What are the most in-demand trades in the UK right now?

The UK trades sector is buzzing with opportunity. A persistent skills shortage, large-scale housing developments, and a growing push for energy efficiency upgrades have created strong demand across a wide range of roles. Whether you’re thinking about entering the industry, looking to specialise further, or simply curious about where the market stands in 2026, understanding which trades are thriving can help you make smarter decisions about your career and business.

We cover the trades currently seeing the highest demand across the UK, the roles offering the strongest earning potential, how salaries have shifted in recent years, where regional hotspots are creating unique opportunities, and practical tips for tradespeople looking to grow.

Why are some trades more in demand than others?

Not all trades are created equal when it comes to demand and earning potential. Several factors drive this imbalance, including the level of training required, the urgency of the work, how physically demanding the role is, and how many qualified professionals are available to fill positions.

The construction industry is shaped by infrastructure projects, housing demand, and ongoing maintenance work across the country. Some of the key drivers behind current demand include:

• Large-scale housing developments that require skilled tradespeople at every stage, from groundwork through to finishing.
• Retrofit and energy efficiency upgrades driven by homeowners looking to reduce energy bills and meet evolving regulations (3).
• A shortage of experienced, qualified tradespeople meaning employers are often competing for the same pool of skilled workers (3).
• Increased reliance on subcontracted labour across both residential and commercial projects (3).

When a trade is both urgent and requires specialist knowledge, it tends to command higher rates and more consistent work. Plumbing and electrical work are prime examples of this.

Which trades are most in demand right now?

Search data paints a clear picture of where the UK public is turning for help. Plumbing tops the list by a considerable margin, generating an average of 180,370 monthly searches across the UK (2). Electricians follow closely with 133,700 monthly searches (2), reflecting steady demand for repairs, safety checks, and installations.

Here are the 10 most searched-for trades in the UK right now (2):

1. Plumber (180,370 monthly searches) – Issues like leaking pipes and broken boilers are urgent problems most people simply can’t fix themselves, creating a constant stream of work.
2. Electrician (133,700 monthly searches) – With homes becoming increasingly reliant on electrical systems, from EV chargers to smart technology, demand shows no signs of slowing.
3. Removals and storage (64,000 monthly searches) – Driven by house moves, rentals, and life transitions, this proves opportunity extends well beyond traditional repair-based trades.
4. Roofer (55,600 monthly searches) – Seasonal weather damage and ongoing property maintenance keep roofers consistently busy.
5. Cleaner (54,900 monthly searches) – Particularly in higher-income areas where households are more likely to outsource everyday tasks.
6. Tiler (54,080 monthly searches) – Kitchen and bathroom renovations continue to fuel demand for skilled tilers nationwide.
7. Heating engineer (48,900 monthly searches) – Boiler maintenance and installation remain essential, especially heading into colder months.
8. Builder (47,810 monthly searches) – From extensions to full new builds, builders remain at the heart of the construction sector.
9. Gardener (47,800 monthly searches) – Regular upkeep and landscape design create year-round work for green-fingered professionals.
10. Landscaper (41,800 monthly searches) – Closely linked to gardening, landscaping offers higher-value project work for those with design skills.

Beyond these, roles like bricklayers, carpenters and joiners, plasterers, groundworkers, and scaffolders remain essential across both residential and commercial projects (3). Many require qualifications such as CSCS cards, NVQs, or City & Guilds certifications for site-based work.

What are the best paying trades in the UK?

Demand is one thing, but what about earnings? Some trades consistently sit at the higher end of the pay scale, though the gap between top and bottom earners can be significant.

The highest earning trades

The trades commanding the strongest rates in 2026 include (2):

• Fire and security specialist – £70 per hour / £420 per day. Specialist knowledge and certification requirements keep competition low and rates high.
• Appliance repair specialist – £60 per hour / £420 per day. Longer working hours or multiple jobs per day help match the daily rate of fire and security specialists.
• Removals and storage – £31 per hour / £281 per day. Time-intensive jobs and strong demand push earnings well above many traditional trades.
• Heating engineer – £43 per hour / £259 per day. Certification requirements and seasonal urgency support premium pricing.
• Plumber – £42 per hour / £250 per day. The most in-demand trade also ranks among the best paid, reflecting urgency and skill level.
• Electrician – £34 per hour / £237 per day. Commercial projects in particular can push earnings even higher for qualified electricians (3).

The lowest earning trades

On the other end of the scale, some trades face downward pressure on pricing due to lower barriers to entry and less urgent demand (2):

• Cleaner – £20 per hour / £149 per day. The lowest-earning trade, though demand remains strong in affluent areas.
• Plasterer – £25 per hour / £170 per day. National averages include smaller jobs and entry-level workers, which bring the overall figure down.
• Painter and decorator – £24 per hour / £173 per day. High competition and the non-urgent nature of the work keep rates modest.
• Handyman – £27 per hour / £188 per day. Versatility is a strength, but the jack-of-all-trades positioning can limit premium pricing.

These trades generally have lower barriers to entry, meaning more people can offer the service, and they tend to be less urgent than something like a burst pipe or faulty boiler, giving customers more flexibility to shop around (2).

How have trade salaries changed in recent years?

Comparing current rates with 2023 figures reveals some interesting shifts. Window fitters have seen the strongest growth at 17%, jumping from £27 to £31 per hour, potentially driven by growing demand for energy-efficient home improvements (2).

Other notable increases include (2):

• Fencers – 9% increase (£27 to £30 per hour)
• Landscapers – 8% increase (£28 to £30 per hour)
• Plumbers – 7% increase (£39 to £42 per hour)
• Plasterers – 7% increase (£23 to £25 per hour)
• Heating engineers – 5% increase (£41 to £43 per hour)

Core trades like plumbing and heating engineering show steady but modest growth, suggesting these already well-compensated professions have less room for dramatic rate increases.

Where are the best places to work in the UK?

Earning potential isn’t just about your trade. Location plays a major role too. While London offers the highest headline rates at £41 per hour, this is only 16.5% above the local average salary, making it the lowest earnings premium in the country (2).

The cities where tradespeople earn the biggest premium above the local average include (2):

• Milton Keynes – £36 per hour, 63.2% above local average salary
• Stoke-on-Trent – £29 per hour, 61.7% above local average salary
• Leicester – £30 per hour, 59.1% above local average salary
• Wolverhampton – £30 per hour, 58.9% above local average salary
• Nottingham – £35 per hour, 51.6% above local average salary

Regional demand patterns also create niche opportunities. Edinburgh dominates plumbing demand with 1,780 searches per month, nearly triple Glasgow’s rate despite being a much smaller city (2). Coastal cities like Portsmouth stand out for specialist services such as drain work (2). Understanding these local patterns can help you position your business where you’re most likely to win work.

What is the best trade to learn right now?

Choosing a trade is a long-term decision, and there’s no single right answer for everyone. The best choice depends on your strengths, interests, and where you’re based. That said, some trades offer particularly strong long-term prospects.

The most recommended pathways include electrical installation and maintenance, plumbing and heating engineering, carpentry and joinery, bricklaying and masonry, and renewable energy installation roles (3). These trades tend to remain in demand regardless of economic cycles because they’re essential to both new builds and ongoing maintenance work (3).

Combining practical experience with recognised qualifications through apprenticeships or NVQ routes remains the most reliable path forward (3). Diversifying your skillset can also help. A plumber who can fit bathrooms, or a tiler who offers flooring installations, increases the range of jobs they can take on and builds a more resilient business (2).

Protect your trade with Tradesman Saver

Whatever trade you’re in, one thing remains constant: protecting your business is essential. Unexpected claims for property damage, personal injury, or financial loss can derail even the most in-demand tradesperson if you’re not properly covered.

Tradesman Saver offers straightforward tradesman insurance starting from just £55* per year, with up to £5 million in public liability insurance and products liability cover included as standard. Every policy also comes with legal expenses insurance up to £250,000, accidental death cover, and £10,000 financial loss protection, all built in at no extra cost.

Need employers’ liability, professional indemnity, or tools insurance? You can tailor your policy to match your exact needs. With over 35 years of experience, AA-rated cover, and instant protection from the moment you buy, getting the right insurance is quick, affordable, and completely hassle-free.

Whether you’re a plumber riding the wave of record demand or an electrician building your client base, the right insurance gives you the confidence to focus on what you do best. Get your quote in minutes and protect what you’ve built.

Until next time, make sure it’s Tradesman Saver.

Sources
(1) Indeed UK, “18 Skilled Trade Jobs That Are in Demand (With Salaries),” updated June 2026.
(2) Capital on Tap, “The Most In-Demand and Highest-Earning UK Trades in 2026,” April 2026.
(3) Subcontractee, “The Most In-Demand Trades in the UK Right Now.”

*This indicative price is for £1m public and products liability, £250,000 legal expenses, £10,000 financial loss and £10,000 accidental death insurance cover for one person. The price includes insurance premium tax but excludes our admin charge. 30% of new customers paid £55 between 1st May 2026 and 31st May 2026. The actual price you pay will depend upon your specific business requirements and will be affected by your trade, your claims history and the optional covers you select which are all priced separately during the quote process.