The Number of Plumbers in the UK

There are a lot of tradespeople in the United Kingdom but do you know how many plumbers there are? From bustling cities like London and Manchester to much quieter rural areas, plumbers play a big part in maintaining and improving our water and heating systems. Whether it’s a sudden leak or central heating that’s not playing ball, plumbers are the ‘go to’ professionals to solve the problem.

Understanding the number of plumbers in the UK provides valuable insights into the health of the trade industry, the availability of skilled labour, and the regional variances in plumber demand.

Below, we have taken a look at the current state of the plumbing workforce in the UK, the factors influencing its growth, and the challenges faced by the industry in meeting the rising demand for skilled plumbers across the country.

Number of Plumbers

It’s hard to know exactly how many plumbers there are, but figures suggest there are approximately 150,000 plumbers in the UK. This is a 4.19% decrease from previous years when there were 157,400. The decline in professional plumbers is something that’s been apparent for many years now, leading to an increase in job vacancies and a demand for skills.

Number of Plumbing Companies

There are a lot of trades businesses out there, a lot of which specialise in plumbing, heating and ventilation services. As of 2023, there are approximately 43,000 plumbing, heating and air conditioning installation businesses in the UK. This is an increase of 3.2% from 2022. This number has grown 3.2% per year on average over the five years, between 2018 and 2023.

Number of Plumbers in London

It’s hard to get an exact figure for the number of plumbers in London, which is why we focus on averages. There are around 150,000 plumbers in the UK, many of which are based in London. This number has been slowly dropping, as it was much higher at 157,400 plumbers between October 2004 and September 2005.

Regional Breakdown

As you might expect, the demand for plumbers in the UK varies significantly by region, with some areas experiencing more significant shortages than others.

Cities such as Edinburgh, Plymouth and York are in desperate need of more plumbers, along with London, Manchester and Birmingham. This is driven by their large populations and frequent plumbing emergencies, which is why the demand tends to be less in quieter, rural areas

Plumbers are the most sought-after tradespeople throughout most of the UK, but Blackpool and Cardiff break this trend, where electricians are the main focus.

Change Over Time

When looking at how many plumbers there are in the UK, the information changes over time. The demand for plumbers in the UK has evolved significantly, reflecting broader economic and societal shifts.

In the past, the need for skilled plumbers has been steady, driven by ongoing maintenance, repairs and new construction projects. But, this has changed in recent years, and it’s now driven by the rise in housing developments, increased focus on home improvements and a greater understanding of why a professional tradesperson should be handling plumbing emergencies. With people busier than ever before, and fewer capable of taking on complex DIY projects, the demand for plumbers has naturally risen.

Additionally, the ageing workforce and not enough new trainees to fill the skills gap have worsened the shortage. This has led to record-high plumbing vacancies throughout much of the UK.

There is an urgent need to make up the difference, and 70,000 new recruits are needed by 2032 to bridge this growing skills gap. Otherwise, it’s unlikely that the plumbing industry will be able to meet the growing demand for plumbing services across the country.

The Demand for Plumbers

According to the UK Trade Skills Index 2023, the demand for plumbers in the UK is set to soar, but there’s also a significant skills shortage in the trade that needs to be overcome. Over 70,000 new plumbers will be needed by 2032 to meet the growing demand. This skills gap is affecting a variety of trades and the construction sector, where vacancies are higher than they have been previously.

Plumbers are among some of the most urgently needed professionals, reflecting the undeniable need for skilled tradespeople in the coming years. This presents a unique opportunity for young people, who have a clear path into the UK construction industry, knowing that the demand for professional plumbers is high and jobs need filling quickly.

Are There Enough Plumbers in the UK?

There’s no denying that plumbers are in high demand across the UK, but many areas are experiencing a shortage of skilled professionals in this essential trade. Many UK homeowners have struggled to hire tradespeople for their projects or repairs in recent years, largely due to a lack of availability and a shortage of specific trades in their area. Homeowners are struggling to find a tradesperson, and delays are likely. Out of 46 cities looked at, 19 of them don’t have enough tradespeople to meet the local demand for services, and plumbing is a trade that stands out as being one of the worst hit.

Plumbing has emerged as one of the most searched-for trades in many cities across the UK, likely due to the urgent nature of plumbing emergencies. After all, a plumbing problem is unlikely to be something that can wait to be solved at a later date. This demand for plumbers, and the lack of qualified tradespeople, provides significant opportunities for professionals in the UK, where demand continues to outweigh supply.

Data Sources

There’s a lot of information out there about how many plumbers are in the UK, with data regularly changing and updating. For this blog, we looked at the UK Trade Skills Index, Pham News, Ciphe and HVP.