How to Become a Plumber in the UK

There are numerous options for you to train as a plumber in the UK. Whether you’re a school leaver looking to take up an apprenticeship or an adult who is looking to retrain as a plumber, we’ll explain the various options you have in this article.

Can you Become a Plumber Without an Apprenticeship?

You can train as a plumber by:

• Completing a traditional apprenticeship
• Completing a fast track plumbing course
• Working as a plumber’s mate

Traditional Plumbing Apprenticeship

The traditional entry route is completing a traditional plumbing apprenticeship lasting four years. To do this, you’ll need to be employed by a plumbing company that will give you access to on-site work experience.

The apprenticeship is usually completed on a block release basis over the four years, with one week spent completing theory and practical training and two weeks working alongside a plumber repeated over this four-year programme.

Usually, on the third year of your apprenticeship, you’ll undertake training on domestic heating systems which will allow you to become Gas Safe Registered at the end of your apprenticeship.

The final year of your apprenticeship is all about gaining work experience, which after successfully finishing, will make you ‘time served’.

Pros:

• The training is sponsored, so it won’t cost you anything.
• You have a long period to study and gain your qualification.
• Lots of on-site experience working with a tradesman.
• You’ll earn a small income while you train.

Cons:

• It will take you four years to qualify which means your earning potential will take longer to achieve.
• There aren’t many companies who can afford to employ apprentices anymore.
• Opportunities are normally only available for students aged 16 – 21.
• Some of the curriculum covered is not always necessary, for example, lead work.

Fast Track Plumber Courses

There are a variety of fast track plumber courses available for students who are looking to train as a plumber quickly. These courses won’t be as in-depth as the traditional apprenticeships but will cover the main components required to get you started in your plumbing career.

Generally, this is the best option for those who cannot find an apprenticeship. Fast-track Level 2 plumbing courses typically cost around £1,000-£2,400 depending on the provider and qualification (subsidised college places are cheaper than private intensive courses; figures indicative).

The City and Guilds Accredited Level 2 Diploma in Plumbing Studies is the most popular option for fast track plumbing courses and takes 8-10 weeks to complete.

Pros:

• The training is accredited, so it teaches you the essentials to get you qualified.
• The training only takes 8-10 weeks to complete, so you can start earning faster.
• Anyone aged 16 or above can complete the course.
• The training will put you in good stead for upskilling at a later stage, such as becoming Gas Safe Registered.

Cons:

• You need to pay to complete the training.
• The course will not be as in-depth as a traditional apprenticeship.
• There is no on-site work experience.
• You will not be trained to work on gas.

Working as a plumber’s mate

If you know someone in the industry, you could start as a plumber’s assistant or ‘mate’ and do training on the job. This route isn’t normally recommended as this won’t allow you to get qualified but can be a good way to start your career in plumbing.

Pros:

• Start earning straight away
• Gain useful on-site plumbing experience

Cons:

• Won’t get you qualified
• You won’t reach your true earning potential

How long does it take to become a plumber?

Training to become a plumber can vary depending on the options that you take. A traditional apprenticeship will take up to four years, whilst a fast track plumbing course can last anywhere between 4 – 16 weeks. If you’d like to be able to work on gas appliances as well, training will take approximately 6 months if you opt for the fast track course.

What does a plumber do?

In this role, you could be:

• measuring and planning to give cost and time estimates
• cutting, bending and joining pipes and fittings
• installing water, drainage and heating systems
• finding and fixing faults
• servicing gas and oil-fired central heating systems and radiators
• installing and fixing domestic appliances like showers and washing machines
• dealing with emergency callouts like boiler breakdowns or blocked drains
• fitting weather-proof materials, joints and flashings to roofs, chimneys and walls

How much does a plumber earn?

The average plumber in the UK earns around £33,000-£35,000 a year, though this varies widely with experience, location and whether you’re qualified to work on gas (figures indicative). These averages come from 2025 trade-salary aggregators such as Reed, CV-Library and Indeed.

According to the National Careers Service, the average salary for a plumber is around £24,000 for a starter rising to £46,000+ for experienced plumbers (National Careers Service, 2025).

At the very top end, established self-employed plumbers in London can earn six figures. As an exceptional historic example, the Daily Mail once reported on a Pimlico Plumbers tradesman who earned £210,000 in a single year, and Pimlico’s then-owner Charlie Mullins suggested a handful of his tradesmen earned £200,000 or more. These are exceptional London figures rather than typical earnings, and Mullins sold Pimlico Plumbers in 2021, so they should be treated as a historic illustration only.

What are the Working Hours of a Plumber?

It is estimated that a plumber usually works 37-40 hours a week. However, the self-employed often find that their working hours can be much longer. To attract the top earnings, you’ll need to work out of normal working hours, attending emergency jobs, such as burst water pipes or boiler breakdowns.

It’s not unusual for plumbers to charge in excess of £100 per hour for out of hour emergencies.

Typical emergency and out-of-hours rates (indicative):

Emergency or out-of-hours call-out fees typically run around £100-£120, with hourly rates rising significantly outside normal working hours (evenings, weekends and overnight). Exact charges vary by plumber, location and the nature of the job.

Are Plumbers in demand?

It’s Britain’s worst kept secret that plumbers are in high demand. There are plenty of good reasons to become a plumber beyond just the steady stream of work. A study by HPM Magazine showed that a lack of skilled workers and poor training opportunities are the most pressing concerns within the industry.

Over half (56%) of respondents stated that the skills gap is the biggest threat facing the plumbing industry today. However, more than four-fifths (86%) of plumbing professionals would still recommend it as a career, thanks to an abundance of work and high job satisfaction.

Why is there a high demand for plumbers in the UK?

Retiring Skilled Workers:

Many qualified and experienced plumbers are at retirement age. While good plumbers are still available, many of the experienced plumbers are retiring.

Lack of Funding:

A lack of investment is partly to blame for a lack of apprenticeships. Traditionally, there were lots of opportunities to find an apprenticeship, but with cutbacks and lack of funding, there are fewer apprenticeships being advertised every year.

Career choice and perceived stigma

Tradesmen who are nearing retirement grew up in a different world than their successors. Those opting for apprenticeships are not perceived socially to be as successful as those who have pursued higher learning. It’s fair to say that there’s a negative stigma to the plumbing profession.

Career Progression for Plumbers

You can further develop your career as a plumber by undertaking your ACS Gas qualifications allowing you to become Gas Safe Registered and work on domestic gas appliances. Skills Training Group’s Domestic Gas Heating Installer Course can upskill plumbers to become gas safe qualified in only 18 weeks.

You can also get certified with the Oil Firing Technical Association (OFTEC) by completing Skills Training Group’s OFTEC Oil Course, allowing you to install, service and repair, oil-fired appliances.

You could also progress into a supervisory or management role further enhancing your career prospects, or eventually start your own plumbing business.

If you would like further information on Skills Training Groups New Entrant Courses, click here.

In summary, training as a plumber can be a very rewarding career, no matter your age or background. For further information on our range of courses, contact a member of our team on 0808 164 2780.

Last reviewed: June 2026. All salary, rate and course-cost figures are indicative/approximate and vary by experience, location and provider.

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