How Much Can I Earn As An Electrician?

What’s one of the first questions you’re going to ask yourself when you’re considering a career change? It’s most likely ‘how much can I earn?’ As a beginner in any career, you won’t go in at the top of a pay range straight away. Learning a new skill can also mean a temporary pay cut for some. However, retraining as an electrician means that you have a skill that can take you into a variety of positions, both employed and self-employed.

What Does The Training Involve?

The courses available are designed to cater for a variety of people. From beginners with no experience to people with transferable qualifications or electrician skills. Our class sizes are small and training is delivered by tutors with years of industry experience. You also work with a qualified electrician as a trainee during your course, gaining invaluable experience. You’ll undertake an AM2 assessment which on completion, means you can apply for your JIB/ECS Gold card. Throughout your training, Options Skills will be on hand to help and support you.

What Will I Be Trained To Do?

Training to become an installation electrician will include a variety of aspects of electrical work. Health and safety, installation and wiring, circuits and 18th Edition wiring regulations are just some of what you will learn. As an installation electrician, you will be able to work unsupervised on installation, commissioning and the maintenance of low voltage electrical and electronic devices.

How Much Can I Earn?

As mentioned above, your salary will depend on your level experience. Newly-qualified electricians working for an employer can expect a starting salary of between £19,000 – £22,000 per annum. As your experience increases, as will your wage. Additionally, there is considerable regional variation. For example, the average electrician’s salary in London is around £36000. An electrician with the same level of experience but living in Birmingham could earn up to £9000 less. Large cities offer better salaries, with both Bristol and Glasgow coming closest to the London salary, at around £32000.

Should I Be Employed Or Self-Employed?

Again, this is entirely dependent on your level of skill and experience. A newly-qualified electrician would have a more stable income working for an employer to start with. As with any other form of self-employment, those that are really good at their jobs can charge more or less what they please (with an obvious eye to the market rate!). Most self-employed electricians will charge somewhere between £20 and £50 per hour, depending on the nature of the job and where it is. Self-employment can be a minefield however, so unless you are happy dealing with your own paperwork and marketing – or are willing to pay for someone to do it for you – you are likely to have a shorter and less stressful working week on someone else’s payroll.

In summary, a comprehensive, professional training course will equip you with the skills to start a new career. Providing you with the opportunity to increase your salary as your experience level and competence increases.