Before embarking on any new career path, it’s only natural to want some kind of understanding of the sort of money you can expect to be earning at different stages throughout your working life. 

When it comes to the plumbing industry — which can be accessed via a variety of training routes and offers several progression pathways — forming a definitive picture of potential salaries can be tricky.

What should be seen as an encouraging sign, though, is the fact that plumbing is, and likely always will be, a skill set in high demand right across domestic and commercial construction projects. 

How much can plumbers earn in 2025? 

There are a number of factors that can impact a plumber’s earnings. Qualifications, experience, location and whether you’re working for an employer or running your own business are all key factors that will likely have an influence on your salary. 

The National Careers Service place a plumber’s annual average earnings between £24,000 for a plumber starting out and £46,000 for an experienced plumber. Indeed places an average base salary at £36,380.

However, according to this breakdown, based on Checkertrade figures from May 2024, this could be more when plumbers are self-employed or start their own business.

  • Plumbing apprentice: £18,438
  • Newly qualified plumbers: £28,974
  • Plumber in full-time employment: £45,760
  • Plumbing sole trader: £64,902
  • Plumbing business owner (limited company): £73,014

How can plumbers increase their earnings? 

Like any industry, gaining on-the-job experience is one of the most effective ways of growing your earning potential in plumbing. 

Along with this, formal training and qualifications can be a worthwhile investment as they can often help you to stand out to potential employers. Completing your initial learning under the supervision of a qualified teacher is also a proven way to build good habits and a strong understanding of the latest industry rules and regulations. 

Advanced training in specialist areas or complementary skill sets like bathroom fitting, plastering and tiling may also be something worth considering, helping you to offer a fuller service to your customers. 

Given the frequent crossovers between the two trades, a common progression route for plumbers is to go on and obtain qualifications in gas. Having the ability to legally undertake gas work can be a major bonus, as it means customers and employers don’t need to look elsewhere for a separate gas engineer. 

Plumbers who go on to set up their own business can significantly increase their scope of earnings, making it another popular choice amongst those with a good level of experience in the sector. 

A combination of high demand, exciting progression opportunities and above average earning potential make the plumbing industry an appealing choice for anyone considering a career switch. For complete beginners, you can even train up to an industry-ready standard in as little as six weeks through a City & Guilds Level 2 course.


Whether you’re looking to take your first steps into the industry, are returning after some time out, or you’re already working in the sector and would like to obtain formal qualifications to reinforce your knowledge, Able Skills offers a range of plumbing courses to suit all levels of experience. You can find more about all of our plumbing courses online here.