

Information source Google Trends

Commercial electrician

Google searches for commercial electricians started in February 2018 and closed in January 2023 -51% It is possible the figure is seasonally adjusted and would have higher search results in the following months.

England was the main search area.

Information source Google Trends

UK electrician salaries

The graph shows the salary increase trajectory based on experience. 

After 20 years, an electrician earns 190.64% more than an apprentice in their first 2 years.

0 – 2 Years		20,300
2 – 5 Years	0.29% Increase	26,100
5 – 10 Years	0.38% Increase	36,000
10 – 15 Years	0.24% Increase	44,100
15 – 20 Years	0.07% Increase	47,000
20+ Years	0.07% Increase	59,000

Information source Salary Explorer

Solar panels installation growth

Over the last 5 years, Googe searches from 2018 to 2023 had a 61% increase for solar PV panels in the UK. 

From January 2022 to January 2023, searches for solar PV panels increased by 53.5%.

Revenue from the installation of solar panels has increased at a compound annual rate of 18.3% over the five years through 2022–2023 to £1.3 billion, with growth of 52.9% in the most recent year.

Solar power savings

Solar panel system	Potential annual savings	Payback period
3 kW	£900	Six years
4 kW	£1,000	Seven years
5 kW	£1,100	Eight years
6 kW	£1,200	Nine years

How much can you make from selling your surplus electricity in the UK

Supplier	SEG tariff	Rate per kWh	Variable or fixed
Octopus	Agile Outgoing	34p	Variable
Octopus	Outgoing Fixed	15p (4.1p if not a customer)	Fixed
EDF	Export Variable Value	5.6p (3p if not a customer)	Variable
E.on	Next Export	5.5p if E.on installed the system (3p if not)	Fixed for 12 months
Scottish Power	Smart Export Variable Tariff	5.5p	Variable
Ovo	Ovo SEG Tariff	4p	Fixed for 12 months
Shell	SEG V1.1 Tariff	3.5p	Variable
SSE	Smart Export Tariff	3.5p	Variable
British Gas	Export and Earn Flex	3.2p	Variable
Utility Warehouse	UW Smart Export Guarantee	2p	Variable

Information source Ibis World Google Trends  Architectural Digest

Electric vehicle chargers

Google searches for home EV charger from February 2018 to January 2023 increased by 875%, 

There was a 10% decrease in home EV charger searches from January 2022 to January 2023.

In 2023, the market for electric vehicles is anticipated to generate £15.08 billion in revenue.

Market volume is anticipated to reach £26.69 billion by 2027, with revenue predicted to increase at a 14.00% CAGR from 2023 to 2027.

In 2027, 637K electric vehicle units are anticipated to be sold.

In 2023, the market for electric vehicles is anticipated to have a volume-weighted average price of £42.23k.

The average cost to purchase and install an electric car charging outlet on your property is between £800 and $1,200. Assuming 637,000 @ £1000 per unit would =£637,000,000 in revenue added to the UK electrician installation industry.

Information source Google Trends Statista

Conclusion

The UK electrician industry has been in the doldrums for some time, but the industry is optimistic for the future.

As of 2023, there were 46,141 electricians businesses in the UK, a 14% increase from 2022. 

Google searches had a 61% increase in searches for solar panels in the UK, gathering momentum as energy prices soar.

The good news is revenue from the installation of solar panels has increased at a compound annual rate of 18.3% over the five years through 2022–2023 to £1.3 billion, with growth of 52.9% in the most recent year.