Earnings for self-employed plumbers fell by 3.4% last month, according to the latest figures released by Hudson Contract. This follows a dip of 1.7% in August.

Analysis of September payroll data for more than 2,200 construction companies in England and Wales reveals a weekly average of £1,081 for plumbing contractors.

They generated the fourth highest earnings of all 17 construction trades covered by Hudson Contract, beaten only by specialists in shop fitting, electrical, and mechanical and engineering work.

Plumbers in the South West saw the biggest increase in weekly earnings in September, rising 20.5% to £1,047. They were followed by Wales, up 3% to £961, and the East Midlands, up 0.9% to £1,058.

Ian Anfield, Managing Director at Hudson Contract, said: “Beyond the national headlines about Brexit-related uncertainty in the construction sector, we see that highly skilled tradespeople are still able to command a premium for their services.

“Our analysis shows self-employed plumbers are earning the equivalent of a £52,000 annual salary, which is well over the UK average of £30,000.”