Salary of us poor sparks

[NorthOxfordElec]

I’m curious to find out how us electricians earn, compared to others? Having read the editorial in professional electrician about how our counterparts in Australia, Japan, USA, Germany earn anything from £11k to £19k more than we do here, added to a train driver now being able to get pay of £50k+ for a 37.5hr week, I’m wondering if it’s actually worth continuing in the trade with all the hassle it brings? My hourly rate when broken down is paltry in comparison to the train driver

 

[Midwest]

I see via google, that a lot of foreign (I just did France, Spain & Germany) DIY stores sell similar electrical products, which don't appear to require proof of being an electrician (although I don't speak the lingo).

So perhaps we can dispense with that one urban myth

 

[Pete999]

More than once I have come across people who will do a job i.e. CU change for £100 I can not compete with that. No certificate no pack drill no names etc. There is a vast amount of such people doing work for consumers who are more than happy to work in this way. So companies have to compete against that kind of thing as well as sole traders. No doubt the nouveau sparks popping up everywhere will also be undercutting more experienced and capable sparks. Perhaps that is some of the causes of low wages/pay?

Cowboys are the scourge of the earth mate, the loyal well trained Electrician cannot compete, like you say. The general public need educating, but is that going to happen, no of course not, the upsurge of Do it all Dave, and the fast track bods are the fault of the Scams, they dream-pt up these fast track ways and don't police it properly, only interest in getting more and more money/ I watched a debate a while ago in which Emma Clancy was admonished for continually mentioning getting more business and competing, when in fact the chairman said the scams should be offering a better service, or words to that effect.

 

[Midwest]

Can't challenge the fact, that there are poor trade persons across the board. Can challenge that those that have obtained their training via short course are incompetent, there are several members of this forum that have taken short courses. Don't think they would be too pleased of being accused as incompetent, just because they have had to take that route.

In fact, some of the roughest sparks I've ever come across, did an apprenticeship. That did not stop them from rough work. It always seem to be acceptable standard, because they were quick to complete the task.

Most of the bad workmanship I've come across in the domestic market, has been done by home owners.

 

[Pete999]

Can't challenge the fact, that there are poor trade persons across the board. Can challenge that those that have obtained their training via short course are incompetent, there are several members of this forum that have taken short courses. Don't think they would be too pleased of being accused as incompetent, just because they have had to take that route.

In fact, some of the roughest sparks I've ever come across, did an apprenticeship. That did not stop them from rough work. It always seem to be acceptable standard, because they were quick to complete the task.

Most of the bad workmanship I've come across in the domestic market, has been done by home owners.

I certainly made that very point in my long post, never once did I say all short course Sparks are/were incompetent, like you said lots of excellent Electricians on this forum who took the fast route, my point was that there are lots who aren't, maybe not forum members, I hasten to add.

 

[Midwest]

I certainly made that very point in my long post, never once did I say all short course Sparks are/were incompetent, like you said lots of excellent Electricians on this forum who took the fast route, my point was that there are lots who aren't, maybe not forum members, I hasten to add.

Sorry Pete, wasn't aimed at you, or even this particular thread. Its just something I read on this forum time after time, and it does grate with me a bit

 

[westward10]

£50k for a train driver, not for me then can't take a wage drop.

 

[Midwest]

£50k for a train driver, not for me then can't take a wage drop.

Did you know that Kiefer Sutherland got paid £330k per episode of 24. Upon hearing that he was played by Kiefer Sutherland, Jack Bauer killed Sutherland. Jack Bauer gets played by no man.

 

[Rocboni]

Train drivers might get paid £50k but you have to put up with the fact someone might jump in front of you when doing 140mph, it happens quite often!

 

[Leesparkykent]

A sparks in this country can earn more than 50k a year subbing if they want to go and chase the money. I have lads 1st fixing new build flats and nicking £330 a day at the moment. Before I set up on my own and was subbing/chasing the money I very rarely didn't earn less than 60k a year....The pace isn't sustainable for years but if your healthy and a grafter it's there to be had.

 

[Stspark]

Employment is changing rapidly. People are willing to deliver food on bicycles with no employment rights for minimum wage or make youtube videos and earn 10's of thousands!

The recruitment industry is booming with very large bonus related salaries, a job role directly linked to bringing in money with little to no expenditure. Ultimately by driving down salaries and employment rights.

The general poor salaries for sparks is partly due to the schemes and training providers, 5 week 'electrician' courses and the like. All they're interested in is maximising sales. Leading to lowering the quality of training and producing 'electricians' ultimately prepared to work for less.

In some of the countries mentioned in the 1st post, the electrical industry is administered by the government not a private scheme. An electrician is an electrician, and only a licenced electrician can legally carry out any electrical work.

 

[Briggs69]

Screwfix and toolstation have shafted it for us to.any Tom,dick or Harry can buy electrical stuff and also see what we are paying for it

 

[SJD]

In fact, some of the roughest sparks I've ever come across, did an apprenticeship. That did not stop them from rough work. It always seem to be acceptable standard, because they were quick to complete the task.

I came across one earlier this week, finishing off the electrics for a kitchen install. I couldn't help but notice an old-style junction box about to be plastered over. Bits of insulating tape rather than proper sleeving. Best of all, he was changing socket faceplates with the power on, including adding spurs ("I ain't touching nothing", when I asked).

 

[ipf]

Most of the bad workmanship I've come across in the domestic market, has been done by home owners.

Maybe, but most I've come across in the industrial and commercial markets has been done by incompetent 'tradesmen', taken on by incompetent management working to budget. I've seen many who can't even bend a piece of conduit, let alone test or fault find their own installation.

 

[The Ghost]

@UNG you disagree? with what exactly, figures or an even minded approach?

 

[Percyprod]

Not quite related to the question, but what does the average elevtrician earn? Most of the local ones don't seem to earn that much. I retired from DNO 2 years ago, as a fault technician, an electrician finding faults and arranging repair on LV system. Basic wage was 30k, which doesn't sem that high, but we have 6 weeks holiday plus 13 days a year because we work 37 hour week but actually do 39 and so get a day a month extra, plus bank holidays, 12 months sick pay, final salary pension which I was able to take at 60, the company paying the remaining 6 years pension for me. On retiring I had 7 weeks pre retirement leave. Just a smug git really!