USA Plumbing & Sewer Inc provides the following services:

Cities Most Commonly Serviced:

What Does it Cost to Replace Thermocouple on Water Heater?

If your pilot light is out on your water heater, the most common cause is a thermocouple failure. The thermocouple on a water heater is what relays the gas control valve once the pilot light is lit to trigger it to turn on. The part is rather small and inexpensive, but replacing it requires the expertise of a professional plumber for safety reasons. Having a thermocouple replaced usually costs $125-200, while the part itself is about $15-25.

If a bad thermocouple isn’t to blame for a nonfunctioning water heater, the gas control valve may be to blame. A broken control valve on a water heater is a much more expensive part to replace, costing an average of $350-600 to have a professional plumber fix.

If your water heater experiences issues regularly or needs frequent repairs, it may be worth looking into whether it should be replaced with a newer model. An unreliable water heater is no fun to deal with, and, depending on the issue, can be dangerous as well. Your local plumber can advise on what would be best for your home and provide a quote for replacing a broken water heater.

Additional resources:
My water isn't hot
Replacing a hot water heater
Can you fix a leaky water heater?
Who replaces hot water heaters?
Local hot water heater repair companies
Do handymen work on hot water heaters?
Can a plumber install a hot water heater?