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Washington plumbing market report

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

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

Licensed pros
12,660
BLS OES May 2023 - 47-2152 (Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters)
Households
3,032k
US Census ACS 2022
Climate zone
Marine
DOE/NOAA climate classification
Typical water heater install/replace
$1,770
National avg adjusted for Washington cost-of-living

State overview

Washington has approximately 3,032k households (US Census ACS 2022) and is in a marine climate zone (DOE/NOAA classification). The state employs roughly 12,660 plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters per the BLS Occupational Employment Statistics for code 47-2152, or about 4.2 pros per 1,000 households.

Licensing

Plumbing pros in Washington are typically regulated by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. 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 Washington. License lookup is typically free at the board's public website.

Top 5 cities by listed pros

  1. Seattle — 22 listed
  2. Tacoma — 6 listed
  3. Bellevue — 6 listed
  4. Kirkland — 3 listed
  5. Renton — 2 listed

Seasonal demand pattern

Steady year-round with modest winter spike.

Typical cost range in Washington

Based on national HomeAdvisor and Angi 2024-2026 averages adjusted to Washington cost-of-living, a typical water heater install/replace in Washington runs around $1,770. 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 Washington

Browse our Washington state hub or jump to a city: Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue.

See all Washington 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: Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. 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.