Electrician Pay 2026 — Employed vs Self-Employed, After Tax
What sparkies really earn in 2026 — PAYE salaries, London rates and self-employed day rates compared after tax.
The ONS median for electricians and electrical fitters is around £39,000, but the range is wide: newly qualified electricians start near £28,000, experienced installers earn £45,000+, and specialists (HV, controls, data centres) or London contractors clear £50,000–£60,000. Self-employed electricians charging £250–£350/day can gross £60,000–£80,000 — but pay their own tax, NI, van, tools and insurance.
| Level | Typical salary | Take-home / year | Take-home / month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice (final year) | £22,000 | £19,360 | £1,613 |
| Newly qualified | £28,000 | £23,680 | £1,973 |
| Experienced (ONS median) | £39,000 | £31,600 | £2,633 |
| Approved / supervisor | £47,000 | £37,360 | £3,113 |
| Specialist / London | £56,000 | £43,037 | £3,586 |
Take-home figures use 2026/27 England/Wales/NI rates (Income Tax + employee NI only, standard tax code, no pension or student loan). Model your exact situation with our Take-Home Pay Calculator.
Going self-employed changes everything
A £300/day self-employed electrician working 220 days grosses £66,000 — but that's before materials, van, insurance, tools and holidays, and tax is paid via Self Assessment with Class 4 NI. If you work on construction sites you're likely inside CIS, with 20% deducted at source — most CIS subbies are owed a refund. Use our Sole Trader Tax Calculator and CIS Refund Estimator.
Check your own numbers
Frequently asked questions
The ONS median is about £39,000. Newly qualified start around £28,000; experienced and London-based electricians earn £45,000–£60,000+.
Day rates of £250–£350 can out-earn employment, but you cover all costs, holidays and pension yourself — model it properly with a sole trader calculator first.
On construction sites, contractors deduct 20% tax at source under CIS. Most subcontractors overpay across the year and can claim a refund after 5 April.