Plumber jobs in the UK and London: the card, the pay and how to get hired
On UK sites qualified plumbers usually show a JIB-PMES card — the plumbing industry's CSCS partner card. Gas work is different: by law you must be Gas Safe registered. Plumbers earn roughly £200–£320 a day (London usually more). Below: what firms check, how to start, and plumbing jobs open now.
Rates: indicative 2026 ranges from published UK price guides — see day rates 2026. CIS: gov.uk.
Open jobs for plumbers right now
…
How to get hired as a plumber in the UK
Have a UK-recognised qualification
The JIB-PMES Plumber blue card recognises an NVQ/SVQ Level 2 in plumbing (or an approved equivalent). A classroom-only diploma is usually not enough — trained abroad? Ask a training provider about on-site assessment for experienced workers.
Get your card
Pass a construction health and safety test (normally within the last 2 years) and apply to JIB-PMES. Keep a photo of the card on your phone.
Gas? Get Gas Safe first
Any work on gas appliances or pipework needs Gas Safe registration — it's the law, not a preference. Unvented hot water cylinders also need the right qualification (often called G3).
Apply — and get on the crew list
Apply to the jobs below in 30 seconds, no CV upload, then join the crew list so firms needing plumbers text you.
What firms check before they hire a plumber
Your JIB-PMES or CSCS card
In date, with your trade on it. Photo on your phone before day one.
Gas Safe ID card
Only if the job involves gas — firms check the card and the categories you're registered for.
The right experience
First fix, second fix, commercial pipework, heating systems, bathrooms — say exactly what you've done.
Own hand tools
Ask what's provided: press-fit tools and big kit are often the firm's, hand tools are yours.
Real firms don't charge workers for a job or a card. Ads on Graftum that ask workers to pay are removed and the number blocked.
What you actually take home
Example: at £240 a day, a 5-day week is £1,200. As a self-employed subcontractor registered for CIS, the firm takes 20% (£240) and pays you £960. If you're not registered for CIS, they take 30%.
That 20% is an advance on your tax and National Insurance, not a fee. After the tax year ends (5 April) many workers get part of it back — more if they keep receipts for tools, PPE and travel. See the CIS refund guide and what you can claim.
Before your first CIS payment you need a UTR number and to register with HMRC as self-employed — how to get a UTR.
Put yourself on the crew list: 1 minute, free, no account. Firms looking for your trade text you directly.
Join the crew list →Common questions
Which card do plumbers need on UK sites?
Usually a JIB-PMES card, the plumbing industry's CSCS partner scheme; qualified plumbers with NVQ Level 2 hold the Plumber blue card. Some sites accept a CSCS card — the job ad or the firm will say.
Do I need Gas Safe to work as a plumber?
Only for gas work — there it's a legal requirement. Water, drainage and many heating jobs don't need Gas Safe, but you can't touch gas without it.
Can I work as a plumber in the UK with qualifications from abroad?
Yes, but most firms want a UK-recognised card, which needs an NVQ Level 2 or equivalent. Experienced workers can often get the NVQ through on-site assessment.
How much does a plumber earn per day in London?
Published 2026 guides put plumbers at roughly £200–£320 a day across the UK, with London usually 15–25% higher. Gas and commercial work sit at the top of the range.
How do I apply for plumbing jobs on Graftum?
Open a job and press Apply — about 30 seconds, no account, no CV upload. The firm gets your name and number and calls you.
