Bathroom remodel cost in Kentucky
Statewide estimate from BLS wages and BEA prices. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Statewide range (45 sq ft)
- $4,400 – $21,700
- Per sq ft
- $93.50 – $467
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −7%
- US $14,000
- Metros covered
- 3
What does it cost to remodel a bathroom in Kentucky? Plan on $4,400 to $21,700 for 45 sq ft. Wages (0.91x the US blend), materials (price index 96.0) and permit costs (90.2) put the state below the national midpoint by 7%.
Inside Kentucky, the metros we cover range from $12,900 (Bowling Green) to $13,500 (Louisville) 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 Kentucky (statewide), standard level
$9,600 to $16,500
About $205 to $355 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 52% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,300 | $7,400 |
| Labor | $4,950 | $8,600 |
| Permits and fees | $340 | $560 |
| Total | $9,600 | $16,500 |
Cost breakdown for 45 sq ft in Kentucky
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,950 | $5,850 | $9,700 | 45% |
| Labor | $2,250 | $6,750 | $11,300 | 52% |
| Permits and fees | $180 | $450 | $720 | 3% |
| Total | $4,400 | $13,100 | $21,700 | 100% |
Bathroom remodel cost by metro in Kentucky
1 of the 3 metros sit above the statewide midpoint of $13,100, and the top-to-bottom gap is 5%. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville, KY | $4,550 – $22,500 | $13,500 | +3% |
| Lexington, KY | $4,350 – $21,600 | $13,000 | −1% |
| Bowling Green, KY | $4,350 – $21,500 | $12,900 | −1% |
Bathroom remodel: what moves the price in Kentucky
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).
Quality levels and sizes in Kentucky
The cited range is cut into three overlapping bands (basic, standard and premium) and scaled to statewide Kentucky wages and prices. The grid prices the same bands at 4 common sizes.
Basic
$4,400 to $11,300
Cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring
Standard
$9,600 to $16,500
Full remodel with new tub or shower and tile
Premium
$14,800 to $21,700
Primary bath, custom tile, layout change
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| half bath (20 sq ft) | $2,050 – $5,250 | $4,450 – $7,650 | $6,850 – $10,100 |
| small full bath (40 sq ft) | $3,900 – $10,100 | $8,550 – $14,700 | $13,200 – $19,400 |
| average bath (60 sq ft) | $5,800 – $15,000 | $12,700 – $21,800 | $19,500 – $28,700 |
| primary bath (100 sq ft) | $9,500 – $24,700 | $20,900 – $36,000 | $32,200 – $47,400 |
What plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters and the other trades earn in Kentucky
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 0.91 for Kentucky.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 25%) the local median is $30.84 an hour, which is in line with the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $24.04 and $40.79 an hour. BLS counts 6,360 of them working in the state, 31.8 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 $22.78 an hour, which is 15% below the national $26.77. The middle half of them earn between $20.35 and $24.76 an hour. BLS counts 180 of them working in the state, 0.9 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 $25.33 an hour, which is 13% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $22.09 and $29.45 an hour. BLS counts 8,540 of them working in the state, 42.7 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 $28.71 an hour, 5% below the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $22.37 and $37.46 an hour. About 11,030 work in the state. That is 55.1 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 $23.24 an hour, 18% below the US median of $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $19.92 and $27.76 an hour. About 490 work in the state. That is 2.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 5.3 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141, weighted 10%) the local median is $23.13 an hour, which is in line with the national $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $19.33 and $28.72 an hour. BLS counts 1,390 of them working in the state, 6.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 14.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
A crew paid at the 75th percentile for plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters ($40.79 an hour) would add about $600 to the statewide midpoint; one at the 25th percentile ($24.04) would take off about $410. Use that as a rough guide to how far a bid can sit from our midpoint on wages alone.
BLS counts 2,000,360 jobs across Kentucky (May 2025), which is 1.3% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 25% | $24.04 | $30.84 | $40.79 | $30.67 | 1.01 | state |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 25% | $20.35 | $22.78 | $24.76 | $26.77 | 0.85 | state |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 20% | $22.09 | $25.33 | $29.45 | $29.12 | 0.87 | state |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $22.37 | $28.71 | $37.46 | $30.38 | 0.95 | state |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $19.92 | $23.24 | $27.76 | $28.33 | 0.82 | state |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 10% | $19.33 | $23.13 | $28.72 | $23.75 | 0.97 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 0.91 | |||||
Other Kentucky jobs that often go with bathroom remodel
The table prices neighboring jobs at their usual sizes using statewide Kentucky wages and prices. Against national midpoints, kitchen remodel comes out highest (−5%) and kitchen backsplash lowest (−8%), because each job leans on different trades.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $870 – $2,600 | −7% |
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $17,500 – $29,800 | −5% |
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $3,950 – $12,800 | −8% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,200 – $14,100 | −6% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $270 – $1,400 | −8% |
Kentucky versus the states around it
Kentucky ranks 38 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. Kentucky sits at $13,100. The five states closest by workforce center are listed below.
| State | Distance | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana | 140 miles away | $4,650 – $23,000 | $13,800 | +6% |
| Tennessee | 170 miles away | $4,250 – $21,100 | $12,700 | −3% |
| Ohio | 210 miles away | $4,450 – $22,100 | $13,300 | +2% |
| West Virginia | 220 miles away | $4,350 – $21,700 | $13,000 | level |
| Illinois | 280 miles away | $5,650 – $27,900 | $16,800 | +29% |
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Bathroom remodel in Kentucky: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom in Kentucky?
$4,400 to $21,700 for 45 sq ft, using statewide wages and prices. Metro areas inside Kentucky can sit above or below that.
+Which city in Kentucky is cheapest for bathroom remodel?
Bowling Green at about $12,900 (midpoint, 45 sq ft). The priciest is Louisville at $13,500.
+Is bathroom remodel cheaper in Kentucky than the US average?
It is 7% cheaper: $13,100 against $14,000 for 45 sq ft at the midpoint.
+What share of the price is labor in Kentucky?
About 52% ($6,750). Materials are 45%. Statewide labor for this job is weighted 0.91x the national wage level.
+What do plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn in Kentucky?
The BLS statewide median is $30.84 an hour, against $30.67 for the US. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $24.04 to $40.79.
+Where does Kentucky rank for bathroom remodel costs?
38th most expensive of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) at the midpoint, $13,100 for 45 sq ft. Rank 1 is the costliest.
+What do basic and premium bathroom remodel work cost in Kentucky?
For 45 sq ft, basic work runs $4,400 to $11,300 and premium work $14,800 to $21,700. Basic means: cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring. Premium means: primary bath, custom tile, layout change.
Bathroom remodel by city in Kentucky
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.