Gas tank water heater replacement cost in Baltimore, MD
Installed, 50 gallon, standard vent
A typical gas water heater (50 gallon, standard vent) costs about $2,000 installed in the Baltimore area, about the same as the national figure, because plumbers here earn a median $30 an hour against $31 nationally.
Prices by size in Baltimore
| Size | Low | Typical | High | National typical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 gallon, standard vent | $1,700 | $1,900 | $2,350 | $1,900 |
| 50 gallon, standard vent | $1,750 | $2,000 | $2,550 | $2,000 |
| 75 gallon, standard vent | $2,500 | $2,800 | $3,250 | $2,800 |
| 40 gallon, power vent | $2,500 | $2,750 | $3,150 | $2,750 |
| 50 gallon, power vent | $2,650 | $2,800 | $3,400 | $2,850 |
Local labor: what plumbers earn here
| Hourly wage | Baltimore metro | United States |
|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile | $26 | $24 |
| Median | $30 | $31 |
| 75th percentile | $40 | $41 |
The Baltimore market
Baltimore City's Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) requires a permit for changing, installing or replacing any electrical, gas, mechanical, HVAC and refrigeration or plumbing system. Only replacement of a minor part that does not alter equipment approval is exempt, and the city's exempt list does not include water heater replacement. Electrical, mechanical, gas and plumbing work requires a licensed contractor, and all permits require inspections by DHCD building and trade inspectors. Fees were not found, so ask DHCD. EIA's survey shows a mixed state: furnaces are main heat in 64% of Maryland homes, heat pumps in 19% and boilers in 7%, while 57% heat water with electricity. Baltimore County, which surrounds the city, is a separate jurisdiction with its own permit office, as are Howard and Anne Arundel counties.
Baltimore's rowhouses split between gas and electric water heaters, and EIA counts 39% of Maryland homes heating water with gas. Matching the fuel you already have keeps the job contained. A gas tank often vents into the same older masonry chimney the furnace uses, so ask the plumber to check the flue connection and draft. Tight rowhouse stairs and hallways can make hauling the old tank out slow work. Ask whether removal and disposal are in the price.
Permits in Baltimore
| Permit for this job | Yes (general rule: replacing any gas, mechanical or plumbing system requires a permit; water heaters not named) (source) |
|---|---|
| Fee | Not stated on the city pages we checked |
| Who can pull it | Licensed contractor required for electrical, mechanical, gas and plumbing work |
| Inspection | Yes |
Rebates in Maryland
HEAR: announced, not open yet. HOMES: announced, not open yet. Source: Maryland Energy Administration, checked October 13, 2026.
- EmPOWER Maryland (utility programs): Utility-run heat pump, HPWH and HVAC rebates statewide
What these programs cover, and other states
Other systems in Baltimore
- Gas tankless water heater
- Gas furnace
- Central air conditioner
- Heat pump (ducted, outdoor unit + air handler)
Gas tank water heater cost in other metros
Sources
- Baltimore City DHCD: Building permits
- Baltimore City DHCD: Work not requiring permits
- Maryland Energy Administration: IRA home energy rebates
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for space heating in U.S. homes by state
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for water heating in U.S. homes by state
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for air conditioning in U.S. homes by state
- BLS OEWS May 2025, Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD (47-2152 plumbers)
- DOE Consumer Water Heaters Final Rule TSD (Apr 2024), Table 8.2.7 (2022$); labor share from App. 8D (3.75 h + trip, $420 of $791)