What are tradesperson pay rates for 2026?
A guide to pricing your trade
Whether you’re a builder, electrician, gardener or carpenter, knowing what to charge is essential. Understanding average pay rates, what clients expect and how things like location, qualifications and experience affect your pricing can help you set a rate that reflects your value — and protects your bottom line.
Day rates vs. hourly rates: what’s the difference?
Day rate: You’re paid a flat rate for a full day’s work, no matter how many hours you’re on site. Hourly rate: You’re paid for every hour worked — usually best for shorter jobs or emergency callouts.
Some clients might prefer a day rate for larger or ongoing projects. It gives clarity upfront and can be more cost-effective for them, while giving you a full day’s worth of work.
What should be included in your rate?
Clients often expect more from a day rate, including:
- Labour for you and your team
- Basic materials
- Site cleanup or waste disposal
With an hourly rate, clients usually expect to pay separately for materials and only cover your time.
How much do tradespeople earn in 2026?
Below is a snapshot of average UK day rates and hourly rates for common trades in 2026. These are estimates — actual rates will vary depending on experience, location and demand.
| Trade | Average day rate | Average hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Builder | £200–£320 | £30–£50 |
| Electrician | £220–£350 | £35–£60 |
| Carpenter | £180–£250 | £25–£40 |
| Plumber | £200–£300 | £30–£55 |
| Painter and decorator | £150–£220 | £20–£35 |
| Plasterer | £160–£240 | £25–£35 |
| Kitchen Fitter | £180–£260 | £25–£40 |
| Bricklayer | £170–£240 | £20–£35 |
| Tiler | £170–£260 | £25–£40 |
| Gardener | £120–£200 | £15–£30 |
| Window Cleaner | £100–£160 | £12–£25 |
*Indicative rates only. Based on UK averages and publicly available market data.
Know your rate?
Calculate your hourly rate and help tradespeople like you earn the right amount.
How location affects tradesperson earnings
The same job can pay more or less depending on where you work. Tradespeople in London and the South East tend to earn more, due to higher living costs and often higher demand.
| Trade | City | Hourly rate | Day rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrician | London | £40–£60 | £250–£350 |
| Manchester | £35–£55 | £220–£300 | |
| Birmingham | £32–£50 | £210–£290 | |
| Cardiff | £28–£45 | £200–£280 | |
| Carpenter | London | £30–£45 | £220–£300 |
| Manchester | £25–£40 | £200–£280 | |
| Plasterer | London | £30–£40 | £220–£300 |
| Birmingham | £22–£35 | £180–£250 |
*Indicative rates only. Based on UK averages and publicly available market data.
Other factors that impact how much you can charge
Qualifications
Having the right qualifications can unlock higher rates. Check our training bodies like City & Guilds or Trades Courses to level up your skills and earning potential.
Registrations
Joining a trade body like FMB (Federation of Master Builders) or the ECA (Electrical Contractors’ Association) can boost your credibility and help you charge more.
Experience and reputation
The more jobs you complete, the more reviews you’ll gather on platforms like Checkatrade or Ratedpeople. And great reviews often mean better clients and better pay.
Demand in your area
If your trade is in short supply locally, you can often justify higher rates. Use Google Trends or trade platforms to spot demand spikes in your area.
Pricing your work as a self-employed tradesperson
Pricing isn’t always about picking a number. It’s about understanding your costs, your value and what clients are happy to pay.
Ask yourself:
- What are my minimum costs, including tools, fuel, materials, membership fees and tax?
- How much profit do I need to make each month to pay myself?
- What are other tradespeople charging locally for similar work?
If you need more help, read our guide on raising your prices in 2026.
Tradesperson insurance
Whether you're a solo tradesperson or running a team, it's a good idea to have the right cover in place.
At Superscript, we offer insurance designed for tradespeople, built around the work you do. Cover the risks that matter, from public liability insurance to tools and equipment insurance, and skip the extras you don’t need.
* How these rates are calculated The pay rates shown in this article are indicative and based on a combination of historic industry data, reported rates from trade platforms and broader UK earnings trends. They’re intended as a guide only, rather than a guarantee of what you’ll earn.
Sources include trade platforms such as Checkatrade and Rated People, alongside earnings data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and insights from Logic4Training. Rates can vary depending on location, experience, qualifications and demand. A version of this article was first published in January 2022.
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