How to become an electrician or electrical fitter

Official title: Electricians and electrical fitters

Also called: Fitter, Fan fitter, Electrician, Sign fitter, Light fitter, Mains fitter, Meter fitter, Motor fitter, Dynamo fitter, Pillar fitter, Switch fitter, Machine fitter

Electricians and electrical fitters assemble parts in the manufacture of electrical and electronic equipment, and install, maintain, and repair electrical plant, machinery, appliances and wiring.

Main tasks

• Examines drawings, specifications and wiring diagrams to determine the method and sequence of operations
• Selects, cuts and lays wires and connects to sockets, plugs or terminals by crimping, soldering, brazing or bolting
• Cuts, bends and installs electrical conduit
• Assembles parts and sub-assemblies using hand tools and by brazing, riveting or welding
• Installs electrical plant, machinery and other electrical fixtures and appliances such as fuse boxes, generators, light sockets etc.
• Examines electrical plant or machinery, domestic appliances and other electrical assembly for faults using test equipment and replaces worn parts and faulty wiring

How to become one

Academic qualifications may not be required, though some GCSEs/S grades or an equivalent qualification may be an advantage. Relevant NVQs/SVQs are available at levels 1, 2 and 3. Apprenticeships combining practical work experience and technical training are available at levels 2 and 3. Entrants must have good eyesight and normal colour vision.

Ways in

• Apprenticeship (England): Highway electrical maintenance and installation operative (level 2). England. Typically 24 months. Skills England standard ST0051.
• Apprenticeship (England): Highways electrician or service operative (level 3). England. Typically 24 months. Skills England standard ST0052.
• Apprenticeship (England): Installation and maintenance electrician (level 3). England. Typically 54 months. Skills England standard ST0152.
• Apprenticeship (England): Marine electrician (level 3). England. Typically 42 months. Skills England standard ST0808.

Pay · Outlook

• Median full-time pay: £39,647 a year The middle half earn £32,287 to £49,138.
• About 241,900 people work in this job now, and about 228,400 are projected by 2035. (-5.6%)

Related jobs

• Telecoms and related network installers and repairers
• Tv, video and audio servicers and repairers
• Computer system and equipment installers and servicers
• Security system installers and repairers
• Electrical service and maintenance mechanics and repairers

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Questions people ask

How do I become an electrician or electrical fitter?

Academic qualifications may not be required, though some GCSEs/S grades or an equivalent qualification may be an advantage. Relevant NVQs/SVQs are available at levels 1, 2 and 3. Apprenticeships combining practical work experience and technical training are available at levels 2 and 3. Entrants must have good eyesight and normal colour vision.

How much does an electrician or electrical fitter earn in the UK?

Median full-time pay is £39,647 a year (Office for National Statistics). The middle half earn £32,287 to £49,138.

Is an electrician or electrical fitter a growing career in the UK?

Employment is projected to fall 6% by 2035, from about 241,900 to about 228,400 people (Department for Education).

Do you need a degree to become an electrician or electrical fitter?

Usually not. Only 10% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Highway electrical maintenance and installation operative (level 2).

Sources

• Office for National Statistics: Annual Population Survey: employment by occupation (April 2025 to March 2026), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• Office for National Statistics: SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions (2026-08-27 edition), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• Department for Education: Skills Imperative 2035: employment projections by occupation (2021 to 2035 (Warwick IER / Cambridge Econometrics)), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• Office for National Statistics: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Table 14 (2025 provisional), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03