Plumber Salary in Netherlands: How Much Are Plumbers Paid in 2025?

Plumbing is a stable and well-paid profession in the Netherlands, making it an attractive career choice for foreign workers. With an increasing demand for skilled plumbers, salaries are competitive, and opportunities for steady employment are high.

In this article, we will break down the Netherlands plumber salary, how much plumbers make in different cities, and what factors influence wages. We will also compare Dutch salaries with those of other European countries to help you understand where plumbing professionals earn the most.

How Much Are Plumbers Paid in the Netherlands?

Let’s get straight to the numbers you’re looking for. The average plumber salary in the Netherlands is €44,752 gross per year, which comes to about €3,729 per month before taxes. Your earnings can vary depending on experience and location, ranging from €10,220 to €32,620 annually—that’s between €851 and €2,718 per month before tax.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of plumber salaries in the Netherlands for 2025, based on the latest salary data:

The salaries shown here are gross earnings, the amounts usually advertised in job listings. After deductions for taxes and social contributions, your net income will be around 75% of these figures.

What Determines Your Salary as a Plumber in the Netherlands?

Working as a plumber in the Netherlands, your salary depends on several important factors. Let’s look at what affects your income and how you can earn more.

1.Experience Matters For Your Plumber Wage

Your years of experience make a big difference in how much you earn. As you learn more and get better at your job, your salary will grow. Here’s how plumber wages increase with experience:

Keep in mind that these figures represent the average salary of a plumber in the Netherlands, but with specialised skills and certifications, you can earn even more.

2.Education Impacts Your Plumber Salary In Netherlands

While practical experience matters most in determining how much does plumber make, your education and certifications can significantly boost your earning potential.

Most plumbers begin their careers with basic training, but those who invest in additional education often see their plumber wages increase. Here’s how education affects how much does a plumber earn in the Netherlands:

Plumbers in the Netherlands with only a high school diploma earn an average of €15,580 per year. However, obtaining a vocational certificate or diploma can boost earnings by 40%, increasing the salary to around €20,000 annually. Those who pursue a bachelor’s degree see an even greater pay rise of 42%, with their average yearly salary reaching approximately €31,080.

For those interested in working as a plumber in the Netherlands, the right training can help you earn more than the average plumber salary.

3.Certificates Boost Your Average Plumber Salary

Beyond basic training, additional certifications can help you earn more than the standard plumber salary Netherlands. Plumbers with special certificates often earn up to 25% above the basic average plumber salary. These are certifications that usually impact how much plumbers make a year:

• Gas installation certification (required for gas work);
• Heating and cooling systems;
• Commercial plumbing certification;
• Sustainable water systems;
• Advanced heating installations.

Many employers provide on-the-job training, allowing plumbers to gain new skills while working. Speaking of employers, the type of company and the sector you choose to work for will also influence your plumber salary in the Netherlands.

4.Different Workplaces, Different Plumber Salaries

Lastly, how much do plumbers make also depends on the work settings and the growing potential of a specific industry. Here’s how the average plumber salary varies depending on where and how you work.

Large Installation Companies

Many plumbers start their careers with established companies. Working in a bigger firm, your plumber salary in Netherlands usually comes with additional benefits, such as training opportunities, health insurance, pension plans, and regular salary increases.

The average plumbers salary in the Netherlands at large companies ranges from €2,800 to €4,000 gross monthly, depending on experience.

Small Local Businesses

But how much does a plumber earn in the Netherlands working in a small business? The typical plumber wage at small businesses starts around €2,600 gross monthly but can grow quickly with experience. Additionally, this type of employment usually brings advantages, such as more flexible schedules, direct client contact, varied daily work, and faster skill development.

Self-Employed Work

Many experienced professionals choose self-employment. This can lead to a higher average salary for a plumber if you manage your business well:

• Set your own rates
• Choose your projects
• Direct client relationships
• Higher earning ceiling

Self-employed plumbers often earn more than the average salary, sometimes reaching €5,000-€6,000 gross monthly.

Specialised Companies

Some plumbers work for companies focusing on specific areas. These roles often pay more than the typical average plumber salary:

• Heating systems
• Industrial installations
• Sustainable solutions
• Smart home technology

Agency Employment

For those new to working as a plumber in the Netherlands, agencies offer a good starting point:

• Housing assistance
• Work permit help
• Regular income

While agency work might start below the average salary, it provides valuable experience and support. We’ll explain this in more detail later.

We covered how different factors impact your earning potential, from experience to workplaces. But what about your location in the Netherlands? Does the city you live in determine how much you earn and how much you get to save? Let’s find out.

Plumber Salaries By City In The Netherlands

Wondering how much do plumbers make in different Dutch cities? 

The average plumber salary varies depending on location. Let’s look at what you can earn across the Netherlands in 2025:

Why Location Affects Your Plumber Salary In the Netherlands?

The average plumber salary varies across Dutch cities for several key reasons:

Living Costs and Local Economy

Big cities like Amsterdam and The Hague offer higher wages because living expenses are higher. The average salary of a plumber needs to match these costs.

Job Market Demands

Cities with more construction and development, like Rotterdam and Eindhoven, often pay better plumber wage rates due to high demand. How much plumbers make depends heavily on local project availability.

Business Environment

Larger cities typically offer better opportunities for working as a plumber in the Netherlands, with more companies, bigger projects, and overtime opportunities.

Keep in mind that your location significantly affects not only your salary but also your quality of life, so consider both the average salary of a plumber and the living costs in each city before choosing where to work.

Plumber Salary in Netherlands: Gender Pay Comparison

The average plumber salary in the Netherlands shows some gender differences, despite efforts toward equal pay. While Dutch employers increasingly focus on skills and qualifications, some pay gaps still exist.

Current Salary Statistics

• Male plumbers: €21,020 gross yearly
• Female plumbers: €19,160 gross yearly

This means male employees earn about 10% more than their female counterparts when working as a plumber in the Netherlands.

The Dutch plumbing sector is working to close this gap and ensure how much plumbers make depends solely on their capabilities and experience. Modern plumber wage standards increasingly focus on professional experience, technical skills, certifications, and job performance. Not gender or background.

Additionally, all employees are entitled to equal opportunities for additional earnings.

Your Plumber Salary in Netherlands Beyond Basic Pay

The average plumber salary isn’t just about your basic wage. Let’s explore how you can increase your earnings working as a plumber in the Netherlands.

Holiday Pay (Vakantiegeld)

Every plumber in the Netherlands receives 8% extra as holiday pay. For example, with an average salary of a plumber at €44,752 yearly, you’ll get around €3,580 extra in May or June.

This additional payment is a standard for all employees working in the Netherlands and is intended to cover vacation expenses. Of course, you can use the additional money however you see fit.

Overtime Opportunities

The numbers you’ve seen so far in the article reflect regular working weeks of 37-40 working hours. But how much do plumbers make an hour when working overtime?

Here’s what you can expect when working additional hours:

• Regular plumber wage: €10.67/hour
• Weekday overtime (+50%): €16/hour
• Weekend work (+100%): €21.34/hour
• Holiday work (+200%): €32/hour

While not all companies offer overtime opportunities, it’s worth discussing the possibility with potential employers.

Shift Work Benefits

Besides overtime, working specific shifts can increase your pay. This is how much you can earn on average when working specific shifts:

• Evening shifts: +25%
• Night shifts: +50%
• Early morning: +25%

For example, if you regularly work night shifts, you could increase your monthly earnings by more than €500 compared to standard daytime work. That’s the amount worth considering if you have the opportunity and are willing to put in extra effort and hours.

Bonus Potential

27% of plumbers in the Netherlands report that they receive bonuses. While it usually ranges between 1% and 3% of their yearly salaries, they are more common in specialised fields.

For example, those working in industrial plumbing, HVAC installations, or large commercial projects have better chances of receiving performance-based bonuses.

As you can see, these additional earnings significantly impact how much do plumbers make a year. Focus on specialised skills and be open to flexible working hours if you want to increase your salary as much as possible.

While these additions present short-term increases, it’s also important to consider how much plumbers make over time and what raises to expect.

Plumber Salary in the Netherlands Raise Potential

The average plumber salary in the Netherlands grows through a structured system—Dutch employers follow collective labour agreements (CAO) that ensure regular increases.

The average salary of a plumber typically increases by 9% every 16 months. While this is slightly slower than the national average (9% every 15 months), it still provides excellent growth potential, working out to about 7% yearly.

Here’s how your plumber wage typically grows with experience:

As you can see, your salary grows the fastest during the first five years, after which raises become more stable. You’ll also find good news when comparing plumber salary raises to other jobs. The plumber wage typically grows faster than most other Dutch careers, where yearly raises average just 3-4%.

Plumber Salary in Netherlands vs. Other European Countries

The Netherlands attracts many foreign workers with its strong plumber wage rates, excellent benefits, and great working conditions. Still, there are some other countries that candidates also consider. Let’s see how much plumbers make across Europe:

The plumber salary in Germany per month tops regional earnings, and Belgium shows strong figures. Let’s look specifically at Germany. The plumber salary in Germany per hour averages €27.00, while Dutch plumbers earn about €21.52 hourly.

Yet, working as a plumber in the Netherlands remains highly attractive. While the average salary of a plumber might be lower than in Germany, working conditions often make up for any salary differences with neighbouring countries.

Understanding Agency Jobs and Your Plumber Salary

You might notice some plumbing jobs through agencies advertise lower salaries than the average plumber salary in the Netherlands. Here’s what you need to know: these positions often work out better for your wallet, especially when you’re just starting out.

The biggest saving comes from housing costs. Through an agency, you’ll typically pay around €150 per week for accommodation. Try to find your own place in the Netherlands, and you’re looking at €800-1,500 monthly. That’s a potential saving of up to €900 every month, which makes a big difference to your take-home pay.

When working as a plumber in the Netherlands through an agency, you get more than just affordable housing. Agencies handle all the complicated parts of moving to a new country. They arrange your work permit, set up your health insurance, open a Dutch bank account, and even provide transportation to work. Many agencies also supply the tools and equipment you need, saving you additional costs.

Speed is another major advantage. Finding work independently can take months, and sorting out paperwork can be challenging. Agencies have direct connections with Dutch companies that need plumbers right now, meaning you can start earning much sooner. Their established relationships with employers make the whole process smoother and faster.

While agencies do take a percentage of your plumber wage for these services, the total package often leaves you better off. When you add up the savings on housing, equipment, and other expenses, plus the ability to start working quickly, agency positions make good financial sense, especially when you’re new to the Netherlands.

Find Your Next Plumber Job in the Netherlands

With constant construction projects, infrastructure improvements, and growing sustainable water systems, the plumber average salary in the Netherlands remains competitive. On top of that, it comes with additional advantages.

Dutch labour laws ensure fair wages, paid holidays, and overtime opportunities. If you get a job through the employment agency, you’ll also receive benefits like housing and transportation assistance, which means you’ll be able to focus on your work without financial stress.

With 40,000 workers already placed abroad, Robin Jobs keeps the process simple and transparent, charging no fees to workers who want to work abroad. 

We understand that moving to a new country can be challenging, which is why we handle all the details while you focus on your career growth. Create your profile and let us connect you with trusted Dutch employers so you can start your new job in the Netherlands!