Top five highest paying trade jobs where you can earn up to £113k and the hotspots where you’ll earn the most revealed

Credit: BORIS HAMER FANCY a career switch-up? Reach for the High-Vis and hard hat, as you could make six-figures working in the trades industry. Best of all, you can earn the big bucks by being your own boss. Here, we reveal the five top-paying trades where you could make an average of £113k, and where in the country you could rake in the most cash. You could earn six figures by working in the trades Credit: Alamy An apprenticeship could be a great way to bag a top-paying job Credit: Getty – Contributor Many tradespeople choose to work for themselves, and small business insurer Simply Business has crunched the numbers to reveal which areas you can earn the most in. Builders make the most, turning over £113,462 on average per year, according to annual turnover recorded on business insurance quotes analysed by the firm in 2025 and 2024. Sign up for the Money newsletter Thank you! Turnover is the total amount that a business brings in – it doesn’t include the amount you need to pay in tax, or expenses like insurance and materials, for example. Glaziers, who measure, cut and install glass, make the most next, turning over £101,037 on average a year. Next up is groundworkers, who prepare a construction site before building works start. Those who run their own groundwork companies make an average of £97,486. Dryliners create walls in buildings. Those who run a company turnover £92,486 on average. While flooring contractors, who install floors in buildings, turn over an average of £91,662. Most read in Money Meanwhile, the top earnings hotspots are: Sutton – £143,403 Hounslow – £137,073 Loughborough – £133,832 Oldham – £129,725 Uxbridge – £126,863 Of course, if you want a job in the trades, you won’t be able to be the boss straight away. The most popular route in is through an apprenticeship. This means you can earn a wage while learning on the job and working towards a qualification. You can look for roles using the Government’s free Find an Apprenticeship website. It’s also worth checking local college websites and contacting nearby trade businesses directly, as smaller firms may advertise opportunities locally. Then, once you build up experience and get the right qualifications, you can go solo and launch a business. You can either work as a sole trader, or set up a limited company. A limited company is a registered business that is legally separate to you as an individual. This means if your business gets into legal or financial trouble, your personal assets such as your family home cannot be put a risk. Running a company has extra responsibilities such as completing company accounts. In contrast, a sole trader only has to complete a self assessment tax return each year. How to find the right apprenticeship for you APPRENTICESHIPS are the UK’s most popular professional qualifications, held by one in 20 of the workforce. How to decide if an apprenticeship is right for you Anyone can become an apprentice, whether you are starting work or changing career. If you can, get some relevant work experience beforehand, to help understand more about the sector or role. You will also gain skills that employers need. Search Skills For Life to find out more. How to find an apprenticeship There are more than 660 types of apprenticeships available in the UK. See http://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship or talk to your local careers adviser by contacting the National Careers Service. Which course? Apprenticeships take between one and six years to complete, depending on what type, which level and your previous experience. For people with little or no experience, an intermediate (Levels 2 or 3) is a good place to start. You can progress with advanced (Levels 4 or 5) and higher and degree apprenticeships (Levels 6 and 7). Top tips to ace your application When you have found one you are interested in, either complete an application form or submit a CV and covering letter. The National Careers Service has guidance on how to write a CV, how to write your letter, and application form advice. Set yourself up for success Be open-minded and embrace every opportunity that comes your way. You will usually complete 20% of your studies at college or with a training provider, so it is important to make time to learn and stay organised, particularly for those juggling family or other commitments outside work. Comment now