Where does the average plumber salary sit against the national full-time average?
If you are a plumber or considering the trade, you probably want to know how your pay stacks up against the Australian full-time average. The short answer is that the Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish a specific average salary for plumbers. The most authoritative source for minimum pay in the industry is the Plumbing and Fire Sprinklers Award, which sets legally binding minimum rates for plumbers and mechanical services workers. This guide uses that award, along with the national averages from the ABS, to give you a clear picture.
The national full-time average
The ABS Average Weekly Earnings report for May 2026 shows that full-time adult ordinary time earnings (seasonally adjusted) were $2,083.70 per week. Multiplied by 52 weeks, that works out to about $108,352 per year. This is the line on this site – the benchmark against which all salaries are measured. For comparison, the full-time median (the middle point of all full-time earnings) was about $90,532 per year, based on the ABS Employee Earnings survey of August 2025. The all-employees median (including part-time workers) was about $74,100 per year.
The Plumbing and Fire Sprinklers Award minimums
Fair Work’s Plumbing and Fire Sprinklers Award (MA000036) sets minimum weekly and hourly rates for different classifications. The pay guide published on 11 August 2026 applies from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026. For a plumbing and mechanical services tradesperson level 1 (the entry-level qualified plumber), the minimum weekly rate is $1,201.78, which is $31.63 per hour. That comes to about $62,492 per year on a 38-hour week. More experienced classifications earn more:
- Tradesperson level 2: $1,236.98 per week ($32.55 per hour) – about $64,323 per year
- Tradesperson special class level 1: $1,272.08 per week ($33.48 per hour) – about $66,148 per year
- Advanced tradesperson level 1: $1,338.98 per week ($35.24 per hour) – about $69,627 per year
These are minimums. Many plumbers earn above the award through enterprise agreements, over-award payments, or overtime. The award also includes penalty rates for Saturday and Sunday work, which can boost weekly pay significantly.
How plumber pay compares to the national average
The award minimum for a tradesperson level 1 ($62,492) is about 58% of the national full-time average ($108,352). Even the advanced tradesperson minimum ($69,627) is only 64% of the average. However, the national average includes all full-time workers across all industries and occupations, many of whom are in high-paying fields like mining, finance, and management. Plumbers in high-demand regions or with specialised skills can earn well above the award. For example, the state full-time averages from the ABS show that Western Australia’s average is $115,825 per year, and the Australian Capital Territory’s is $119,090. Plumbers in those states may command higher wages to match local market conditions.
State-by-state perspective
The ABS Average Weekly Earnings report provides full-time adult ordinary time earnings by state. These are averages across all occupations, not just plumbers, but they give a sense of the local pay climate:
- New South Wales: $109,658 per year
- Victoria: $106,137 per year
- Queensland: $106,064 per year
- South Australia: $102,450 per year
- Western Australia: $115,825 per year
- Tasmania: $96,008 per year
- Northern Territory: $103,173 per year
- Australian Capital Territory: $119,090 per year
A plumber earning the award minimum in Western Australia would be further below the state average than a plumber in Tasmania, where the state average is lower. But actual plumber wages in WA often exceed the award due to the resources sector.
Using the site’s line
You can place a salary on the line to see how it compares to the national full-time average. For example, if you earn $80,000 as a plumber, the tool will show that you are about 26% below the average line of $108,352. If you earn $100,000, you are about 8% below. The tool also converts your salary to a weekly and hourly figure based on a 38-hour week.
For a broader view of how different occupations compare, see the job medians page, which uses the ABS Employee Earnings survey. That survey does not break out plumbers separately, but the category “Technicians and Trades Workers” had a median weekly earnings of $1,500 in August 2025 (about $78,000 per year), which is above the plumbing award minimum but still below the national full-time average.
The national minimum wage and award increases
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week on a 38-hour week ($52,255 per year). The Plumbing Award rates are above the minimum wage, as expected for a skilled trade. Award minimums rose by 4.75% in the 2026 review, consistent with the Fair Work Commission’s decision.
Tax considerations
If you are a plumber earning the award minimum of $62,492, your 2026–27 tax would be roughly:
- Nil on the first $18,200
- 15% on the next $26,800 ($4,020)
- 30% on the remaining $17,492 ($5,248)
- Total tax: $9,268
- Plus Medicare levy of 2% ($1,250)
- After-tax income: about $51,974
This is a simplified calculation. Your actual tax may differ due to deductions, offsets, or the low-income tax offset. For a more accurate picture, use the ATO’s tax calculator or consult a tax professional.
Where to find more information
For the official award rates, visit Fair Work’s Pay and Conditions Tool. For national earnings data, refer to the ABS Average Weekly Earnings and Employee Earnings releases. This site’s How the figures are set page explains the methodology behind the line and the medians. You can also explore states and territories to see how your local average compares.
Summary
While there is no single “average plumber salary” published by the ABS, the Plumbing and Fire Sprinklers Award provides clear minimums. A qualified tradesperson at level 1 earns at least $62,492 per year, well below the national full-time average of $108,352. However, many plumbers earn above the award, and location, experience, and specialisation can push earnings much higher. Use this site’s line tool to see where your own salary sits.