Home Repair Decoded

Garbage Disposal Replacement Cost in California

$190 – $670We estimate garbage disposal replacement in California at $190 to $670 for a replacement disposal on existing plumbing and wiring. The national estimate is $180 to $630. California plumber pay is 14% above the national median, ranking 17 of 51.
Part of the jobLowHigh
Parts and materials (our assumption)$100$350
Labor hours (our assumption)12
Billed labor rate per hour$88$158
Estimated total$190$670

Our estimate, not a quote. Billed rate is the California median wage from BLS (2025, $35.01 an hour) times 2.5 to 4.5 to cover payroll costs, overhead, travel and profit. How we estimate

What our assumptions are based on

ItemSourced figureBasisSource
Labor hours1 – 41 to 4 hours (This Old House); 2 to 4 hours for a replacement including removal (Fixr); 1 to 3 hours (Bob Vila).This Old House, Fixr, Bob Vila

What other publishers report

National figures as published by each source, checked 2026-11-03. Their scope can differ from ours.
PublisherLowHighScope
This Old House$150$950Buying and installing a new disposal. Page dated June 2026.
Fixr$300$600National range, installed. Page dated January 2025.
Bob Vila$150$950Replacement, citing Angi. Page dated July 2022.

Cities in California

Metro areaMedian wageLowHigh
Los Angeles$34.19$190$660
San Francisco$37.44$190$690
Riverside$30.73$180$630
San Diego$34.86$190$660

Who can legally do this in California

Plumbing contractors are licensed by the Contractors State License Board under the C-36 Plumbing Contractor classification.

Check a license with CSLB Check A License

Compared with neighboring states

StateMedian wageLowHigh
Arizona$29.84$170$620
Nevada$29.62$170$620
Oregon$46.66$220$770

Other plumber jobs in California

Garbage Disposal Replacement cost in every state · California home repair guide

Sources

General information, not professional advice. Conditions, codes and prices vary. Turn off power, gas or water before any work, and hire a licensed professional when in doubt. Cost figures are our estimates, not quotes.