Electricians and welders are expected to remain the UK’s highest-earning trade roles in 2026, as demand for skilled workers continues to rise across construction, manufacturing, infrastructure and clean energy.
New research from Yorkshire-based steelwork manufacturing and coded welding specialist Tadweld shows that skilled trade careers are now matching – and in many cases exceeding – the earnings of traditional graduate professions, while offering strong job security and clear progression routes without the burden of university debt.
Drawing on data from the Office for National Statistics, Gov.uk, Indeed and Total Jobs, the analysis found that the average salary across the top 20 skilled trade roles now stands at £38,925. This places tradespeople broadly in line with the UK’s median full-time salary of £39,039, according to the latest ONS figures from April 2025.
The findings underline the continued strength of specialist roles such as electricians, welders, HVAC engineers, lift technicians and renewable-energy installers, where demand remains particularly strong as the UK accelerates housebuilding, upgrades infrastructure and pushes ahead with the transition to low-carbon energy systems.
According to the Construction Industry Training Board, the UK construction sector alone will require more than 250,000 additional workers by 2028 to meet projected demand. That requirement is increasingly being met by skilled trades rather than traditional professional roles, as employers prioritise hands-on technical expertise.
Chris Houston, Managing Director of Tadweld, said the research reflects a growing recognition that modern trades are highly technical, professional careers with long-term earning potential. He said electricians and welders in particular offer excellent pay, job security and the opportunity to work on nationally significant projects, from infrastructure upgrades to clean energy developments.
Houston said apprenticeships remain the backbone of the sector’s success, allowing people to earn while they learn and progress rapidly into skilled roles. However, he warned that rising training costs are beginning to place pressure on manufacturers and contractors, particularly small and medium-sized businesses.
The apprentice National Living Wage has increased by 66 per cent in just two years, rising from £6 an hour in 2023 to £10 an hour in 2025. Houston said this sharp rise has significantly increased the cost of training new entrants and risks limiting the number of apprenticeship opportunities available unless additional support is provided.
Despite strong interest in trade careers among young people and career-changers, apprenticeship starts remain well below historic levels. Department for Education data shows there were around 170,000 fewer apprenticeship starts in 2024 than a decade earlier, a trend that industry bodies have repeatedly warned could deepen skills shortages.
Groups including the Construction Industry Training Board, Make UK and the Federation of Small Businesses have consistently argued that sustained government support for apprenticeships is essential to maintaining wage growth, supporting regional economies and ensuring the UK has the skilled workforce needed to deliver housing, infrastructure and energy projects.
Tadweld’s outlook for 2026 concludes that skilled trades remain among the most resilient and attractive career paths in the UK, offering competitive pay aligned with national averages, strong demand across multiple sectors and clear progression without student debt. With the right investment in training and apprenticeships, the trade sector is well positioned to provide secure, well-paid careers while underpinning long-term economic growth.
