Britain’s best-paid trades revealed where you can earn £80k

The best-paid trade jobs in the UK have been revealed, with salaries of up to £80,000 possible.

Though some of these blue-collar roles require qualifications, not all demand a university degree.

Research has been compiled by Tool Genie ahead of National Apprenticeship Week, which celebrates the “value, benefit and opportunity that they bring”.

The job with the top starting salary is architect at £30,000, followed by building services engineer and civil engineers, both at £28,000.

The role with the top experienced salary is quantity surveyor at £80,000, followed by building surveyor at £78,000 and construction manager at £65,000.

The worst starting salaries are in thatching, glazing and stonemasonry (£13-15,000) and the worst experienced salaries are in thatching, laying gas mains and landscaping (£26,000)

But the best-paid job where you don’t need a degree is welding, where the startling salary is £24,000, moving up to £45,000 with experience.

Welders, who work 42 to 46 hours a week, can train through college courses, apprenticeships, and specialist courses run by a private training provider.

Electricians, bricklayers, plumbers and scaffolders can also earn around £40,000 with experience. Many require qualifications but not university degrees.

Tool Genie, which provides digital business toolkits for entrepreneurs, said tradesmen and women were the “backbone of Britain”.

A spokesperson said: “It is clear from the data that working for yourself or starting your own business is still the best way to achieve financial freedom. At Tool Genie we’re trying to make being your own boss a reality.”

Andrew Hunter, co-founder of job search engine Adzuna, commented: “A degree is not the golden ticket to high-paying jobs in the trade and construction sector; it’s the skills and experience that cash in.

“Employers are paying big bucks to jobseekers armed with certificates and licences from professional bodies. These are strong indicators of their prowess, including for jobs such as electricians, plumbers, bricklayers and scaffolders.

“Many workers left the field during the pandemic, or because of Brexit, meanwhile demand for construction workers has stayed high as Brits look to ‘improve not move’ their homes, buoyed by increased mortgage costs.

“This severe shortage of skilled contractors means those working in the construction trade are in high demand, and can charge high rates.”