5315 Plumbers and heating and ventilating installers and repairers

In short

• ONS unit group 5315, in minor group 531 (Construction and building trades) and major group 5 (Skilled trades occupations).
• Appendix Skilled Occupations (figures as at 3 August 2026, re-checked 26 October 2026): Transitional tables only: Table 1a, Table 2aa.
• Going rate as the tables print it:
  • Table 1a, Going rate (SW – options A and D): £38,100 (£19.54 per hour)
  • Table 2aa, Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU): £31,400 (£16.10 per hour)

What the ONS says

Description

Plumbers and heating and ventilating installers and repairers assemble, install, maintain and repair plumbing fixtures, heating and ventilating systems and pipes and pipeline systems in commercial, residential and industrial premises and public buildings for non-renewable and renewable energy.

Typical entry routes

There are no formal academic entry requirements, though GCSEs/S grades are advantageous. Entry is typically through an approved apprenticeship programme or college course in conjunction with on-the-job training, leading to a NVQ/SVQ level 3 qualification, or through building up work experience supplemented with short courses. It is also the law that gas engineers to be registered with Gas Safe Register.

Tasks

• examines drawings and specifications to determine layout of system
• measures and cuts required lengths of copper, lead, steel, iron, aluminium or plastic using hand or machine tools
• installs fittings such as storage tanks, cookers, baths, toilets, taps and valves, refrigerators, boilers, heat pumps, radiators and fires
• tests completed installation for leaks and makes any necessary adjustments
• attaches fittings and joins piping by welding, soldering, cementing, fusing, screwing or other methods
• repairs burst pipes and mechanical and combustion faults and replaces faulty taps, washers, valves, etc

Related job titles

• Gas engineer
• Heating and ventilating engineer
• Heat pump installer
• Meter installer (water)
• Plumber
• Plumbing and heating engineer
• Stove repairer (gas stoves)
• Ventilation fitter

What the Appendix Skilled Occupations says

The Appendix lists this code in the tables below, with the tables’ own caption and the row as printed. Read the full table, and any condition in it, on GOV.UK.

Table 1a: Additional eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates for Skilled Worker applicants granted permission under the rules in place before 22 July 2025

SOC 2020 occupation code

5315 Plumbers and heating and ventilating installers and repairers

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Plumbers and heating and ventilation installers and repairers

Going rate (SW – options A and D)

£38,100 (£19.54 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option B)

Not applicable

80% of going rate (SW – option C)

Not applicable

70% of going rate (SW – option E)

£33,400 (£17.13 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

No

Table 2aa: Additional eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates for Skilled Worker applicants granted permission under the rules in place before 22 July 2025

SOC 2020 occupation code

5315 Plumbers and heating and ventilating installers and repairers

Equivalent SOC 2010 occupation code(s)

5314

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Plumbers and heating and ventilation installers and repairers

Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU)

£31,400 (£16.10 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option G)

Not applicable

80% of going rate (SW – option H)

Not applicable

70% of going rate (SW – option J, GTR)

£25,000 (£12.82 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

No

Other unit groups in minor group 531

• 5311 Steel erectors
• 5312 Stonemasons and related trades
• 5313 Bricklayers
• 5314 Roofers, roof tilers and slaters
• 5316 Carpenters and joiners
• 5317 Glaziers, window fabricators and fitters
• 5319 Construction and building trades n.e.c.

Sources

Occupation text: Office for National Statistics, SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions of unit groups (file dated 27 August 2026, version V13). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0. Tables: Home Office, Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations on GOV.UK, page updated 3 August 2026; re-checked against the page updated 8 October 2026 on 26 October 2026, tables unchanged.

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