SOC 5315 Skilled construction and building trades

Plumbers & heating and ventilating installers and repairers Salary

Median salary £36,563 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £37,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For plumbers & heating and ventilating installers and repairers, £37,881 is the typical (median) pay. That is around the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -3.0% versus the national average. Experienced plumbers & heating and ventilating installers and repairers (top 25%) earn over £45,176.

About this role

Painters and decorators prepare and paint interior and exterior surfaces, hang wallpaper and apply decorative finishes to buildings. They work on new builds, renovations and maintenance projects across residential and commercial properties.

Key responsibilities

Preparing surfaces by filling, sanding and priming
Applying paint, varnish and specialist coatings
Hanging wallpaper and applying decorative finishes
Working from scaffolding and access platforms
Advising on colour schemes and paint specifications

Qualifications and entry routes

NVQ Level 2/3 in Painting and Decorating via apprenticeship. CSCS card for construction sites. City & Guilds qualifications. PDA (Painting and Decorating Association) membership provides professional recognition.

Career outlook

Consistent demand in construction and maintenance. Heritage decoration and specialist finishes offer premium niches. Self-employment is common.

Key skills

Surface preparation Paint application Wallpaper hanging Colour mixing Working at height

Common industries

House building
Maintenance and refurbishment
Commercial decoration
Heritage conservation
Industrial coatings

Data coverage

SOC code 5315

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2021–2025

Estimated jobs 58,000

Median Salary

£36,563

Mean Salary

£37,073

Jobs (000s)

58k

Data Years

5 years

Salary Range (2025)

P25: £29,640Median: £36,563P75: £45,176

P10: £21kP25: £30kMedian: £37kP75: £45kP90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£21,000

0-2 years

Mid Level

£29,640

3-7 years

Senior

£45,176

8-15 years

Potential career growth: +115% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2021-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +15.5%Real growth: -6.6%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: 30.9%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£36,563

Full-time Only

£37,881

Full-time premium: +£1,318

Plumbers & heating and ventilating installers and repairers salary: common questions

How much do plumbers & heating and ventilating installers and repairers earn in the UK?

Plumbers & heating and ventilating installers and repairers earn a median of £37,881 a year (ONS ASHE 2025). The middle half earn between £29,640 and £45,176.

Is £37,881 a good salary in the UK?

What is the starting salary for plumbers & heating and ventilating installers and repairers?

Entry-level plumbers & heating and ventilating installers and repairers typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £29,640, and the lowest-paid 10% earn under £21,000.

Have plumbers & heating and ventilating installers and repairers salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2021, median plumbers & heating and ventilating installers and repairers pay has risen from £31,725 to £37,881 — +19% in cash terms, or -3.0% after CPIH inflation. That is behind inflation over the period.

Is there a gender pay gap for plumbers & heating and ventilating installers and repairers?

Male plumbers & heating and ventilating installers and repairers earn a median £37,215 and female plumbers & heating and ventilating installers and repairers £25,734 — a gap of +31% in 2025.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).