Plumbing costs by state

By the FairFix Costs editorial teamUpdated October 2026How we research prices

Plumbing prices change a lot from state to state, mostly because labor costs do. This page ranks all 50 states with a cost index built from government wage data, and estimates what an average plumbing job and an hour of labor cost in each one.

Range across states

$250 – $355estimated average job

$355$250$310

What most people payComplex or emergency jobs

An average plumbing repair costs about $280 nationally. Our estimates range from about $250 in the lowest-cost state to $355 in the highest. Most states fall between $250 and $310.

Cheapest and most expensive states

Lowest estimated costs: West Virginia, Arkansas, Florida, South Dakota, North Carolina.

Highest estimated costs: Illinois, Oregon, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Alaska.

Within any state, big metro areas usually cost more than small towns and rural areas.

Plumbing costs in all 50 states

Estimated plumbing costs by state (national average = 100)
State	Cost index	Average job	Hourly rate
Alabama	93	$260	$40 – $140
Alaska	116	$325	$50 – $175
Arizona	99	$280	$45 – $150
Arkansas	89	$250	$40 – $135
California	104	$290	$45 – $155
Colorado	103	$290	$45 – $155
Connecticut	108	$305	$50 – $160
Delaware	101	$285	$45 – $150
Florida	90	$250	$40 – $135
Georgia	95	$265	$45 – $140
Hawaii	112	$315	$50 – $170
Idaho	96	$270	$45 – $145
Illinois	126	$355	$55 – $190
Indiana	101	$285	$45 – $150
Iowa	99	$275	$45 – $150
Kansas	100	$280	$45 – $150
Kentucky	100	$280	$45 – $150
Louisiana	101	$285	$45 – $150
Maine	99	$280	$45 – $150
Maryland	100	$280	$45 – $150
Massachusetts	116	$325	$50 – $175
Michigan	111	$310	$50 – $165
Minnesota	116	$325	$50 – $175
Mississippi	96	$270	$45 – $145
Missouri	99	$280	$45 – $150
Montana	112	$315	$50 – $170
Nebraska	100	$280	$45 – $150
Nevada	98	$275	$45 – $145
New Hampshire	99	$280	$45 – $150
New Jersey	111	$310	$50 – $165
New Mexico	97	$275	$45 – $145
New York	112	$315	$50 – $170
North Carolina	91	$255	$40 – $135
North Dakota	100	$280	$45 – $150
Ohio	100	$280	$45 – $150
Oklahoma	94	$260	$40 – $140
Oregon	124	$345	$55 – $185
Pennsylvania	103	$290	$45 – $155
Rhode Island	101	$285	$45 – $150
South Carolina	94	$260	$40 – $140
South Dakota	90	$255	$40 – $135
Tennessee	96	$270	$45 – $145
Texas	96	$270	$45 – $145
Utah	99	$275	$45 – $150
Vermont	98	$275	$45 – $145
Virginia	97	$270	$45 – $145
Washington	113	$315	$50 – $170
West Virginia	89	$250	$40 – $135
Wisconsin	112	$315	$50 – $170
Wyoming	99	$275	$45 – $150

How we calculate these estimates

We start with national price ranges for common plumbing jobs from published cost surveys. We then adjust them using the median hourly wage for plumbers in each state from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024).

Because roughly half of a typical plumbing bill is labor and half is parts, equipment and overhead, the cost index moves half as much as wages do: index = 50 + 50 × (state wage ÷ national wage). A state where plumbers earn 20% more than the national median gets an index of 110.

These are estimates for comparison. Always get written quotes from licensed local plumbers. Read more in our editorial policy.

Frequently asked questions

Which state has the most expensive plumbers?

Based on plumber wages, the highest-cost states in our index are Illinois, Oregon, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Alaska.

Which state has the cheapest plumbers?

The lowest-cost states in our index are West Virginia, Arkansas, Florida, South Dakota, North Carolina.

Why do plumbing prices vary by state?

Labor is about half of a plumbing bill, and plumber wages vary with local cost of living, union membership, licensing rules and demand.

Sources

Prices are national estimates for 2026 based on published cost surveys and labor data. Your local price can be higher or lower. FairFix Costs is not a plumbing contractor; read our disclaimer.