Plumbing is Waterford's most-searched trade, new research finds
There is also a high demand for electricians in Waterford
Plumbing is the most in-demand trade in Waterford, according to new research from field-service management software Fieldmotion.
In Waterford, plumbing came out on top with 760 searches a month, ahead of electricians in second on 640 and pest control third on 520.
Adjusted for population, plumbing works out at around 597 searches per 100,000 people, one of the higher rates in the country. The single biggest term is ‘plumbers waterford’ at 450 a month, with ‘electricians waterford’ close behind on 340.
Waterford also stands out for the sheer scale of its demand. Across all trades, the county records around 2,760 searches a month, one of the highest totals of any county in Ireland behind only Dublin and Cork.
It points to consistently busy tradespeople and a steady stream of homes and businesses looking for skilled help.
Pest control is strong in third and is one of the fastest-growing trades nationally. Industry experts link the rise to Ireland's changing climate.
With milder winters, fewer rats and mice die off, so they breed earlier and in greater numbers, while warmer springs bring wasps out sooner and heavier rainfall drives rodents indoors.
Together these shifts have stretched the pest season far longer than it used to run, keeping demand high for much more of the year.
Jerome Finnegan, Managing Director at Fieldmotion, said: “Behind every one of these searches is a homeowner or business trying to find a good tradesperson, often in a hurry.
“Demand for skilled trades is rising fast, but there simply aren't enough people to meet it.
“For the plumbers, electricians and pest controllers answering the phone, keeping up with that demand is the real challenge.
“With another Leaving Cert class weighing up their options, these numbers are a reminder that the trades offer great career opportunities, with demand that isn't going anywhere.
“An apprenticeship in plumbing, electrical or another trade can be a smart step for anyone willing to take it on.”
Fieldmotion analysed average monthly Google search volumes from January 2023 to December 2025, using Google Keyword Planner and cross-referencing with Google Trends.
Across all 26 counties, they looked at service-related search terms such as ‘plumbers near me’, ‘emergency electrician’ and ‘pest control [county]’, among many others, covering the trades that make up Ireland's field-service sector.