Plumber

Plumbers fit and maintain water systems in buildings. This includes toilets, baths, showers, sinks, washing machines and dishwashers. They can also install central heating systems but need additional qualifications to work with gas boilers. Plumbers install new pipework, service older systems, identify and fix faults, and may attend emergency call-outs when water or heating systems are damaged.

Onsite
Trade-Craft
Secondary qualifications
Sporty-working with hands

What does a plumber do?

As a plumber you will be responsible for ensuring the movement of water or drainage in a property is functioning correctly. This could involve installing new systems, or repairing issues on existing pipes or systems.

The job role of a plumber involves the following duties:

Installing hot and cold water, sanitation and drainage
Setting up rainwater harvesters and lead soakers
Installing central heating systems and domestic fuel-burning appliances using gas, oil or solid fuel
Designing water and heating systems
Cutting and joining pipes and fittings
Measuring or assessing sites to provide clients with an estimate
Servicing systems and fixing faults
Responding to emergency call-outs such as floods or boiler breakdowns
Working at a client’s home or business, often at height or in cramped conditions.

How to become a plumber

There are several routes to becoming a plumber. You can gain the qualifications you need by doing a college course or an apprenticeship. If you already have relevant experience you may be able to apply directly to an employer or train on the job.

You should explore these routes to find out which is the right one for you. Although some of these options will list qualification requirements many employers are more interested in people who are enthusiastic, willing to learn and can follow instructions.

You may need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card to work on a construction site.

College/training provider

There is strong competition for places on plumbing courses. You could do a Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Plumbing and Domestic Heating. Afterwards, you could apply for a trainee position with a plumbing company.

Apprenticeship

An apprenticeship with a construction firm is a good way into the industry. Apprenticeships are open to anyone over the age of 16. As an apprentice, you will be fully employed by your company and expected to work a minimum of 30 hours a week. Your time will be split between on-the-job experience and a college or training provider.

An intermediate plumbing apprenticeship takes two to four years to complete.

Guide to apprenticeships

Work

If you have GCSEs (or equivalent) including English and maths, along with good practical skills, you might be able to get a job as a plumber’s mate, trainee or assistant. Your employer may then help to provide training so you can qualify.

If you have qualifications or experience in building services or heating and ventilation engineering you may be able to apply directly to an employer.

Work experience

Work experience is essential to gaining employment within the construction industry. You could gain this at school, or by working weekends and holidays with a company or relative who works in construction. Potential employers will always be pleased to see work experience listed on your CV.

Find out more about work experience

Skills

Additional skills which may benefit anyone considering a job as a plumber include:

Able to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
Knowledge of building and construction
Be thorough and pay attention to detail
Knowledge of maths
Able to work well with others
Able to use your initiative
Able to work well with your hands
Customer service skills
Able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Qualifications

England

To become a plumber, you could complete a:

Level 2 Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technician NVQ
Level 2 Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technician Apprenticeship

Scotland

To become a plumber, you could complete a:

SVQ at SCQF level 7 Plumbing and Heating

Wales

To become a plumber, you could complete a:

Level 2 NVQ Plumbing and Heating

How much could you earn as a plumber?

The expected salary for a plumber varies as you become more experienced.

Newly trained plumbers can start at £19000
Trained with experience plumbers can earn up to £55000*

Salaries depend on location, employer, level of responsibility, any overtime you may do, and whether you have completed an industry recognised training route.

* Salaries have been collected from multiple industry sources

Career path and progression

Plumbers deal with rapidly changing technologies, so you will need to keep training to stay up-to-date.

You could specialise in one area of plumbing such as sanitation, air conditioning or ventilation.

If you work as part of a larger team, you could become an estimator, or progress to be a team leader or senior manager.

You could study for a Higher National Diploma (HND) or a degree to become an engineer. This would open up careers in building services engineering and other construction jobs with a higher average salary.

Some plumbers become instructors or tutors at local colleges, to pass on their skills. You could also become self-employed and work as a subcontractor.