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Water heater replacement cost in California
Most homeowners pay $1,550 – $2,600 (mid-range, typical $2,000, before sales tax), 5% above the national average.
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mid-range, typicalPrice levels in California
| Typical | Labour | Materials | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $1,800 $1,400 – $2,350 | $1,032 | $785 |
| Mid-range | $2,000 $1,550 – $2,600 | $1,054 | $963 |
| Premium | $2,450 $1,900 – $3,150 | $1,179 | $1,251 |
Why prices in California are different
Labour makes up about 52% of a mid-range water heater replacement job, around 10 hours of trade work. Tradespeople in California cost about 14% more than the national average (official wage data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics), while materials are priced much the same across the country. That is why the total comes out 5% above the national figure.
California ranks 17 of 51 states for this job, from most to least expensive.
By area
| Location | Basic | Mid-range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $2,300 | $2,500 | $3,000 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $1,900 | $2,100 | $2,500 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $1,800 | $2,000 | $2,400 |
| North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $1,800 | $2,000 | $2,450 |
| North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $1,800 | $2,000 | $2,400 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $1,800 | $2,000 | $2,450 |
| Vallejo, CA | $1,800 | $2,000 | $2,400 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $1,750 | $1,950 | $2,350 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $1,750 | $1,950 | $2,350 |
| Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $1,700 | $1,900 | $2,300 |
| Fresno, CA | $1,700 | $1,900 | $2,300 |
| Modesto, CA | $1,700 | $1,900 | $2,300 |
| Napa, CA | $1,700 | $1,900 | $2,300 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $1,700 | $1,900 | $2,300 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $1,700 | $1,900 | $2,300 |
| Salinas, CA | $1,700 | $1,900 | $2,300 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $1,700 | $1,900 | $2,250 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $1,700 | $1,900 | $2,300 |
| Chico, CA | $1,650 | $1,850 | $2,250 |
| El Centro, CA | $1,650 | $1,850 | $2,250 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $1,700 | $1,850 | $2,250 |
| Merced, CA | $1,650 | $1,850 | $2,250 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $1,650 | $1,850 | $2,250 |
| Redding, CA | $1,650 | $1,850 | $2,250 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $1,650 | $1,850 | $2,250 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $1,700 | $1,850 | $2,250 |
| Visalia, CA | $1,650 | $1,850 | $2,250 |
| Yuba City, CA | $1,650 | $1,850 | $2,250 |
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Frequently asked questions
How much does water heater replacement cost in California?
A mid-range job typically costs $2,000 before sales tax, with most homeowners paying between $1,550 and $2,600. A basic job is about $1,800 and a premium one about $2,450.
Is water heater replacement more expensive in California than the national average?
California: 5% above the national average. Labour makes up about 52% of a mid-range water heater replacement job, around 10 hours of trade work. Tradespeople in California cost about 14% more than the national average (official wage data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics), while materials are priced much the same across the country. That is why the total comes out 5% above the national figure.
How much of the price is labour in California?
About 52% at the mid-range level, around 10 hours of work at local rates. The rest is materials, equipment and disposal, which vary much less between regions.
Where in California is it most expensive?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is the most expensive area at about $2,500 for a mid-range job, and Yuba City, CA the least expensive at about $1,850.
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