Plumber salary and the national full-time average
If you are a plumber or considering the trade, you may wonder how your pay compares to the Australian full-time average. The most recent ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026, puts the national full-time adult ordinary-time average at $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year. This is the figure used by Average line as the benchmark.
What the official sources say about plumber pay
The ABS does not publish a specific average or median for plumbers. The occupation "Plumbers (General)" (ANZSCO 334111) is a 6-digit code, and the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours does not produce median weekly earnings for such detailed occupations. The Jobs and Skills Australia profile for plumbers confirms that median weekly earnings are not available.
What is available is the minimum pay under the Plumbing and Fire Sprinklers Award, which applies to many plumbers. The Fair Work pay guide published 11 August 2026, effective from 1 July 2026, sets the weekly rate for a Plumbing and mechanical services tradesperson level 1 at $1,201.78 per week, with an hourly rate of $31.63. For a tradesperson special class level 1, the weekly rate is $1,272.08. These are minimums; actual plumber salaries are often higher, especially for experienced or specialised workers.
Where plumber pay sits against the line
Using the award minimum for a tradesperson level 1 ($1,201.78 per week), a plumber on that rate earns about 58% of the national full-time average. The gap is substantial. However, many plumbers are paid above award rates. The median for all full-time employees in Australia is about $90,532 per year (from ABS Employee earnings, August 2025), and the all-employees median is about $74,100. Plumber earnings likely fall somewhere between the award minimum and the national average, but without a published median, it is difficult to be precise.
State and territory comparisons
The national average varies by state. The full-time adult ordinary-time averages for May 2026 are:
- New South Wales: $2,108.80 per week ($109,658 per year)
- Victoria: $2,041.10 ($106,137)
- Queensland: $2,039.70 ($106,064)
- South Australia: $1,970.20 ($102,450)
- Western Australia: $2,227.40 ($115,825)
- Tasmania: $1,846.30 ($96,008)
- Northern Territory: $1,984.10 ($103,173)
- Australian Capital Territory: $2,290.20 ($119,090)
A plumber in Western Australia or the ACT faces a higher benchmark than one in Tasmania. The award rates are national, so the same minimum applies everywhere, but market rates may differ.
Tax considerations
For the 2026–27 financial year, the tax rates for residents are: nil up to $18,200; 15% up to $45,000; 30% up to $135,000; 37% up to $190,000; and 45% above that. The Medicare levy is 2% before reductions. A plumber on the award minimum of $62,492 per year would fall into the 30% bracket, so after tax and Medicare, take-home pay is about $48,000 (approximately). The national average earner at $108,352 falls into the 30% bracket as well. The difference in after-tax income is significant.
How to use this site
You can Place a salary on the line to see how any salary compares to the national full-time average. You can also explore States and territories to see how averages vary by region. The chart on this page draws the line at $2,083.70 per week.
Conclusion
Plumber salary in Australia lacks a published average from the ABS. The award minimum is $1,201.78 per week, well below the national full-time average of $2,083.70. Actual plumber earnings are likely higher but not officially measured. For a precise comparison, use the award rate as a floor and consider state differences.