Water Heater Replacement Cost in Massachusetts
$830 – $2,300We estimate water heater replacement in Massachusetts at $830 to $2,300 for a 40 to 50 gallon gas or electric tank in the same location. The national estimate is $750 to $2,050. Massachusetts plumber pay is 47% above the national median, ranking 6 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 | $113 | $203 |
| Estimated total | $830 | $2,300 |
Our estimate, not a quote. Billed rate is the Massachusetts median wage from BLS (2025, $45.14 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 Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median wage | Low | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | $46.52 | $830 | $2,350 |
Who can legally do this in Massachusetts
Massachusetts says plumbers who provide services exclusively within the scope of their licensed profession do not need Home Improvement Contractor registration.
Compared with neighboring states
| State | Median wage | Low | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $37.16 | $790 | $2,150 |
| New Hampshire | $32.12 | $760 | $2,100 |
| New York | $37.26 | $790 | $2,150 |
| Rhode Island | $36.77 | $780 | $2,150 |
| Vermont | $29.89 | $750 | $2,050 |
Other plumber jobs in Massachusetts
- 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 · Massachusetts 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.