Apprentice
The typical price for an apprentice plumber is between $45 and $90 per hour with an average of $70 per hour. Apprentices work for four to five years under a master plumber before taking the test to become a journeyperson. During this time, they work on a wide variety of projects to gain experience.
Journeyperson
The average price for a journeyperson is between $70 and $120 per hour, with an average cost of $90 per hour. Your bill reflects those wages plus overhead, insurance, tools, equipment, vehicle expenses, and advertising.
Master
Expect to pay a master plumber $90 to $200 per hour, with an average cost of $120 per hour. They survey the plumbing work completed by apprentices and journeymen. Some states don't require or endorse certification levels. You can speak with your local construction and planning office for details on the requirements in your state or city.
Job Complexity
The more complex the solution, the longer it’ll likely take to diagnose and repair. For example, snaking a drain might only require an hour of work. But installing new plumbing behind drywall requires multiple steps: determining the run, removing drywall, drilling through joists, installing plumbing, and putting it all back together. So, adding complexity adds both time and materials, increasing your overall cost.
Type of Repair
Some repairs are routine and frequent, such as clogged drains and installing a water heater, while burst pipes are often weather dependent and happen more rarely. Routine repairs often come with flat rates. Expect to pay on the low end, or $150 to $350, for something routine like a clogged drain. A burst pipe can run you up to $2,000 if you need extensive work done, not including the cleanup.
Materials
Materials make a difference in plumbing only if you need them. Using the clogged drain example, you likely won’t have any material costs associated with the fix. But if you need new pipes installed, you’ll have to choose what they’re made from, like PEX or copper, and that choice affects your bill. Discuss your options with your plumber. They’ll know which materials work best in your area and can give you estimates for each type.
Labor and Permits
Labor costs for most plumbing jobs run $90 per hour for each plumber working on the job. For many jobs, you’ll have a journeyperson and an apprentice working together; their combined hourly rate is higher, but they’ll get the job done quicker.
Location
Location plays a part in two ways: cost of living and travel time.
Cost of living: The higher the cost of living in your area, the more you can expect to pay for services. That’s usually because more overhead is associated with running a service business in your location.
Travel time: If you live within a certain distance from your plumber, you likely won’t pay a travel fee. But with the cost of transportation rising, you can expect your pro to tack on a travel fee for each mile outside their home radius. That fee helps cover the time it takes to get to you and the fuel costs associated with the distance.