Water heater replacement cost

What does a new water heater cost? Here is what the public numbers say, in plain words.

Quick answer

About $1,348^[1] for a new water heater.

That is the U.S. average. Most jobs cost $882 to $1,826^[1]. A tank is cheaper. Tankless costs more. About half the bill is labor.

Cold shower this morning? You are not alone. Water heaters wear out, and they often quit with no warning.

This page shows what a new one costs. Every number links to the place it came from, so you can check it.

First, see prices by type and size. Then see what plumbers earn in your state. Last, walk through one example in Florida, line by line.

What each type of water heater costs

There are five main kinds. A tank heater keeps a big pot of water hot all day. A tankless one heats water only when you turn on the tap. A heat pump model pulls warmth out of the room air. A solar one uses the sun^[1].

See how much the bars overlap? A plain gas or electric tank is the cheapest. But a hard install can push even a tank job up near the top of its bar.

A heat pump water heater needs the right room. ENERGY STAR says the space should stay between 40°F^[5] and 90°F^[5] all year. It also needs about 1,000 cubic feet^[5] of air around it^[5]. A small closet may not work.

What each tank size costs

Bigger tanks hold more hot water. They also cost more. Here are the price ranges by size^[1].

Source: HomeAdvisor^[1]. The tank size rows are average price ranges.

Most homes do not need the biggest tank. Ask your plumber how many people live in your home and how many showers run at once. Then pick a size that fits.

What labor costs

Labor is about 50%^[1] of the bill. Labor alone to swap a tank heater is $150 to $450^[1]. For a tankless heater, it is $600 to $1,900^[1].

Plumbers charge $45.00/hr^[1] to $200.00/hr^[1]. A plain tank swap takes about 1 to 3^[1] hours.

What plumbers earn in every state

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) tracks what plumbers earn in every state^[2]. The middle plumber in the U.S. earned $30.67/hr^[2] in May 2025.

Pay was lowest in Arkansas, at $23.39/hr^[2]. It was highest in District of Columbia, at $48.57/hr^[2]. Higher pay often means higher quotes.

Example: a gas tank in Florida

Say you live in Florida. Your old gas tank holds fifty gallons. You want the same kind again. Here is the math.

Florida plumbers earn less than the U.S. middle. So the labor half of the bill shrinks a bit. The heater itself costs about the same anywhere.

Extra costs to plan for

• An expansion tank: $90 to $350^[1]. Some homes need one to ease water pressure.
• A power vent: $600 to $1,100^[1]. This is a fan that pushes gas fumes out.
• Moving the heater: $150 to $3,400^[1]. New pipes cost more.
• Going from tank to tankless: labor alone can be $150 to $2,500^[1].

Ways to pay less

• Get three written quotes. Ask each plumber to list the heater, the labor and each add-on on its own line.
• Keep the same type and spot. Swapping like for like is the cheapest job. Moving or switching fuel adds a lot.
• Do not oversize. A bigger tank costs more to buy and to keep hot.
• Plan ahead. If your heater is old, shop now. A rush job after a flood leaves little time to compare.
• Ask about the warranty. A longer tank warranty can be worth a small extra cost.

Fix it or replace it?

A tank repair often costs $100 to $500^[1]. A new gas valve runs $150 to $500^[1]. A tankless repair can reach $1,300^[1].

A tank heater tends to last about 6 to 12 years^[3][3]. A government lab report put a typical tank's life at 13 years^[4][4]. If yours is near that age and the tank itself leaks, a new one is usually the better deal. See our full fix or replace guide for water heaters.

What makes the price go up or down

Two homes can pay very different prices for the "same" job. Here is why.

• The type. Tankless and solar cost more than a plain tank. A gas tank runs $700 to $2,700^[1].
• The size. A 30-gallon tank starts near $700^[1]. Big tanks for big families cost more.
• Switching types. Going from a tank to tankless can add labor of $150 to $2,500^[1]. New gas lines or vents are often part of that.
• Moving it. Putting the heater in a new spot can cost $150 to $3,400^[1].
• Where you live. Plumber pay is not the same in every state. The map above shows how much it moves.

How to choose a type

The best heater is the one that fits your home. Ask yourself three things.

1. How many people take showers? More people need more hot water at once.
2. What fuel do you have? If you have no gas line, an electric or heat pump model is often simpler.
3. Where will it sit? A heat pump model needs room air that stays between 40°F^[5] and 90°F^[5] all year^[5].

A tankless model costs more at first. HomeAdvisor says it can last 20 or more years^[1] with good care, so some people pay more now to swap less often.

Questions to ask a plumber

• Does the price include taking the old heater away?
• Is the permit in the price, or extra?
• Will my home need an expansion tank? That can add $90 to $350.
• How long is the warranty on the tank, and on your work?
• Can you put the size, fuel and brand in writing?

Can you do it yourself?

Most people should not. A water heater is heavy. It joins water, power or gas, and a vent. A small mistake can cause a leak, a shock or a gas problem.

You can do the easy parts. Check the floor for drips. Read the sticker. Clear space around the heater so the plumber can work. Those steps save time on the day of the job.