Plumbing · SOC 47-2152

Water Heater Replacement cost

Water heater replacement — that’s the everyday name. On Fairange it’s a published hours band (3/4.5/7) plus a materials band, run through BLS OEWS May 2025 wages for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (SOC 47-2152).

Looking up water heater replacement cost? Start here: national mid planning estimate $1,301 before you type a ZIP, built from OEWS 47-2152 wages and the assumptions below — not lead-gen marketplace price tables.

Last updated from data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · PPI construction materials 2026-09

What this estimate can’t tell you. Roof pitch, an old house or code upgrades, tough access, permits, emergency or after-hours calls, and brand tier can push a real quote outside this range.
Hours (low / mid / high)
3 / 4.5 / 7
Materials band
$550 – $1,800
U.S. mid (before ZIP)
$1,301

standard tank 40–50 gal; tankless/HPWH costs more. National OEWS mean wage used on this page: $34.70/hr (SOC 47-2152).

How the national mid is built

Before you enter a ZIP we use the U.S. OEWS mean wage for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (SOC 47-2152): $34.70/hr (BLS OEWS May 2025). Mid estimate ≈ 4.5 hours × $34.70 × 2.25× markup + materials mid $950 (with a small regional materials factor). Low uses p10 wages × 2.0×; high uses p90 × 2.5×. National planning band: $677 – $1,301 – $2,712.

Full algebra: methodology. Markup schedule is Fairange’s published assumption, not a BLS figure.

Materials band

Published materials low / mid / high: $550 / $950 / $1,800 (standard tank 40–50 gal; tankless/HPWH costs more). Baselines are Fairange editorial figures tied to public retail when we have a SKU basket; full source notes live in DATA_SOURCES and the methodology page. We dampen materials with a regional factor (about 0.88–1.18) so wages — not a fake local parts market — do most of the geography.

Before you buy a water heater

Sources: ENERGY STAR heat pump water heaters. Materials from cited retail listings; labor from OEWS plumber wages. Fairange does not quote tax credits or rebates on this page.

What usually moves the number

What’s in the planning band

Labor for a standard residential swap or service, supply/drain reconnect in place, and the fixture/parts band above.

Ask about before you sign

Run this job on your ZIP Plumbing trade hub

Related jobs: Water Heater Flush & Anode Check · Tankless Water Heater Installation · Water Softener Installation.

Also: calculator · methodology · city guides · metro ranking report · all job guides · DATA_SOURCES.

Water Heater Replacement FAQ

How much does water heater replacement cost?

National mid planning estimate is about $1,301 before you enter a ZIP — labor from BLS OEWS May 2025 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (SOC 47-2152, national mean $34.70/hr) × published hours, plus materials. Local OEWS wages move the band once you type a ZIP.

What hours, materials, and markup do you assume?

Hours 3 / 4.5 / 7. Materials band $550 / $950 / $1,800 (standard tank 40–50 gal; tankless/HPWH costs more), documented in DATA_SOURCES / methodology — not lead-gen marketplace price tables. Labor markup 2.0× / 2.25× / 2.5× (Fairange methodology).

Is this a bid?

No. It’s an educational planning range. Collect at least three written scopes from licensed pros and compare exclusions — permits, haul-away, patching, and code upgrades.

Any rebates or tax credits?

Fairange does not quote federal tax credits on this page. Some utilities or state programs rebate efficient water heaters — check your utility and state energy office. Conventional tanks often have fewer offers than heat-pump models.

Where does this job cost the most?

See our metro ranking built on the same job assumptions: /reports/plumber-costs-by-city/ (OEWS local wages, same hours/materials/markup).

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