Roof Plumber Salary: Where It Sits on the Australian Salary Index
Roof plumber salary data is limited, but we explain how it compares to national benchmarks using the Salary Index, award coverage, and industry context.
A precise roof plumber salary index figure is unavailable due to missing median earnings data, but the occupation likely falls below the national full-time average given its young workforce and trade classification.
Roof Plumber Salary: Where It Sits on the Australian Salary Index
If you are looking for a straightforward "roof plumber salary" figure, you might be frustrated by the gaps in official data. The Australian Bureau of Statistics and Jobs and Skills Australia do not publish a reliable median weekly earnings number for roof plumbers (ANZSCO 334115). That does not mean we cannot make sense of the pay landscape. Using the Salary Index, we can place roof plumber earnings in context against the national line of $108,352 per year (index 100).
What the data tells us
Jobs and Skills Australia reports that 10,500 roof plumbers were employed at the 2021 Census. The workforce is overwhelmingly male (99%) and relatively young, with a median age of 31. Most work full-time (84%), averaging 43 hours per week. The top states are Victoria (33%), New South Wales (26.7%), and Queensland (16.7%). Nearly 62% hold a Certificate III or IV, confirming this is a skilled trade.
The missing piece is the median weekly earnings figure, marked N/A. That likely means the sample size was too small or the data was suppressed. Without that anchor, we cannot calculate a precise Salary Index number for the occupation. But we can use the available clues.
Award coverage and minimum rates
Roof plumbers fall under the Plumbing and Fire Sprinklers Award (MA000036), as listed on the Fair Work Ombudsman pay guides page. This award sets minimum pay rates for classifications such as plumber, gasfitter, and roof plumber. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour (index 48.2). The entry-level award floor is $25.74 per hour. A qualified roof plumber would be classified above entry level, so the actual minimum is higher. For example, a tradesperson with a Certificate III might be classified at Level 3 or 4, which could be $30–$35 per hour under the award. That annualises to roughly $62,000–$73,000 (index 57–67).
But award rates are only the floor. Many roof plumbers work on commercial or residential projects where enterprise agreements or individual contracts pay more. Overtime, travel allowances, and tool allowances also boost take-home pay. The average full-time hours of 43 per week (slightly below the national average of 44) suggest that overtime is common.
Where roof plumber pay sits on the index
Given the young age profile and trade classification, a reasonable estimate for a full-time roof plumber might be between $65,000 and $95,000 per year. That would put the Salary Index between 60 and 88. For context, the national minimum wage index is 48.2, and the all-occupations average is 100. The construction industry as a whole is around 100, but roof plumbers are a specific trade within that. The industries page shows that Mining has an index of 154.7, while Retail trade is 75.9. Roof plumbing likely falls somewhere in the middle, perhaps comparable to other construction trades like carpenters or electricians.
State location matters. The states page shows that Western Australia has an index of 106.9, while Tasmania is 88.6. A roof plumber in WA might earn more than one in TAS due to resource sector demand. Victoria and NSW, where most roof plumbers work, have indices of 98 and 101.2 respectively.
How the Salary Index works
The Salary Index compares gross annual earnings to the national line of full-time adult ordinary-time earnings. That line is $108,352 per year (based on ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). If you earn $80,000, your index is 73.8. If you earn $100,000, it is 92.3. The index is a simple way to see where a role sits against the Australian average. For more detail, see how the index works.
Super, tax, and take-home pay
From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12%, meaning your employer must contribute an extra 12% on top of your salary. The maximum contribution base is $270,830. For a roof plumber earning $80,000, that is $9,600 in super per year. Take-home pay after tax (2026–27 rates, including 2% Medicare levy) on $80,000 is roughly $62,500. That assumes the tax-free threshold and no HELP debt. Actual take-home depends on your circumstances.
Why the median is missing
The ABS suppresses median earnings for occupations with small sample sizes or high variability. Roof plumbers may fall into that category. The 2021 Census data shows 10,500 employed, but the earnings question is voluntary and often has low response rates for trades. That is why we rely on award rates and industry benchmarks instead.
Related topics
If you are comparing roof plumber pay to other roles, see the topics page for guides on trades, construction, and award wages. You can also explore how different states and industries affect the index on the states and industries pages.
The bottom line
A precise roof plumber salary index is not available from official sources. However, using award rates, industry context, and the young workforce profile, we can estimate that a typical full-time roof plumber earns between 60 and 88 on the Salary Index. That is above the national minimum wage but below the all-occupations average. For a personalised figure, check your award classification or enterprise agreement, and use the Salary Index calculator to see where you stand.
Questions people ask
What is the average roof plumber salary in Australia?
The average roof plumber salary is not precisely published. Jobs and Skills Australia lists median weekly earnings as N/A, meaning reliable data is unavailable. However, roof plumbers are covered by the Plumbing and Fire Sprinklers Award, which sets minimum rates. Based on the young median age (31) and trade status, earnings likely sit below the national full-time average of $108,352 per year (index 100). Actual pay depends on experience, location, and whether you work under an enterprise agreement.
What award covers roof plumbers and what are the minimum pay rates?
Roof plumbers are covered by the Plumbing and Fire Sprinklers Award (MA000036), as listed on the Fair Work Ombudsman pay guides page. Minimum pay rates vary by classification (e.g., plumber, gasfitter, roof plumber). The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, and the entry-level award floor is $25.74 per hour. Most qualified roof plumbers would be classified at a higher level, so actual minimum rates are above these floors. Check the current pay guide for exact classification rates.
How does a roof plumber salary compare to other trades on the salary index?
Without a specific median figure, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the construction industry overall has an index around 100 (national average). Roof plumbers are younger than the average worker (median age 31 vs 40), which often correlates with lower earnings. By contrast, electricians or miners may have higher indices. The salary index compares gross annual earnings to the national line of $108,352. If a roof plumber earns $80,000, their index would be 73.8. Award rates suggest a full-time roof plumber might earn between $55,000 and $90,000 depending on experience and location.