$35,000 Electrician Jobs in the UK for Foreign Workers with Visa Sponsorship

The demand for qualified electricians in the UK has skyrocketed, driven by booming housing developments, commercial projects, and the nationwide push for energy-efficient and renewable infrastructure. From installing EV charging points to retrofitting heritage buildings, electricians are in high demand, and many UK employers are offering visa sponsorship. With entry-level salaries starting from USD 35,000 per year, this is a golden opportunity for skilled foreign technicians.

What Are $35,000 Electrician Jobs in the UK with Visa Sponsorship?

When we mention “$35,000 electrician jobs,” we’re generally talking about positions paying between £28,000 and £30,000 annually (converted to USD). These roles are typically mid-level to advanced—far beyond entry-level—and require professional qualifications along with real-world experience.

Why $35,000+ Electrician Jobs Are an Opportunity

Significantly higher pay: Even mid-level electricians can earn much more than colleagues at home, with great benefits on top.
Career progression and certifications: Work in the UK can lead to UK-recognised accreditations (like ECS) and career growth.
Path to residency: A sponsored electrician role can pave the way toward Indefinite Leave to Remain after five years.
Stable environment: The UK offers worker protections, NHS healthcare, and regulated workplaces.

Types of Electrician Roles That Pay $35,000+ with Visa Sponsorship

1. Domestic Electrician- Salary: £28,000–£40,000 ($35,000–$50,000)

Domestic electricians are the go-to professionals when it comes to electrical work in people’s homes. They install and repair all the usual systems like lighting, sockets, circuit breakers (fuse boards), and home wiring. With the rise in electric vehicles, they’re also installing EV charging points on driveways and in garages.

You could be wiring a new kitchen today and upgrading a fuse box tomorrow. Safety and neatness are a big deal here—homeowners expect tidy work, and regulations are strict.

Typical Requirements:

NVQ Level 3 or City & Guilds in Electrical Installation
ECS or CSCS card (this shows you’re health and safety aware)
18th Edition Wiring Regulations certification (a must-have in the UK)

Who It’s For: If you’ve done house wiring, lighting systems, or home repairs back home, this role is a smooth entry into the UK job market.

2. Commercial Electrician: £30,000–£45,000 ($38,000–$57,000)

Commercial electricians work on larger buildings like schools, hospitals, shopping centres, office blocks, and warehouses. Think of them as the step between domestic and industrial electricians. They install power and lighting systems on a bigger scale and often work from electrical plans or schematics.

They also fix things when something goes wrong, like faulty lights in a hospital hallway or broken power outlets in a supermarket. These jobs are often part of a team effort with engineers, builders, and HVAC crews.

Skills Needed:

Ability to read technical diagrams and building plans
Strong fault-finding and problem-solving skills
Good understanding of UK electrical codes

Who It’s For: Great for electricians with experience in public buildings or large residential complexes. You’ll thrive here if you’re detail-oriented and like variety.

3. Industrial Electrician-Salary: £32,000–£50,000 ($40,000–$63,000)

These are the heavy-duty electricians. Industrial sparkies work in factories, plants, warehouses, and manufacturing sites, where the machinery is big and powerful. You’ll be working with three-phase power, motors, generators, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and complex systems that control production lines.

Safety is a massive part of the job because industrial electricity can be dangerous if mishandled. You might install a new conveyor belt today, and tomorrow you’re troubleshooting a broken robotic arm in a packaging line.

Extra Qualifications You’ll Need:

NVQ Level 3 or City & Guilds in Electrical Engineering
COMPEX certification (especially for explosive/hazardous environments like oil or chemical plants)
Familiarity with PLCs and motor control

Who It’s For: Ideal for electricians with experience in factories, production sites, or technical installations. If you’re hands-on and love working with machines, this is for you.

4. Solar PV Installer (Renewables)-Salary: £30,000–£45,000

As the UK transitions toward green energy, solar PV (photovoltaic) installers are in huge demand. These electricians install solar panels, inverters, batteries, and control systems on homes, businesses, and even farmland. You’ll often work outdoors on rooftops or in open spaces.

Besides the physical installation, you’ll need to understand how solar systems tie into the main electrical grid and comply with UK renewable energy codes.

Special Certifications:

G98 and G99 training (for connecting to the UK National Grid)
Solar installation certifications (offered by NICEIC or MCS in the UK)
Working at Heights or Roof Safety training

Who It’s For: Perfect if you’re passionate about green energy or have worked on solar or off-grid systems. You’ll enjoy this job if you like tech, fresh air, and working with your hands.

5. Maintenance Electrician-Salary: £28,000–£40,000

Maintenance electricians are the “fix-it guys” who keep electrical systems running smoothly in hotels, office buildings, hospitals, shopping centres, and factories. They don’t just fix things when they break—they also do regular checks to prevent issues in the first place.

One day, you could be replacing light fittings in a hotel, and the next, you’re diagnosing a power issue in a large freezer at a food warehouse.

It’s a bit of everything—testing systems, replacing parts, upgrading old systems, and responding to call-outs.

Needed Skills:

Fault-finding and repair
Understanding of building maintenance routines
Ability to work alone and manage priorities

Who It’s For: Great if you’re versatile, responsive, and like solving problems. Ideal for people with experience in hotel, commercial, or facility maintenance

Summary Table (For Easy Comparison)

Role	Key Workplace	Main Focus	Top Skill Needed
Domestic Electrician	Homes	Lighting, sockets, fuse boards	Neat wiring, 18th Ed. knowledge
Commercial Electrician	Offices, schools, shops	Reading plans, fault-finding	Reading plans, fault finding
Industrial Electrician	Factories, plants	Heavy machinery, motors, PLCs	High-voltage systems
Solar PV Installer	Rooftops, green energy sites	Solar panels & inverters	Renewable systems knowledge
Maintenance Electrician	Buildings, warehouses	Repairs & system upkeep	Fast diagnostics, flexibility

Requirements to Qualify for UK Electrician Jobs

1. Recognised Qualifications

NVQ Level 3 in Electrical Installation or equivalent
City & Guilds 2365/2330 – recommended for industrial roles
Foreign qualifications may need UK ENIC (formerly NARIC) verification

2. ECS/CSCS Card

Required for site access; shows your qualifications and health & safety awareness.

3. 18th Edition / Wiring Regulations

This British standard is essential—many employers require it up front or provide training.

4. Work Experience

At least 2–3 years in electrical roles; experience with UK systems is a distinct advantage.

5. English Language (IELTS 4.0+)

Visa requires proof of English; you must demonstrate fluency.

6. Clean Criminal Record

Police clearance is mandatory for visa approval.

7. Visa Salary Threshold

You must meet either £38,700/year or the occupation’s “going rate.” Electricians’ going rate is £35,500/year.

Top UK Companies Hiring Electricians with Visa Sponsorship

1. Mitie Group

Mitie is one of the UK’s biggest facilities management companies. That means they look after buildings like hospitals, schools, airports, offices, and public transport systems—making sure everything works smoothly, especially the electrical systems.

What electricians do here: As a Mitie electrician, you’d be doing repairs, installations, maintenance, and routine checks across public buildings—sometimes even in critical environments like hospitals or airports. It’s varied, stable work with a clear structure.

How to get a visa job with them

Mitie is a licensed sponsor, and they regularly advertise roles that mention “eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship”. To increase your chances:

Apply via their Careers page or UK job boards like Indeed UK or TotalJobs
Highlight your NVQ Level 3, 18th Edition Regs, or equivalent experience
Mention any experience in commercial or public buildings—that’s their bread and butter

2. Balfour Beatty

This is a giant in infrastructure—think motorways, bridges, airports, power stations, railways, and mega commercial projects. They’re involved in some of the UK’s biggest construction and engineering projects.

What electricians do here: Balfour Beatty hires commercial and industrial electricians to wire up entire buildings or complex systems on large-scale construction sites. You’ll be working alongside engineers, project managers, and safety officers.

How to get a visa job with them:
Balfour Beatty is a certified visa sponsor, and they actively mention sponsorship in job listings. Here’s how you can stand out:

Look for jobs in infrastructure, construction, or major projects
Make sure you have ECS/CSCS cards, NVQ Level 3, and good site experience
Be ready to pass a health & safety assessment (common in UK construction)

3. Skanska UK

Skanska is another massive construction and engineering firm, but they also lead in green buildings, smart tech, and sustainable design. They work on hospitals, schools, roads, and energy-efficient developments.

What electricians do here: You’d be involved in electrical installation, control systems, and smart energy setups. If you’ve got knowledge of BMS (Building Management Systems), renewable energy, or large-scale wiring, you’ll fit right in.

How to get a visa job with them:

Skanska offers visa sponsorships for high-demand trade roles, especially when they’re short on local workers
Apply through their Careers site or job platforms like LinkedIn
Highlight any experience with sustainable or large-scale projects
Certifications like 18th Edition and a good grasp of UK building standards are essential

4. NG Bailey

NG Bailey is a top name in electrical engineering and technical services. They take on major projects in data centres, commercial buildings, hospitals, and public infrastructure.

What electricians do here: Expect to be involved in installation, maintenance, and project-based work, especially in high-tech environments like data centres or hospitals. They also cover fire alarm systems, power distribution, and building controls.

How to get a visa job with them:
NG Bailey supports visa applicants when there’s a skills shortage, and the UK is currently short of qualified electricians. To apply:

Use their careers portal or contact their recruitment team directly
Be specific about your experience in commercial or industrial settings
If you’re skilled in control panels, high-voltage systems, or hospital fit-outs, mention it clearly

5. Engie (Now known as Equans)

Equans (previously Engie) is all about smart energy, renewables, and green solutions. They work on projects involving solar panels, electric vehicle charging, and sustainable infrastructure across the UK and Europe.

What electricians do here: You’ll install solar PV systems, EV chargers, battery storage, and energy-saving solutions in homes, offices, and commercial sites. If you care about the environment and like working with future tech, this is your place.

How to get a visa job with them

Equans is a licensed visa sponsor, especially when hiring for renewables and sustainability roles. Here’s how to get noticed:

Focus on solar, battery, or EV charger experience
Show you’re certified for G98/G99 or trained in solar installs
Emphasize your interest in low-carbon technologies

Salary & Compensation Breakdown

Typical electrician roles include:

Base Salary: £28,000–£35,000
Overtime: 1.5×–2× hourly for evenings/weekends
Performance Bonuses: Up to ~£2,000/year
Allowances: Travel mileage, pension, holiday pay

With overtime, many reach £35,000–£40,000 annually (~$44,000–$50,000).

Standard of Living for Electricians in the UK

Hours: 37–40/week plus paid overtime
Healthcare: Free through the NHS
Accommodation: Rent ranges from £300–£700 monthly outside major cities
Transport: Good public transit and reasonable commuter costs
Worker Protections: Strong legal support and safety regulations

How to Apply for $35,000 Electrician Jobs with Visa Sponsorship

Step 1: Find Listings

Use UK job boards (Indeed, TotalJobs, Reed, CV-Library) and include terms like “electrician visa sponsorship UK”

Step 2: Contact Recruitment Agencies

Relevant agencies include Hays Electrical, M&E Global, Fircroft—make sure they’re government-licensed and don’t charge illegal fees.

Step 3: Prepare a UK-Style CV

Two pages, no photo
Highlight relevant certifications, experience, and skills
Optional: add a portfolio—photos or details of projects

Step 4: Gather Essential Documents

IELTS, NVQ/City & Guilds certificates, ECS/CSCS card, police clearance certificate, proof of experience

Step 5: Ace the Interview

Be ready to discuss wiring standards, safety practices, and teamwork—you may face practical tests.

Step 6: Visa Sponsorship

Your employer must issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). Apply for the Skilled Worker Visa online.

Challenges for Foreign Electricians in the UK

Qualification Recognition: You may need bridging courses for UK equivalence.
Cost of Living: Higher in major cities—budget accordingly or opt for commuter areas.
Weather: Working outdoors in British winters may be tough.
Visa Compliance: Must earn threshold salary (£38,700 or going rate)
Competition: Many applicants—UK-aligned certifications and skills give you an edge.
Cultural Shift: Expect strict safety rules and formal communication.
Labor Shortages vs. Policy: New visa rules may limit lower-paid recruits
Documentation Costs: Employers cover visa & sponsorship fees, but personal costs (IHS, flights) apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get hired without UK experience?
Yes—relevant international experience often suffices.
Will my qualifications be accepted?
UK ENIC assessment may be needed to confirm equivalency.
Do I need IELTS?
Yes, at least IELTS 4.0 or equivalent is mandatory.
Can I bring my family?
Yes—dependents can come on your Skilled Worker Visa.
Is £35,000 enough for ILR?
Yes—as long as you’re continuously employed, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after 5 years.
Can I change employers?
Yes—only if your new employer is also a licensed sponsor.
Do companies supply tools/PPE?
Basic PPE is typically provided; sometimes, tool allowance is included.
How long until the visa is approved?
Usually 3–6 weeks after CoS is issued.
Can I earn more in specialized roles?
Yes—high-voltage or solar specialists can earn £45K–£60K.
Are electrician jobs available outside big cities?
Absolutely—demand exists in rural areas due to local infrastructure needs.

Conclusion

$35,000 electrician jobs in the UK with visa sponsorship offer a rewarding, stable, and well-paid career path. Though challenges exist—from adapting to UK standards and rules, to managing living costs and visa thresholds—the potential benefits are substantial: good wages, residency prospects, and professional growth in a regulated, respectful environment.

If you’re serious about making this move, start preparing now: align your qualifications, update your CV, connect with reputable recruiters, and pursue IELTS. The UK needs your skills, and with the right approach, you could be powering homes and commercial sites shortly.