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Windows Is A Well Paid Job
There’s good news for existing window installers and fabricators – and good news for those thinking of joining the sector…with pay rates some of the highest for tradespeople.
That’s according to MyJobQuote which took the latest data from the Office for National Statistics and the salary information from current job vacancies.
The top four trade payrates are detailed below (just in case you are thinking of a new career). Here are the next on the list with glaziers and window fabricators and fitters coming in at number eight:
• Security system installers: £36,348.
• Builders: £33,310.
• Carpenters and joiners: £32,898.
• Stonemasons: £32,817.
• Painters and decorators: £32,036.
• Bricklayers: £30,524.
• Roofers, tilers and slaters: £28,808.
• Glaziers, window fabricators and fitters: £28,676.
• Gardeners and landscape gardeners: £27,501.
Top four
Groundworkers in full-time roles earn an average of £38,767 per year. They are one of the first trades onsite for most building and construction projects. And although formal qualifications aren’t necessary, they need to be able to operate machinery and have some technical knowledge to understand architectural drawings.
Employers usually request a CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) card to prove skills and qualifications needed to work safely. This means that along with practical training, groundworkers benefit from gaining a construction-based NVQ or completing an apprenticeship.
Electricians and Electrical Fitters
Pay for electricians has been rising steadily since 2016 and the demand for qualified electricians is currently high. That’s why the average annual salary for electricians and electrical fitters is £38,760.
The qualifications needed for a career in this field depend on what area an applicant is planning to go into but a minimum Level 2 and 3 diploma in electrical installations. Training to be a qualified electrician can be done via an apprenticeship.
Starting salaries for electricians are typically around £20,000. Once qualified, wages rise to between £28,000 and £40,000 per year.
Scaffolders
The average full-time salary of scaffolders is currently £38,467. To get into this high-paying trade, you can start with a basic qualification such as a Level 1 or 2 certificate in construction operations and then continue training on the job. You will, however, need a good level of physical fitness and a head for heights.
Employers are also likely to ask you to hold a Scaffolder CSCS card and complete a Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS) course. Trainee scaffolders typically earn from £19,000 but once you’ve gained some qualifications and experience, you can earn up to £40,000.
Plumbers and heating engineers
Based on data from full-time workers, plumbers and heating engineers earn an average of £38,099. However, looking at the current vacancies being advertised for plumbing and heating engineer roles, pay can vary between £28,000 and £55,000.
The most lucrative roles are those for in-demand skills, including heat pump installers. Salaries for these roles tend to start at around £38,000.
Vocational courses and apprenticeships are the best routes into the plumbing trades but to progress in a career as a heating engineer, you’ll need to gain extra qualifications such as an accredited gas safety qualification and Unvented Hot Water Cylinder and Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) certifications.
Why do salaries vary?
Salaries don’t just vary between the different trades, they also vary between roles. For instance, a builder can earn between £28,000 and £46,000.
Most builder roles are full-time but your location and skill level can dictate how much you earn. For instance, a highly skilled builder working in London is likely to earn more than a trainee in the north of England.
The level of responsibility is also a factor. A builder in a supervisor or project manager role might earn double that of a jobbing builder.
Wages can also vary depending on whether you’re working for a large construction company, small business or in a self-employed capacity. For example, large, well-established construction companies are likely to have bigger budgets for hiring workers and may offer other benefits that smaller companies can’t.
What Drives Up Pay?
Skilled trades are in high demand. Across the UK, there’s a shortage of builders, electricians, plumbers and carpenters. There's also a shortage of specialised trades, including heat pump engineers. This means that skilled workers are in a better position to negotiate their pay as construction companies are compelled to offer more competitive salaries to attract the right candidates.
Get in on the act
With a high demand for skills and the chance to earn a decent salary, learning a trade is undoubtedly a career path worth considering. However, it’s important to choose a route that suits you or whoever you are advising, whether that’s a college course, apprenticeship or on-the-job training. It’s also crucial to base your career decision on more than the highest paying trade job in 2025. You need to choose a role that you’re going to find enjoyable and rewarding.
Picture: There’s good news for existing window installers and fabricators – with pay rates some of the highest for tradespeople.
Article written by Cathryn Ellis
28th April 2025