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Rhode Island plumbing market report

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

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

Licensed pros
1,410
BLS OES May 2023 - 47-2152 (Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters)
Households
420k
US Census ACS 2022
Climate zone
Cold
DOE/NOAA climate classification
Typical water heater install/replace
$1,620
National avg adjusted for Rhode Island cost-of-living

State overview

Rhode Island has approximately 420k households (US Census ACS 2022) and is in a cold climate zone (DOE/NOAA classification). The state employs roughly 1,410 plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters per the BLS Occupational Employment Statistics for code 47-2152, or about 3.4 pros per 1,000 households.

Licensing

Plumbing pros in Rhode Island are typically regulated by the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training. 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 Rhode Island. License lookup is typically free at the board's public website.

Top 5 cities by listed pros

  1. Pawtucket — 2 listed
  2. Lincoln — 1 listed
  3. North Kingstown — 1 listed
  4. East Greenwich — 1 listed
  5. Coventry — 1 listed

Seasonal demand pattern

Peak demand Dec-Mar (frozen pipes); shoulder Apr-May for repipes.

Typical cost range in Rhode Island

Based on national HomeAdvisor and Angi 2024-2026 averages adjusted to Rhode Island cost-of-living, a typical water heater install/replace in Rhode Island runs around $1,620. 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 Rhode Island

Browse our Rhode Island state hub or jump to a city: Pawtucket, Lincoln, North Kingstown.

See all Rhode Island 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: Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training. 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.