Wisconsin plumbing market report
A snapshot of the plumbing market in Wisconsin: who's licensed, where they work, climate context, and what homeowners typically pay. All data from official US public sources cited below.
State overview
Wisconsin has approximately 2,398k households (US Census ACS 2022) and is in a cold climate zone (DOE/NOAA classification). The state employs roughly 7,240 plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters per the BLS Occupational Employment Statistics for code 47-2152, or about 3.0 pros per 1,000 households.
Licensing
Plumbing pros in Wisconsin are typically regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. 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 Wisconsin. License lookup is typically free at the board's public website.
Top 5 cities by listed pros
- Madison — 2 listed
- Brookfield — 1 listed
- Milwaukee — 1 listed
- Glendale — 1 listed
- West Allis — 1 listed
Seasonal demand pattern
Peak demand Dec-Mar (frozen pipes); shoulder Apr-May for repipes.
Typical cost range in Wisconsin
Based on national HomeAdvisor and Angi 2024-2026 averages adjusted to Wisconsin cost-of-living, a typical water heater install/replace in Wisconsin runs around $1,500. 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 Wisconsin
Browse our Wisconsin state hub or jump to a city: Madison, Brookfield, Milwaukee.
See all Wisconsin 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: Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. 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.