Kitchen backsplash cost in Milwaukee, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (30 sq ft)
- $310 – $1,550
- Per sq ft
- $10.50 – $51
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +2%
- US $900
- Rank of 300 metros
- #79
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install a backsplash in Milwaukee, plan on $310 to $1,550 for 30 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $10.50 to $51 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 $30.85 an hour in the Milwaukee area, 15% above the US median of $26.77.
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Estimated cost for 30 sq ft in Milwaukee, WI, standard level
$680 to $1,150
About $22.50 to $39 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 47% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $350 | $630 |
| Labor | $330 | $530 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $680 | $1,150 |
Cost breakdown for 30 sq ft in Milwaukee, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $140 | $490 | $840 | 53% |
| Labor | $170 | $430 | $690 | 47% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $310 | $920 | $1,550 | 100% |
Where the Milwaukee price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: tile and stone setters at 90%, carpenters at 10%. Weighted together, Milwaukee wages are 1.14 times the national level. Labor makes up about 47% of the midpoint estimate (42% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Milwaukee 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 (96.9) and land at $0 to $0.
Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee is 1.14 times the national level.
For tile and stone setters (47-2044, weighted 90%) the local median is $30.85 an hour, which is 15% above the national $26.77. The middle half of them earn between $28.36 and $36.45 an hour. BLS counts 120 of them working in the area, 1.5 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 2.3), so the local bench is thinner than average.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 10%) the local median is $30.73 an hour, which is 6% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $26.48 and $39.60 an hour. BLS counts 3,310 of them working in the area, 40.3 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 ($36.45 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $70. At the 25th percentile ($28.36) it shrinks by about $30. The total moves by 7.7% or 3.4%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 820,780 jobs in the Milwaukee-Waukesha area. That makes it the 38th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.53% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 90% | $28.36 | $30.85 | $36.45 | $26.77 | 1.15 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 10% | $26.48 | $30.73 | $39.60 | $29.12 | 1.06 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.14 | |||||
Milwaukee against nearby metros and the rest of Wisconsin
Of the five closest metros, 3 are cheaper than Milwaukee. Racine is the lowest at about $910 (midpoint, 30 sq ft), 10 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WIthis page | $310 – $1,550 | $920 | |
| Racine, WI10 miles | $310 – $1,500 | $910 | −1% |
| Kenosha, WI20 miles | $330 – $1,600 | $970 | +6% |
| Sheboygan, WI55 miles | $310 – $1,500 | $910 | −1% |
| Janesville, WI65 miles | $310 – $1,550 | $920 | level |
| Rockford, IL70 miles | $320 – $1,550 | $940 | +2% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $310 – $1,500 | $910 | −1% |
| United States | $300 – $1,500 | $900 | −2% |
Across 300 US metros, Milwaukee comes in at #79 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $1,150; the cheapest is Little Rock, AR at $750 (midpoints, 30 sq ft). Statewide, Milwaukee is 1% above the Wisconsin figure.
Other Wisconsin metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $310 – $1,550 | $930 | level |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $310 – $1,500 | $900 | −2% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $310 – $1,500 | $910 | −1% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $310 – $1,550 | $920 | level |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $310 – $1,500 | $910 | −1% |
| La Crosse, WI | 84,380 jobs | $310 – $1,500 | $910 | −1% |
Cities with a workforce like Milwaukee's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Milwaukee against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City, UT | 826,210 jobs | $280 – $1,400 | $850 | −8% |
| Jacksonville, FL | 765,930 jobs | $270 – $1,350 | $810 | −12% |
| Cleveland, OH | 1,031,130 jobs | $280 – $1,400 | $830 | −10% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | 763,060 jobs | $270 – $1,350 | $810 | −12% |
What nearby projects cost in Milwaukee
Because every project leans on different trades, Milwaukee's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, shower pan runs +11% and kitchen remodel −2%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $18,100 – $30,800 | −2% |
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,200 – $14,400 | +2% |
| Tile flooring | 200 sq ft | $2,700 – $10,100 | +3% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,950 – $24,600 | +6% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $1,100 – $3,050 | +11% |
Cost by quality level and size in Milwaukee
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Milwaukee 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 $800
Basic ceramic subway tile
Standard
$680 to $1,150
Mid-grade tile in a pattern
Premium
$1,050 to $1,550
Slab or natural stone
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small kitchen (25 sq ft) | $260 – $670 | $560 – $970 | $870 – $1,250 |
| average kitchen (30 sq ft) | $310 – $800 | $680 – $1,150 | $1,050 – $1,550 |
| full-height (50 sq ft) | $520 – $1,350 | $1,150 – $1,950 | $1,750 – $2,550 |
Why two Milwaukee 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.
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 $680 to $1,150 for Milwaukee, WI is attached.
Detailed kitchen backsplash report for Milwaukee, WI, $9
The report lays out the kitchen backsplash numbers for Milwaukee, WI line by line, with the local wage and price inputs, permit and timing notes, a quote comparison sheet and the full method. 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 Milwaukee: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a backsplash in Milwaukee?
For 30 sq ft, expect $310 to $1,550 in the Milwaukee area. A standard-spec job lands at $680 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 Milwaukee?
About $10.50 to $51 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 Milwaukee or Racine?
Racine is 10 miles away. The midpoint for 30 sq ft there is $910, which is 1% less than Milwaukee ($920). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Milwaukee?
About 47% at the midpoint, or $430 out of $920. Materials are 53% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 42%.
+What would average kitchen (30 sq ft) cost in Milwaukee?
$310 to $1,550. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen backsplash need a permit in Milwaukee?
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 Milwaukee area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Milwaukee expensive for kitchen backsplash compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Milwaukee is 1% above 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 Milwaukee?
The BLS median is $30.85 an hour in the Milwaukee area, compared with $26.77 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.36 to $36.45.
+What do basic and premium kitchen backsplash work cost in Milwaukee?
For 30 sq ft, basic work runs $310 to $800 and premium work $1,050 to $1,550. Basic means: basic ceramic subway tile. Premium means: slab or natural stone.
Kitchen backsplash near Milwaukee
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.