Gas tank water heater replacement cost in Miami, FL
Installed, 50 gallon, standard vent
A typical gas water heater (50 gallon, standard vent) costs about $1,950 installed in the Miami area, 3% below the national figure, because plumbers here earn a median $28 an hour against $31 nationally.
Prices by size in Miami
| Size | Low | Typical | High | National typical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 gallon, standard vent | $1,650 | $1,850 | $2,150 | $1,900 |
| 50 gallon, standard vent | $1,700 | $1,950 | $2,350 | $2,000 |
| 75 gallon, standard vent | $2,450 | $2,750 | $3,050 | $2,800 |
| 40 gallon, power vent | $2,450 | $2,700 | $2,950 | $2,750 |
| 50 gallon, power vent | $2,600 | $2,800 | $3,200 | $2,850 |
Local labor: what plumbers earn here
| Hourly wage | Miami metro | United States |
|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile | $23 | $24 |
| Median | $28 | $31 |
| 75th percentile | $31 | $41 |
The Miami market
The City of Miami's Easy Permit catalog lists water heater change-outs under plumbing, gas and electrical trades, and A/C change-out under electrical. Mechanical Easy Permits are limited to like-for-like replacements. Florida's Building Commission has held that the state code requires a permit to replace a gas or electric water heater unless the local jurisdiction has an exemption. The city's minimum permit fee is $110. Miami-Dade County guidance says only licensed contractors or owner-builders may obtain a permit, though that brochure is old, and the city's Easy Permit page mentions only qualified contractors in good standing. Inspection details were not found, so ask the city. This is an all-electric, cooling-first market: EIA found 88% of Florida homes heat water with electricity and 90% have central air. Fort Lauderdale, Hialeah and the Palm Beach cities issue their own permits.
Most Miami homes have an electric tank, often in a garage, utility closet or on an exterior wall. A tank outdoors or in a garage sits in heat and humidity all year, so ask the plumber to check the relief line and fittings for corrosion. A heat pump water heater runs well in warm spaces and pulls some moisture from the air as it works. Ask whether your closet has enough room and airflow for one.
Permits in Miami
| Permit for this job | Yes (City of Miami Easy Permit trade items for water heater change-out) (source) |
|---|---|
| Fee | City of Miami fee schedule: minimum permit fee $110.00 (Sec. 10-18, building/plumbing/mechanical/electrical). No itemized A/C change-out or water heater permit line found (water heater appears only as an annual inspection item at $85). |
| Who can pull it | Licensed contractor or owner/builder (county guidance); City Easy Permits are issued to qualified contractors in good standing |
| Inspection | Not stated on the city pages we checked |
Rebates in Florida
HEAR: status unclear. HOMES: status unclear. Source: FDACS Office of Energy, checked October 13, 2026.
What these programs cover, and other states
Other systems in Miami
- Gas tankless water heater
- Gas furnace
- Central air conditioner
- Heat pump (ducted, outdoor unit + air handler)
Gas tank water heater cost in other metros
Sources
- City of Miami: Get an Easy Permit
- City of Miami building fee schedule
- Miami-Dade County home renovation brochure
- Florida Building Commission declaratory statement on water heater replacement permits
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for space heating in U.S. homes by state
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for water heating in U.S. homes by state
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for air conditioning in U.S. homes by state
- BLS OEWS May 2025, Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL (47-2152 plumbers)
- DOE Consumer Water Heaters Final Rule TSD (Apr 2024), Table 8.2.7 (2022$); labor share from App. 8D (3.75 h + trip, $420 of $791)