Professional occupations vs Skilled trades occupations Salary (2025)

How do Professional occupations and Skilled trades occupations salaries compare in the UK? Here is a detailed side-by-side breakdown.

Professional occupations earns £11,250 more per year (32% higher)

Professional occupations

£46,169
per year
vs

Skilled trades occupations

£34,919
per year

Detailed Comparison

MetricProfessional occupationsSkilled trades occupationsDifference
Median Annual£46,169£34,919+£11,250
Mean Annual£50,604£36,896+£13,708
Monthly£3,847£2,910+£937
Weekly£888£672+£216
Hourly£22.20£16.79+£5.41

Salary Range Comparison

PercentileProfessional occupationsSkilled trades occupations
10th (Entry)£24,655£19,202
25th£34,407£27,269
50th (Median)£46,169£34,919
75th£60,910£44,593
90th (Senior)£80,002£56,036
Advertisement

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more, a Professional occupations or a Skilled trades occupations?
A Professional occupations earns more. The median salary for a Professional occupations is £46,169, whilst a Skilled trades occupations earns £34,919 — a difference of £11,250 per year.
What is the salary difference between a Professional occupations and a Skilled trades occupations?
The difference is £11,250 per year. Professional occupations is the higher-paid role.
Should I become a Professional occupations or a Skilled trades occupations?
From a salary perspective, Professional occupations offers higher median pay. However, career choice depends on many factors including interests, qualifications, work-life balance and long-term prospects.

More Comparisons