What is the average electrician salary in Edinburgh in 2025?

The average employed electrician salary in Edinburgh in 2025 is approximately £37,000 to £49,000 per year at Approved Electrician grade. Edinburgh's status as Scotland's capital, combined with significant public sector, finance, and construction activity, pushes salaries above the Scottish national average. Self-employed electricians in Edinburgh typically earn £80,000 to £130,000 gross depending on specialism and hours worked.

How do JIB rates work in Scotland?

Scotland has its own Joint Industry Board — the JIB for the Electrical Contracting Industry in Scotland (JIB-SECTA), formerly the Scottish JIB. JIB-SECTA sets minimum pay rates for electricians working for member electrical contractors in Scotland. The 2024/2025 Approved Electrician rate under JIB-SECTA is £21.27 per hour — fractionally below the England JIB rate of £21.81 per hour, but Edinburgh's labour market typically delivers £23 to £26 per hour in practice. JIB-SECTA covers holiday pay, pension, welfare, and training standards as separate but parallel arrangements to the England JIB.

What is SECTT and how does it relate to electrical apprenticeships in Edinburgh?

SECTT (Scottish & Northern Ireland Joint Training Limited) is the sector's training body for Scotland and Northern Ireland, equivalent to JTL (Joint Training Limited) in England and Wales. SECTT administers the Electrotechnical Apprenticeship in Scotland, leading to SVQ Level 3 in Electrotechnical Services. Apprentices in Edinburgh study at local colleges including Telford College (now part of Edinburgh College) and take on-the-job training with a SECTT-registered employer. The four-year programme follows the same broad structure as the England equivalent.

What do self-employed electricians charge per day in Edinburgh?

Self-employed electricians in Edinburgh typically charge: domestic and small commercial — £380 to £580 per day; standard commercial and industrial — £450 to £700 per day; government, defence, and research facilities — £550 to £900 per day; specialist (HV, instrumentation, data centre) — £600 to £950 per day. Edinburgh's concentration of government buildings, universities, hospitals, and financial services creates a large and diverse commercial market.

What qualifications are required to work as an electrician in Edinburgh?

To work as an Approved Electrician in Edinburgh's commercial sector, you need: NVQ Level 3 / SVQ Level 3 in Electrotechnical Services (or equivalent); ECS Gold Card (ECS card scheme operates across the UK including Scotland); current BS 7671:2018 qualification (C&G 2382 18th Edition); and registration with a competent person scheme such as SELECT (the Scottish equivalent of NICEIC for domestic work). For public sector and government work, BPSS security clearance is often required.

What is SELECT and is it required for Edinburgh electricians?

SELECT (Electrical Contractors' Association of Scotland) is Scotland's largest trade body for electrical contractors, covering over 1,000 member firms. SELECT is the Scottish equivalent of the Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA) in England. SELECT membership includes a competent person scheme for domestic and small commercial work, meaning members can self-certify notifiable electrical work without notifying the local authority building standards department. Many Edinburgh domestic customers specifically request SELECT-registered electricians, making membership commercially valuable.

How does apprentice pay work for Edinburgh electrical apprentices?

Edinburgh electrical apprentices are paid under JIB-SECTA apprentice rates, which broadly mirror the England JIB rates. Year 1 (aged 16 to 18): approximately £7.56 to £8.60 per hour; Year 1 (aged 19+): around £10.42 per hour; Year 2: £11.55 per hour; Year 3: £14.29 per hour; Year 4: £16.48 per hour. Edinburgh College (Telford Campus) is the primary provider of day-release training for Edinburgh electrical apprentices. Many Edinburgh employers pay above these minimums in Years 3 and 4 to retain apprentices in a tight labour market.

What are the overtime rates for Edinburgh electricians?

JIB-SECTA overtime rates in Scotland mirror the England JIB structure: first four hours of weekday overtime — time and a third (133%); thereafter — time and a half (150%); Saturday morning — time and a half (150%); Saturday afternoon — time and three quarters (175%); Sundays and public holidays — double time (200%). Scottish public holidays differ from English ones — additional bank holidays such as St Andrew's Day (30 November) and the two-day New Year bank holiday attract double time.

SALARY GUIDE

Electrician Salary Edinburgh 2025: Scotland JIB Rates, SECTT & Pay Guide

Comprehensive guide to electrician earnings in Edinburgh. JIB-SECTA Scotland rates (£21.27/hr), SECTT apprenticeships, self-employed day rates (£500 to £900+), specialist uplifts for government and defence work, and Edinburgh benefits packages.

Start 7-day free trial

Free for 7 days · No charge until day 8 · Cancel anytime · Used by 1,000+ UK electricians

14 min readUpdated 2026-05-18Andrew Moore, Founder of Elec-Mate

Written and reviewed by Andrew Moore, founder of Elec-Mate, against BS 7671:2018+A4:2026, IET Guidance Note 3 and the IET On-Site Guide.

ShareX in W

1,000+

UK electricians

“Replaced three separate apps with Elec-Mate. Certs, quotes, and scheduling all in one place.”

Daniel Palmer — DP Electrical

Key Takeaways

1Employed electricians in Edinburgh earn £37,000 to £50,000 per year at Approved Electrician grade under the JIB for the Electrical Contracting Industry in Scotland (JIB-SECTA). Edinburgh rates are typically 5 to 12% above the Scottish national baseline due to high city demand.
2The Scottish & Northern Ireland Joint Training Limited (SECTT) delivers electrical apprenticeships in Scotland, including Edinburgh, using the same four-year Electrotechnical framework as JTL in England — though with distinct Scottish qualifications (SVQ Level 3).
3Self-employed electricians in Edinburgh charge £400 to £700 per day for general commercial work, rising to £650 to £950 for specialist work in Edinburgh's government, defence, and research sectors.
4The JIB-SECTA 2024/2025 Approved Electrician rate is £21.27 per hour — slightly below the England JIB rate of £21.81 but Edinburgh employers regularly pay a city premium of 10 to 15% above the SECTA minimum.
5Scotland has its own approach to employer pension contributions through the JIB-SECTA Pension and Death Benefit Scheme. Employer contributions of 5 to 6% are standard, with additional holiday pay entitlements of 24 days per year for JIB-SECTA members.

01 · Salary Guide

Electrician Salaries in Edinburgh in 2025

Edinburgh is one of the UK's most expensive cities to live in outside London, and electrician salaries in the Scottish capital reflect this. The city's economy — anchored by financial services, public sector employment, tourism, and a growing technology cluster — generates strong demand for qualified electricians across domestic, commercial, and specialist sectors.

Approved Electrician (employed) — £37,000 to £49,000 per year including JIB-SECTA allowances. The 2024/2025 JIB-SECTA rate of £21.27 per hour equates to approximately £41,500 per year at 37.5 hours per week. Edinburgh employers typically pay £23 to £26 per hour to attract and retain staff.
Senior / Foreman level — £48,000 to £58,000. Working foremen on Edinburgh's major projects (St James Quarter completion, Edinburgh Bioquarter, Scottish Parliament estate) regularly earn £52,000 to £62,000 with overtime.
Self-employed — £500 to £900+ per day. Government facilities, defence estates, and Edinburgh's large university sector drive premium rates. Experienced self-employed electricians in Edinburgh can earn £90,000 to £140,000 gross per year.

Scotland's distinct legal and regulatory framework — including Scottish Building Standards rather than English Building Regulations — creates a slightly different operating environment for Edinburgh electricians compared to their counterparts in England, though the core electrical standards (BS 7671) are identical.

Free download

Get the BS 7671 A4:2026 Cheat Sheet — free

Every key change in the 2026 amendment on one page. AFDDs, TN-C-S protection, new schedule columns, model forms. Pinned on your van dash.

Every regulation change summarised
New model forms (EIC + MEIWC)
Free PDF — no subscription

02 · Salary Guide

JIB-SECTA: Scotland's Joint Industry Board

The Joint Industry Board for the Electrical Contracting Industry in Scotland (JIB-SECTA) is Scotland's equivalent of the England JIB, setting pay rates, working conditions, and benefit entitlements for electricians working for member contractors.

Electrical Trainee (Apprentice) — £7.56 to £16.48 per hour, graduated over four years. SVQ Level 3 in Electrotechnical Services.
Electrician — £20.12 per hour (£39,200 per year at 37.5hr/week). NVQ/SVQ Level 3 qualified, ECS Blue or Gold Card. Starting grade for newly qualified electricians.
Approved Electrician — £21.27 per hour (£41,480 per year). ECS Gold Card. Most common grade on Edinburgh commercial and industrial sites. Market rate in Edinburgh is typically £23 to £26 per hour.
Electrical Technician — £22.18 per hour (£43,250 per year). For those with HNC/HND or degree-level engineering qualifications. Common in Edinburgh's defence and research sectors.
Working Foreman — £23.09 per hour (£45,000 per year). Edinburgh premium pushes this to £25 to £29 per hour on major projects.

JIB-SECTA rates are reviewed annually and include provisions for holiday pay (24 working days per year), pension contributions, and the Scottish electrical welfare scheme. SELECT (Electrical Contractors' Association of Scotland) represents the majority of JIB-SECTA member firms in Edinburgh.

03 · Salary Guide

SECTT: Scottish Electrical Apprenticeship Training

SECTT (Scottish & Northern Ireland Joint Training Limited) is the industry's training body for Scotland and Northern Ireland. It administers electrical apprenticeships across Scotland, including Edinburgh — the equivalent of JTL in England and Wales.

Qualification — SVQ Level 3 in Electrotechnical Services (Installation), delivered alongside the Modern Apprenticeship framework. Broadly equivalent to the English NVQ Level 3, both widely accepted by employers across the UK.
Edinburgh College provision — Edinburgh College (across Granton, Milton Road, and Midlothian campuses) is the primary day-release provider for Edinburgh electrical apprentices. The college also offers evening and part-time routes for adult upskilling.
Duration and structure — four years of combined on-the-job training and college day-release. SECTT apprentices complete the same core competencies as JTL apprentices in England, including installation, testing, and fault-finding.
ECS Card pathway — on completion of SVQ Level 3 and required AM2S (Assessment of Mechanical and Electrical Skills) assessment, Edinburgh apprentices apply for the ECS Gold Card via JIB-SECTA, granting access to commercial and industrial sites across the UK.

SECTT-trained electricians are fully recognised across the UK. Edinburgh electricians with SVQ Level 3 and ECS Gold Cards can work on English and Welsh sites without additional qualification requirements.

04 · Salary Guide

Self-Employed Electrician Day Rates in Edinburgh

Self-employment is common among experienced Edinburgh electricians, particularly those targeting the city's public sector, defence, and financial services markets.

Domestic and small commercial — £380 to £580 per day. Edinburgh's large private rental market and affluent areas (Morningside, Newington, Stockbridge) generate strong domestic demand.
Commercial and industrial — £450 to £700 per day. Edinburgh's office market (including the New Town, Fountainbridge, and Quartermile developments) provides consistent commercial work.
Government and public sector — £500 to £800 per day. The Scottish Parliament, government buildings, NHS Lothian hospitals, and City of Edinburgh Council estates provide substantial public sector work. SC clearance adds a further 10 to 20% premium.
Specialist and defence — £600 to £950 per day. Edinburgh's proximity to RAF Leuchars, Faslane (naval base via Glasgow), and various defence research establishments creates opportunities for SC and DV-cleared electricians.

05 · Salary Guide

Specialist Work Uplifts in Edinburgh

Edinburgh's economy generates significant demand for specialist electrical skills, particularly from the public sector, universities, and the finance industry.

High voltage authorised person — 25 to 40% above standard rate. Edinburgh's large NHS Lothian hospitals (Royal Infirmary, Western General), Edinburgh Airport, and data centres require HV APs.
Data centre and critical systems — £500 to £800 per day. Edinburgh is home to several major Scottish data centre facilities serving the financial services sector. Critical systems electricians with UPS and generator experience are in persistent demand.
Security-cleared work (SC/DV) — 15 to 30% premium above standard commercial rates. Scottish government, justice, and intelligence facilities in and around Edinburgh require SC-cleared contractors.
Historic building electrical work — Edinburgh's UNESCO World Heritage site and vast stock of listed Georgian and Victorian buildings demand electricians experienced in low-impact installation techniques. Specialist domestic rates of £450 to £650 per day.

Try Elec-Mate free for 7 days

16 certificate types, 70+ calculators, RAMS, quoting, invoicing, AI agents, and 46+ training courses — from £6.99/mo.

Start free trial

06 · Salary Guide

Apprentice Rates for Edinburgh Electricians

Edinburgh electrical apprentices are paid under JIB-SECTA rates. The Scottish apprenticeship wage broadly mirrors the England JIB, with many Edinburgh employers paying above these minimums to attract quality entrants in a competitive market.

Year 1 (aged 16 to 18) — £7.56 per hour. Approximately £14,700 per year. Most Edinburgh employers pay the National Minimum Wage for 16 to 18 year olds at a minimum.
Year 1 (aged 19+) — £10.42 per hour. Approximately £20,300 per year. Adult entrants to electrical apprenticeships in Edinburgh are increasingly common, particularly from construction and maintenance backgrounds.
Year 2 — £11.55 per hour. Approximately £22,500 per year.
Year 3 — £14.29 per hour. Approximately £27,900 per year. Many Edinburgh employers increase to £15 to £17 per hour at Year 3 stage.
Year 4 — £16.48 per hour. Approximately £32,100 per year. Progression to Approved Electrician grade (£21.27/hr JIB-SECTA minimum) follows immediately upon SVQ Level 3 completion and ECS Gold Card application.

07 · Salary Guide

Benefits and Allowances for Edinburgh Electricians

Benefits packages for Edinburgh electricians employed by JIB-SECTA member contractors include a range of allowances that add significant value beyond basic salary.

JIB-SECTA Pension and Death Benefit Scheme — employer contributions of 5 to 6% of salary. On a £45,000 Edinburgh salary, this is £2,250 to £2,700 of additional annual value.
Holiday entitlement — 24 working days per year for JIB-SECTA members (one day more than the England JIB standard of 23 days). Rising to 25 days after five years' service with many Edinburgh employers.
Tool allowance — £500 to £1,200 per year. Most Edinburgh electrical contractors provide a tool allowance or direct tool provision. SELECT members also benefit from the SELECT tool and equipment scheme.
Van or mileage — standard across most Edinburgh contractors. A works van has an effective annual value of £3,000 to £6,000. Edinburgh's parking costs make a van with a permit particularly valuable.
Scottish bank holidays — Scottish electricians get additional paid bank holidays compared to English counterparts, including St Andrew's Day and two days for New Year — all at double time if worked.

08 · Salary Guide

Pay Progression for Edinburgh Electricians

Career progression in Edinburgh's electrical contracting sector follows the JIB-SECTA grade structure, with clear salary increments at each stage.

0 to 4 years — SECTT apprentice. £14,700 to £32,100 per year. SVQ Level 3 and ECS Gold Card on completion.
4 to 8 years — Approved Electrician. £37,000 to £49,000 in Edinburgh. Add specialist qualifications (18th edition, inspection and testing, HV awareness) to access premium public sector rates.
8 to 12 years — Senior Electrician / Working Foreman. £48,000 to £58,000. Supervisory responsibility, client liaison, and programme management on Edinburgh's commercial and public sector projects.
12+ years — Contracts Manager or transition to self-employment. Edinburgh self-employed electricians with government and public sector experience earn £90,000 to £140,000 gross per year. SELECT membership and security clearance are key differentiators.

09 · Salary Guide

For Electricians: Working in Edinburgh

Edinburgh offers excellent earnings potential for qualified electricians willing to target the city's public sector, heritage building, and growing technology markets. SELECT membership and ECS Gold Card are effectively non-negotiable for commercial work in the Scottish capital.

Complete Certificates Efficiently

Edinburgh domestic electricians handling EICRs, EICs, and minor works certificates can use the Elec-Mate EICR app to complete all certification on site and send PDFs to clients before leaving — meeting SELECT and JIB-SECTA quality standards.

Edinburgh's EV Opportunity

Edinburgh has the highest EV ownership rate in Scotland. OZEV-authorised EV charger installers charge £400 to £600 per day for residential and commercial EV charger installations — a growing and lucrative specialism in the Edinburgh market with strong support from the City of Edinburgh Council.

Run your Edinburgh electrical business smarter with

Join 1,000+ UK electricians using Elec-Mate to quote jobs, complete certificates on site, and manage their business from their phone. 7-day free trial.

Try it free for 7 days

Frequently Asked Questions About Electrician Salaries in Edinburgh

What electricians say

Verified reviews from the UK App Store.

One App for Everything!

Elec-Mate is my go to app for business and electrical work. It's feature rich without feeling cluttered. A true all in one app for quotes, certs, calculations, RAMS, EICRs, and more. I use it every day without fail, and it makes my workflow much smoother since I'm not jumping between apps anymore. The price-to-feature ratio is excellent. Any issues I've had, the developer responds within the hour and usually fixes them the same day. 100% recommend.

Fantastic app for electricians

I've used the app and the web based version for a while now and it's well worth the investment. If you're an apprentice or experienced Spark give it a go, you won't be disappointed.

Absolutely amazing

I've been using Elec-Mate for a while now, and honestly, it's one of the best apps I've ever downloaded. Every aspect of it feels thoughtfully designed, from the clean and intuitive interface to the powerful features that make everything so easy to manage. It's clear that a lot of care and attention went into building this app, and it shows in every detail.

Trusted by electricians across the UK

Real feedback from real sparks

“Replaced three separate apps with Elec-Mate. Certs, quotes, and scheduling all in one place.”

Daniel Palmer

Sole Trader · DP Electrical

“I've won two contracts this month because I could turn quotes around same-day with the AI cost engineer.”

Nathan Perry

Electrician · NP Electrical Services

“The study centre got me through my AM2. Mock exams and flashcards are brilliant.”

Jake Pizey

3rd Year Apprentice · Apprentice

7-Day Free Trial — Cancel Anytime, No Hassle

Maximise Your Edinburgh Electrician Earnings with Elec-Mate

Join 1,000+ UK electricians using Elec-Mate to quote faster, complete certificates on site, and get paid sooner. 7-day free trial, cancel anytime.

“Replaced three separate apps with Elec-Mate. Certs, quotes, and scheduling all in one place.”

Daniel Palmer, DP Electrical

From £6.99/mo after trial — less than a coffee a week

or download the app

7 days free, then from £6.99/moCancel in one tap — no calls, no hassleiOS, Android & WebBS 7671 compliant

Electrician Salary Edinburgh 2025: Scotland JIB Rates, SECTT & Pay Guide

Key Takeaways

Electrician Salaries in Edinburgh in 2025

Get the BS 7671 A4:2026 Cheat Sheet — free

JIB-SECTA: Scotland's Joint Industry Board

SECTT: Scottish Electrical Apprenticeship Training

Self-Employed Electrician Day Rates in Edinburgh

Specialist Work Uplifts in Edinburgh

Try Elec-Mate free for 7 days

Apprentice Rates for Edinburgh Electricians

Benefits and Allowances for Edinburgh Electricians

Pay Progression for Edinburgh Electricians

For Electricians: Working in Edinburgh

Complete Certificates Efficiently

Edinburgh's EV Opportunity

Run your Edinburgh electrical business smarter with

Frequently Asked Questions About Electrician Salaries in Edinburgh

What is the average electrician salary in Edinburgh in 2025?

How do JIB rates work in Scotland?

What is SECTT and how does it relate to electrical apprenticeships in Edinburgh?

What do self-employed electricians charge per day in Edinburgh?

What qualifications are required to work as an electrician in Edinburgh?

What is SELECT and is it required for Edinburgh electricians?

How does apprentice pay work for Edinburgh electrical apprentices?

What are the overtime rates for Edinburgh electricians?

Continue reading

Electrician Salary Glasgow

Electrician Salary Bristol

Electrician Salary UK Guide

Electrical Quoting App

EICR Certificate App

What electricians say

One App for Everything!

Fantastic app for electricians

Absolutely amazing

Trusted by electricians across the UK

Maximise Your Edinburgh Electrician Earnings with Elec-Mate