Alabama plumbing market report

Public-data snapshot · Updated 2026-06-21 · By J.D. Hartwell, editor

A snapshot of the plumbing market in Alabama: who's licensed, where they work, climate context, and what homeowners typically pay. All data from official US public sources cited below.

Licensed pros

4,980

BLS OES May 2023 - 47-2152 (Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters)

Households

1,956k

US Census ACS 2022

Climate zone

Hot-Humid

DOE/NOAA climate classification

Typical water heater install/replace

$1,350

National avg adjusted for Alabama cost-of-living

State overview

Alabama has approximately 1,956k households (US Census ACS 2022) and is in a hot-humid climate zone (DOE/NOAA classification). The state employs roughly 4,980 plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters per the BLS Occupational Employment Statistics for code 47-2152, or about 2.5 pros per 1,000 households.

Licensing

Plumbing pros in Alabama are typically regulated by the Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board. Before hiring, verify the contractor's license number, that the license is active and in good standing, and that the licensee is bonded and insured to operate in Alabama. License lookup is typically free at the board's public website.

Top 5 cities by listed pros

Birmingham — 4 listed
Mobile — 1 listed
Hoover — 1 listed

Seasonal demand pattern

Demand year-round; spikes in summer from sediment-fouled water heaters and irrigation leaks.

Typical cost range in Alabama

Based on national HomeAdvisor and Angi 2024-2026 averages adjusted to Alabama cost-of-living, a typical water heater install/replace in Alabama runs around $1,350. See the full cost calculator suite for service-by-service ranges. Always get a written quote before committing to work.

Find a verified pro in Alabama

Browse our Alabama state hub or jump to a city: Birmingham, Mobile, Hoover.

See all Alabama plumbing pros →

Data sources. Employment: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2023 (bls.gov/oes), occupation code 47-2152 (Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters). Households: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2022 1-year estimates (census.gov/acs). Climate zone: U.S. Department of Energy Building America Climate Zones (energy.gov) / NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (noaa.gov). Licensing: Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board. Cost ranges: HomeAdvisor 2024 True Cost Reports (homeadvisor.com), Angi 2024 cost guides (angi.com). All figures are estimates; verify before relying on for any decision.