Bathroom remodel cost in Dubuque, IA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (45 sq ft)
- $4,450 – $22,100
- Per sq ft
- $95 – $476
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −5%
- US $14,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #158
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to remodel a bathroom in Dubuque, plan on $4,450 to $22,100 for 45 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $95 to $476 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 5% lower than the national one. Building materials run about 6% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 93.7).
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Estimated cost for 45 sq ft in Dubuque, IA, standard level
$9,750 to $16,800
About $209 to $362 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 54% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,200 | $7,200 |
| Labor | $5,250 | $9,050 |
| Permits and fees | $330 | $540 |
| Total | $9,750 | $16,800 |
Cost breakdown for 45 sq ft in Dubuque, IA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,900 | $5,700 | $9,500 | 43% |
| Labor | $2,400 | $7,150 | $11,900 | 54% |
| Permits and fees | $170 | $440 | $700 | 3% |
| Total | $4,450 | $13,300 | $22,100 | 100% |
What is behind the Dubuque number
Labor is 54% 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 Dubuque the blended ratio comes out at 0.96.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Dubuque metro is 93.7 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 45 sq ft comes to $5,700, compared with $6,100 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (87.3) and land at $170 to $700.
Data note: 35% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Dubuque. The wage table below marks each row.
How Dubuque compares
Of the five closest metros, 1 is cheaper than Dubuque. Iowa City is the lowest at about $13,000 (midpoint, 45 sq ft), 75 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubuque, IAthis page | $4,450 – $22,100 | $13,300 | |
| Cedar Rapids, IA45 miles | $4,600 – $22,900 | $13,700 | +3% |
| Iowa City, IA75 miles | $4,350 – $21,600 | $13,000 | −2% |
| Davenport, IA75 miles | $4,750 – $23,600 | $14,200 | +7% |
| Madison, WI80 miles | $5,000 – $24,900 | $15,000 | +13% |
| Waterloo, IA80 miles | $4,450 – $22,200 | $13,300 | level |
| Iowa (statewide) | $4,450 – $22,200 | $13,300 | level |
| United States | $4,700 – $23,300 | $14,000 | +5% |
Across 300 US metros, Dubuque comes in at #158 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $18,400; the cheapest is Jonesboro, AR at $11,600 (midpoints, 45 sq ft). Statewide, Dubuque is 0% below the Iowa figure.
Other Iowa metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA | 404,130 jobs | $4,650 – $23,100 | $13,900 | +4% |
| Davenport, IA | 180,450 jobs | $4,750 – $23,600 | $14,200 | +7% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 139,260 jobs | $4,600 – $22,900 | $13,700 | +3% |
| Iowa City, IA | 93,760 jobs | $4,350 – $21,600 | $13,000 | −2% |
| Waterloo, IA | 84,260 jobs | $4,450 – $22,200 | $13,300 | level |
| Sioux City, IA | 75,010 jobs | $4,400 – $21,900 | $13,200 | −1% |
Cities with a workforce like Dubuque's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Dubuque against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altoona, PA | 58,650 jobs | $4,800 – $23,700 | $14,300 | +7% |
| Albany, GA | 58,390 jobs | $4,200 – $20,900 | $12,500 | −6% |
| Kingston, NY | 59,140 jobs | $4,850 – $24,100 | $14,500 | +9% |
| Wheeling, WV | 58,130 jobs | $4,500 – $22,300 | $13,400 | +1% |
Related projects, priced for Dubuque
Because every project leans on different trades, Dubuque's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, window replacement runs −4% and kitchen remodel −6%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $890 – $2,650 | −5% |
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $17,400 – $29,600 | −6% |
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,000 – $13,400 | −5% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,350 – $14,300 | −4% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $290 – $1,450 | −5% |
Bathroom remodel: what moves the price in Dubuque
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.
Dubuque 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 Dubuque is 0.96 times the national level.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 25%) the local median is $29.51 an hour, which is 4% below the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $23.70 and $39.45 an hour. BLS counts 120 of them working in the area, 20.5 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Tile and stone setters (47-2044) carry 25% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Dubuque metro, so we used the Iowa statewide median: $26.13 an hour against $26.77 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $23.11 and $34.11 an hour.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 20%) the local median is $28.89 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.41 and $30.47 an hour. BLS counts 260 of them working in the area, 44.5 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 $29.86 an hour, in line with the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $22.96 and $38.68 an hour. About 210 work in the metro. That is 35.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 48.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Dubuque metro, so we used the Iowa statewide median: $24.53 an hour against $28.33 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $21.54 and $29.70 an hour.
For painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141, weighted 10%) the local median is $22.79 an hour, which is 4% below the national $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $20.84 and $29.41 an hour. BLS counts 40 of them working in the area, 6.8 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 14.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($39.45 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $600. At the 25th percentile ($23.70) it shrinks by about $350. The total moves by 4.5% or 2.6%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 58,470 jobs in the Dubuque area. That makes it the 292nd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.04% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 25% | $23.70 | $29.51 | $39.45 | $30.67 | 0.96 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 25% | $23.11 | $26.13 | $34.11 | $26.77 | 0.98 | state |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 20% | $23.41 | $28.89 | $30.47 | $29.12 | 0.99 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $22.96 | $29.86 | $38.68 | $30.38 | 0.98 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $21.54 | $24.53 | $29.70 | $28.33 | 0.87 | state |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 10% | $20.84 | $22.79 | $29.41 | $23.75 | 0.96 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.96 | |||||
Dubuque: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Dubuque 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
$4,450 to $11,500
Cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring
Standard
$9,750 to $16,800
Full remodel with new tub or shower and tile
Premium
$15,100 to $22,100
Primary bath, custom tile, layout change
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| half bath (20 sq ft) | $2,100 – $5,350 | $4,500 – $7,800 | $6,950 – $10,200 |
| small full bath (40 sq ft) | $4,000 – $10,300 | $8,700 – $15,000 | $13,400 – $19,700 |
| average bath (60 sq ft) | $5,900 – $15,200 | $12,900 – $22,200 | $19,900 – $29,300 |
| primary bath (100 sq ft) | $9,700 – $25,100 | $21,300 – $36,700 | $32,900 – $48,300 |
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Bathroom remodel in Dubuque: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom in Dubuque?
For 45 sq ft, expect $4,450 to $22,100 in the Dubuque area. A standard-spec job lands at $9,750 to $16,800. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for bathroom remodel in Dubuque?
About $95 to $476 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $170 to $700 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $100 to $500.
+Is bathroom remodel cheaper in Dubuque or Cedar Rapids?
Cedar Rapids is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 45 sq ft there is $13,700, which is 3% more than Dubuque ($13,300). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Dubuque?
About 54% at the midpoint, or $7,150 out of $13,300. Materials are 43% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 53%.
+What would average bath (60 sq ft) cost in Dubuque?
$5,900 to $29,300. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does bathroom remodel need a permit in Dubuque?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $170 to $700 for fees in the Dubuque area (our national range of $200 to $800 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Dubuque expensive for bathroom remodel compared with the rest of Iowa?
Dubuque is 0% below the Iowa statewide estimate ($13,300 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Iowa; see the state page to compare them.
+What do plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn in Dubuque?
The BLS median is $29.51 an hour in the Dubuque area, compared with $30.67 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.70 to $39.45.
+What do basic and premium bathroom remodel work cost in Dubuque?
For 45 sq ft, basic work runs $4,450 to $11,500 and premium work $15,100 to $22,100. Basic means: cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring. Premium means: primary bath, custom tile, layout change.
Bathroom remodel near Dubuque
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.