Gas tank water heater replacement cost in Dallas, TX
Installed, 50 gallon, standard vent
A typical gas water heater (50 gallon, standard vent) costs about $1,950 installed in the Dallas area, 3% below the national figure, because plumbers here earn a median $29 an hour against $31 nationally.
Prices by size in Dallas
| Size | Low | Typical | High | National typical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 gallon, standard vent | $1,650 | $1,900 | $2,300 | $1,900 |
| 50 gallon, standard vent | $1,700 | $1,950 | $2,450 | $2,000 |
| 75 gallon, standard vent | $2,450 | $2,750 | $3,200 | $2,800 |
| 40 gallon, power vent | $2,450 | $2,700 | $3,050 | $2,750 |
| 50 gallon, power vent | $2,600 | $2,800 | $3,300 | $2,850 |
Local labor: what plumbers earn here
| Hourly wage | Dallas metro | United States |
|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile | $23 | $24 |
| Median | $29 | $31 |
| 75th percentile | $36 | $41 |
The Dallas market
Dallas permit information online is thin and partly dated, so treat what follows as a starting point and check with the city's Building Inspection division. A City of Dallas plumbing pamphlet states that a permit is required for water heater replacement, with a $100 minimum plumbing permit fee, but it dates to 2011. No Dallas page found names furnace, AC or heat pump replacement, and inspection steps were not stated. Permits go to city-registered licensed contractors, or to a homeowner who lives in the house and holds a homestead exemption recorded by the appraisal district. Cooling sets the pace here: EIA found 83% of Texas homes use central air, and heat pumps are the main heating equipment in 19%. Fort Worth, Arlington, Plano and other cities in the metroplex each run their own permit office.
Texas splits water heating between electricity (54% of homes in EIA's survey) and gas (42%), and many Dallas homes keep a gas tank in the garage or attic. An attic tank can leak for days before a stain shows on the ceiling. Ask for a drain pan with a line that ends somewhere visible. Ask whether the quote includes a new gas connector, an expansion tank and haul-away of the old unit, since those extras explain most gaps between bids.
Permits in Dallas
We couldn't confirm all of Dallas's rules from official pages. Check with the building department before work starts.
| Permit for this job | Yes (source) |
|---|---|
| Fee | Minimum permit fee $100 (plumbing); otherwise varies with new vs remodel and value of work. No itemized water heater or HVAC fee found. |
| Who can pull it | City-registered licensed contractor, or homeowner who occupies the home and holds a homestead exemption |
| Inspection | Not stated on the city pages we checked |
Rebates in Texas
HEAR: announced, not open yet. HOMES: announced, not open yet. Source: Texas State Energy Conservation Office (Comptroller), checked October 13, 2026.
What these programs cover, and other states
Other systems in Dallas
- Gas tankless water heater
- Gas furnace
- Central air conditioner
- Heat pump (ducted, outdoor unit + air handler)
Gas tank water heater cost in other metros
Sources
- City of Dallas: How to get a plumbing permit (pamphlet)
- City of Dallas: Mechanical work without a license
- Texas Comptroller: State Energy Conservation Office
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for space heating in U.S. homes by state
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for water heating in U.S. homes by state
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for air conditioning in U.S. homes by state
- BLS OEWS May 2025, Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX (47-2152 plumbers)
- DOE Consumer Water Heaters Final Rule TSD (Apr 2024), Table 8.2.7 (2022$); labor share from App. 8D (3.75 h + trip, $420 of $791)