Gas tank water heater replacement cost in Columbus, OH
Installed, 50 gallon, standard vent
A typical gas water heater (50 gallon, standard vent) costs about $2,000 installed in the Columbus area, about the same as the national figure, because plumbers here earn a median $30 an hour against $31 nationally.
Prices by size in Columbus
| Size | Low | Typical | High | National typical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 gallon, standard vent | $1,650 | $1,900 | $2,400 | $1,900 |
| 50 gallon, standard vent | $1,700 | $2,000 | $2,550 | $2,000 |
| 75 gallon, standard vent | $2,450 | $2,800 | $3,300 | $2,800 |
| 40 gallon, power vent | $2,450 | $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 | Columbus metro | United States |
|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile | $24 | $24 |
| Median | $30 | $31 |
| 75th percentile | $41 | $41 |
The Columbus market
Columbus Building and Zoning Services puts both water heater replacement and the "Replacement of a Single Furnace, A/C and/or Heat Pump" on its Approved Minor Work Permit list, as long as the unit is not on a roof. For a 1-3 family home, a minor work permit costs $140 and includes one inspection; a full mechanical, electrical or plumbing permit is $275 with two inspections, and each extra inspection trip is $225. Homeowners may permit work on their own single-family home if they do it themselves or with immediate family, but cannot buy permits for work a contractor will do; hired work must be permitted by a licensed contractor. Ohio homes lean heavily on gas: EIA's 2020 survey found 64% heat with natural gas and 57% heat water with it.
Gas heats water in most Ohio homes, so a like-for-like gas tank is the usual starting quote in Columbus. Matching the old tank's size and fuel keeps the job a simple swap. Ask whether the vent connector, gas shutoff and expansion tank are being replaced with the heater or reused. A tank in a finished basement deserves a drain pan. Ask about one, and ask whether haul-away of the old unit is included in the price.
Permits in Columbus
| Permit for this job | Yes (source) |
|---|---|
| Fee | $140 (1,2,3-family Minor Work Permit, includes 1 inspection); full MEP permit $275 (includes 2 inspections); additional inspection trip $225 |
| Who can pull it | Homeowner allowed for own owner-occupied single-family home (doing work themselves) or licensed contractor |
| Inspection | Yes |
Rebates in Ohio
HEAR: status unclear. HOMES: status unclear. Source: Ohio Department of Development, Office of Energy, checked October 13, 2026.
What these programs cover, and other states
Other systems in Columbus
- 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
- Columbus, OH permit source (water heater permit)
- Columbus, OH permit source (who can pull)
- Columbus, OH permit source (notable local rule)
- Columbus, OH permit source: 1-3 family Minor Work Permit (E, M or P only) $140 incl. 1
- EIA RECS 2020: Highlights for space heating fuel in U.S. homes by state
- EIA RECS 2020: Highlights for space heating in U.S. homes by state
- EIA RECS 2020: Highlights for air conditioning in U.S. homes by state
- EIA RECS 2020: Highlights for water heating in U.S. homes by state
- BLS OEWS May 2025, Columbus, OH (47-2152 plumbers)
- DOE Consumer Water Heaters Final Rule TSD (Apr 2024), Table 8.2.7 (2022$); labor share from App. 8D (3.75 h + trip, $420 of $791)