Building Finishing Trades vs Design Occupations Salary (2025)

How do Building Finishing Trades and Design Occupations salaries compare in the UK? Here is a detailed side-by-side breakdown.

Design Occupations earns £1,826 more per year (5% higher)

Building Finishing Trades

£33,369
per year
vs

Design Occupations

£35,195
per year

Detailed Comparison

MetricBuilding Finishing TradesDesign OccupationsDifference
Median Annual£33,369£35,195-£1,826
Mean Annual£34,220£39,521-£5,301
Monthly£2,781£2,933-£152
Weekly£642£677-£35
Hourly£16.04£16.92-£0.88

Salary Range Comparison

PercentileBuilding Finishing TradesDesign Occupations
10th (Entry)£18,461£23,403
25th£26,654£29,998
50th (Median)£33,369£35,195
75th£39,432£45,981
90th (Senior)£0£0
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Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more, a Building Finishing Trades or a Design Occupations?
A Design Occupations earns more. The median salary for a Building Finishing Trades is £33,369, whilst a Design Occupations earns £35,195 — a difference of £1,826 per year.
What is the salary difference between a Building Finishing Trades and a Design Occupations?
The difference is £1,826 per year. Design Occupations is the higher-paid role.
Should I become a Building Finishing Trades or a Design Occupations?
From a salary perspective, Design Occupations offers higher median pay. However, career choice depends on many factors including interests, qualifications, work-life balance and long-term prospects.

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