Women Flock to Skilled Trades, Seeking AI-Proof Careers and Better Pay
Demand for female electricians, plumbers, and other tradespeople is surging as women pursue lucrative, flexible careers that are seen as resistant to automation.
The demand for skilled tradeswomen is experiencing a significant surge, with Google searches for 'tradeswomen' rising 36% in the UK in the first quarter of the year and 313% worldwide in the year leading up to 2026. This trend reflects a growing number of women seeking careers in trades, drawn by competitive salaries, a demand for their services, and a desire for work that is less susceptible to automation.
Female electricians, mechanics, and painters are among the most sought-after tradeswomen. Anna Moynihan, co-founder of TaskHer, a platform connecting customers with female tradespeople, has seen a 134% increase in inquiries over the past year. She noted that many women choose female tradespeople due to past negative experiences with condescension or perceived lack of understanding from male tradesmen.
"The vast majority of tradeswomen have experienced that kind of condescension themselves and know how it feels, so they can approach clients with more sensitivity," Moynihan said. Many female clients also report feeling more comfortable and trusting of female tradespeople in their homes.
Skilled trades offer lucrative opportunities, with top-performing tradeswomen earning up to £82,000 annually through TaskHer. This financial incentive, coupled with career flexibility and the perceived AI-proof nature of manual skills, is attracting women from diverse backgrounds. Moynihan has observed an increasing number of women, including Oxbridge graduates, bypassing university to retrain in trades or leaving white-collar professions.
Kim Maci, a 30-year-old electrician, shared that her career path was not presented as an option during her schooling. After a gap year job at an electrical firm, she found the problem-solving and practical nature of the work highly satisfying. She now shares electrical tips with 20,000 followers on Instagram as @kimmythesparks, highlighting a growing online community of supportive tradeswomen.
Daisy Kade Andrews, 32, pursued gas engineering after working in office jobs, finding the practical, hands-on nature of trades more appealing than desk work. Similarly, Emily Mawson, 45, retrained as a plasterer after two decades as a pastry chef. She sought a career that offered financial stability and more control over her schedule as a single mother.
Mawson's intensive plastering course was heavily male-dominated, but she has found a mixed clientele, suggesting a gradual shift in industry prejudices. Both Maci and Mawson have noted positive evolution in attitudes among male colleagues and clients, with on-site reactions to women in trades becoming increasingly rare.
Barriers still exist, including a lack of visibility for women in these roles. Moynihan believes initiatives like tradeswomen speaking in schools can help change perceptions. Maci emphasized the importance of representation, stating, "The more women see other women like them doing it, the more confident they'll be to enter the trades."