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How much does electric water heater replacement (40–50 gallon tank) cost in Maryland?

Updated September 2026 · Maryland price index 1.06 for plumbing work (national = 1.00)

In Maryland, a licensed plumber typically charges $530 to $3,700 to replace a 40–50 gallon electric tank water heater, with most jobs landing near $1,950. That is about 6% above the national average of $500–$3,500, based on what plumbers earn in Maryland.

Low end
$530
Most jobs
$1,950
High end
$3,700
Got a quote for this in Maryland? Check if it's fair — free

AI-powered second opinion using these same Maryland figures. No account, no card. Need someone to do the work? Verified pros in Maryland took the Fair Price Pledge.

What a Maryland quote means

Quote for this jobWhat it means
Under $318Suspiciously low — ask what is excluded, and check licensing and insurance
$318 – $4,070Fair price — inside the typical range (up to 10% over the top is still normal)
$4,070 – $6,475Running high — get the quote itemized, and get a second one
Over $6,475Ripoff 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: The new tank, removal and disposal, new supply lines, pan and expansion tank where required, reconnecting the 240V feed, permit, and 2–3 hours of labor.

What moves the price:

Tank size and brand tier, whether the existing circuit/breaker is adequate, local labor rate, permit, and code-required add-ons (expansion tank, drain pan, seismic strapping).

Electric water heater replacement (40–50 gallon tank) cost across Maryland

Typical range by metro and rural area, from BLS wage data for plumbers in each area.

AreaTypical rangeMost jobs
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD$520 – $3,600$1,900
Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV$450 – $3,200$1,700
Lexington Park, MD$510 – $3,550$1,850
Salisbury, MD$490 – $3,400$1,800
Maryland nonmetropolitan area$460 – $3,200$1,700

Frequently asked

Is $1,950 a fair price for electric water heater replacement (40–50 gallon tank) in Maryland?

Yes. $1,950 is right around what most homeowners in Maryland pay. Anything from $318 to $4,070 is inside the normal range for a licensed plumber; above $4,070 it is worth getting a second quote.

Why do quotes for the same job vary so much?

Heat-pump (hybrid) water heaters cost roughly double a standard electric tank, though rebates can offset that. Code upgrades required at replacement: expansion tank, pan with drain, disconnect switch. 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 $4,070, 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 Maryland

Electric water heater replacement (40–50 gallon tank) in other states

Sources

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.