Kitchen backsplash cost in Eau Claire, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (30 sq ft)
- $310 – $1,500
- Per sq ft
- $10 – $50.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +1%
- US $900
- Rank of 300 metros
- #90
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install a backsplash in Eau Claire, plan on $310 to $1,500 for 30 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $10 to $50.50 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint lands close to the national one. Tile and stone setters earn a median of $30.14 an hour in the Eau Claire area, 13% above the US median of $26.77.
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Estimated cost for 30 sq ft in Eau Claire, WI, standard level
$670 to $1,150
About $22.50 to $38.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 46% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $350 | $630 |
| Labor | $320 | $520 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $670 | $1,150 |
Cost breakdown for 30 sq ft in Eau Claire, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $140 | $490 | $840 | 54% |
| Labor | $170 | $420 | $670 | 46% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $310 | $910 | $1,500 | 100% |
Where the Eau Claire price comes from
Labor is 46% of the midpoint bill here, against 42% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is tile and stone setters (90%), carpenters (10%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Eau Claire the blended ratio comes out at 1.11. BLS does not publish this trade for the metro, so we used the Wisconsin statewide median.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Eau Claire metro is 93.8 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 30 sq ft comes to $490, compared with $530 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (92.8) and land at $0 to $0.
Data note: 90% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Eau Claire. The wage table below marks each row.
Eau Claire labor market for kitchen backsplash
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 2 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Eau Claire is 1.11 times the national level.
Tile and stone setters (47-2044) carry 90% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Eau Claire metro, so we used the Wisconsin statewide median: $30.14 an hour against $26.77 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $27.44 and $36.42 an hour.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 10%) the local median is $28.41 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.39 and $38.28 an hour. BLS counts 360 of them working in the area, 41.8 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is about average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the tile and stone setters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($36.42 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $80. At the 25th percentile ($27.44) it shrinks by about $35. The total moves by 8.7% or 3.7%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 86,060 jobs in the Eau Claire area. That makes it the 226th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.06% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 90% | $27.44 | $30.14 | $36.42 | $26.77 | 1.13 | state |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 10% | $23.39 | $28.41 | $38.28 | $29.12 | 0.98 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.11 | |||||
Related projects, priced for Eau Claire
Because every project leans on different trades, Eau Claire's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, shower pan runs +13% and kitchen remodel −3%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $17,900 – $30,500 | −3% |
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,100 – $13,900 | −1% |
| Tile flooring | 200 sq ft | $2,650 – $10,000 | +2% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,950 – $24,500 | +5% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $1,150 – $3,100 | +13% |
Why two Eau Claire quotes can differ
Material
A tile backsplash is $10-$50 per sq ft installed. A stone slab backsplash is $35-$200 and granite slabs are $50-$200.
Labor and minimums
Tile labor is $8-$20 per sq ft and many installers charge minimums for small areas.
Old backsplash removal
Removing the old one adds $2-$5 per sq ft.
Eau Claire: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Eau Claire wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 3 common sizes.
Basic
$310 to $790
Basic ceramic subway tile
Standard
$670 to $1,150
Mid-grade tile in a pattern
Premium
$1,050 to $1,500
Slab or natural stone
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small kitchen (25 sq ft) | $260 – $660 | $560 – $960 | $860 – $1,250 |
| average kitchen (30 sq ft) | $310 – $790 | $670 – $1,150 | $1,050 – $1,500 |
| full-height (50 sq ft) | $510 – $1,300 | $1,100 – $1,900 | $1,700 – $2,500 |
Eau Claire against nearby metros and the rest of Wisconsin
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 30 sq ft range from $900 to $1,000 across Eau Claire and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eau Claire, WIthis page | $310 – $1,500 | $910 | |
| Wausau, WI75 miles | $310 – $1,500 | $900 | −1% |
| Rochester, MN85 miles | $330 – $1,600 | $970 | +7% |
| La Crosse, WI85 miles | $310 – $1,500 | $910 | level |
| Minneapolis, MN100 miles | $350 – $1,700 | $1,000 | +12% |
| Oshkosh, WI140 miles | $310 – $1,550 | $920 | +2% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $310 – $1,500 | $910 | level |
| United States | $300 – $1,500 | $900 | −1% |
Across 300 US metros, Eau Claire comes in at #90 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $1,150; the cheapest is Little Rock, AR at $750 (midpoints, 30 sq ft). Statewide, Eau Claire is 0% below the Wisconsin figure.
Other Wisconsin metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $310 – $1,550 | $920 | +1% |
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $310 – $1,550 | $930 | +2% |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $310 – $1,500 | $900 | −1% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $310 – $1,500 | $910 | level |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $310 – $1,550 | $920 | +2% |
| La Crosse, WI | 84,380 jobs | $310 – $1,500 | $910 | level |
Cities with a workforce like Eau Claire's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Eau Claire against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daphne, AL | 87,120 jobs | $260 – $1,350 | $810 | −11% |
| Jackson, TN | 84,530 jobs | $260 – $1,350 | $800 | −12% |
| Joplin, MO | 87,190 jobs | $300 – $1,500 | $890 | −2% |
| La Crosse, WI | 84,380 jobs | $310 – $1,500 | $910 | level |
Get 3 local quotes
Tell us about the job and we will try to connect you with up to three local contractors for written quotes. It is free and you are under no obligation to hire. Your estimate of $670 to $1,150 for Eau Claire, WI is attached.
Detailed kitchen backsplash report for Eau Claire, WI, $9
Multi-page report for Eau Claire, WI: low, typical and high cost, a line-item breakdown of materials and labor by trade, permit notes, the best months to schedule, a quote comparison sheet, red flags, questions for contractors, checklists and every source. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Kitchen backsplash in Eau Claire: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a backsplash in Eau Claire?
For 30 sq ft, expect $310 to $1,500 in the Eau Claire area. A standard-spec job lands at $670 to $1,150. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for kitchen backsplash in Eau Claire?
About $10 to $50.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $0 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $10 to $50.
+Is kitchen backsplash cheaper in Eau Claire or Wausau?
Wausau is 75 miles away. The midpoint for 30 sq ft there is $900, which is 1% less than Eau Claire ($910). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Eau Claire?
About 46% at the midpoint, or $420 out of $910. Materials are 54% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 42%.
+What would average kitchen (30 sq ft) cost in Eau Claire?
$310 to $1,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen backsplash need a permit in Eau Claire?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $0 for fees in the Eau Claire area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Eau Claire expensive for kitchen backsplash compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Eau Claire is 0% below the Wisconsin statewide estimate ($910 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Wisconsin; see the state page to compare them.
+What do tile and stone setters earn in Eau Claire?
BLS has no published metro figure here, so we use the statewide median of $30.14 an hour, compared with $26.77 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $27.44 to $36.42.
+What do basic and premium kitchen backsplash work cost in Eau Claire?
For 30 sq ft, basic work runs $310 to $790 and premium work $1,050 to $1,500. Basic means: basic ceramic subway tile. Premium means: slab or natural stone.
Kitchen backsplash near Eau Claire
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.
- HomeGuide: 2026 Backsplash Installation Cost (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
Note on derived figures: Materials = installed price minus HomeGuide's $5-$20 per sq ft labor figure, matched low-to-low and high-to-high.