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How much does clogged drain cleaning cost in California?
Updated September 2026 · California price index 1.11 for plumbing work (national = 1.00)
In California, a licensed plumber typically charges $110 to $650 to clear a single clogged drain with a snake or auger, with most jobs landing near $280. That is about 11% above the national average of $100–$580, based on what plumbers earn in California.
AI-powered second opinion using these same California figures. No account, no card. Need someone to do the work? Verified pros in California took the Fair Price Pledge.
What a California quote means
| Quote for this job | What it means |
|---|---|
| Under $66 | Suspiciously low — ask what is excluded, and check licensing and insurance |
| $66 – $715 | Fair price — inside the typical range (up to 10% over the top is still normal) |
| $715 – $1,138 | Running high — get the quote itemized, and get a second one |
| Over $1,138 | Ripoff territory — more than 1.75× the high end of the typical range |
Same rules the QuoteJury checker uses on every quote.
What you're paying for
What is usually included: A service call and cabling of one drain (sink, tub or toilet) until it flows, typically within an hour.
What moves the price:
- Main sewer line clogs cost considerably more than a single fixture drain
- Roof-vent or cleanout access versus pulling the toilet to reach the line
- Camera inspection add-ons after a stubborn or repeat clog
- After-hours emergency rates
Which fixture (toilet and tub cost more than a sink), whether the clog is past the trap and needs a longer cable, after-hours rates, and any camera inspection add-on.
Clogged drain cleaning cost across California
Typical range by metro and rural area, from BLS wage data for plumbers in each area.
| Area | Typical range | Most jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $100 – $580 | $250 |
| Chico, CA | $95 – $560 | $240 |
| El Centro, CA | $95 – $560 | $240 |
| Fresno, CA | $100 – $570 | $250 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $100 – $570 | $250 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $110 – $630 | $270 |
| Merced, CA | $95 – $550 | $240 |
| Modesto, CA | $100 – $580 | $250 |
| Napa, CA | $105 – $600 | $260 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $100 – $580 | $250 |
| Redding, CA | $95 – $560 | $240 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $100 – $570 | $250 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $105 – $610 | $260 |
| Salinas, CA | $100 – $570 | $250 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $110 – $650 | $280 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $125 – $720 | $310 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $155 – $890 | $380 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $100 – $580 | $250 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $105 – $610 | $260 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $100 – $570 | $240 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $105 – $600 | $260 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $100 – $570 | $250 |
| Vallejo, CA | $110 – $640 | $280 |
| Visalia, CA | $95 – $550 | $240 |
| Yuba City, CA | $95 – $560 | $240 |
| Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $100 – $580 | $250 |
| North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $105 – $620 | $270 |
| North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $105 – $620 | $270 |
Frequently asked
Is $280 a fair price for clogged drain cleaning in California?
Yes. $280 is right around what most homeowners in California pay. Anything from $66 to $715 is inside the normal range for a licensed plumber; above $715 it is worth getting a second quote.
Why do quotes for the same job vary so much?
Main sewer line clogs cost considerably more than a single fixture drain. Roof-vent or cleanout access versus pulling the toilet to reach the line. Company overhead matters too: a large company with trucks, dispatchers and a warranty department charges more than a one-person shop, and both can be honest prices.
When should I get a second quote?
Any time a quote lands above $715, or when the contractor cannot break it into parts, labor and fees. Ask for the itemized version, ask what would change the price, and confirm licensing and insurance. You can also paste the quote into the free QuoteJury checker for an instant second opinion.
Other plumbing jobs in California
- Gas water heater replacement (40–50 gallon tank)
- Electric water heater replacement (40–50 gallon tank)
- Gas tankless water heater installation
- Garbage disposal replacement
- Kitchen faucet replacement
- Toilet replacement
- Running or leaking toilet repair
- Sewer line camera inspection
- Sewer line hydro jetting
- Sump pump replacement
- Water pressure regulator (PRV) replacement
- Main water shutoff valve replacement
- Leaking pipe repair
- Water heater expansion tank installation
- Plumber service call and hourly rate
Clogged drain cleaning in other states
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Sources
- HomeGuide (2025): $100–$275 nationally
- Angi (2026): $147–$352 nationally
- Forbes Home (2024): $125–$360 nationally
- Thumbtack (Jan ): $191–$572 nationally
- This Old House (2026): $100–$500 nationally
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 — median hourly wages by state and metro area
About these numbers. Ranges are typical market rates for a licensed, insured contractor, blended from published U.S. cost guides and adjusted with U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data (OEWS, May 2025) for each state and metro area. They are estimates, not a bid, appraisal or inspection. Real prices move with parts, access, permits and code requirements. The quote checker is AI-powered and labeled as such.