Plumber: how busy are plumbers?
Steady TradeMatch says general plumbing waits did not lengthen year on year (median 3 weeks), while FMB builders still rank plumbers/HVAC among the three hardest roles to fill.
Median wait of 3 weeks to start (TradeMatch Wait-Time Index, 21 Apr 2026).
The figures
| Where | Measure | Figure | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | Extra workers needed per year, 2026-2030 CITB group: Plumbing and HVAC trades | 1,570 workers per year | 2026-2030 average | CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026 |
| UK | Extra workers needed per year (% of workforce) CITB group: Plumbing and HVAC trades | 1.2% | 2026-2030 average | CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026 |
| UK | SME builders naming it a hardest role to fill Share of SME builders naming this as a hardest role to fill (plumbers/HVAC) | 23% | H2 2025 | FMB/CIOB State of Trade H2 2025, 31 Mar 2026 |
| UK | Median wait to start (weeks) Capacity status per TradeMatch: Easy | 3 weeks | Q3 2025 to Q1 2026 | TradeMatch Wait-Time Index, 21 Apr 2026 |
| UK | Slowest 10% wait (weeks) 90th-percentile wait | 6 weeks | Q3 2025 to Q1 2026 | TradeMatch Wait-Time Index, 21 Apr 2026 |
| UK | Workforce, 2025 CITB group: Plumbing and HVAC trades | 136,150 workers | 2025 actual | CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026 |
| UK | Workforce forecast, 2030 CITB group: Plumbing and HVAC trades | 138,570 workers | 2030 forecast | CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026 |
| England | Experienced salary | £46,000 | Live page | National Careers Service, not stated (live pages) |
| England | Starter salary | £24,000 | Live page | National Careers Service, not stated (live pages) |
Industry backdrop
Across construction, most demand signals point quieter: PMI 43.6 in October 2026 and builders' enquiries at -10 in H1 2026. See all demand signals.
Getting into the trade
- Apprenticeship: Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technician (Level 3)
- College course, then a trainee role
- Start as an assistant or mate and train on the job
- Private adult courses for career-changers (below)
Routes: National Careers Service job profile
| Provider | Course | Published price |
|---|---|---|
| Able Skills | Introduction to Plumbing | £525 inc VAT |
| Able Skills | City & Guilds Level 2 Plumbing Course | £3,495 inc VAT |
| Able Skills | City & Guilds Full Plumbing Package | £5,680 inc VAT |
| Able Skills | City & Guilds Level 2 Plumbing Course for Experienced Plumbers | £1,750 inc VAT |
| Able Skills | City & Guilds Level 2 Plumbing NVQ for Experienced Plumbers | £3,445 inc VAT |
| Able Skills | Combined Plumbing & Gas Course | £6,690 inc VAT |
| Able Skills | Home Study Level 2 Plumbing Course | £2,750 inc VAT |
| Able Skills | NVQ Level 2 Plumbing Assessments | £1,695 inc VAT |
| Able Skills | Domestic Hot Water Storage Systems (G3) | £245 inc VAT |
| Able Skills | Water Regulations Course (WRAS) | £245 inc VAT |
| Able Skills | Bathroom Fitting Course | £1,475 inc VAT |
| Logic4training | New entrant route ('How to become a plumber') | — price not shown on page checked; 0% finance advertised |
Prices as published on providers' sites, checked 10 November 2026. Listing is not an endorsement, and no provider has paid to appear.
Common questions
How long is the wait for plumbers?
TradeMatch's 2026 Wait-Time Index put the median wait for plumber (general) at 3 weeks from accepting a quote to work starting, with the slowest 10% waiting 6 weeks (jobs from Q3 2025 to Q1 2026).
Source: TradeMatch Wait-Time Index, 21 Apr 2026
Are plumbers getting busier or quieter?
Steady. TradeMatch says general plumbing waits did not lengthen year on year (median 3 weeks), while FMB builders still rank plumbers/HVAC among the three hardest roles to fill. Across construction as a whole, most indicators point quieter: the UK Construction PMI was 43.6 in October 2026.
Source: TradeMatch Wait-Time Index, 21 Apr 2026; FMB/CIOB State of Trade H2 2025, 31 Mar 2026; S&P Global UK Construction PMI, 5 Nov 2026
Is there a shortage of plumbers?
CITB's Construction Workforce Outlook says the UK needs about 1,570 extra plumbing and HVAC trades a year from 2026 to 2030 to cover growth and people leaving, around 1.2% of the current workforce each year.
Source: CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026