Gas tankless water heater replacement cost in Salt Lake City, UT
Installed, About 180,000–199,000 BTU (2–3+ bathrooms)
A typical tankless water heater (About 180,000–199,000 BTU (2–3+ bathrooms)) costs about $2,800 installed in the Salt Lake City area, about the same as the national figure, because plumbers here earn a median $31 an hour against $31 nationally.
Prices by size in Salt Lake City
| Size | Low | Typical | High | National typical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| About 150,000 BTU (1–2 bathrooms) | $2,050 | $2,650 | $3,400 | $2,650 |
| About 180,000–199,000 BTU (2–3+ bathrooms) | $2,550 | $2,800 | $3,750 | $2,800 |
Local labor: what plumbers earn here
| Hourly wage | Salt Lake City metro | United States |
|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile | $24 | $24 |
| Median | $31 | $31 |
| 75th percentile | $38 | $41 |
The Salt Lake City market
Salt Lake City's Consolidated Fee Schedule prices water heaters, furnaces and heating and cooling appliances under its plumbing and mechanical permits, which indicates a permit for each replacement even though no city page says so in words. Mechanical permits carry a $59 base fee plus $30 for a furnace up to 200,000 Btu/h, and repairs or alterations to heating or cooling units start at $42 for work up to $1,000. Plumbing permits are $59 base plus $16 per water heater. A property owner may pull permits for a primary residence with an Owner/Builder Certification; when a contractor is hired, state law makes the contractor responsible for the permit and inspections, which are scheduled through the Citizen Access Portal. Utah is gas country: EIA's 2020 survey found 86% of homes heat with natural gas and 90% use a furnace.
A gas tankless heater is a common upgrade in Utah's gas-heated homes, but the unit needs much more gas flow than a tank, and older Salt Lake City gas lines may need upsizing by a licensed plumber. Incoming water is cold in winter, so size the heater for those months. Ask where the vent will exit and whether isolation valves are included so the unit can be descaled.
Permits in Salt Lake City
| Permit for this job | Yes (inferred: Consolidated Fee Schedule prices a water heater under plumbing permits; no page states the requirement in words) (source) |
|---|---|
| Fee | Mechanical: base fee $59 + furnace (<=200,000 BTU/h) $30. Plumbing: base fee $59 + water heater $16 each. |
| Who can pull it | Property owner (primary residence, with Owner/Builder Certification) or licensed contractor (contractor responsible for permit under state law) |
| Inspection | Yes (inspections scheduled after permit issuance; contractor responsible for seeing inspections done) |
Rebates in Utah
HEAR: paused. HOMES: paused. Source: Utah Office of Energy Development, checked October 13, 2026.
What these programs cover, and other states
Other systems in Salt Lake City
- Gas tank water heater
- Gas furnace
- Central air conditioner
- Heat pump (ducted, outdoor unit + air handler)
Gas tankless water heater cost in other metros
Sources
- Salt Lake City, UT permit source (water heater permit)
- Salt Lake City, UT permit source (who can pull)
- Salt Lake City, UT permit source (inspection)
- Salt Lake City, UT permit source: Mechanical and Plumbing Fee Worksheets; Owner Builder Certification
- Utah Office of Energy Development: energy efficiency
- EIA RECS 2020: Highlights for space heating fuel in U.S. homes by state
- EIA RECS 2020: Highlights for space heating in U.S. homes by state
- EIA RECS 2020: Highlights for air conditioning in U.S. homes by state
- EIA RECS 2020: Highlights for water heating in U.S. homes by state
- BLS OEWS May 2025, Salt Lake City-Murray, UT (47-2152 plumbers)
- DOE Gas-fired Instantaneous Water Heaters Final Rule TSD (Dec 2024), Table 8.2.6 (2023$)