Electrician among UK’s most in-demand female tradespeople, new study finds
Posted by: user_amy 21st July 2026
Female tradespeople are significantly underrepresented in the UK. The skilled trade industry employs over two million workers nationwide, but, female tradespeople account for as little as 15% of the workforce at present.1 However, according to its latest ‘In-demand female trades’ report, MoneySuperMarket finds that overall demand for female tradespeople is increasing, with searches for ‘tradeswomen’ in the UK having risen 36% in the past quarter alone. 2
To uncover which female trades are the most sought-after worldwide, MoneySuperMarket’s research analyses Google search data from the last year (May 2025 – May 2026) from 162 different countries across multiple skilled trade professions.
In line with many other countries across the world, painters and decorators rank as the most in-demand female trade in the UK, with 5,220 searches in the last year. The consistency between the role ranking first place in the UK as well as globally suggests that the appeal of female decorators isn’t a UK quirk but reflects the universal appreciation of the skills that women bring to this profession and perhaps homeowners’ preferences as to who they invite into their homes.
Female electricians rank in second place, with 4,200 annual searches in the UK. Search volume in the UK for female electricians outpaces demand globally; when looking at worldwide demand, female electricians do not place within the top ten roles. The demand in the UK for female electricians could be reflective of the fact that more single women are buying homes than ever before, with 47% of mortgage applications now being from women. 3 With electrical jobs often carried out inside the home, some people may feel more selective with who they’re letting in, which could be shaping this demand.
Female mechanics round out the top three most in-demand female trades in the UK. With annual searches of 4,140 in the last year. This reflects the overall high demand for female mechanics worldwide, where the role ranks second globally. With more than 40% of vehicles in the UK registered to women 4, visiting a mechanic can oftentimes feel daunting or unfamiliar to some, particularly among female drivers seeking a mechanic they feel more comfortable with.
Truck drivers (fourth) and plumbers (fifth) complete the top five most searched-for female trades, with 2,460 and 1,900 annual UK searches respectively.
Why demand for female tradespeople is growing
The analysis from MoneySuperMarket finds that worldwide Google searches for ‘female tradespeople’ have increased 313% in the past year, highlighting a shifting landscape in an industry that is heavily dominated by men. 5
Numerous factors are at play in the growth of female tradespeople. Across the nation, UK businesses are responding to skills shortage demands by building more diverse teams.
On social media platforms such as TikTok, tradeswomen are posting content that is helping to break down stereotypes around women in skilled-trade roles.
As well as this, previous research from the Federation of Master Builders finds that more than a third of homeowners would prefer a female tradesperson, with 61% believing they might be more respectful of their home, 39% noting they would feel more at ease and half of those surveyed would prefer to support more women in non-traditional roles. 6
The global picture
Globally, painters and decorators are the most searched-for female trade, topping 46 out of the 162 countries analysed by MoneySuperMarket. Across the world, demand for this skilled trade is the most prominent in the United States, with a total of 35,700 annual searches.
Ranking in second place are female mechanics, leading the way in 27 countries worldwide. Demand for female mechanics in Brazil highlights the vast scale of the car market in that territory, with 2.8 million searches for female mechanics annually.
Female butchers round out the top three, ranking as the most in-demand female trade across 23 countries. France is the country searching for female butchers the most, with 3.9 million annual searches.
Alicia Hempsted, Van Insurance Expert at MoneySuperMarket, said: “The rising demand for tradeswomen across all sectors, both in the UK and globally, marks a real shift in attitudes and is exciting to witness. It seems people are now actively seeking diverse tradespeople, and their preferences are becoming more visible. At the same time, tradeswomen being open and sharing their day-to-day work online is massively helping to inspire more women to pursue careers in skilled trades.”
As more women step into these skilled trade roles, having the right protection, such as Goods in Transit Insurance, covers essential tools, equipment and the ability to get from A to B, helping to safeguard the livelihood of tradespeople and ensure that their working day doesn’t grind to a halt.
To find out more about the most In-Demand Female Trades, visit MoneySuperMarket’s report here: https://www.moneysupermarket.com/van-insurance/in-demand-female-tradespeople/
