Are you considering a career in electrical engineering in the UK, or looking to level up your current compensation? Wondering about electrical engineering jobs and how to become an electrical engineer? We have done a comprehensive analysis of 909 electrical engineering positions across the United Kingdom. This article details the electrical engineer wage and electrical engineer salary in the UK for 2025, and the key factors that influence compensation as revealed by the data, focusing on education, early career progression, geographical flexibility, and targeting leadership roles.
Average Electrical Engineer Salary in UK
The median UK electrical engineer salary is £42,266 per year or £20.32 per hour. This figure gives insight into how much do electrical engineers make in the United Kingdom, also known as the EE salary.
The data presented in this article was compiled through an analysis of 909 publicly available electrical engineering salaries in UK. Salaries, required education levels, experience expectations, seniority titles, and locations were extracted and analysed to identify trends and calculate average and median figures. The data analysis was updated in May 2025.
Factors Influencing Salary
- Educational Level
- Years of Experience
- Seniority Level
- Location
- Top Paying Companies
Required Educational Level and Electrical Engineer Qualifications
| Qualification | Mentions | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor Degree | 203 | 59.71% |
| Master Degree | 85 | 25.00% |
| PhD | 25 | 7.35% |
| Certification | 19 | 5.59% |
| Vocational | 8 | 2.35% |
Electrical engineering positions typically require specialisation in electrical engineering, electronics, or related technical disciplines. Nearly 60% of jobs require just a bachelor’s degree while 25% require a Master’s degree and only 7.35% require a PhD. This suggests that while advanced education can be beneficial, a bachelor’s degree is sufficient for most electrical engineering positions in the UK. For those wondering how to become an electrical engineer, a university degree in electrical engineering is the most common path.
Required Years of Experience and Electrical Engineer Wage Progression
The graph above clearly shows that the UK electrical engineer wage increases consistently with experience. We observe significant jumps at key career milestones, with salaries increasing from approximately £36,530 for 1 year of experience to £50,611 at 2 years, and reaching £109,931 for those with 10+ years of experience. This suggests that experience has a dramatic impact on electrical engineer compensation in the United Kingdom. The electrical engineer starting salary is typically around £36,530, but this can vary depending on location and specific role.
Average Electrical Engineer Salary by Seniority
| Seniority Level | Average Hourly Salary(£) | Average Annual Salary(£) |
|---|---|---|
| Principal | £41.02 | £85,324 |
| Lead | £34.93 | £72,657 |
| Manager | £27.29 | £56,756 |
| Senior | £24.02 | £49,962 |
| Mid-Level | £21.62 | £44,959 |
| Entry-Level | £13.42 | £27,927 |
| Internship | £8.69 | £18,071 |
The table shows that there is a constant increase in electrical engineer salaries as seniority level increases. The progression from internship to principal engineer represents a 370% increase in electrical engineer salary UK. This substantial differential highlights the value that experience and leadership capabilities bring to organisations in the engineering sector.
Cities with Highest Electrical Engineer Salary in UK
| Top UK Cities | Average Hourly Salary | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Luton | £81.28 | £169,062 |
| Stevenage | £55.88 | £116,230 |
| Toome, Northern Ireland | £48.85 | £101,600 |
| Gatwick Airport | £46.36 | £96,422 |
| Peterborough | £36.71 | £76,355 |
| Cowes | £36.63 | £76,200 |
| Spalding | £35.31 | £73,445 |
| Chelmsford | £33.22 | £69,088 |
| Portsmouth | £31.76 | £66,040 |
| Bolton | £29.56 | £61,488 |
The data reveals that Luton offers the highest electrical engineering salaries in the UK, offering an impressive £169,062 per year. Interestingly, several locations outside major metropolitan areas feature prominently, suggesting that specialised industrial clusters and aerospace facilities may drive higher compensation. Traditional engineering hubs like Stevenage and Gatwick Airport also offer competitive salaries, reflecting the concentration of engineering firms in these areas. These can be considered the highest paying cities for electrical engineers in the UK.
Top Paying Companies in UK
Here is a list of the top 10 paying companies that consistently offer above-average salaries for electrical engineers in UK:
- Meritus Talent
- Gold Group
- Automata
- Watling JCB
- Centum Engineering
- UK Power Networks
- Wave Recruitment
- Line Up Aviation
- Astute People
- Intergen
These organisations represent diverse sectors including recruitment firms, power utilities, construction equipment manufacturers, and aerospace companies, indicating that electrical engineering expertise is highly valued across multiple industries. Many of these companies offer competitive electrical design engineer salary UK packages.
How to Maximise Your Salary Potential
Based on our comprehensive data analysis, we recommend the following strategies to optimise your electrical engineer salary UK:
- Pursue Advanced Qualifications: While a bachelor’s degree is sufficient for most roles, Master’s degree holders earn approximately 10% more. Consider pursuing HNC/HND in Electrical Engineering or other relevant qualifications.
- Focus on rapid skill development in early career, as significant salary increases occur between years 1-3
- Consider Location Strategically, with areas like Luton and Stevenage offering premium compensation
- Target specialized industries such as aerospace, power generation, and automation
- Pursue leadership opportunities, as progression to principal or management positions offers the highest compensation potential
- Develop expertise in emerging technologies such as renewable energy, electric vehicles, and smart grid systems
To enhance your electrical engineer career and increase your earning potential, focus on developing these key skills:
- Power systems design and analysis
- Control systems and automation
- Renewable energy technologies, including solar panels and wind turbines
- CAD software proficiency (AutoCAD, SolidWorks) and other engineering design software
- Project management and leadership
- Regulatory compliance and safety regulations
- Electrical control systems
- PLC programming
- Fault finding and troubleshooting
- Battery storage systems
Future Trends in Electrical Engineering Salaries
The electrical engineering field continues to evolve with increasing focus on renewable energy, electric vehicle infrastructure, smart grid technologies, and industrial automation. Engineers who develop expertise in these emerging areas are likely to command premium electrical engineering salaries in the United Kingdom as organisations compete for talent with specialised knowledge. The shift towards sustainable energy and electrification of transport is expected to drive continued demand for electrical engineers, creating more green jobs in the sector.
Conclusion
The electrical engineering profession offers strong earning potential across the UK, with the average electrical engineer salary UK reaching £42,266 annually. While education plays a role in salary determination, experience and specialisation have more significant impacts on total compensation. The salary of engineer in UK per month can vary widely depending on these factors.
For electrical engineers looking to maximize their earning potential, a strategic approach to career development is essential. This includes gaining experience in high-demand sectors, obtaining relevant certifications, and developing expertise in emerging technologies. Understanding regional salary variations and targeting employers in high-paying industries can also significantly impact career earnings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current median salary for electrical engineers in UK?
According to our recent data analysis of 909 electrical engineering positions across the United Kingdom, the median electrical engineer salary UK is £42,266 per year or £20.32 per hour. This figure represents the benchmark for electrical engineering professionals as of May 2025, though actual pay can vary significantly based on factors such as education, experience level, location, and industry sector. The electrical engineer salary in UK per month averages around £3,522.
How does education level affect electrical engineers pay in UK?
Education has a moderate impact on electrical engineering salaries in the United Kingdom. Bachelor’s degree holders earn an average of £44,242 annually, while those with Master’s degrees earn approximately £48,768 – about 10% more. PhD holders don’t see as significant an increase as might be expected, suggesting that practical experience and specialisation often matter more than advanced academic qualifications in this field. However, pursuing electrical engineering qualifications can still boost your earning potential.
Which UK cities offer the highest salaries for electrical engineers?
Luton leads the list with an exceptional annual average of £169,062, likely due to aerospace industry concentration. Other top-paying cities include Stevenage (£116,230), Toome in Northern Ireland (£101,600), and Gatwick Airport (£96,422). These locations often host specialized industries such as aerospace, power generation, or advanced manufacturing that require highly skilled electrical engineers.
How does experience level affect electrical engineers salaries in UK?
Experience dramatically influences UK electrical engineer pay. Entry-level engineers with 1 year of experience earn approximately £36,530, while those with 2 years see their compensation jump to £50,611. Engineers with 5 years of experience average £51,137, and those with 10+ years can expect salaries around £109,931. The most significant salary growth occurs in the first 3 years of career development.
What strategies can help maximize salary for electrical engineers in the UK job market?
To maximize your electrical engineering salaries in the United Kingdom, focus on developing expertise in high-demand areas like renewable energy and automation, seek positions in specialized industries such as aerospace or power generation, consider locations with premium compensation like Luton or Stevenage, pursue leadership opportunities, and stay current with emerging technologies. Additionally, obtaining professional certifications (such as Chartered Engineer status through the Institution of Engineering and Technology) and developing project management skills can significantly enhance your earning potential. Keep an eye on job openings in high-paying sectors and consider roles that combine technical expertise with service responsibilities for a well-rounded career path.
