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🔧 Cost GuideNational mean hourly wage for plumbers (BLS SOC 47-2152) is $32.74/hour. After the standard NAHB 2.4× contractor markup, homeowners pay roughly $79/hour for a service call. Here's the project-by-project breakdown — and below it, the same job priced for every major US metro.
| Project | Time | Typical cost | Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard service call (diagnosis + minor repair) | 1–2 hours | $178 | $146 – $213 |
| Drain cleaning (sink, tub, or floor drain) | 30–90 min | $104 | $85 – $124 |
| Single-fixture leak repair (faucet, supply line) | 1–2 hours | $188 | $154 – $225 |
| Toilet replacement (you supply fixture) | 2–3 hours | $217 | $178 – $261 |
| Water heater replacement (40–50 gal tank) | 4–6 hours | $1,264 | $1,037 – $1,517 |
| Sewer line repair (spot repair, not full replace) | 1–2 days | $2,029 | $1,663 – $2,434 |
| Whole-house re-pipe (1500 sq ft, PEX) | 3–5 days | $5,714 | $4,686 – $6,857 |
A licensed plumber handles anything that touches the pressurized water supply, the DWV (drain-waste-vent) system, the gas line, or fixed gas-fired appliances like water heaters and pool heaters. A typical service call begins with a 15–30 minute diagnosis: the plumber will run faucets, check water pressure at a hose bib (40–80 PSI is normal), inspect supply lines and shut-off valves, and — if the call involves a drain — usually run a snake or scope a camera before quoting the repair. Bigger jobs (re-pipes, sewer-line work, water-heater swaps) require a written scope, a permit pulled in the homeowner's name, and at least one rough/final inspection by the local building department.
Cost-of-living variance is the single biggest factor in trade pricing. The same job in Hawaii or California can run 30–50% more than in Mississippi or Oklahoma. Pick your city below to see your localized rate.
A plumber who quotes a major job sight-unseen, refuses to put the price in writing, or asks for more than 30% up front. Door-to-door "I noticed something wrong with your house" pitches after a storm are almost always scams.