An Aussie plumber salary guide: Apprentice, average + qualified

As long as buildings have pipes and people keep flushing toilets, Australian plumbers will always be in demand.

Plumbers have more earning potential than most people realise. Plumbing can take you down a lot of different paths, but one thing stays the same: your earning potential grows as you gain experience and specialise.

Where you work, what you specialise in and how you structure your career determine whether you’d like to stay at median wages or position yourself to move well beyond six figures. This guide will show you what normal plumber salaries in Australia can be like and how to get there.

Overview of plumber salaries in Australia

Plumber salaries in Australia vary depending on experience, location, specialisation and whether you’re working for yourself or someone else. Entry-level apprentices start on a percentage of a licensed plumber’s salary while they learn the trade, whilst those running their own business or specialising in gas fitting or commercial work can easily clear six figures per year. As you’ll see, the work involves a lot more than residential repairs.

That earning potential exists because Australia needs over 100,000 plumbers. There were 99,797 plumbers in Australia as of 2024, which makes them the second-largest construction trades occupation after carpenters. That massive workforce exists because plumbing infrastructure needs constant maintenance and expansion. 

Population growth keeps pushing that demand higher and higher. Australia’s population just surpassed 27.5 million and urban areas are expected to grow by about 15% over the coming decade. More people means more homes, commercial buildings and plumbing systems needing installation and servicing. Industry projections suggest that the plumbing services sector will grow at around 2% per year through 2029, creating steady demand for plumbers.

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Average plumber salary

The median plumber salary in Australia is $77,000 per year, which works out to just over $32 an hour. However, that median masks the massive variation in plumber salaries. The bottom 10% of earners make $49,000 or less annually, but this is mostly apprentices who are still early in their training years. The top 10% clear $120,000 or more and include experienced plumbers running their own business or working in well-paid industrial or commercial niches.

These factors influence where individual plumbers land within that income spectrum:

• Location and market demand: Sydney and Melbourne plumbers earn more than regional practitioners due to higher living costs and larger project volumes.

• Specialisation and licensing: Gas fitters, backflow prevention specialists, medical gas installers and commercial plumbers charge more than general plumbers because these specialisations require additional qualifications that fewer people have.

• Employer type and work arrangement: Self-employed plumbers running successful businesses have virtually unlimited earning potential but spend more time running the business than doing work with their hands.

• Experience and qualification level: Apprentices earn a percentage of qualified plumber salaries as they train. Newly licensed plumbers start at around $55,000 to $65,000 whilst experienced tradespeople with 10 years of experience can easily exceed $100,000.

• Employment status: Permanent employees earn lower hourly rates but get benefits like superannuation and sick leave. Casual plumbers earn more per gig or per hour but trade off job security and benefits.

Apprentice plumber salary

Apprentice plumbers don’t earn the same salary as a qualified plumber whilst they’re learning the trade. The pay structure works on a percentage system where apprentices earn a proportion of a qualified plumber’s wage based on their training year. First-year apprentices might earn 40% to 50% of a trades person’s rate, gradually increasing each year until they qualify and jump to full wages. Award rates set minimum standards, but many employers pay above award to attract better talent.

Plumbing apprenticeship enrolments dropped by 750 starts in 2024 compared to 2023, which was a decline of almost 10%. While apprenticeship numbers dipped, this can create stronger demand and better bargaining power for new entrants. Fewer new plumbers means less competition for work once you qualify and more bargaining power when negotiating pay. Data shows that over 40% of all technician and trade occupations in Australia currently face worker shortages, so you’ll be able to charge more once you become a licensed plumber. 

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First-year apprentice plumber salary

The Australian apprenticeship system pays based on award classifications covering different scenarios. Adult apprentices over 21 earn higher base rates than school leavers. Apprentices who completed pre-apprenticeship qualifications like a Certificate II start with slightly higher wages. Some states have specific award variations affecting pay rates.

Enterprise agreements negotiated between unions and large employers sometimes come with better rates than minimum awards, especially when working on major commercial or infrastructure projects where labour shortages drive wages up. With that said, here are the apprentice plumber salary minimums set by the government:

Age makes the biggest difference in first-year apprentice pay. Adult apprentices over 21 earn roughly twice as much as what school leavers make because award rates recognise that adults have living costs that teenagers living with their parents don’t. Apprentices who finished Year 12 before starting their apprenticeship also earn slightly more than those who left school after Year 10.

Salary for fully qualified plumbers

Fully qualified plumbers in Australia have trade licenses that allow them to work independently without supervision. To get there, you’ll first have to finish a four-year apprenticeship, pass your licensing exams and meet state-specific requirements that change based on where you live. Then, you’ll qualify for a juicy fully qualified plumber salary in Australia.

Once you’ve got your license, the sky’s the limit when it comes to earning potential. Australia’s plumbing services sector is worth around $22 billion and employs almost 100,000 workers. That’s a massive industry with tonnes of cash flowing through it (no pun intended).

Award rates set minimum wages for employed plumbers, though many earn well above these minimums through overtime or employers that pay decently. Self-employed plumbers and contractors usually earn more but manage business overhead costs and variable income.

These are the minimum rates for fully qualified plumbers in Australia:

*Sourced from the FairWork Ombudsman.

Roof plumber salary

Roof plumbing is a specialisation within the broader plumbing trade, focusing on rainwater systems, guttering, downpipes, box gutters and roof penetrations instead of internal pipework. Roof plumbers need the same base plumbing qualification as general plumbers but develop expertise in sheet metal work, waterproofing and working at heights that many plumbers avoid.

The average roof plumber salary is slightly higher than that of general plumbers, with jobs advertised on Seek averaging $80,000 to $100,000 per year. Experienced roof plumbers working in commercial high-rise construction or handling complex architectural roofing systems push well past that range though. The work involves more risk than ground-level or underground plumbing because you’re spending your days on roofs, which most employers compensate for with higher rates.

Another thing to keep in mind is that roof plumbers do a lot of emergency repair work due to weather patterns. A single massive storm could damage thousands of roofs, keeping roof plumbers in the area flat out for weeks. Unlike a burst pipe or a leaky toilet, storms affect everyone in a very short period of time, so roof plumbers can sometimes charge emergency rates for weeks and weeks on end.

This is what you can expect your roof plumber salary to look like as you progress in your plumbing career:

*Sourced from the FairWork Ombudsman.

Plumber salary by Australian state

Where you work in Australia dramatically affects your plumber salary. Remote and resource-rich regions pay premium rates to attract tradespeople willing to handle isolation, extreme weather and fly-in-fly-out rosters. Major cities like Sydney and Melbourne pay well due to high living costs and construction activity, but smaller capitals and regional areas pay just below national averages. Mining states like WA and NT consistently have the highest average plumber salaries:

*Salaries are a static snapshot in time as of January 2026, sourced from Seek.

How plumbers can increase their earning potential

For plumbers earning $60,000 to $70,000 per year, there are clear pathways to increase your income over time. Making strategic decisions about where to specialise, whether you want your own business or not and where to work, help determine whether you’d like to stay around median earnings or position yourself to move into six-figure territory. The plumbers earning $120,000+ typically make intentional decisions about specialisation and business structure. They identified where money flows within the industry and positioned themselves to capture it.

Gaining additional licences and endorsements

Base plumbing licenses qualify you for residential work, but additional endorsements open doors to specialised projects paying premium rates:

• Gas fitting licenses: Gas work requires separate licensing and fewer plumbers have these qualifications, which means you can charge more. 

• Backflow prevention certification: Commercial buildings, hospitals and food processing facilities need certified backflow prevention specialists for yearly testing and installation. This niche pays well because the clients literally can’t operate if they’re not compliant.

• Medical gas licensing: Hospitals and healthcare facilities require plumbers with medical gas endorsements for oxygen and other medical gas systems. 

• Water efficiency specialist credentials: Roughly 23% of the energy Australian homes burn goes to hot water systems. Plumbers who specialise in energy-efficient solutions like solar and tankless systems that slash utility bills can charge premium rates.

• Smart plumbing technology: The global smart plumbing fixtures market is expected to hit $34.6 billion by 2034. Plumbers who understand smart toilets and app-controlled fixtures are positioning themselves for growth whilst others add these skills later in their careers.

Starting a plumbing business

Self-employed plumbers can earn much more than employees once their business hits their stride, though building a business takes planning and commitment. Here’s how to start your own plumbing business:

1. Build experience and savings first: Work as an employee for three to five years after qualifying and getting enough savings to cover six months of living expenses to maintain financial stability during slower periods.

2. Obtain necessary business licenses and insurance: Register your business structure, secure any contractor licenses that your state might require and obtain insurance to protect you from major liability claims.

3. Invest in tools and a reliable vehicle: Buy or lease a properly equipped work vehicle and invest in quality tools since they provide better long-term value.

4. Develop a client acquisition system: Build relationships with builders and real estate agents who throw you steady referral work that can provide steady work.

5. Master business concepts: Learn to quote jobs so they really make you money, manage cash flow when clients pay late, follow up on unpaid invoices and schedule efficiently to maximise your productive work time.

6. Hire strategically: Bring on apprentices or qualified plumbers when you’re consistently turning away profitable work.

Working in high-demand sectors or remote regions

The Australian government committed $270.4 billion to infrastructure expenditure over four years through 2029. The country’s total construction market sits at just over $1 trillion across five years from 2024. That massive spending is exactly what plumbers need to count on sustained demand, especially in the regions where these projects are happening.

Remote and resource-rich regions pay much more than capital cities for the exact same work. Plumbers willing to work fly-in-fly-out rosters in minding regions or on major infrastructure projects can easily earn over $100,000. You’ll spend some time away from home, but it could be a great way to kickstart your career, especially whilst you’re young.

FAQs 

What is the average plumber salary in Australia?

The median plumber salary in Australia is $77,000 per year. However, earnings vary widely from $49,000 for entry-level workers to over $120,000 for experienced tradespeople. Location, specialisation and whether you own your business affect actual take-home pay.

How much does a first-year apprentice plumber earn?

First-year apprentices earn $460.81 to $601.24 per week depending on age and education. School leavers under 21 earn around $23,962 to $31,264 annually. Adult apprentices over 21 earn around $51,351 per year on award rates.

Do roof plumbers get paid more?

Roof plumbers earn slightly more than regular plumbers, with jobs advertised on Seek averaging $80,000 to $100,000 per year. Experienced roof plumbers working in commercial high-rise construction or handling complex architectural projects can earn over $130,000 per year.

What does a fully qualified plumber earn in Australia?

Qualified plumbers earn $59,679 to $70,040 annually on award rates depending on registration status and classification level. Many earn above award through enterprise agreements, overtime, penalty rates and allowance pushing total earnings much higher.

Which state has the highest plumber salaries?

Northern Territory has the highest plumber salaries with qualified plumbers earning $100,000 to $105,000. Victoria, WA and ACT also pay premium rates of around $90,000 to $105,000.

How long does it take to become a qualified plumber?

It takes four years to become a plumber after completing an apprenticeship that combines on-the-job training with formal education. Once you finish your apprenticeship, you’ll take your licensing exams and meet state-specific requirements before working on your own.

Can plumbers earn six figures in Australia?

Yes, plumbers can absolutely earn six figure salaries in Australia. The most common ways to achieve this is to start your own business or get specialised certifications like gas fitting or medical gas.

Ready to move from researching plumber salaries to earning them?

Plumber salaries range from apprentice wages of around $24,000 per year to experienced tradespeople and business owners making well over $120,000 per year. This is one of those trades that rewards specialisation, so developing the right plumber skills could pay very well in the long run.

Discover nationally recognised plumbing courses.

Builders Academy Australia offers a Certificate IV in Plumbing and Services (Operations) that will prepare you to kickstart your plumbing career with the highest possible salary from the jump. Speak to a course adviser today to see if this is the right path for you.