Gas tank water heater replacement cost in Seattle, WA
Installed, 50 gallon, standard vent
A typical gas water heater (50 gallon, standard vent) costs about $2,200 installed in the Seattle area, 10% above the national figure, because plumbers here earn a median $46 an hour against $31 nationally.
Prices by size in Seattle
| Size | Low | Typical | High | National typical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 gallon, standard vent | $1,750 | $2,150 | $2,800 | $1,900 |
| 50 gallon, standard vent | $1,800 | $2,200 | $3,000 | $2,000 |
| 75 gallon, standard vent | $2,550 | $3,000 | $3,700 | $2,800 |
| 40 gallon, power vent | $2,550 | $2,950 | $3,600 | $2,750 |
| 50 gallon, power vent | $2,700 | $3,050 | $3,850 | $2,850 |
Local labor: what plumbers earn here
| Hourly wage | Seattle metro | United States |
|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile | $30 | $24 |
| Median | $46 | $31 |
| 75th percentile | $61 | $41 |
The Seattle market
Seattle splits permits between two agencies. The Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) requires a permit for any furnace replacement or alteration and a refrigeration permit for any split-system heat pump or air conditioner. Plumbing and gas permits come from Public Health Seattle and King County, and no page found says whether a straight water heater replacement needs one, so check with Public Health. Homeowners may pull furnace and plumbing permits, but refrigeration permits go only to licensed refrigeration contractors. HVAC jobs need a cover inspection and a final inspection. Fees for these items were not confirmed. Many homes were built without air conditioning: EIA found only 53% of Washington homes use any AC, while 62% heat water with electricity. Tacoma, Bellevue and King County suburbs issue their own permits.
Electric tanks are the norm in Washington. King County requires seismic bracing on water heater tanks to protect against earthquakes, so straps belong on any replacement. A heat pump water heater is a natural step up from an electric tank, as long as there is space around it and a place to drain condensate. Ask the plumber to quote both, and ask whether haul-away is included.
Permits in Seattle
| Permit for this job | Unclear (plumbing/gas permits in Seattle are issued by Public Health - Seattle & King County; no page found that states replacement itself needs a permit) |
|---|---|
| Fee | Unclear for these items. Context: PHSKC plumbing/gas permits issued on/after Jan 1, 2025 use a $132 base fee plus $26 per fixture (water heater counting not stated); SDCI 2026 base hourly rate $292/hr with 6.5% inflationary increase to most fees. |
| Who can pull it | Furnace/mechanical STFI: homeowner or contractor; refrigeration (heat pump/AC): licensed refrigeration contractor only; plumbing: homeowner permit or registered contractor via PHSKC |
| Inspection | Yes (HVAC: cover inspection and final inspection) |
Rebates in Washington
HEAR: announced, not open yet. HOMES: announced, not open yet. Source: Washington State Department of Commerce, Energy Division, checked October 13, 2026.
- Washington State HEAR (Climate Commitment Act): State-funded rebates via ~40 local administrators for heat pumps, HPWH, induction, panels; households <=150% AMI ($39.3M recently awarded)
What these programs cover, and other states
Other systems in Seattle
- Gas tankless water heater
- Gas furnace
- Central air conditioner
- Heat pump (ducted, outdoor unit + air handler)
Gas tank water heater cost in other metros
Sources
- SDCI: Furnace and heat pump permit infographic
- Public Health Seattle and King County: plumbing and gas piping permits
- King County: Installing a new water heater
- SDCI Building Connections: changes to plumbing and gas permit fees
- Washington Commerce: state HEAR program
- Washington Commerce: IRA home energy rebates
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for space heating in U.S. homes by state
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for water heating in U.S. homes by state
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for air conditioning in U.S. homes by state
- https://seattle.gov/documents/Departments/SDCI/Codes/2026FeeSummary.pdf
- BLS OEWS May 2025, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA (47-2152 plumbers)
- DOE Consumer Water Heaters Final Rule TSD (Apr 2024), Table 8.2.7 (2022$); labor share from App. 8D (3.75 h + trip, $420 of $791)