Plumber
Install and repair water, drainage, gas and geyser systems. Constant demand in every town in the country.
What the job involves
- Install pipes, geysers, taps and drainage.
- Find and repair leaks and blockages.
- Issue Certificates of Compliance where registered.
School subjects you need
Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy accepted. Confirm the exact requirement with the institution you apply to.
- Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy
- English
- Physical Sciences
- Civil Technology
Marks you normally need
- Minimum NSC pass
- Grade 9 for N1 entry; Grade 12 preferred by many employers
- Indicative APS
- Not applicable
- Subject percentages institutions look for
- Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy: 40%+
These are indicative ranges for guidance only. Every university, university of technology and TVET college sets its own admission requirements — check the current prospectus of the institution you are applying to.
Study routes
- TVET N1–N3 plus apprenticeship and trade test3–4 years
Registration with the Plumbing Industry Registration Board follows qualification.
- Learnership3 years
Paid workplace training with a plumbing company.
What you could earn
- Entry level
- R6 000 – R12 000 per month as an apprentice
- Mid-career
- R18 000 – R32 000 per month qualified
- Senior
- R35 000 – R70 000+ per month (own business)
Indicative gross monthly ranges from public South African salary sources. They vary by employer, province and experience, and are not guarantees. Compare all careers.
Where you can study this
Public institutions that commonly offer this field. Confirm the exact programme, its minimum APS and the closing date on the institution's own admissions page.
- University of JohannesburgUJ · Johannesburg
- Nelson Mandela UniversityNMU · Gqeberha
- Walter Sisulu UniversityWSU · Mthatha, East London, Butterworth, Komani
- Cape Peninsula University of TechnologyCPUT · Cape Town and Bellville
- Durban University of TechnologyDUT · Durban and Pietermaritzburg
- Tshwane University of TechnologyTUT · Pretoria and surrounding campuses
- Vaal University of TechnologyVUT · Vanderbijlpark
- Central University of TechnologyCUT · Bloemfontein and Welkom
- Mangosuthu University of TechnologyMUT · Umlazi, Durban
Official sources
Questions learners ask
Isifinyezo / Opsomming
isiZulu: Ufaka futhi alungise amanzi, ama-geyser nezimpompo. Kunesidingo esikhulu ezweni lonke.
Afrikaans: Installeer en herstel water- en rioolstelsels. Groot aanvraag landwyd.