Trades
How to become a Plumber
Plumbers install and repair water supply, drainage and heating systems, and many also work on gas appliances when appropriately registered.
Qualifications
- An apprenticeship or Level 2/3 plumbing qualification
- Gas qualifications for work on gas appliances
Licences & registration
| United Kingdom | Gas work requires Gas Safe registration; plumbing itself is not licensed but water-regulation schemes exist. |
|---|---|
| United States | Most states or cities license plumbers at journeyman and master levels. |
| Canada | Plumber is a compulsory/Red Seal trade in most provinces. |
| Australia | Plumbing licence from the state or territory regulator is mandatory; TRA assessment for migrants. |
| United Arab Emirates | Contractors and technicians may need authority approvals depending on the emirate. |
| European Union | Varies by country; check the national or state licensing authority. |
Key skills
- Problem-solving
- Manual dexterity
- Reading plans
- Customer service
- Safety awareness
Experience
Apprenticeships typically last 2–4 years.
Indicative pay
- UK: £24,000 (starter) to £46,000 (experienced) a year — National Careers Service
- US: median $63,800 a year; 10th–90th percentile $44,150–$108,420 (SOC 47-2152) — BLS OEWS May 2025 national estimates
- Canada: varies by province — see Job Bank wage data.
- Australia: see Your Career (Australian Government) occupation profiles.
- UAE & EU: varies widely by employer and country; check current listings.
Pay figures retrieved 2026-10-29 from the cited official sources; they are averages/estimates, not offers.
Working in this job abroad: visa notes
United Kingdom
Since 22 July 2025, new Skilled Worker applicants generally need a job classed as ‘higher skilled’ (RQF level 6+). Jobs classed as ‘medium skilled’ are only eligible if they appear on the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List, so check the current eligible occupations list for this job’s occupation code. Some nationalities can use the Youth Mobility Scheme instead. Skilled trades in the UK are typically classed at RQF level 3.
Official sources: GOV.UK – Skilled Worker visa · GOV.UK – Skilled Worker eligible occupations · GOV.UK – Check if you need a UK visa
United States
There is no dedicated visa for skilled trades. Options include employer-sponsored green cards (EB-3 skilled workers, which require labour certification) and the H-2B visa for temporary or seasonal non-agricultural work, which has an annual cap.
Official sources: USCIS – H-1B specialty occupations · USCIS – Employment-based green cards · USCIS – H-2B temporary non-agricultural workers
Canada
The Federal Skilled Trades Program (within Express Entry) targets qualified tradespeople, usually requiring a job offer or a provincial certificate of qualification. Red Seal endorsement allows mobility between provinces; many trades are compulsory-certification trades in some provinces.
Official sources: Canada.ca – Work in Canada · Canada.ca – Express Entry
Australia
Trades usually need a skills assessment from Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) and, for electrical, plumbing and some building work, a state or territory licence. Trades appear on skilled occupation lists for the 482 and permanent skilled visas; check the current list.
Official sources: Home Affairs – Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) · Home Affairs – Skilled occupation list · Home Affairs – Skills assessment
United Arab Emirates
Employers sponsor the work permit and residence visa through MOHRE; trade certificates may need attestation. Some trades (e.g. electrical work) may require local authority approval or competency cards depending on the emirate.
Official sources: u.ae – Jobs and work in the UAE · MOHRE – Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation · u.ae – Golden Visa
European Union
Non-EU nationals typically need a national work permit; several countries (e.g. Germany) offer routes for people with recognised vocational qualifications. Recognition of your trade qualification may be required, especially for electrical and gas work.
Official sources: EU Immigration Portal · EU Regulated Professions Database · Make it in Germany (example national portal)
Useful official links
This guide is general information, reviewed October 2026. Immigration rules and licensing change often — always confirm with the official sources above. Not legal advice.