Plumber Cost USA 2026: Hourly Rates and Job Prices
By Our research team · Last verified · 13 min read · Methodology
Plumber costs in the US
What most homeowners pay for plumbing job, at weekday rates with parts and labor. Pick your city for local prices.
How we get this data- Typical
- $100/hr
- Low end
- $45/hr
- High end
- $450/hr
A plumber in the USA costs $75–$175 per hour in 2026, and most homeowners pay about $100/hr for a licensed plumber on a weekday. Most also charge a $75–$275 service call. Common jobs like a clogged drain or a running toilet cost $70–$350.
$75–$175/hr for a US plumber — $100/hr typical. Budget $75–$275 for a service call, $100–$350 for a clogged drain and $1,100–$3,100 for a gas water heater installed. Pick your city ↓
- US plumber rates: $75–$175/hr, $100/hr typical for a licensed plumber on a weekday
- Service call $75–$275; after hours $125–$300/hr on weeknights, $150–$350 on weekends, $200–$450 on holidays
- Clogged drain $100–$350; toilet repair $70–$350; leaky faucet $100–$400
- Tank water heater installed $800–$3,100; heat pump water heater $2,000–$5,500
- Pick a city below for local prices across 195 US metros
Prices below come from national cost guides, published contractor price lists, city permit schedules and federal wage data for plumbers, cross-checked across 50 sources and 195 US cities in November 2026. Rows marked installed include a standard unit or fixture. Pick your city for local pricing.
Weekday rates run $75–$175 an hour across the US. The low end is about $45 an hour (an apprentice-level rate or a small, slow market) and the high end about $450 (a holiday emergency call). Many companies quote common jobs flat instead of hourly. Water heater and fixture rows include the unit; permits are extra where required.
Prices verified November 2026 · Cross-referenced against 50+ American pricing sources · See methodology
Plumber cost by city
Typical plumber ranges, re-verified November 2026 across 50+ sources. Largest cities first.
Among the biggest metros, New York is the priciest at $150/hr and Tampa the least at $95/hr.
Half of the 195 metros we price sit between $90 and $100/hr.
Each city page has local rates by area, real-world plumbing costs and a city-specific FAQ. Prices shown are the low end of the typical range, per hour.
Alabama
- Birminghamfrom $70
- Huntsvillefrom $65
- Mobilefrom $65
- Montgomeryfrom $65
- Tuscaloosafrom $65
Arkansas
- Little Rockfrom $60
- Fayettevillefrom $60
California
- Los Angelesfrom $90
- San Franciscofrom $100
- Riversidefrom $80
- San Diegofrom $90
- Orange Countyfrom $85
- Oaklandfrom $90
- Sacramentofrom $85
- San Josefrom $100
- Fresnofrom $80
- Bakersfieldfrom $75
- Oxnardfrom $75
- Stocktonfrom $75
- Modestofrom $75
- Santa Rosafrom $75
- Visaliafrom $75
- Long Beachfrom $85
- Santa Barbarafrom $70
- Salinasfrom $75
Colorado
- Denverfrom $85
- Colorado Springsfrom $65
- Fort Collinsfrom $65
- Boulderfrom $70
Connecticut
- Hartfordfrom $80
- Bridgeportfrom $80
- New Havenfrom $75
- Stamfordfrom $80
Delaware
- Wilmingtonfrom $70
District of Columbia
- Washingtonfrom $85
Florida
- Miamifrom $80
- Tampafrom $70
- Orlandofrom $75
- Fort Lauderdalefrom $75
- Jacksonvillefrom $65
- West Palm Beachfrom $70
- St. Petersburgfrom $65
- Sarasotafrom $65
- Fort Myersfrom $65
- Lakelandfrom $65
- Daytona Beachfrom $65
- Palm Bayfrom $65
- Pensacolafrom $70
- Tallahasseefrom $65
- Gainesvillefrom $65
Idaho
- Boisefrom $65
Indiana
- Indianapolisfrom $85
- Fort Waynefrom $75
- Evansvillefrom $70
- South Bendfrom $70
Iowa
- Des Moinesfrom $75
- Davenportfrom $70
- Cedar Rapidsfrom $75
Kentucky
- Louisvillefrom $80
- Lexingtonfrom $65
Louisiana
- New Orleansfrom $75
- Baton Rougefrom $75
- Lafayettefrom $70
- Shreveportfrom $65
Maine
- Portlandfrom $70
Maryland
- Baltimorefrom $75
Massachusetts
- Bostonfrom $100
- Worcesterfrom $75
- Springfieldfrom $75
Michigan
- Detroitfrom $85
- Grand Rapidsfrom $80
- Lansingfrom $75
- Flintfrom $75
- Ann Arborfrom $75
Minnesota
- Minneapolisfrom $85
- Duluthfrom $75
- Rochesterfrom $80
Mississippi
- Jacksonfrom $65
- Gulfportfrom $65
- Hattiesburgfrom $65
Missouri
- St. Louisfrom $85
- Kansas Cityfrom $85
- Springfieldfrom $65
- Columbiafrom $70
New Hampshire
- Manchesterfrom $70
New Jersey
- Newarkfrom $85
- Trentonfrom $75
- Jersey Cityfrom $85
- Atlantic Cityfrom $75
New Mexico
- Albuquerquefrom $70
- Las Crucesfrom $65
- Santa Fefrom $65
New York
North Carolina
- Charlottefrom $75
- Raleighfrom $75
- Greensborofrom $65
- Winston-Salemfrom $65
- Durhamfrom $70
- Fayettevillefrom $65
- Ashevillefrom $65
- Wilmingtonfrom $65
- Greenvillefrom $65
North Dakota
- Fargofrom $70
Ohio
- Cincinnatifrom $80
- Columbusfrom $75
- Clevelandfrom $75
- Daytonfrom $70
- Akronfrom $70
- Toledofrom $70
- Youngstownfrom $70
- Cantonfrom $70
Oklahoma
- Oklahoma Cityfrom $70
- Tulsafrom $70
Pennsylvania
- Philadelphiafrom $85
- Pittsburghfrom $80
- Harrisburgfrom $70
- Scrantonfrom $65
- Eriefrom $70
Rhode Island
- Providencefrom $80
South Carolina
- Greenvillefrom $65
- Columbiafrom $65
- Charlestonfrom $70
- Myrtle Beachfrom $65
South Dakota
- Sioux Fallsfrom $60
Tennessee
- Nashvillefrom $80
- Memphisfrom $75
- Knoxvillefrom $70
- Chattanoogafrom $65
Texas
- Dallasfrom $75
- Houstonfrom $75
- San Antoniofrom $70
- Fort Worthfrom $70
- Austinfrom $75
- McAllenfrom $65
- El Pasofrom $65
- Killeenfrom $65
- Corpus Christifrom $65
- Brownsvillefrom $65
- Beaumontfrom $65
- Arlingtonfrom $70
- Lubbockfrom $65
- Wacofrom $65
- Laredofrom $65
- Amarillofrom $65
Utah
- Salt Lake Cityfrom $75
- Provofrom $65
- Ogdenfrom $70
- St. Georgefrom $65
Vermont
- Burlingtonfrom $70
Virginia
- Virginia Beachfrom $70
- Richmondfrom $75
- Roanokefrom $65
- Norfolkfrom $70
West Virginia
- Charlestonfrom $65
Wyoming
- Cheyennefrom $65
Plumber prices, 2026
| Job | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| General plumbing, hourly rate (weekday daytime)/hr | $75 | $100 | $175 |
| Service call / trip feeflat | $75 | $150 | $275 |
| Leaky faucet repairper job | $100 | $240 | $400 |
| Clogged drain, snake / auger (sink, tub or shower)per job | $100 | $200 | $350 |
| Main line clog: camera inspection + hydro-jettingper job | $425 | $950 | $2,150 |
| Toilet repair (leak, clog or running)per job | $70 | $190 | $350 |
| Toilet installation (standard toilet supplied + installed)installed | $350 | $600 | $1,000 |
| Gas tank water heater (40–50 gal), installedinstalled | $1,100 | $2,000 | $3,100 |
| Electric tank water heater (40–50 gal), installedinstalled | $800 | $1,500 | $2,500 |
| Heat pump water heater (50 gal), installedinstalled | $2,000 | $3,300 | $5,500 |
| Gas line to one appliance (range, dryer or grill)per appliance | $300 | $650 | $1,500 |
| Burst pipe repair (pipe only, no water damage)per job | $250 | $600 | $2,500 |
| Faucet replacement (standard faucet included)installed | $175 | $300 | $650 |
| Bathroom rough-in (toilet, sink, shower or tub)per bathroom | $1,500 | $2,500 | $5,000 |
| Emergency / after-hours visit (call-out + first hour)per visit | $250 | $400 | $750 |
| After-hours hourly rate (weeknights)/hr | $125 | $175 | $300 |
| Fixture set / trim-out after tile (one bathroom, labor)per bathroom | $500 | $950 | $1,500 |
| Toilet relocation (new drain position)per job | $1,000 | $2,500 | $6,000 |
| Laundry room plumbing (rough-in + washer hookups)per job | $400 | $800 | $2,000 |
| Faucet cartridge or washer replacementper job | $100 | $175 | $325 |
| Toilet fill valve or flapper replacementper job | $70 | $130 | $200 |
| Dishwasher installation (hookup to existing lines)per job | $150 | $225 | $400 |
| Garbage disposal installation (unit included)installed | $250 | $450 | $850 |
| Whole-house repipe with PEX (2-bath home)per house | $4,500 | $8,000 | $15,000 |
Prices verified November 2026 · Cross-referenced against 50+ American pricing sources · See methodology
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Who to hire: handyman, journeyman, master plumber or emergency service
The license level sets the rate more than the company name. A licensed journeyman bills about $60–$110/hr; a master plumber $80–$200/hr.
| Who to hire | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Handyman (minor fixes only) | $50–$100/hr | A flapper, a faucet you bought, caulking — small work where no permit is needed |
| Apprentice (under a licensed plumber) | $45–$90/hr | Helper on bigger jobs — usually billed inside the company's rate |
| Licensed journeyman plumber | $60–$110/hr | Most repairs: leaks, drains, toilets, faucets, water heater swaps |
| Master plumber | $80–$200/hr | Permit work, gas lines, remodels and code problems |
| 24/7 emergency service | $125–$450/hr | Burst pipes, sewage backing up, no water at night or on a holiday |
| Drain-cleaning company | $100–$350 per drain | Clogs, roots and main lines — camera and jetting gear on the truck |
| Flat-rate company or franchise | $100–$400 per small job | Price agreed before work starts; compare it with an hourly quote |
| Plumbing contractor (remodel bid) | $1,500–$5,000 per bathroom | Rough-in and trim-out for a remodel or a new bathroom |
A handyman is fine for a part swap that needs no permit. For gas, water heaters, new pipe or anything behind a wall, hire a licensed plumber — most states require one, and a licensed plumber can pull the permit.
Common plumbing jobs and what they cost (2026)
Most plumbing calls are short, well-defined jobs. A clogged drain is $100–$350, a running toilet $70–$200, and a tank water heater $800–$3,100 installed. Time on site is in brackets.
| Block or rate | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unclog a sink, tub or shower drain (30–90 min) | $100 | $200 | $350 |
| Fix a running toilet: flapper or fill valve (30–60 min) | $70 | $130 | $200 |
| Replace a faucet cartridge or washer (30–60 min) | $100 | $175 | $325 |
| Fix a leaky faucet (about 1 hr) | $100 | $240 | $400 |
| Replace a kitchen or bath faucet (1–2 hrs) | $175 | $300 | $650 |
| Install a new toilet (2–4 hrs) | $350 | $600 | $1,000 |
| Install a garbage disposal (1–2 hrs) | $250 | $450 | $850 |
| Hook up a dishwasher (1–2 hrs) | $150 | $225 | $400 |
| Run a gas line to a range or dryer (2–4 hrs) | $300 | $650 | $1,500 |
| Repair a burst pipe in an open wall (1–3 hrs) | $250 | $600 | $2,500 |
| Clear a main line with camera + jetting (2–4 hrs) | $425 | $950 | $2,150 |
| Replace an electric tank water heater (2–4 hrs) | $800 | $1,500 | $2,500 |
| Replace a gas tank water heater (2–4 hrs) | $1,100 | $2,000 | $3,100 |
| Install a heat pump water heater (4–8 hrs) | $2,000 | $3,300 | $5,500 |
| Install a sump pump in a new pit (4–8 hrs) | $1,000 | $1,500 | $2,500 |
| Repipe a 2-bath house with PEX (2–5 days) | $4,500 | $8,000 | $15,000 |
What moves these prices: the time of day, how easy the pipe is to reach, the age of the pipe around it, and the part or unit you choose. Replacing an existing sump pump is $300–$950; a new pit costs more because the floor has to be cut.
Hourly vs flat-rate vs emergency pricing: which will you pay?
Plumbers bill one of three ways. The right one depends on how well-defined the job is and how urgent it is.
| Factor | Hourly (time + materials) | Flat-rate (price up front) | Emergency / after-hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| How the bill is built | Hourly rate × time, plus parts and a service call | One price per task, set before work starts | Call-out fee plus 1.5–3× the normal hourly rate |
| Small repair, typical total | $150–$450 (call + 1 hr) | $100–$400 per task | $250–$750 (call-out + first hour) |
| If the job runs long | You pay for the extra time | The plumber absorbs it | You pay, at the higher rate |
| Easy to compare quotes | Hard — depends how fast they work | Easy — same task, compare the number | Hard — little time to shop around |
| Best for | Finding an unknown leak, long remodel work | Clogs, toilets, faucets, water heaters | Water you can't shut off, sewage backing up |
| Watch out for | One-hour minimums and parts markup | High prices on very quick fixes | Call-out fees stacked on top of time-and-a-half |
Hourly if the problem is unknown or the job is long. Flat-rate for common jobs where you want one number. Emergency only when the water won't stop — otherwise shut the valve and book a weekday.
Hourly rates vs fixed quotes: the fees on a plumbing bill
The hourly rate is one line. A service call of $75–$275 usually comes first, and after-hours work costs $125–$300/hr on weeknights, more on weekends and holidays.
| Fee | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service call fee (often credited to the repair) | $75 | $150 | $275 |
| Standard hourly rate | $75 | $100 | $175 |
| After-hours hourly rate (weeknights) | $125 | $175 | $300 |
| Emergency call-out fee | $150 | $250 | $400 |
| Trip charge, outside the service area | $50 | $100 | $300 |
| Flat-rate small job (clog, toilet, faucet) | $100 | $225 | $400 |
| Plumbing permit (water heater or small job) | $50 | $125 | $300 |
| Yearly maintenance plan | $100 | $200 | $300 |
Ask whether the service call is credited to the repair and whether the permit is in the price. Those two lines explain most of the gap between quotes for the same job.
What affects plumber costs
The plumber's license level
Journeymen bill about $60–$110/hr and master plumbers $80–$200/hr. Masters handle permits, gas and remodels; most repairs don't need one.
Time of day
Nights, weekends and holidays cost 1.5 to 3 times the weekday rate ($125–$450/hr) plus a call-out fee.
Access and old pipe
Pipe behind tile, under a slab or in a crawl space adds hours. Galvanized supply lines and cast iron drains in older homes can turn a small repair into a bigger one.
Parts and equipment
On water heaters, toilets and faucets, the unit sets much of the price. A gas tank water heater is $1,100–$3,100 installed; a heat pump model $2,000–$5,500.
Permits
Water heaters, gas lines and new pipe usually need a permit, typically $50–$300 ($50–$350 for gas piping). A licensed plumber should pull it and include it in the quote.
Your city
Local plumber wages set most of the gap between cities. New York and Seattle both run about 50% above the US typical of $100/hr; 115 of the 195 cities we price sit below it, including Houston, Atlanta and Tampa.
How to save on plumber
- Shut the water off and wait for a weekday.If you can stop the leak at a valve, a daytime visit at $100/hr costs far less than $125–$300/hr on a weeknight or $200–$450/hr on a holiday.
- Ask if the service call is credited.Many plumbers fold the $75–$275 call fee into the repair if you go ahead.
- Bundle small jobs.Fix the running toilet, the dripping faucet and the slow drain on one visit, for one service call.
- Get a flat price for common jobs.Clogs, toilets and faucets are $100–$400 flat at many companies — one number before work starts.
- Know your shutoffs.Find the main water valve and the valve on your water heater now. It turns an emergency call into a weekday repair.
- Get two quotes on big jobs.Water heaters, repipes ($4,500–$15,000) and remodel rough-ins vary the most between companies.
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Plumber cost in the USA by job and home size
Most repairs cost the same in any size home: $70–$350. Size matters for whole-house work: a 2-bath PEX repipe is $4,500–$15,000, and a bathroom rough-in $1,500–$5,000 per bathroom.
Worked example: a weekday visit to fix a running toilet ($130 typical) and snake a slow tub drain ($200 typical) is about $330 at typical US flat prices. Book both on one visit so you pay one service call.
A full bathroom remodel adds rough-in ($2,500 typical) and trim-out ($950 typical) — about $3,450 in plumbing before tile, fixtures and drywall. Moving the toilet to a new spot adds $1,000–$6,000.
What a plumber quote should include
A fair plumbing quote answers all of these. If it answers fewer than six, ask before you approve the work.
- The plumber's license number and proof of insurance
- The service call fee, and whether it's credited to the repair
- Hourly rate or flat price, and any minimum charge
- Parts and fixtures, with brand and model
- Who pulls the permit, and the fee
- Haul-away of the old unit or fixture
- After-hours rates if the work might run late
- Wall, floor or ceiling repair — included or not
- Warranty on parts and labor, and the payment terms
Plumber cost: FAQ
How much does a plumber cost per hour in the USA?
$75–$175 per hour for a licensed plumber on a weekday in 2026, with $100/hr typical. The full range runs from about $45 an hour at the cheapest to $450 for a holiday emergency call.
What is a plumber service call fee?
A fee of $75–$275 to send a plumber to your home and diagnose the problem. Many companies credit it to the repair if you go ahead.
How much does it cost to unclog a drain?
$100–$350 to snake a sink, tub or shower drain. A main line clog with a camera and hydro-jetting is $425–$2,150.
How much does a new water heater cost installed?
$800–$2,500 for an electric tank and $1,100–$3,100 for a gas tank. A heat pump water heater is $2,000–$5,500. Most cities require a permit.
How much does an emergency plumber cost?
$250–$750 for the call-out and first hour at night, on a weekend or holiday, then $125–$300/hr on weeknights, $150–$350/hr on weekends and $200–$450/hr on holidays. Parts and repairs are extra.
How much does toilet repair or installation cost?
Repairs are $70–$350, and a new flapper or fill valve $70–$200. A standard toilet supplied and installed is $350–$1,000.
How much does it cost to repipe a house?
$4,500–$15,000 for a 2-bath home with PEX. Copper costs more, and wall patching is usually extra.
Do I need a licensed plumber?
For gas lines, water heaters, new pipe and remodels, yes in most states — and the work usually needs a permit. A handyman can swap a flapper or a faucet you bought where no permit is needed.
Is there a tax credit for a heat pump water heater in 2026?
Not a federal one for new installs. The IRS 25C credit — up to $2,000 a year for heat pump water heaters — ended for equipment placed in service after December 31, 2025, under the tax law signed July 4, 2025. Many utilities and states still offer rebates; check yours before you buy.
Have plumber rates gone up in 2026?
A little, by our estimate: about 2.5% above 2025. No published price series covers 2025 to 2026 yet. Plumber wages rose about 1.3% in the latest federal wage data (May 2024 to May 2025), and a plumber's rate also has to cover the van, insurance and parts, so the bill moves a little faster than pay.
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