Market Report
Beating the bias N
ew research from van insurance expert MoneySuperMarket reveals that aſter painters and decorators, electricians are the UK’s most searched-for female tradespeople.
Female tradespeople are significantly underrepresented in the UK. The skilled trade industry employs over two million workers nationwide, but according to ONS, female tradespeople account for as little as 15% of the workforce at present. However, according to its latest ‘In-demand female trades’ report, MoneySuperMarket has found that overall demand for female tradespeople is increasing, with searches for ‘tradeswomen’ in the UK having risen 36% in the past quarter alone. To uncover which female trades are the most sought-after worldwide, MoneySuperMarket’s research analysed Google search data from the last year (May 2025 - May 2026) from 162 different countries across multiple skilled trade professions.
Annual searches for female trades in the UK: Rank
1 2 3 4 5
Trade Female painter
Female electrician Female mechanic Female truck driver Female plumber
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
Total annual UK searches (May 2025 - May 2026)
5,220 4,200 4,140 2,460 1,900
“The rising demand for tradeswomen across all sectors, both in the UK and globally, marks a real shiſt in attitudes and is exciting to witness.”
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. 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 (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders), visiting a mechanic can often 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. 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
28 | electrical wholesaler September 2026
ewnews.co.uk New study finds ‘electrician’ among UK’s most in-demand female tradespeople.
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