The UK construction sector in 2025 is hot, with massive demand across the board from new builds to home improvement. If you're looking for a rewarding job with high earning potential, a career in a construction trade offers both. Whether you're looking to start a career in the trades or upskill to a new in-demand specialisation such as solar installation, this guide is a good starting point. Here's our list of the most in-demand trades in 2025.
Key Facts:
- In 2024, over 2.1 million people were employed in the UK construction industry, with around 36% being self-employed.
- In 2024, the average hourly wage of a construction worker in the UK was £16.25, which is slightly below the UK national average of £18.64; however, this figure varies greatly depending on skill level and demand.
- The trades with the highest average hourly wages are: Rail Construction and Maintenance Operatives (£19.72), followed by Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Installers and Repairers (£18.31).
- The most in-demand construction trades are: Rail construction and maintenance operatives, Crane drivers, and Groundworkers.
The most in-demand trades in 2025
Rail Construction and Maintenance Operatives
- Demand level: Critical
- Average hourly wage: £19.72
- People employed in trade: 9,733
- Qualification Level Required: Level 2
Crane Drivers
- Demand level: Critical
- Average hourly wage: £17.93
- People employed in trade: 6,127
- Qualification Level Required: Level 2
Groundworkers
- Demand level: Critical
- Average hourly wage: £16
- People employed in trade: 28,827
- Qualification Level Required: Level 1
Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Installers
- Demand level: Elevated
- Average hourly wage: £18.31
- People employed in trade: 10,139
- Qualification Level Required: Level 3
Road Construction Operatives
- Demand level: Elevated
- Average hourly wage: £14.86
- People employed in trade: 18,105
- Qualification Level Required: Level 2
Scaffolders
- Demand level: Elevated
- Average hourly wage: £16
- People employed in trade: 20,577
- Qualification Level Required: Level 2
Electricians
- Demand level: Elevated
- Average hourly wage: £17.11
- People employed in trade: 198,175
- Qualification Level Required: Level 3
Roofers
- Demand level: Elevated
- Average hourly wage: £14.5
- People employed in trade: 39,528
- Qualification Level Required: Level 3
Glaziers and Window Fitters
- Demand level: Elevated
- Average hourly wage: £13.16
- People employed in trade: 33,319
- Qualification Level Required: Level 3
Welders
- Demand level: Normal
- Average hourly wage: £14.81
- People employed in trade: 56,304
- Qualification Level Required: Level 3
Carpenters and Joiners
- Demand level: Normal
- Average hourly wage: £14.37
- People employed in trade: 185,724
- Qualification Level Required: Level 3
Telecoms and Network Installers
- Demand level: Normal
- Average hourly wage: £15.94
- People employed in trade: 65,837
- Qualification Level Required: Level 3
Plumbers, Heating and Ventilation Engineers
- Demand level: Normal
- Average hourly wage: £16.56
- People employed in trade: 157,301
- Qualification Level Required: Level 3
Painters and Decorators
- Demand level: Normal
- Average hourly wage: £13.64
- People employed in trade: 86,740
- Qualification Level Required: Level 3
Landscape Gardeners
- Demand level: Normal
- Average hourly wage: £12.5
- People employed in trade: 145,655
- Qualification Level Required: Level 3
Plasterers
- Demand level: Normal
- Average hourly wage: £15.22
- People employed in trade: 36,158
- Qualification Level Required: Level 3
Floorers and Wall Tilers
- Demand level: Normal
- Average hourly wage: £14.36
- People employed in trade: 36,953
- Qualification Level Required: Level 3
Bricklayers
- Demand level: Normal
- Average hourly wage: £14.72
- People employed in trade: 60,311
- Qualification Level Required: Level 3
As you can see, many trades have experienced high demand in 2025. This list includes both skilled and semi-skilled trades, with both large-scale projects and smaller jobs taken into account.
The popularity of green home improvements
A recent survey by the Property Reporter suggested that 72% of UK homeowners want to make their homes more efficient. Furthermore, 42% of UK homeowners stated that they are actually planning to carry out energy saving home improvements.
Trades today are taking advantage of this boom in demand for more energy efficient homes. Some of the most in-demand green home improvements include:
These energy efficient home improvements are mainly jobs which require a highly skilled professional to complete. With the UK government’s current drive to go carbon neutral by 2050, tradespeople working in these areas look set to have a steady stream of ongoing work for the foreseeable future.
At The CPA, we manage a database of professional traders across the home improvements and wider construction industry. All our members are fully vetted to ensure that we only endorse the best tradespeople. To find out more about The CPA, get in touch today. For more information about using a CPA trader for your next home improvement project or to find out how to become a CPA trader, call 01462 850 064 or contact us online.