Sparks’ pay below national average

Figures from the GMB union show that electricians earn an average of £26 952 a year, which is below the UK average for all occupations of £29 999.

Despite the publicity given to electricians earning high wages on flagship schemes such as Heathrow T5, workers in the sector are actually paid less than scaffolders.

Workers in the scaffolding sector are the highest-paid trade workers in construction, earning an average of £29 215 a year.

Plumbers and heating and ventilating engineers earn on average £25 885 a year.

According to new analysis from the GMB union, managers in the construction industry earn an average of £44 942 a year, which is 50% above the UK average and rates as the 25th highest-paid occupation.

Architecture is the highest earning profession in the industry, with architects earning £40 845 a year, coming in above quantity surveyors who make £36 455.

Civil engineers earn an average of £35 618, while the average building inspector’s salary is £29 608.

Paul Kenny, general secretary of the GMB, condemned the disparity of wages that appears to pervade the UK economy.

He said: “There are some people at the top earning 40 and 50 times the salaries of those at the bottom.

“GMB wants to see the tax system used to even out the rewards, and the GMB would like to see the National Minimum Wage rise to £7 per hour to help those at the bottom.”