Bathroom remodel cost in Washington, DC
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (45 sq ft)
- $4,900 – $24,200
- Per sq ft
- $104 – $518
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +4%
- US $14,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #84
- 1 = most expensive
Washington homeowners pay roughly $4,900 to $24,200 to remodel a bathroom at 45 sq ft, or $104 to $518 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Washington is 4% higher. Building materials run about 5% above the US average here (BEA goods price index 104.8).
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Estimated cost for 45 sq ft in Washington, DC, standard level
$10,700 to $18,400
About $228 to $394 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 52% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,650 | $8,050 |
| Labor | $5,600 | $9,650 |
| Permits and fees | $410 | $680 |
| Total | $10,700 | $18,400 |
Cost breakdown for 45 sq ft in Washington, DC
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,100 | $6,350 | $10,600 | 44% |
| Labor | $2,550 | $7,600 | $12,700 | 52% |
| Permits and fees | $220 | $540 | $870 | 4% |
| Total | $4,900 | $14,500 | $24,200 | 100% |
Where the Washington price comes from
The wage side of the estimate leans on plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters, who do 25% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $34.55 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Washington is 1.03 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 52% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Washington metro is 104.8 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 45 sq ft comes to $6,350, compared with $6,100 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (108.9) and land at $220 to $870.
Why two Washington quotes can differ
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).
Size
HomeGuide's average-size bathroom comes to $3,500-$25,000+; per square foot it's $100-$500.
Local wages behind the labor line
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 6 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Washington is 1.03 times the national level.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 25%) the local median is $34.55 an hour, which is 13% above the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $26.82 and $45.22 an hour. BLS counts 9,420 of them working in the area, 30.0 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 $23.65 an hour, which is 12% below the national $26.77. The middle half of them earn between $19.22 and $31.25 an hour. BLS counts 450 of them working in the area, 1.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 2.3), so the local bench is thinner than average.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 20%) the local median is $29.23 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $26.62 and $35.56 an hour. BLS counts 13,280 of them working in the area, 42.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is about average.
Electricians (47-2111), 10% of the weighting: a median of $36.50 an hour, 20% above the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $28.40 and $49.65 an hour. About 16,580 work in the metro. That is 52.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 48.7 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081), 10% of the weighting: a median of $28.40 an hour, in line with the US median of $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $24.59 and $30.77 an hour. About 2,210 work in the metro. That is 7.0 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 $24.31 an hour, which is in line with the national $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $22.85 and $28.43 an hour. BLS counts 4,380 of them working in the area, 14.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 14.5), so the local bench is about average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($45.22 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $650. At the 25th percentile ($26.82) it shrinks by about $470. The total moves by 4.4% or 3.2%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 3,136,190 jobs in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria area. That makes it the 6th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 2.02% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 25% | $26.82 | $34.55 | $45.22 | $30.67 | 1.13 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 25% | $19.22 | $23.65 | $31.25 | $26.77 | 0.88 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 20% | $26.62 | $29.23 | $35.56 | $29.12 | 1.00 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $28.40 | $36.50 | $49.65 | $30.38 | 1.20 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $24.59 | $28.40 | $30.77 | $28.33 | 1.00 | metro |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 10% | $22.85 | $24.31 | $28.43 | $23.75 | 1.02 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.03 | |||||
Cost by quality level and size in Washington
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Washington 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 4 common sizes.
Basic
$4,900 to $12,600
Cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring
Standard
$10,700 to $18,400
Full remodel with new tub or shower and tile
Premium
$16,500 to $24,200
Primary bath, custom tile, layout change
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| half bath (20 sq ft) | $2,300 – $5,850 | $4,950 – $8,550 | $7,650 – $11,200 |
| small full bath (40 sq ft) | $4,350 – $11,300 | $9,550 – $16,400 | $14,700 – $21,600 |
| average bath (60 sq ft) | $6,450 – $16,600 | $14,100 – $24,300 | $21,700 – $32,000 |
| primary bath (100 sq ft) | $10,600 – $27,400 | $23,200 – $40,000 | $35,800 – $52,700 |
Planning more than one job in Washington?
Because every project leans on different trades, Washington's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, window replacement runs +5% and kitchen backsplash −2%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $940 – $2,900 | +3% |
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $19,400 – $33,000 | +5% |
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,450 – $14,600 | +5% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,750 – $15,800 | +5% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $290 – $1,500 | −2% |
Washington against nearby metros and the rest of the District of Columbia
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 45 sq ft range from $12,900 to $14,500 across Washington and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington, DCthis page | $4,900 – $24,200 | $14,500 | |
| Hagerstown, MD55 miles | $4,350 – $21,500 | $12,900 | −11% |
| Baltimore, MD60 miles | $4,600 – $22,900 | $13,700 | −5% |
| Winchester, VA60 miles | $4,350 – $21,500 | $12,900 | −11% |
| Lexington Park, MD65 miles | $4,550 – $22,400 | $13,500 | −7% |
| Chambersburg, PA75 miles | $4,750 – $23,700 | $14,200 | −2% |
| District of Columbia (statewide) | $5,350 – $26,500 | $15,900 | +9% |
| United States | $4,700 – $23,300 | $14,000 | −4% |
Across 300 US metros, Washington comes in at #84 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $18,400; the cheapest is Jonesboro, AR at $11,600 (midpoints, 45 sq ft). Statewide, Washington is 9% below the District of Columbia figure.
Washington is the only District of Columbia metro we cover, so the statewide page is the only in-state comparison. It uses statewide wages, which include rural areas.
Cities with a workforce like Washington's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Washington against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston, TX | 3,289,720 jobs | $4,400 – $21,900 | $13,200 | −9% |
| Philadelphia, PA | 2,897,830 jobs | $5,000 – $24,900 | $15,000 | +3% |
| Dallas, TX | 4,049,800 jobs | $4,500 – $22,200 | $13,300 | −8% |
| Atlanta, GA | 2,889,670 jobs | $4,450 – $22,200 | $13,300 | −8% |
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Bathroom remodel in Washington: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom in Washington?
For 45 sq ft, expect $4,900 to $24,200 in the Washington area. A standard-spec job lands at $10,700 to $18,400. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for bathroom remodel in Washington?
About $104 to $518 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $220 to $870 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $100 to $500.
+Is bathroom remodel cheaper in Washington or Hagerstown?
Hagerstown is 55 miles away. The midpoint for 45 sq ft there is $12,900, which is 11% less than Washington ($14,500). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Washington?
About 52% at the midpoint, or $7,600 out of $14,500. Materials are 44% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 53%.
+What would average bath (60 sq ft) cost in Washington?
$6,450 to $32,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does bathroom remodel need a permit in Washington?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $220 to $870 for fees in the Washington area (our national range of $200 to $800 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Washington expensive for bathroom remodel compared with the rest of District of Columbia?
Washington is 9% below the District of Columbia statewide estimate ($15,900 at the midpoint).
+What do plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn in Washington?
The BLS median is $34.55 an hour in the Washington area, compared with $30.67 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $26.82 to $45.22.
+What do basic and premium bathroom remodel work cost in Washington?
For 45 sq ft, basic work runs $4,900 to $12,600 and premium work $16,500 to $24,200. Basic means: cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring. Premium means: primary bath, custom tile, layout change.
Bathroom remodel near Washington
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.