Apprentice Plumber Pay Rates (2026 Award Rates)
Year 1 to Year 4 hourly rates and annual salary for AU, US and CA.
TL;DR
Australian apprentice plumbers earn $14–$28/hour depending on year of apprenticeship, rising to the full qualified rate (~$35–$50/hour) on completion. US and Canadian apprentices earn broadly similar rates in local currency.
Australia — Year-by-Year Pay Rates (2026)
Based on the Plumbing and Fire Sprinklers Award 2020. Rates are approximate and may vary by employer and state.
| Year | Approx. Hourly Rate | Approx. Annual Salary | % of Qualified Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $14–$18/hr | $27,000–$35,000 | ~45% |
| Year 2 | $17–$21/hr | $33,000–$41,000 | ~55% |
| Year 3 | $20–$25/hr | $39,000–$49,000 | ~70% |
| Year 4 | $22–$28/hr | $43,000–$55,000 | ~85% |
| Qualified | $28–$40/hr | $55,000–$78,000 | 100% |
United States — Apprentice Pay Rates
| Year | Approx. Hourly Rate (USD) | Approx. Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $15–$22/hr | $31,000–$46,000 |
| Year 2 | $18–$26/hr | $37,000–$54,000 |
| Year 3 | $21–$30/hr | $44,000–$62,000 |
| Year 4 | $24–$35/hr | $50,000–$73,000 |
| Year 5 | $28–$40/hr | $58,000–$83,000 |
Canada — Apprentice Pay Rates
| Year | Approx. Hourly Rate (CAD) | Approx. Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $18–$25/hr | $37,000–$52,000 |
| Year 2 | $21–$29/hr | $44,000–$60,000 |
| Year 3 | $24–$34/hr | $50,000–$71,000 |
| Year 4 | $28–$40/hr | $58,000–$83,000 |
What Affects Apprentice Pay
- Location: Capital city employers typically pay more than regional employers.
- Employer size: Large commercial plumbing firms often pay above award rates.
- Union membership: Union agreements in the USA and Canada often set higher minimum rates.
- Qualifications: Additional certificates (gas fitting, roofing, drainage) can attract higher pay.
For Employers: How to Invoice Apprentice Labour
If you employ apprentices and bill their labour to clients, list it as a separate line item on your invoice at your charge-out rate (not their pay rate). Example: Apprentice labour — [task] @ $65/hr × 3 hrs: $195.00. See our plumbing invoice template for a ready-to-use format.
Related Guides
How Much Do Plumbers Charge?
Real hourly rates by region for AU, US, CA and ZA.
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Read →How to Start a Plumbing Business
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