Bathroom remodel cost in Honolulu, HI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (45 sq ft)
- $6,150 – $30,600
- Per sq ft
- $132 – $661
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +31%
- US $14,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #1
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to remodel a bathroom in Honolulu, plan on $6,150 to $30,600 for 45 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $132 to $661 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 31% higher than the national one. Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn a median of $39.00 an hour in the Honolulu area, 27% above the US median of $30.67.
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Estimated cost for 45 sq ft in Honolulu, HI, standard level
$13,500 to $23,300
About $291 to $503 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 60% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,950 | $8,600 |
| Labor | $8,100 | $14,000 |
| Permits and fees | $420 | $690 |
| Total | $13,500 | $23,300 |
Cost breakdown for 45 sq ft in Honolulu, HI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,250 | $6,800 | $11,300 | 37% |
| Labor | $3,700 | $11,100 | $18,500 | 60% |
| Permits and fees | $220 | $550 | $890 | 3% |
| Total | $6,150 | $18,400 | $30,600 | 100% |
Why Honolulu prices look the way they do
Labor is 60% of the midpoint bill here, against 53% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (25%), tile and stone setters (25%), carpenters (20%), electricians (10%), drywall and ceiling tile installers (10%), painters, construction and maintenance (10%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Honolulu the blended ratio comes out at 1.49.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Honolulu metro is 111.6 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 45 sq ft comes to $6,800, compared with $6,100 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (111.0) and land at $220 to $890.
Honolulu labor market for bathroom remodel
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 Honolulu is 1.49 times the national level.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 25%) the local median is $39.00 an hour, which is 27% above the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $30.49 and $47.49 an hour. BLS counts 1,810 of them working in the area, 40.5 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is deeper than average.
For tile and stone setters (47-2044, weighted 25%) the local median is $41.76 an hour, which is 56% above the national $26.77. The middle half of them earn between $34.17 and $51.75 an hour. BLS counts 290 of them working in the area, 6.5 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 $45.34 an hour, which is 56% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $33.49 and $55.04 an hour. BLS counts 3,120 of them working in the area, 69.9 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 $48.21 an hour, 59% above the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $36.04 and $58.05 an hour. About 2,290 work in the metro. That is 51.3 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 $50.92 an hour, 80% above the US median of $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $37.13 and $55.47 an hour. About 710 work in the metro. That is 15.9 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 $31.81 an hour, which is 34% above the national $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $28.45 and $41.00 an hour. BLS counts 1,390 of them working in the area, 31.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 14.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($47.49 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $510. At the 25th percentile ($30.49) it shrinks by about $520. The total moves by 2.8% or 2.8%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 446,380 jobs in the Urban Honolulu area. That makes it the 56th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.29% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 25% | $30.49 | $39.00 | $47.49 | $30.67 | 1.27 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 25% | $34.17 | $41.76 | $51.75 | $26.77 | 1.56 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 20% | $33.49 | $45.34 | $55.04 | $29.12 | 1.56 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $36.04 | $48.21 | $58.05 | $30.38 | 1.59 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $37.13 | $50.92 | $55.47 | $28.33 | 1.80 | metro |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 10% | $28.45 | $31.81 | $41.00 | $23.75 | 1.34 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.49 | |||||
Related projects, priced for Honolulu
Because every project leans on different trades, Honolulu's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, kitchen cabinets runs +31% and kitchen remodel +20%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $1,250 – $3,550 | +28% |
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $22,200 – $37,700 | +20% |
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $5,250 – $18,700 | +31% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $5,550 – $18,000 | +21% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $400 – $1,950 | +30% |
Honolulu against nearby metros and the rest of Hawaii
Same job, same size (45 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Honolulu is the priciest of the group. Santa Cruz is the cheapest at $15,600.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu, HIthis page | $6,150 – $30,600 | $18,400 | |
| Kahului, HI110 miles | $5,700 – $28,400 | $17,100 | −7% |
| Santa Rosa, CA2395 miles | $5,250 – $26,000 | $15,600 | −15% |
| Santa Cruz, CA2415 miles | $5,250 – $26,000 | $15,600 | −15% |
| San Francisco, CA2415 miles | $5,650 – $28,000 | $16,900 | −8% |
| Napa, CA2425 miles | $5,250 – $26,100 | $15,700 | −15% |
| Hawaii (statewide) | $5,950 – $29,600 | $17,800 | −3% |
| United States | $4,700 – $23,300 | $14,000 | −24% |
Across 300 US metros, Honolulu comes in at #1 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $18,400; the cheapest is Jonesboro, AR at $11,600 (midpoints, 45 sq ft). Statewide, Honolulu is 3% above the Hawaii figure.
Other Hawaii metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kahului, HI | 73,750 jobs | $5,700 – $28,400 | $17,100 | −7% |
Cities with a workforce like Honolulu's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Honolulu against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany, NY | 449,410 jobs | $4,900 – $24,300 | $14,600 | −21% |
| New Orleans, LA | 445,550 jobs | $4,250 – $21,200 | $12,700 | −31% |
| Tulsa, OK | 458,730 jobs | $4,200 – $20,700 | $12,400 | −32% |
| Greenville, SC | 434,900 jobs | $4,150 – $20,500 | $12,300 | −33% |
Specs and site conditions that change a Honolulu bid
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.
Honolulu: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Honolulu 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
$6,150 to $16,000
Cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring
Standard
$13,500 to $23,300
Full remodel with new tub or shower and tile
Premium
$20,900 to $30,600
Primary bath, custom tile, layout change
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| half bath (20 sq ft) | $2,850 – $7,350 | $6,250 – $10,700 | $9,600 – $14,100 |
| small full bath (40 sq ft) | $5,500 – $14,200 | $12,100 – $20,800 | $18,600 – $27,300 |
| average bath (60 sq ft) | $8,150 – $21,100 | $17,900 – $30,800 | $27,600 – $40,600 |
| primary bath (100 sq ft) | $13,400 – $34,900 | $29,500 – $50,900 | $45,600 – $67,000 |
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 $13,500 to $23,300 for Honolulu, HI is attached.
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Bathroom remodel in Honolulu: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom in Honolulu?
For 45 sq ft, expect $6,150 to $30,600 in the Honolulu area. A standard-spec job lands at $13,500 to $23,300. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for bathroom remodel in Honolulu?
About $132 to $661 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $220 to $890 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $100 to $500.
+Is bathroom remodel cheaper in Honolulu or Kahului?
Kahului is 110 miles away. The midpoint for 45 sq ft there is $17,100, which is 7% less than Honolulu ($18,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Honolulu?
About 60% at the midpoint, or $11,100 out of $18,400. Materials are 37% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 53%.
+What would average bath (60 sq ft) cost in Honolulu?
$8,150 to $40,600. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does bathroom remodel need a permit in Honolulu?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $220 to $890 for fees in the Honolulu area (our national range of $200 to $800 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Honolulu expensive for bathroom remodel compared with the rest of Hawaii?
Honolulu is 3% above the Hawaii statewide estimate ($17,800 at the midpoint). We cover 2 metros in Hawaii; see the state page to compare them.
+What do plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn in Honolulu?
The BLS median is $39.00 an hour in the Honolulu area, compared with $30.67 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $30.49 to $47.49.
+What do basic and premium bathroom remodel work cost in Honolulu?
For 45 sq ft, basic work runs $6,150 to $16,000 and premium work $20,900 to $30,600. Basic means: cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring. Premium means: primary bath, custom tile, layout change.
Bathroom remodel near Honolulu
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.