How much is the average plumber salary in the UK?

Earnings are always hard to gauge, but it is good to have a rough idea of what you should be earning. In this article we look at average plumber salary, and what you could expect at different points of your career.

Plumbing is always in high demand with homeowners and commercial places. With renovations, repairs and general maintenance, there are loads of jobs to keep plumbers’ diaries full.

First, let’s jump straight into what plumbers earn – so you can either see what you should pay your new staff or your potential earning.

How much does a plumber make?

How much does a plumber earn? It’s a common question people ask when considering a career in the trade.

It’s difficult to answer in a short sentence because it depends on several different factors, such as experience, volume of work and where in the country a business is operating.

• Newly trained plumbers can earn something in the region of £28,974 per year
• Experienced plumbers with professional training can earn more, usually in the region of £45,760 per year
• Senior or ‘master craft’ plumbers can earn double this figure, and sometimes, even more

Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule, and other things like qualifications to work on gas appliances will also impact the salary.

According to the National Careers Service (NCS), the average plumber salary for a newly qualified person is around £15,000 per year. Take this with a pinch of salt, however, because some areas may be in short supply and will likely pay more to attract talent.

Bear in mind that employed plumbers may also earn less than a tradesperson who owns their business and naturally takes home more of the profit from each completed job.

For plumbers employed on an hourly wage, the average hourly wage is around £22.

How much do plumbers make a year?

The average plumber salary range for someone employed by a company is around £45,760 per year, rising with experience and seniority.

If you expand this out to include self-employed tradespeople, the figure rises to £64,902. But this is just a ballpark estimation.

Plumbers or business owners who work on lucrative contracts can earn far more than a senior plumber across the UK with less demand for high-end services.

How much do plumbers make an hour?

Figures will vary according to the factors discussed earlier in this guide. But if you take the mean annual salary of £45,760, that equates to £176 a day after tax deductions.

Assuming the working day is 8 hours long, the hourly rate comes out at £22 an hour.

How much does a qualified plumber earn?

Newly qualified plumbers can expect to earn in the region of £28,974 a year. But a plumber’s salary rises with experience, hours worked and the type of jobs being carried out.

There are courses available through trade associations that focus on different specialist areas such as heat pumps, solar thermal systems, water recycling, and even learning to install boilers after the completion of advanced training.

Certified specialisms, like the ability to work with heat and gas, will naturally command more money.

Experienced plumbers can make a lot of money. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly how much. If you run your own plumbing business for instance, you could earn anything in the region of £73,014 if not more. Your earning potential could be big!

How much does a self-employed plumber make?

A self-employed plumber could earn a great deal. It depends on the type of plumbing work you carry out and the area you’re in. If there’s a huge demand for your plumbing expertise and you’re based in London for example, you will have a high hourly rate and hopefully regular work coming your way.

Plumbing is an excellent industry for those looking to go self-employed. There’s no need to rent property since jobs are done on-site in homes or commercial properties.

What is the average plumber salary for an apprentice?

First up, you’ll need to acquire adequate practical skills. This includes learning the theoretical knowledge in order to carry out the job.

And that’s a good thing: the more technical your knowledge, the more likely you’ll be in high demand.

Granted: it’s no secret that it can take years of training to become qualified. But once you have the right credentials, they’ll almost certainly help you pave your way towards a successful career in the trade.

However, as a starting estimate, average earnings for apprentice plumbers can be around £15,936 a year.

FAQs

Do plumbers make good money?

In short, yes. Becoming a plumber can be a very lucrative career choice, especially if you’re working on high-end projects or with clients willing to pay higher to secure your services.

Remember, customers prefer to know they’re getting their money’s worth, even if that means paying a little extra. This is an industry that is also seeing wages increase due to high demand. When compared to other trades, plumbing salaries are considerably higher than the national average.

What do plumbers earn in the UK?

With the right training and experience, a career in plumbing offers great earning potential. Newly qualified plumbers can expect to earn at least £28,974 per year, while more experienced professionals can receive around £45,760 and sometimes more.