This page is research
LA Trusted publishes this cost guide so you can budget from published figures. It does not perform plumbing work, and it sets none of the prices above.
New Jersey cost guide
Plumber Cost in New Jersey (2026)
New Jersey plumbers average $92.99 an hour plus parts (ProMatcher); most US plumber visits run $182 to $501, $341 on average (HomeAdvisor). NJ plumbers earn a $44.51 mean hourly wage against $34.70 nationally (BLS).
- Hourly rate
- NJ $92.99 avg ($87.13 – $98.85) + parts · ProMatcher NJ report, read Oct 22, 2026
- US $70 – $120 typical; $45 – $200 range · HomeAdvisor, Jun 19, 2026
- Service call, first hour
- NJ trip fee quoted on the phone, then a flat price · Maccabi Plumbing, West Orange, Jul 27, 2026
- US $100 – $250 · HomeAdvisor, Jun 19, 2026
- Faucet repair or replacement
- NJ $200 flat ($100 – $300) · ProMatcher NJ, Faucets, Fixtures and Pipes Installation or Repair, read Oct 22, 2026
- US $150 – $600 · HomeAdvisor, Jun 19, 2026
- Toilet install, labor only
- NJ $189.62 ($182.80 – $196.43) · ProMatcher NJ report, read Oct 22, 2026
- US toilet repair $100 – $300 · HomeAdvisor, Jun 19, 2026
- Sink, tub or shower clog
- NJ $164.91 ($148.27 – $181.54) · ProMatcher NJ report, read Oct 22, 2026
- US $95 – $500 · HomeAdvisor, Jun 19, 2026
- Drain camera inspection
- NJ $330.13 ($307.95 – $352.30) · ProMatcher NJ report, read Oct 22, 2026
- US $270 – $1,740 · HomeAdvisor, Jun 19, 2026
- Sump pump install
- NJ $1,396.80 ($1,268.55 – $1,525.05) · ProMatcher NJ report, read Oct 22, 2026
- US $640 – $2,100 · HomeAdvisor, Jun 19, 2026
- Water heater replacement
- NJ $1,500 – $3,500+ · Maccabi Plumbing, northern NJ, Jul 27, 2026
- US $800 – $2,000 installed · HomeAdvisor, Jun 19, 2026
These are published market figures, not LA Trusted prices. We found no New Jersey agency that publishes plumber prices; the New Jersey figures come from ProMatcher's state report and one West Orange company's own pricing page. Every figure was read on October 22, 2026 and is named to its source in the tables below.
Last updated October 22, 2026. LA Trusted Partners routes plumbing requests to independent providers after your consent — it does not perform plumbing work, and it does not set, quote or guarantee any plumber's pricing, availability or workmanship. Every price below comes from a cited published source, with the date it shows or the date we read it. Wages come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and permit, license and tax rules only from New Jersey's own code and agencies.
How Much Do Plumbers Charge per Hour in New Jersey?
ProMatcher's New Jersey cost report lists $92.99 an hour on average for residential plumbing contractors, with a range of $87.13 to $98.85, plus parts and materials. It is the only published state-level rate we found; ProMatcher says the figures are averages reported back to it and shows no date or sample size, so treat it as a guide.
The national guides land in the same place. HomeAdvisor (updated June 19, 2026) says most plumbers charge $70 to $120 an hour before trip fees and materials, from $45 for an apprentice to $200 for a master plumber. Fixr (January 30, 2025) gives $75 to $150, with a $90 national average.
Plenty of New Jersey plumbers do not bill by the clock at all. Maccabi Plumbing in West Orange lists labor from $400 an hour, but says most jobs are quoted as one flat price after a trip fee it states on the phone. FIXALL in Monmouth County advertises flat pricing with no hourly billing. So the useful question is often not the hourly rate but the total for the job.
Why New Jersey rates run higher
The pay part of the bill is higher here. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025) puts the mean hourly wage for plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters at $44.51 in New Jersey against $34.70 nationwide, about 28% more. The billed rate is higher than the wage because, as HomeAdvisor puts it, it also covers insurance, union dues, overhead, equipment, the vehicle and tools.
| Source | Hourly figure | What it covers | Dated |
|---|---|---|---|
| ProMatcher, New Jersey cost report | $92.99 average; range $87.13 – $98.85 | Residential plumbing contractors, per hour, plus parts and materials. Commercial: $121.03. ProMatcher says these are averages reported back to it; it shows no date or sample size. | Undated; read October 22, 2026 |
| HomeAdvisor, national | $70 – $120 for most; $45 – $200 full range | By level: apprentice $45 – $90, journeyperson $60 – $110, master $80 – $200 (average $120). Residential plumbers average $80 an hour, commercial $100. | Updated June 19, 2026 |
| Fixr, national | $75 – $150; $90 national average | A journeyman for most projects; as low as $45 for small, slow-season work and as high as $200 for a master plumber on a complex job. | Updated January 30, 2025 |
| Maccabi Plumbing, West Orange, NJ | Labor from $400 an hour | Its own rate. The company says most jobs are quoted as one flat price after a trip fee it states on the phone, not billed by the hour. | Page dated July 27, 2026 |
What New Jersey plumbers earn, against the national figures
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (SOC 47-2152) | New Jersey | United States |
|---|---|---|
| People employed | 8,750 | 465,840 |
| Mean hourly wage | $44.51 | $34.70 |
| Median hourly wage | $37.61 | $30.67 |
| 10th percentile | $23.42 | $21.22 |
| 90th percentile | $65.73 | $52.13 |
| Mean annual wage | $92,590 | $72,170 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state data file and national file, occupation code 47-2152, downloaded October 22, 2026. These are wages paid to workers, not prices charged to customers.
Service Call Fees, Trip Fees and Minimums
The hourly rate is only part of a small job's bill. HomeAdvisor puts service call fees at $100 to $250, usually including the first hour, and trip fees at $50 to $300, which are added to labor. Some plumbers skip the trip fee and charge a one- or two-hour minimum instead, so a 15-minute fix bills as the minimum. Flat rates for most simple calls, such as a drain, a faucet or a toilet, run $100 to $400.
Fixr puts the initial service call at $50 to $300: $50 to $150 for a journeyman and $150 to $300 for a master plumber. It says some plumbers waive the fee when you hire them for the work.
How much is a plumber for 3 hours?
| Basis | Sum | Three hours |
|---|---|---|
| ProMatcher's New Jersey average | 3 × $92.99 | $278.97, plus parts |
| ProMatcher's New Jersey range | 3 × $87.13 to 3 × $98.85 | $261.39 to $296.55, plus parts |
| HomeAdvisor's service call (first hour included) plus two more hours | $100 – $250 + 2 × ($70 – $120) | $240 to $490, before any trip fee or parts |
Sums are added by us from ProMatcher's New Jersey report and HomeAdvisor (June 19, 2026). Parts, permits and any after-hours premium are extra.
What Common Plumbing Jobs Cost in New Jersey
Most plumbing visits are one of a handful of jobs. This table puts ProMatcher's New Jersey figures and Maccabi's northern New Jersey planning ranges next to HomeAdvisor and Fixr. Maccabi says its ranges come from public cost data and are not fixed quotes.
Water heaters and sewer lines have their own pages here with New Jersey permit and cost detail: water heater replacement and sewer line repair. If a leak has already soaked a floor or ceiling, the cleanup is a separate bill: see the water damage restoration cost guide.
| Job | New Jersey published figure | National figure | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faucet repair or replacement | $200 flat, range $100 – $300, or $87.50 an hour plus parts (ProMatcher NJ, Faucets, Fixtures and Pipes Installation or Repair). Faucet install $150 – $450 plus the fixture (Maccabi, northern NJ) | Faucet and fixture replacement $150 – $600 (HomeAdvisor); faucet install $300 – $800 with the faucet (Fixr) | — |
| Toilet install or replacement | $189.62 labor only, toilet bought by you (ProMatcher NJ). $250 – $700 plus the fixture (Maccabi, northern NJ) | $400 – $800 with the toilet (Fixr); toilet repair $100 – $300 (HomeAdvisor), $60 – $200 (Fixr) | — |
| Sink, tub or shower clog | $164.91, range $148.27 – $181.54 (ProMatcher NJ). Drain cleaning $200 – $600 (Maccabi, northern NJ) | $95 – $500 (HomeAdvisor); unclog a sink $150 – $500 (Fixr) | — |
| Leaking pipe | No New Jersey figure published by the sources we read | Leak repair $150 – $350 (Fixr); burst pipe $200 – $3,000 (HomeAdvisor) | Water damage restoration cost guide |
| Garbage disposal | No New Jersey figure published by the sources we read | Repair $65 – $150; install $250 – $400 with the unit (Fixr) | — |
| Drain camera inspection | $330.13, range $307.95 – $352.30 (ProMatcher NJ) | Sewer camera inspection $270 – $1,740 (HomeAdvisor) | Sewer line repair page |
| Sump pump install | $1,396.80 for a submersible pump, range $1,268.55 – $1,525.05 (ProMatcher NJ) | $640 – $2,100 (HomeAdvisor) | — |
| Water heater replacement | $1,500 – $3,500+ (Maccabi, northern NJ) | $800 – $2,000 installed (HomeAdvisor); $800 – $2,500 (Fixr) | Water heater replacement page |
| Repipe a 1,500 sq ft home with PEX | $5,956.24, range $5,195.87 – $6,716.61 (ProMatcher NJ) | New plumbing pipes $370 – $2,100 (HomeAdvisor) | — |
New Jersey: ProMatcher state report (undated) and Maccabi Plumbing, West Orange (page dated July 27, 2026), both read October 22, 2026. National: HomeAdvisor (June 19, 2026) and Fixr (January 30, 2025). Your price depends on access, the age of the pipes, parts and timing — treat these as a comparison baseline, not a promise.
Permits and Licenses: What New Jersey Requires
Most small plumbing repairs need no permit in New Jersey. The Uniform Construction Code's ordinary maintenance rule (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.7) says no permit, inspection or notice to the construction office is required for ordinary maintenance, and lists these as ordinary plumbing maintenance:
- Replacing hose bib valves (with an approved vacuum breaker).
- Clearing stoppages.
- Repairing leaks, including replacing the leaking piping.
- Replacing faucets or the working parts of faucets.
- Replacing valves, including shower and bath/shower valves, or their working parts.
- Replacing traps and ball cocks (anti-siphon type).
- Swapping a fixture for a similar one when the piping arrangement does not change.
- Replacing a household clothes washer or dishwasher.
Other plumbing work needs a permit from the local construction office (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.14). Replacing a water heater or existing piping with like capacity, or adding fixtures without enlarging the water service, is "minor work" under N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.17A: the work can start once the construction office has been notified, and the permit application follows within five business days of that notice; the fee is paid before the permit is issued. Under N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.15, plumbing work may be done only by people licensed to do it, except a single-family homeowner on their own home, and the licensed plumbing contractor's seal and signature go on the plumbing permit application. On those jobs the permit fee can be part of the price, so ask whether the quote includes it.
New Jersey's State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers licenses master plumbers and requires them to renew every two years. To look a license up before anyone starts, follow the steps in how to check a contractor in New Jersey.
Is There Sales Tax on a Plumbing Bill in New Jersey?
On a repair, yes, on the labor. The NJ Division of Taxation's bulletin S&U-2, Sales Tax and Home Improvements (rev. 9/17) names plumbers as contractors and lists fixing faulty plumbing as a repair. The contractor charges sales tax on the labor portion of the bill and may not charge you sales tax on the materials. If the bill is one lump sum without labor and materials split out, you pay sales tax on the whole amount.
New work that adds value is different. S&U-2 lists a new hot water heater and new bathroom fixtures among exempt capital improvements: when you give the contractor a completed Certificate of Exempt Capital Improvement (Form ST-8), no sales tax is charged on materials or labor. The New Jersey rate is 6.625% (S&U-4).
On the bill, that means
- Repair (a leak, a running toilet, a dripping faucet): 6.625% on the labor line only.
- Lump-sum repair bill: 6.625% on the whole bill, so ask for labor and materials on separate lines.
- New hot water heater or new bathroom fixtures with a completed Form ST-8: no sales tax on materials or labor.
How to Tell if a Plumber Is Overcharging You
Most overcharge stories start with a number the homeowner heard only at the end: a trip fee, a minimum, an after-hours multiplier or a lump sum with tax on top. Ask for each of those before the visit, then hold the quote against the published figures above.
Already have a quote? Check it against the job table, and ask the plumber to explain any line that sits well above the New Jersey and national figures.
Seven checks before you say yes
- Ask for the trip or service-call fee before anyone drives over, and whether it is on top of the hourly rate. HomeAdvisor says a service call usually includes the first hour, while a trip fee is added to labor.
- Ask how the job is priced: by the hour with a minimum, or one flat price. HomeAdvisor says some plumbers charge a one- or two-hour minimum instead of a trip fee, so a 15-minute fix can bill as an hour.
- Hold the quote against the table above. A clog, faucet or toilet quote far above the New Jersey and national figures should come with a reason, line by line.
- Check the master plumber license before work starts. New Jersey's State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers licenses master plumbers, and the license is renewed every two years.
- Ask who pulls the permit. Work outside the State's ordinary maintenance list needs one, and the licensed plumber's seal and signature go on the plumbing permit application.
- Ask for labor and materials on separate lines. In New Jersey, sales tax on a repair applies to the labor portion; a lump-sum bill is taxed on the whole amount.
- For a night, weekend or holiday call, get the multiplier before you say yes. HomeAdvisor says most plumbers charge time and a half to triple their hourly rate after hours.
Nights, Weekends and Holidays
Everything above is for regular hours. HomeAdvisor says most plumbers charge time and a half to triple their hourly rate after hours, and emergency calls add $100 to $300 or more. If water is coming in right now, the emergency plumber page has the safety steps, the after-hours price ranges and the license check in one place.
How LA Trusted Partners Fits Into a Plumbing Job
The request is consent-first
You describe the fixture, the symptom and the town. Your contact information is shared with a matched independent provider only after you agree to the disclosure.
The provider owns the work
Inspection, repair scope, permits where required, warranties and customer terms come from the independent provider. LA Trusted's standards ask that a provider's business identity and service area be checkable, and that licensing where applicable, insurance evidence and complaint history be checked before routing.
Request a Plumbing Match in New Jersey
Tell us who you are and where the property is, then note the fixture or area, when the problem started, and whether water is leaking or backing up right now. We take it from there and an independent plumbing provider calls you back.
Coverage depends on the town and the job, and a request is not a guarantee that a provider is available. LA Trusted does not do the work itself and does not promise a response time, so the quote and any warranty come from the provider who calls you. Ask for the trip or service-call fee and how the job is priced before the visit.
Already have a quote? Check it against the published prices. The plumbing request page takes the same request.
Where to Go Next
Start the request, get the after-hours steps, or check a plumber's license.
Plumbing requestLeak, clog, fixture or water heater problem? Start a plumbing request with the fixture, the symptom and the town.Open page Emergency plumber in NJWater rising or sewage backing up right now: the safety steps, after-hours price ranges and the two-minute license check.Open page How to check a contractor in NJHow to look up a master plumber license and a Home Improvement Contractor registration on the State's own site.Open page
Plumber Cost in NJ: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do plumbers charge per hour in NJ?
ProMatcher's New Jersey cost report lists $92.99 an hour on average for residential plumbing contractors, with a range of $87.13 to $98.85, plus parts and materials (undated; read October 22, 2026). Many New Jersey plumbers quote a flat price per job instead: Maccabi Plumbing in West Orange lists labor from $400 an hour but says most jobs are quoted flat after a trip fee it states on the phone.
How much should I pay for a plumber?
HomeAdvisor puts most plumber visits at $182 to $501, $341 on average, with hourly rates of $45 to $200 and most plumbers at $70 to $120 an hour (updated June 19, 2026). For New Jersey, compare your quote with ProMatcher's state figures: $164.91 to clear a sink, tub or shower clog, $189.62 to install a toilet you bought, and $200 flat for faucet, fixture and pipe installation or repair.
How much is a plumber for 3 hours?
At ProMatcher's New Jersey average of $92.99 an hour, three hours of labor is $278.97 plus parts; across its range it is $261.39 to $296.55. On HomeAdvisor's national figures, a service call of $100 to $250 that includes the first hour plus two more hours at $70 to $120 comes to $240 to $490, before any trip fee or parts. The sums are ours, from the published rates.
How can I tell if a plumber is overcharging me?
Get the trip or service-call fee and the pricing method (hourly with a minimum, or flat) before the visit, compare the quote with published New Jersey and national figures for the same job, check the master plumber license, ask who pulls the permit, and ask for labor and materials on separate lines. A quote far above the published ranges should explain why, line by line.
Why are plumbers so expensive?
HomeAdvisor says the hourly rate covers the plumber's pay plus insurance, union dues, overhead, equipment, vehicle costs and tools. In New Jersey the pay part alone is higher than the national average: the Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the mean hourly wage for plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters at $44.51 in New Jersey against $34.70 nationwide (May 2025).
Do plumbers charge a service call fee?
Many do. HomeAdvisor puts service call fees at $100 to $250, usually including the first hour, and trip fees at $50 to $300 on top of labor (June 19, 2026). Fixr puts the initial service call at $50 to $300 (January 30, 2025). Some plumbers waive it when you hire them for the job, so ask before the visit.
Is it cheaper to pay a plumber hourly or a flat rate?
It depends on the job. Hourly can be cheaper on a quick fix, but a minimum of one or two hours often applies; a flat rate tells you the whole price before work starts. HomeAdvisor puts flat rates for most simple service calls, such as a drain, faucet or toilet, at $100 to $400.
How much do plumbers cost to unclog a toilet?
Fixr puts a plumber unclogging a toilet at $200 to $700, higher when the clog is farther down the line (January 30, 2025). For a sink, tub or shower clog, ProMatcher's New Jersey figure is $164.91, with a range of $148.27 to $181.54.
How expensive is it to install plumbing?
HomeAdvisor puts new plumbing pipes at $370 to $2,100 (June 19, 2026). For a whole house, ProMatcher's New Jersey report lists $5,956.24 to repipe a 1,500 square foot home with PEX, with a range of $5,195.87 to $6,716.61. New piping is not on New Jersey's ordinary maintenance list, so expect a permit.
Do I need a permit to replace a faucet or clear a drain in NJ?
No. New Jersey's Uniform Construction Code lists clearing stoppages, repairing leaks, and replacing faucets, valves, traps and like-for-like fixtures as ordinary plumbing maintenance, which needs no permit, inspection or notice (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.7). Replacing a water heater is not on that list; see the water heater replacement page for its permit rule.
Do plumbers charge sales tax on labor in NJ?
On a repair, yes. The NJ Division of Taxation lists fixing faulty plumbing as a repair, and the contractor charges sales tax (6.625%) on the labor portion only, not on materials. A lump-sum bill is taxed in full. An exempt capital improvement, such as a new hot water heater or new bathroom fixtures, is not taxed when you give the contractor a completed Form ST-8.
Does a plumber in NJ need a license?
Yes. New Jersey's construction code says plumbing work may be done only by people licensed to do it, except a single-family homeowner working on their own home (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.15), and the State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers licenses master plumbers. The contractor-check guide shows how to look a license up.
Sources used on this page
- ProMatcher — New Jersey Plumbing Service Costs & Prices (undated; read October 22, 2026)
- HomeAdvisor — How Much Does a Plumber Cost? (updated June 19, 2026)
- Fixr — Cost to Hire a Plumber (updated January 30, 2025)
- Maccabi Plumbing & Heating, West Orange, NJ — How Much Does a Plumber Cost in NJ? (page dated July 27, 2026)
- FIXALL Plumbing Heating & Air, Monmouth County, NJ — Services (undated; read October 22, 2026)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152)
- NJ Division of Consumer Affairs — State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers
- N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.7 — Ordinary maintenance (Uniform Construction Code)
- N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.14 — Construction permits, when required
- N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.17A — Minor work
- N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.15 — Construction permits, application
- NJ Division of Taxation — S&U-2, Sales Tax and Home Improvements (rev. 9/17)
- NJ Division of Taxation — S&U-4, New Jersey Sales Tax Guide (rev. 07/22)
- NJ Division of Taxation — Form ST-8, Certificate of Exempt Capital Improvement
Every source in this list was checked live, and every figure taken from it re-read, on October 22, 2026. Naming a company here is not an endorsement and does not mean it is an LA Trusted Partners provider.
Have a plumbing problem to sort out?
Start with one documented request. You stay in control of whether your information is shared with a matched independent provider, and you get the trip fee and the total before anyone starts.