How Much Does a Plumber Cost in San Francisco? [2025 Data]

Plumber costs in San Francisco average $383, but often run between $196 to $598 depending on the project type and other factors. That means that for residents in the Bay area, professional plumbing work is some of the most expensive in the nation. San Francisco also sits along the highly active San Andreas Fault, and the shifting ground can cause pipes to crack or even break, requiring pricey emergency fixes. 

San Francisco Plumber Cost Factors

San Francisco has a strong plumbers’ union, a very high cost of living, complicated permits, and many homes that can be hard to access due to the city’s design. All of these factors result in plumbing rates that are higher than almost anywhere else in the country. While the info below sheds light on total cost, remember that the bottom line comes down to who you hire and what they’ll be doing.   

Project Types

Burst pipes are an emergency repair and require plumbing expertise. Other work, like fixing faucets or water heaters, can be handled a little slower and by a less seasoned pro. Ultimately, use the table below as a guideline to determine who to hire and what you can expect to pay for each project.  

Frequency

Maintenance checks, even if you see nothing wrong, should be done once a year. If you can plan accordingly, it’s best to do them in late spring to account for any changes that occurred during the winter months. Yearly checks are a good idea in order to avoid expensive water problems in your home, which can appear seemingly out of nowhere. For emergency issues, call a local plumbing pro immediately.  

Location

While technically there are more and less expensive areas of the city, San Francisco as a whole carries a high price tag. Part of the reason there isn’t a large range in location-specific pricing within the city is that the city itself isn’t large. Because of this, a plumber working in the Presidio can easily reach Inner Sunset or SoMa in a relatively short amount of time. Only in the highest-income areas and homes can a plumber charge more than they would in other parts of the city. 

Permits 

The city has many historical structures, which can be a headache for homeowners when it comes to getting permits approved. Working with a higher-level plumber can pay off here, as they may have connections to those in government. If you require a permit for your project, expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $900 on top of the average cost of $383.

Level of Experience 

San Francisco has a competitive trades market, so most businesses will have at least a journeyperson plumber, if not a master. The years of experience a plumber puts into their craft are shown in their hourly rate. However, there may not be a single profession that exhibits the saying “you get what you pay for” more than plumbers. Consider a plumber’s experience level worth its weight in gold, as plumbing itself is something you don’t see often, so you want the work done right the first time, as you likely won’t notice mistakes until you have a larger problem on your hands. 

Check the project types in the table near the top of this article to determine the best plumber for the job. If your job isn’t listed, you’ll be safe hiring a journeyperson plumber 99% of the time. 

San Francisco Plumbing Pro Costs

Experienced plumbers in San Francisco often charge $100 to $200 per hour, which is higher than the national average of $75 to $100 per hour.

However, plumbing pros charge based on their personal experience, the project type, and any materials or special tools they may need. Make sure to discuss their pricing structure upfront. Talk to a San Francisco plumber to get into the finer details. 

Does Hiring a Plumber for Plumbing Projects Increase Home Value?

There are two ways to think about this. If you hire a plumber to fix a problem in your home, you are preserving its value. If you hire a plumber to work on a project that has a good return on investment (ROI), then it can increase your home’s value, but it isn’t guaranteed. 

In San Francisco, especially, you’ll want to keep on top of your home’s plumbing. The city is aging, and some of those issues can impact your home. Something specific to the city is earthquake damage on a landmass surrounded by water. This makes for tricky plumbing work that can get expensive quickly if not immediately addressed. You should tackle problems as soon as you notice them in order to preserve your home’s value.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.