Plumber Rates: Hourly and Per-Job Pricing in 2026
6 min read·Updated June 2026
The short answer
Plumbers charge about $70 to $170 per hour, plus a service-call fee, or flat-rate per job. A service call runs $80 to $200, clearing a drain $125 to $350, a faucet or fixture replacement $150 to $450, and a water heater install $900 to $2,500. Emergency and after-hours work commands a clear premium.
Typical prices
- Service call / diagnostic: $80 to $200
- Clear a drain: $125 to $350
- Faucet / fixture replacement: $150 to $450
- Water heater install: $900 to $2,500
What changes the price
- License, and emergency vs. scheduled call.
- Service-call minimum and diagnostic fee.
- Parts, fixtures, and how hard the work is to reach.
- Permits for larger jobs.
State your emergency premium up front
Someone with a flooding bathroom is buying speed, not shopping three quotes, so a clear after-hours premium is both fair and expected. Charge a service-call fee, and use flat-rate per-job pricing for standard repairs once you know your pace. Use the free calculator to set your rates.
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