Plumbers in
Rochester, NY
43 plumbers listed in Rochester
Licensed plumbers in Rochester handle everything from routine repairs and fixture installations to complex repiping and sewer line work. Whether you have an emergency leak or planning a bathroom renovation, Rochester plumbers can help.
Plumbers in Rochester at a glance
- 43 plumbers are listed in Rochester, NY on Ratedeed.
- 29 of the 29 listings shown here include a phone number you can call directly.
- Listings cover 24 ZIP codes in and around Rochester, including 14572, 14604, 14605, 14606, 14607, 14608.
Plumbers elsewhere in New York: Brooklyn (121), Buffalo (51), Bronx (47), Staten Island (34), New York City (19), Schenectady (18)
Homes and plumbers in Rochester: the local numbers
Housing in Rochester
- Rochester has about 104,479 homes (housing units).
- The typical (median) home was built in 1939 or earlier, at least 20 years older than the New York median of 1959.
- 87% of homes were built before 1980 and 72% before 1960; 3% were built in 2010 or later.
- The median value of an owner-occupied home is $139,600.
- 38% of occupied homes are owner-occupied and 62% are rented.
- 44% of homes are single-family detached houses.
- The most common heating fuel is natural gas from a utility (72% of homes), followed by electricity (22%).
- The median home has 5.1 rooms.
- Median gross rent is $1,081 a month.
- That makes Rochester's housing among the older stock in the country: the typical U.S. home was built in 1980.
- Home values run 67% below the New York median of $423,800.
- Most occupied homes here are rented (62%), so tenants should get their landlord's approval before hiring anyone for repairs or alterations.
Older homes like the 87% of Rochester homes built before 1980 were commonly plumbed with galvanized steel supply pipes and cast-iron drains, which corrode with age, so repiping and drain-line replacement are common jobs in older housing.
With most Rochester homes on natural gas (72%), gas water heaters are common; replacing one involves venting and gas-connection work that is usually permitted and inspected.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates (Rochester, NY).
Plumbers workforce in the Rochester, NY area
- Median hourly wage
- $35.38
- People employed
- 1,460
- In the Rochester, NY metro area, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters earned a median of $35.38 an hour ($73,580 a year) in May 2025, and the middle 80% earned $20.95–$48.14.
- About 1,460 people work in this occupation in the metro area.
- These are what workers earn, not what plumbers charge: a contractor's hourly rate also covers insurance, licensing, vehicles, overhead and profit.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters).
Climate in Rochester and what it means for plumbers
- The average temperature in Rochester is 48°F; summer afternoons average 79°F and winter nights 20°F.
- It gets about 34 inches of precipitation a year, including about 100 inches of snow.
- There are about 129 nights a year at or below freezing and about 5 days at 90°F or hotter.
- It is a heating-dominated climate: about 6,646 heating degree days a year against 539 cooling degree days.
With about 129 freezing nights a year, pipes in exterior walls, crawl spaces, garages and attics can freeze: insulate them, disconnect hoses in the fall, and know where the main water shut-off is.
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, Rochester Greater International station USW00014768 (6.6 km from the city centre).
Top Plumbers in Rochester
Listings include contact details and service areas. Check licensing with your state board before hiring.
Showing 29 of 43. See every listing in Rochester
More plumbers elsewhere in New York
Listed in other New York cities, not in Rochester.
Licensing and consumer protection in New York
New York does not license plumbers at the state level. Check that any plumber you hire is insured and registered where your city requires it, before you sign a contract or pay a deposit.
Who regulates this trade
No state licence for plumbers in New York
Cities and counties license plumbers; in New York City, the Department of Buildings licenses master plumbers.
Insurance and workers' compensation
General liability minimum varies by municipality; NYC requires $1M per occurrence. Workers' compensation is mandatory for any contractor with employees.
Mechanic's lien protection
In New York, contractors and subcontractors must file a mechanics lien within 8 months of completing work (4 months for single-family homes). The lien must be enforced within 1 year of filing. Homeowners should always obtain a lien waiver from their contractor upon final payment to protect against potential liens from unpaid subcontractors or suppliers.
What catches homeowners out in New York
In New York, home improvement contractor licensing is governed at the local municipal and county level rather than by a single statewide home improvement board. New York City requires all home improvement contractors to be licensed by the NYC DCWP. Contractors performing plumbing, electrical, or fire suppression work must hold trade licenses from the NYC Department of Buildings. Always verify county or municipal licenses directly with local consumer affairs before signing contracts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about hiring contractors
How much do plumbers earn in the Rochester area?
In the Rochester, NY metro area, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters earned a median of $35.38 an hour ($73,580 a year) in May 2025, and the middle 80% earned $20.95–$48.14. About 1,460 people work in this occupation in the metro area. These are what workers earn, not what plumbers charge: a contractor's hourly rate also covers insurance, licensing, vehicles, overhead and profit. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
How old are homes in Rochester?
The typical home in Rochester was built in 1939 or earlier, and 87% of homes were built before 1980. The median owner-occupied home is worth $139,600. Older homes like the 87% of Rochester homes built before 1980 were commonly plumbed with galvanized steel supply pipes and cast-iron drains, which corrode with age, so repiping and drain-line replacement are common jobs in older housing. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates.
What should I know about Rochester's climate before hiring plumbers?
With about 129 freezing nights a year, pipes in exterior walls, crawl spaces, garages and attics can freeze: insulate them, disconnect hoses in the fall, and know where the main water shut-off is. The average temperature in Rochester is 48°F; summer afternoons average 79°F and winter nights 20°F. It gets about 34 inches of precipitation a year, including about 100 inches of snow. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
How much does a plumber charge per hour in Rochester?
Plumbing services in Rochester typically cost $75–$150 per hour. Emergency calls usually carry a premium. Always request a written estimate before work begins.
Do plumbers in Rochester offer emergency services?
Yes, many plumbers serving Rochester offer 24/7 emergency services for issues like burst pipes, severe leaks, and sewer backups. Emergency response times in Rochester typically range from 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on the provider and time of day. Expect to pay a premium for after-hours, weekend, and holiday emergency calls.
How do I find a licensed plumber near Rochester?
To find a licensed plumber in Rochester, check that they hold a valid NY plumbing license and carry adequate insurance. On Ratedeed, you can browse plumbers serving Rochester, view credentials, and compare free quotes to find the right fit.
What's the average cost to fix a leaking pipe in Rochester?
Fixing a leaking pipe in Rochester typically costs $150–$450 for accessible pipes, while hidden leaks behind walls or slabs can cost $600–$2,500+ depending on detection and restoration requirements.
Do plumbers in NY need to be licensed?
Yes, in New York, plumbers must hold a valid state-issued license to perform most plumbing work. This includes installing, repairing, and replacing pipes, fixtures, and water heaters. Always verify a plumber's license before hiring them in Rochester. Where a contractor has provided license details, they appear on their profile; always confirm with the state board before hiring.
How quickly can a plumber respond to an emergency in Rochester?
Most licensed plumbers in Rochester offer emergency response within 30 minutes to 2 hours for urgent issues like burst pipes, gas leaks, or sewer backups. Contact your local water utility for major water main issues. Keep a list of emergency plumbers on hand to minimize damage from unexpected plumbing failures.
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