How much does a plumber cost?
Plumbers charge about $45-$200/hour (typically ~$100/hr) plus a $100-$350 service-call fee; most repairs land between $150 and $500.
Key takeaways
- The national average plumbing labor rate is about $100/hour, with the full range spanning $45-$200/hour depending on license level and region (This Old House, Bob Vila).
- Most plumbers add a service-call or trip fee of $100-$350, and that charge often covers the first hour of work (Bob Vila).
- Rates rise with credentials: apprentices bill $45-$90/hr, journeymen $70-$120/hr, and master plumbers $90-$200+/hr (Bob Vila).
- Emergency and after-hours calls run 1.5-3x standard rates, plus a flat emergency fee of $100-$350 (Bob Vila) or roughly $150/hr (This Old House).
- Common repairs cluster around $150-$500; a water heater install runs $800-$2,000 and a burst pipe $1,000-$4,000 (This Old House, Bob Vila).
A plumber typically costs about $45 to $200 per hour, with the national average around $100 per hour, plus a $100 to $350 service-call fee that often covers the first hour. Most routine repairs land between $150 and $500 total. (Sources: This Old House, Bob Vila.)
What plumbers charge in 2026
Plumbing labor is priced by the hour, by the job as a flat fee, or by an initial service-call fee that folds in travel and diagnosis. This Old House puts the national average near $100 per hour, with journeymen at $50-$100/hr and master plumbers at $75-$200/hr. Bob Vila reports a similar $45-$200/hr overall spread, breaking it down by credential. Both note a service-call or trip fee is standard, and Bob Vila places it at $100-$350 (with a narrower trip fee of $50-$300) that frequently includes the first hour of work.
| Item | Typical cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly rate (overall) | $45-$200/hr | Bob Vila |
| Apprentice / journeyman / master | $45-$90 / $70-$120 / $90-$200+ per hr | Bob Vila |
| Service-call / trip fee | $100-$350 | Bob Vila |
| Emergency / after-hours | 1.5-3x rate + $100-$350 flat, or ~$150/hr | Bob Vila; This Old House |
| Leaking pipe repair | $150-$450 | This Old House; Bob Vila |
| Faucet replacement | $150-$600 (up to $900) | This Old House; Bob Vila |
| Toilet install / replacement | $300-$800 (up to $900) | This Old House; Bob Vila |
| Drain clearing / unclogging | $100-$500 | This Old House; Bob Vila |
| Water heater installation | $800-$2,000 | This Old House |
| Burst pipe repair | $1,000-$4,000 | This Old House; Bob Vila |
Bob Vila also notes that many plumbers offer a flat fee of roughly $100-$400 for basic jobs within a set service radius, and pegs the average plumbing job at $180-$489 (about $331). This Old House similarly describes a typical job as $150-$500.
What moves the price
- License level: A master plumber commands $90-$200+ per hour versus $45-$90 for an apprentice, so who turns up changes the bill (Bob Vila).
- Hourly vs. flat rate: Simple, predictable tasks are often quoted as a flat fee ($100-$400), while diagnostic or open-ended work is billed hourly (Bob Vila).
- Service-call fee: The $100-$350 trip charge applies whether or not the fix is small, though it usually includes the first hour (Bob Vila).
- Emergency and after-hours timing: Nights, weekends, and holidays run 1.5-3x the standard rate plus a flat emergency fee (Bob Vila); This Old House cites roughly $150/hr for emergency work.
- Job complexity: A faucet swap ($150-$600) is worlds apart from a burst pipe ($1,000-$4,000) or water heater replacement ($800-$2,000) (This Old House; Bob Vila).
- Region: Both guides note that high-cost metros push rates toward the top of the range, while rural and lower-cost markets sit near the bottom.
To keep costs down, bundle small tasks into one visit so a single service-call fee covers them, get itemized written quotes, and avoid emergency scheduling when the issue can safely wait for business hours. All figures are ranges that vary by location and job and are current as of the verified date; confirm pricing with a licensed local plumber before hiring.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average hourly rate for a plumber?
The national average is about $100 per hour, within an overall range of roughly $45 to $200 per hour depending on license level and region (This Old House; Bob Vila).
Do plumbers charge a service-call or trip fee?
Most do. Bob Vila reports a service-call fee of $100 to $350 (trip fee $50 to $300) that often covers the first hour of work on site.
How much more does emergency plumbing cost?
Expect 1.5 to 3 times the standard rate plus a flat emergency fee of $100 to $350 (Bob Vila); This Old House cites roughly $150 per hour for emergency service.
How much does it cost to fix a leak or clear a drain?
Leaking-pipe repairs run about $150 to $450 and drain clearing about $100 to $500. A burst pipe can reach $1,000 to $4,000 (This Old House; Bob Vila).
What does a new water heater installation cost?
This Old House puts water heater installation at $800 to $2,000; Bob Vila cites $850 to $1,650 for a standard unit, before any extra code or venting work.
Is a flat fee cheaper than hourly?
For simple, well-defined jobs a flat fee of about $100 to $400 can be predictable and cost-effective; open-ended or diagnostic work is usually billed hourly (Bob Vila).
