Published by: ProTrades Insurance
Author: Adam Groom
Date: January 2025
Australian Tradie Earnings Report 2025
Executive Summary
Australian tradies continue to be among the nation’s highest-earning workers in 2025, with many trade occupations outperforming university-qualified roles.
The ProTrades Insurance Tradie Earnings Report 2025 analyses income trends across 22 trade categories using a combination of:
- ABS Labour Force data
- Industry earnings surveys
- Public salary data (Indeed, Seek, Jora, Talent.com)
- ProTrades Insurance client turnover data (Australia-wide)
Key Findings (2025)
- The average full-time tradie earns $89,300, up 4.8% year-on-year.
- Self-employed tradies earn significantly more, averaging $142,000 turnover before expenses.
- Electricians, plumbers, and air-conditioning technicians remain the strongest earners.
- High-demand trades (plumbing, HVAC, electrical) report labour shortages in every state.
- Tool and material costs increased 6–11%, reducing net profit for some trades.
- Women in trades grew by 13% — the largest increase since the data was first tracked.
Methodology
Data for this report was compiled from:
- ABS Labour Force Survey 2024–2025
- Public salary platforms (Seek, Indeed, Talent.com, Jora)
- ProTrades Insurance policyholder income declarations (2024–2025) across 2,100+ Australian tradies
- Industry employer reports for apprentices and qualified trades
- State-by-state trade association data
Where ranges differed, median values were used. All figures represent Australian dollars (AUD).
Section 1 — Average Tradie Earnings by Trade (2025)
Below is the most current national list of trade income based on combined data sources.
Top-Earning Trades 2025 (Full-Time Qualified Workers)
| Trade | Average Income (Employee) | Average Turnover (Self-Employed) |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | $96,000 | $168,000 |
| Plumber | $94,500 | $176,000 |
| Air-Conditioning / Refrigeration | $92,400 | $165,000 |
| Boilermaker | $90,800 | $152,000 |
| Carpenter / Builder | $88,700 | $159,500 |
| Bricklayer | $86,900 | $149,000 |
| Painter | $78,400 | $132,000 |
| Landscaper | $74,100 | $122,500 |
| Plasterer | $82,300 | $137,000 |
| Tiler | $79,500 | $130,800 |
| Roofer | $83,600 | $140,900 |
| Mechanic | $75,700 | $124,400 |
| Glazier | $78,200 | $126,900 |
| Fencer | $73,600 | $118,400 |
| Handyman | $69,900 | $115,000 |
| Arborist / Tree Lopper | $85,400 | $148,200 |
Note: Self-employed turnover represents gross revenue before expenses, tax, tools, fuel and insurance.
Section 2 — State-by-State Tradie Earnings (2025)
Income fluctuates depending on demand, regional shortages, and cost of living.
Highest Paying States (Employees)
- Western Australia (WA) — Mining and infrastructure demand.
- New South Wales (NSW) — Major construction and renovation market.
- Queensland (QLD) — High growth corridors (Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Brisbane).
Average Qualified Tradie Income by State
| State | Average Income |
|---|---|
| WA | $98,900 |
| NSW | $92,300 |
| QLD | $89,700 |
| VIC | $88,100 |
| SA | $84,800 |
| TAS | $79,900 |
| ACT | $93,200 |
| NT | $95,500 |
Section 3 — Apprentice Wages (2025)
Apprentice wages remain significantly lower but are rising faster than general wages.
| Year | Average Apprentice Wage |
|---|---|
| 1st Year | $15.80 – $18.20 per hour |
| 2nd Year | $18.10 – $22.40 per hour |
| 3rd Year | $23.50 – $26.70 per hour |
| 4th Year | $27.20 – $29.80 per hour |
Demand for apprentices sits at a ten-year high across most core trades.
Section 4 — Profitability of Self-Employed Tradies (2025)
Self-employed tradies continue to earn significantly higher turnover than employees.
Net Profit Margins by Trade (After Expenses)
| Trade | Typical Net Margin |
|---|---|
| Electrician | 32–38% |
| Plumber | 28–35% |
| HVAC | 30–37% |
| Carpenter | 22–30% |
| Painter | 25–33% |
| Bricklayer | 20–28% |
| Landscaper | 18–28% |
| Plasterer | 23–31% |
Top Factors Reducing Profit in 2025
- Fuel costs (up 7.2%)
- Tool theft (17% year-on-year increase in claims)
- Worker shortages pushing subcontractor rates up
- Materials cost inflation (timber, copper, plaster and roofing materials)
Section 5 — Economic Forces Impacting Tradie Earnings (2025)
1. National Skill Shortage
Electrical, plumbing, carpentry and HVAC roles remain on the national skill shortage lists, giving qualified tradespeople strong bargaining power on wages and rates.
2. Renovation and Construction Demand
Despite higher interest rates, renovation and small-to-medium construction projects remain strong due to population growth, migration and aging housing stock.
3. Insurance and Compliance Costs
Key operating costs have risen, including:
- Public liability premiums (4–9% average increase across most trades)
- Tool cover costs in high-claim postcodes
- Workplace safety compliance and licensing fees
4. Major Projects and Migration
Queensland and Western Australia continue to drive wages up with major rail, mining, defence and housing projects, supported by strong interstate and overseas migration.
Section 6 — Gender & Diversity in Trades (2025)
Women in trades rose 13% year-on-year, with the highest participation in:
- Plumbing
- Electrical
- Painting and decorating
- Carpentry and joinery
On average, female tradies earn around 94% of male income in comparable roles, a significantly smaller gap than the national gender wage gap across all industries.
Section 7 — 2025 Outlook
Income for most trade occupations is expected to rise 3–5% in 2025–2026, driven by:
- Persistent labour shortages
- High infrastructure spending
- Ongoing housing and renovation demand
- Increasing migration and population growth
Top Growth Trades (Projected)
- Electricians
- HVAC technicians
- Plumbers
- Solar installers
- Carpenters
Overall, the outlook for Australian tradies remains strong, particularly for those who manage their costs, protect their tools and equipment, and maintain appropriate insurance and compliance.
Section 8 — References
This report draws on the following data sources:
- Australian Bureau of Statistics — Labour Force Survey 2024–2025
- Australian Apprenticeships Priority List
- Seek Salary Insights 2024–2025 (Trades & Services)
- Indeed Australia Salary Data — Trades & Services
- Jora Australia Salary Averages
- Talent.com Tradie Salary Index 2025
- ProTrades Insurance 2024–2025 Policyholder Income Declarations (Australia-wide)
ProTrades Insurance specialises in insurance for tradies Australia-wide. This report is based on anonymised data from our client base, plus public sources.
Report compiled by: Adam Groom, General Manager at ProTrades Insurance