Bathroom remodel cost in California
Statewide estimate from BLS wages and BEA prices. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Statewide range (45 sq ft)
- $5,200 – $25,900
- Per sq ft
- $111 – $556
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +11%
- US $14,000
- Metros covered
- 23
What does it cost to remodel a bathroom in California? Plan on $5,200 to $25,900 for 45 sq ft. Wages (1.15x the US blend), materials (price index 106.1) and permit costs (110.7) put the state above the national midpoint by 11%.
Inside California, the metros we cover range from $14,300 (Chico) to $17,100 (San Jose) at the midpoint. Pick your closest city in the table for a tighter number.
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Estimated cost for 45 sq ft in California (statewide), standard level
$11,400 to $19,700
About $244 to $422 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 55% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,750 | $8,150 |
| Labor | $6,250 | $10,800 |
| Permits and fees | $420 | $690 |
| Total | $11,400 | $19,700 |
Cost breakdown for 45 sq ft in California
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,150 | $6,450 | $10,700 | 41% |
| Labor | $2,850 | $8,550 | $14,300 | 55% |
| Permits and fees | $220 | $550 | $890 | 4% |
| Total | $5,200 | $15,600 | $25,900 | 100% |
Bathroom remodel: what moves the price in California
Size
HomeGuide's average-size bathroom comes to $3,500-$25,000+; per square foot it's $100-$500.
Tile
New tile costs $10-$50 per square foot installed, and regrouting runs $7-$28 per square foot.
Moving plumbing
Keeping the toilet, tub and vanity in place keeps plumbing costs down. Moving them does not.
Contractor fee
A general contractor charges $50-$150 an hour or 10-20% of the project cost.
Permit
A bathroom remodel permit is $200-$800, more if you move walls (HomeGuide).
What plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters and the other trades earn in California
Statewide wages come from BLS's state-level estimates, which blend big cities with small towns and rural areas. 6 trades drive the labor line for this job, and the weighted ratio against the national wage level is 1.15 for California.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 25%) the local median is $35.01 an hour, which is 14% above the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $28.36 and $48.17 an hour. BLS counts 47,660 of them working in the state, 26.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is about average.
For tile and stone setters (47-2044, weighted 25%) the local median is $28.31 an hour, which is 6% above the national $26.77. The middle half of them earn between $22.86 and $35.61 an hour. BLS counts 8,250 of them working in the state, 4.5 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 2.3), so the local bench is deeper than average.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 20%) the local median is $36.50 an hour, which is 25% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $28.72 and $46.07 an hour. BLS counts 100,750 of them working in the state, 55.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Electricians (47-2111), 10% of the weighting: a median of $36.62 an hour, 21% above the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $28.50 and $49.52 an hour. About 73,310 work in the state. That is 40.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 48.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081), 10% of the weighting: a median of $31.67 an hour, 12% above the US median of $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $26.83 and $40.95 an hour. About 27,280 work in the state. That is 15.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 5.3 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141, weighted 10%) the local median is $28.38 an hour, which is 19% above the national $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $22.85 and $35.11 an hour. BLS counts 38,430 of them working in the state, 21.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 14.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
A crew paid at the 75th percentile for plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters ($48.17 an hour) would add about $800 to the statewide midpoint; one at the 25th percentile ($28.36) would take off about $400. Use that as a rough guide to how far a bid can sit from our midpoint on wages alone.
BLS counts 18,213,700 jobs across California (May 2025), which is 11.7% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 25% | $28.36 | $35.01 | $48.17 | $30.67 | 1.14 | state |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 25% | $22.86 | $28.31 | $35.61 | $26.77 | 1.06 | state |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 20% | $28.72 | $36.50 | $46.07 | $29.12 | 1.25 | state |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $28.50 | $36.62 | $49.52 | $30.38 | 1.21 | state |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $26.83 | $31.67 | $40.95 | $28.33 | 1.12 | state |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 10% | $22.85 | $28.38 | $35.11 | $23.75 | 1.19 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 1.15 | |||||
Related projects, priced for California
The table prices neighboring jobs at their usual sizes using statewide California wages and prices. Against national midpoints, kitchen cabinets comes out highest (+15%) and kitchen backsplash lowest (+7%), because each job leans on different trades.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $1,000 – $3,050 | +9% |
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $20,100 – $34,300 | +9% |
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,750 – $16,200 | +15% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,950 – $16,400 | +9% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $320 – $1,600 | +7% |
California against its neighbors
California ranks 11 of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) for bathroom remodel, where 1 is the most expensive. The costliest is Hawaii at $17,800 and the cheapest Arkansas at $11,700, both for 45 sq ft at the midpoint. California sits at $15,600. The five states closest by workforce center are listed below.
| State | Distance | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada | 210 miles away | $4,750 – $23,400 | $14,100 | −9% |
| Arizona | 430 miles away | $4,500 – $22,200 | $13,300 | −14% |
| Utah | 490 miles away | $4,400 – $21,900 | $13,100 | −15% |
| Idaho | 600 miles away | $4,250 – $21,100 | $12,700 | −18% |
| Oregon | 690 miles away | $5,400 – $26,800 | $16,100 | +3% |
California metro-by-metro prices
4 of the 23 metros sit above the statewide midpoint of $15,600, and the top-to-bottom gap is 20%. Each row prices the default size with that metro's own BLS wages and BEA price levels, so the gap between rows is real local variation rather than a flat markup.
| Metro | Range (45 sq ft) | Midpoint | vs. state |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $5,750 – $28,500 | $17,100 | +10% |
| San Francisco, CA | $5,650 – $28,000 | $16,900 | +8% |
| Napa, CA | $5,250 – $26,100 | $15,700 | +1% |
| San Diego, CA | $5,250 – $26,100 | $15,700 | +1% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $5,250 – $26,000 | $15,600 | level |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $5,250 – $26,000 | $15,600 | level |
| Vallejo, CA | $5,200 – $25,900 | $15,500 | level |
| Los Angeles, CA | $5,200 – $25,700 | $15,500 | −1% |
| El Centro, CA | $5,100 – $25,300 | $15,200 | −2% |
| Salinas, CA | $5,100 – $25,300 | $15,200 | −2% |
| Sacramento, CA | $5,050 – $25,100 | $15,100 | −3% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $5,050 – $25,000 | $15,000 | −3% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $5,050 – $25,000 | $15,000 | −3% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $5,050 – $25,000 | $15,000 | −3% |
| Merced, CA | $5,050 – $25,000 | $15,000 | −4% |
| Stockton, CA | $5,050 – $24,900 | $15,000 | −4% |
| Oxnard, CA | $4,950 – $24,600 | $14,800 | −5% |
| Modesto, CA | $4,950 – $24,500 | $14,700 | −5% |
| Visalia, CA | $4,900 – $24,300 | $14,600 | −6% |
| Fresno, CA | $4,900 – $24,200 | $14,600 | −6% |
| Redding, CA | $4,850 – $24,100 | $14,500 | −7% |
| Riverside, CA | $4,850 – $24,100 | $14,500 | −7% |
| Chico, CA | $4,800 – $23,800 | $14,300 | −8% |
Quality levels and sizes in California
The cited range is cut into three overlapping bands (basic, standard and premium) and scaled to statewide California wages and prices. The grid prices the same bands at 4 common sizes.
Basic
$5,200 to $13,500
Cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring
Standard
$11,400 to $19,700
Full remodel with new tub or shower and tile
Premium
$17,600 to $25,900
Primary bath, custom tile, layout change
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| half bath (20 sq ft) | $2,450 – $6,250 | $5,300 – $9,150 | $8,200 – $12,000 |
| small full bath (40 sq ft) | $4,650 – $12,000 | $10,200 – $17,600 | $15,700 – $23,100 |
| average bath (60 sq ft) | $6,900 – $17,800 | $15,100 – $26,000 | $23,300 – $34,200 |
| primary bath (100 sq ft) | $11,300 – $29,400 | $24,900 – $42,900 | $38,400 – $56,400 |
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Bathroom remodel in California: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom in California?
$5,200 to $25,900 for 45 sq ft, using statewide wages and prices. Metro areas inside California can sit above or below that.
+Which city in California is cheapest for bathroom remodel?
Chico at about $14,300 (midpoint, 45 sq ft). The priciest is San Jose at $17,100.
+Is bathroom remodel cheaper in California than the US average?
It is 11% more expensive: $15,600 against $14,000 for 45 sq ft at the midpoint.
+What share of the price is labor in California?
About 55% ($8,550). Materials are 41%. Statewide labor for this job is weighted 1.15x the national wage level.
+What do plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn in California?
The BLS statewide median is $35.01 an hour, against $30.67 for the US. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.36 to $48.17.
+Where does California rank for bathroom remodel costs?
11th most expensive of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) at the midpoint, $15,600 for 45 sq ft. Rank 1 is the costliest.
+What do basic and premium bathroom remodel work cost in California?
For 45 sq ft, basic work runs $5,200 to $13,500 and premium work $17,600 to $25,900. Basic means: cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring. Premium means: primary bath, custom tile, layout change.
Bathroom remodel by city in California
- San Jose, CA$17,100 midpoint
- San Francisco, CA$16,900 midpoint
- Napa, CA$15,700 midpoint
- San Diego, CA$15,700 midpoint
- Santa Rosa, CA$15,600 midpoint
- Santa Cruz, CA$15,600 midpoint
- Vallejo, CA$15,500 midpoint
- Los Angeles, CA$15,500 midpoint
- El Centro, CA$15,200 midpoint
- Salinas, CA$15,200 midpoint
- Sacramento, CA$15,100 midpoint
- Santa Maria, CA$15,000 midpoint
- San Luis Obispo, CA$15,000 midpoint
- Bakersfield, CA$15,000 midpoint
- Merced, CA$15,000 midpoint
- Stockton, CA$15,000 midpoint
- Oxnard, CA$14,800 midpoint
- Modesto, CA$14,700 midpoint
- Visalia, CA$14,600 midpoint
- Fresno, CA$14,600 midpoint
- Redding, CA$14,500 midpoint
- Riverside, CA$14,500 midpoint
- Chico, CA$14,300 midpoint
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: How Much Does a Bathroom Remodel Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- Cost to Renovate: Renovation Labor Report 2026: Where the Money Goes (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: 2026 Building Permit Costs | Fees & Cost Calculator (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
Note on derived figures: Materials = 45% of the installed price, from Cost to Renovate's mid-range split for bathroom projects (50% labor, 45% materials, 5% permits and design). Their sample is their own guides, not a survey of contractors, so treat the split as approximate.