The Pros and Cons of Being an Electrician

Are you interested in becoming an electrician, but not sure if it’s right for you? Whether you’re choosing your first job or considering retraining to begin a new career, our guide to the pros and cons of being an electrician can help you to decide.

Pros of being an electrician

Let’s explore some of the most positive aspects of the role. This isn’t an exhaustive list but should be a great starting point if you’re weighing up the pros and cons of being an electrician.

Your earning potential is high

According to recruitment specialists Reed, the average electrician salary in the UK is £41,803. While apprentice rates are much lower at £6.40 an hour (increasing to £7.55 in April 2025), you can complete further training to boost your earning potential. From becoming a senior electrician to working as a self-employed contractor or setting up your own electrician business, becoming an electrician unlocks great opportunities to earn more.

Demand for electricians is high

Electricity is used extensively in many forms for both domestic and commercial settings, so there’s always going to be a need for electricians in our society. As electrical systems have become more sophisticated over time, there’s a need for skilled engineers who are able to not only maintain them, but to design and install complex yet energy-efficient systems to support our infrastructure.

There are jobs available now and in the future

There’s currently a significant skills shortage in the UK, and a rising demand for female tradespeople, making now a great time to become an electrician. With the UK moving away from fossil fuels and towards a low-carbon future, you can enjoy job security, as 100,000 more electricians are needed by 2032 to support the installation and maintenance of green energy solutions like solar and wind, both on a domestic and industrial scale.

The role can be highly flexible

There are lots of different types of electricians and many different roles within each sector. From self-employed mobile contractors to in-house senior project managers, there are lots of opportunities in a wide range of industries and locations. If you’re looking for flexibility in your career, working as an electrician could be a great choice.

Cons of being an electrician

Like any job, there are some negative sides to choosing a career in the electrical sector. It’s important to weigh up both the pros and cons of being an electrician to see whether it feels like the right fit for you.

It’s physically demanding and can be dangerous

From lifting heavy equipment and climbing ladders to working outdoors or in confined spaces, electrical work can be physically demanding and therefore isn’t suitable for everyone. Working with electricity also poses inherent safety risks, and while rigorous training and adhering to strict protocols can help to mitigate them, electricians always need to stay vigilant on the job.

The working hours can be inconsistent

Electricians tend to have inconsistent or unconventional hours, making it more difficult to create a healthy work-life balance. Project deadlines may mean working early in the morning or overnight, while emergency callouts could mean working during the holidays or outside of regular business hours. Irregular schedules and project-based work can also have a negative effect on financial security, particularly for part-time or self-employed contractors, as their salary isn’t guaranteed.

You have to be qualified and commit to continuous learning

While there are plenty of jobs that you can do without any formal training or qualifications, electrician isn’t one of them. In the UK, you need to complete a formal training program or apprenticeship, such as obtaining an NVQ qualification. With new technologies and regulations being introduced on a regular basis, it’s important for electricians to continue learning and upgrading the skills needed to be an electrician. This allows them to ensure safety and efficiency, offer high-quality services, or boost profits by specialising in a certain area.

Should I become an electrician?

Like any job, whether you should become an electrician is a personal choice. It’s not for everyone, so it’s important to weigh up the pros and cons of being an electrician to gauge how well it would suit your skill set and preferred ways of working. The good news is that clear pathways are available to get started or to retrain as an electrician if you’re looking to change careers.

If you’re interested in learning more, our guide on how to become an electrician in the UK has lots of useful information, including the different types of electricians that there are and the qualifications you’ll need to get certified.