BLS wage data says plumbers in Washington DC earn $42.86/hr. That's 33.1% above the national average. Here's what that means for your bids.
BLS Hourly Wage
$42.86
Customer Rate
$109–$148/hr
Markup Factor
3.0x
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2023. Customer rate = wage × markup.
Washington DC
National Avg
Washington DC runs noticeably above the national average. Higher cost of living pushes wages up, and your bids should reflect that. Underbidding here means underpaying yourself.
| Service | Washington DC Price Range |
|---|---|
| Drain unclogging (snake) | $200–$399 |
| Toilet repair or replacement | $266–$665 |
| Faucet replacement | $200–$466 |
| Garbage disposal install | $266–$599 |
| Water heater install (tank) | $1065–$2662 |
| Tankless water heater install | $1996–$4658 |
| Pipe repair or replacement | $399–$1996 |
| Sewer line repair | $1996–$6655 |
| Bathroom rough-in (new) | $2662–$6655 |
Prices adjusted from national averages using Washington DC BLS wage data. Your local market may vary.
Pre-loaded with Washington DC rates. Enter your job's square footage and type to get a starting price.
Estimated per-job price for Washington DC (—–—/hr effective rate)
Based on BLS wage data for Washington DC (DC). Rates reflect state-level labor costs.
Based on BLS wage data, plumbers in Washington DC typically charge between $109 and $148 per hour. The actual rate depends on the job type, scope, and whether materials are included.
Plumbing labor costs in Washington DC are 33.1% above the national average. The BLS-reported hourly wage in Washington DC is $42.86, compared to $32.20 nationally.
Start with your labor cost ($42.86/hr in Washington DC), apply a 3.0x markup to cover overhead, supplies, insurance, and profit. That puts your customer-facing rate around $109–$148/hr. Then adjust for job scope: complex jobs command higher rates.
The biggest factors are metro vs. rural (cities within Washington DC can vary 30–40%), job complexity, and recurring vs. one-time work. Recurring contracts cost less per visit because there's no re-quoting or onboarding.
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Looking for national averages? Plumbing Pricing Guide (National) →