Plumber Jobs NZ — Salary, CV & Interview Tools for Kiwi Plumbers

Pay check

What Kiwi plumbers actually earn

Rough 2026 ranges. Gasfitters on supervisor licence and dual-ticket plumber/gas sit at the top.

Apprentice plumber

$22–$28/hr

Rises each year through the apprenticeship.

Certifying plumber

$38–$55/hr

Post-registration, 2–5 years on the tools.

Certifying gasfitter

$45–$60/hr

Plumber + gasfitter dual ticket commands more.

Self-employed charge-out

$90–$140/hr

Take-home after GST, vehicle and tools closer to $55–$85/hr.

Your toolkit

3 tools for NZ plumbers

Plumber CV + cover letter

AI writes a CV that leads with your PGDB licence, gas endorsement, Site Safe and drivers — then the jobs you’ve run.

Write my CV →

Plumber pay check

Tighter pay band for your licence class and city. Plumber vs gasfitter vs drainlayer vs dual-ticket.

Check my rate →

Plumbing jobs matched to you

Upload your CV — AI pulls the NZ plumbing jobs that match your licence, specialty and location.

Match me →

FAQ

Questions Kiwi plumbers ask

How much do plumbers earn in NZ in 2026?

Apprentices $22–$28/hr, certifying plumbers $38–$55/hr, certifying gasfitters $45–$60/hr. Self-employed charge-out $90–$140/hr, which lands around $55–$85/hr take-home after GST, vehicle and tools. Dual-ticket plumber/gas gets paid more.

What licence do I need to work as a plumber in NZ?

PGDB (Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers Board) registration. Trainee, limited, or certifying — you need the right class for the work. Gasfitting and drainlaying are separate registrations. Licence goes at the top of every CV.

Is it worth getting a gasfitting endorsement on top of plumbing?

Yes. Dual-ticket plumber/gasfitters earn roughly 15–25% more than plumbers alone and are in very short supply, especially in Auckland and Christchurch. Most certifying plumbers add the gas endorsement within 3–5 years of registration.

What should be on a plumber’s CV in NZ?

One page. PGDB number and licence class up top. Then gas endorsement, drainlayer ticket, Site Safe, confined-space, First Aid, drivers. List jobs and scope (new build, reno, commercial, kitchen/bathroom count). Two referees.

How do I go self-employed as a plumber?

Register your business (NZBN), GST if you’ll turn over >$60K, public-liability insurance ($1m+), and a van and stock. Charge-out rates of $90–$140/hr are standard. Start with a main contractor or two for regular work before going direct to homeowners.

For NZ Employers

Hiring plumbers or gasfitters? Free AI prep before they apply.

Every applicant declares their PGDB licence class & endorsements up front and has free AI CV writer, interview sim, salary check & JD decoder before applying. The AI summary on every application surfaces which prep tools they used.

Post a plumbing role — free →

Plumber and gasfitter jobs in NZ.