How to become a Plumber
Also called: Plumber contractor, Plumbing mechanic, Pool and filtration system worker, Sanitary and plumbing worker, Ship plumber, Water plumber, Pool and filtration system worker, Sanitary and plumbing worker
Plumber assembles, installs and maintains pipes, fittings and fixtures of drainage, heating, water supply and sanitary systems. He/she examines drawings and other specifications, locates and marks position of pipe and pipe connections and passage holes for pipes in walls and floors.
Main tasks
- Measuring, cutting, threading, bending, jointing, assembling, installing, maintaining and repairing pipes, fittings and fixtures of drainage, heating water supply and sewage systems
- Installing gas appliances, dishwashers and water heaters, sinks and toilets using hand and power tools
- Laying clay, concrete or cast-iron pipes in ditches to form sewers, drains or water mains, or for other purposes
- Inspecting, examining and testing installed systems and pipes, using pressure gauge, hydrostatic testing, observation or other methods
Ways in
- Licence or registration: Regulated water service and sanitary plumbing work must be done by a plumber licensed by PUB; only simple jobs can be left to a handyman. A licence needs a recognised plumbing qualification, at least two years of experience under a licensed plumber and a mentorship programme with assessments. Law: Public Utilities Act 2001. Regulator: PUB, Singapore's National Water Agency (https://www.pub.gov.sg).
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Median pay: $28,800 a year. The middle half earn $19,200 to $34,560 a year.
- Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.
Related jobs
- Pipe fitter
- Pipe/Drain layer
- Roofer
- Floor/Wall tiler
- Plasterer
- Refrigeration/Air-conditioning equipment insulator
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Questions people ask
How much does a Plumber earn in Singapore?
Median full-time pay is $28,800 a year (Ministry of Manpower (via data.gov.sg)). The middle half earn $19,200 to $34,560.
Will AI change the work of a Plumber?
Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.
Sources
- Ministry of Manpower (via data.gov.sg): Resident Occupational Wages (Occupational Wage Survey) (June 2024 (data.gov.sg update 2026-04-01)), Singapore Open Data Licence v1.0, retrieved 4 October 2026
- International Labour Organization, Generative AI and Jobs: A Refined Global Index of Occupational Exposure (ILO Working Paper 140, Gmyrek et al.) (ILO Working Paper 140, May 2025, Annex Table A1), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 4 October 2026
Updated 4 October 2026