Water Heater Replacement Cost in Illinois
$840 – $2,350We estimate water heater replacement in Illinois at $840 to $2,350 for a 40 to 50 gallon gas or electric tank in the same location. The national estimate is $750 to $2,050. Illinois plumber pay is 57% above the national median, ranking 2 of 51.
| Part of the job | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Parts and materials (our assumption) | $600 | $1,500 |
| Labor hours (our assumption) | 2 | 4 |
| Billed labor rate per hour | $120 | $216 |
| Estimated total | $840 | $2,350 |
Our estimate, not a quote. Billed rate is the Illinois median wage from BLS (2025, $48.05 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
| Item | Sourced figure | Basis | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor hours | 1 – 3 | 1 to 3 hours for a standard tank installation. | This Old House |
What other publishers report
| Publisher | Low | High | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixr | $550 | $2,300 | 40-gallon tank installed. Page dated January 2026. |
| Fixr | $700 | $2,500 | 50-gallon tank installed. Page dated January 2026. |
| This Old House | $600 | $1,200 | 40-gallon tank installed. Page dated June 2026. |
| This Old House | $700 | $1,800 | 50-gallon tank installed. Page dated June 2026. |
Cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median wage | Low | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $49.70 | $850 | $2,400 |
Who can legally do this in Illinois
Individuals who plan, inspect, install, alter, extend, repair or maintain plumbing systems in Illinois must be licensed through the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Check a license with IDFPR Check License
Compared with neighboring states
| State | Median wage | Low | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana | $36.69 | $780 | $2,150 |
| Iowa | $30.72 | $750 | $2,050 |
| Kentucky | $30.84 | $750 | $2,050 |
| Missouri | $32.11 | $760 | $2,100 |
| Wisconsin | $39.04 | $800 | $2,200 |
Other plumber jobs in Illinois
- Toilet Replacement
- Faucet Replacement
- Drain Cleaning
- Garbage Disposal Replacement
- Tankless Water Heater Installation
- Pipe Repair
- Whole-House Repipe
- Sewer Line Repair
Water Heater Replacement cost in every state · Illinois 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.