Bathroom remodel cost in St. Louis, MO
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (45 sq ft)
- $5,100 – $25,300
- Per sq ft
- $109 – $546
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +9%
- US $14,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #37
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a bathroom remodel in the St. Louis area: $5,100 to $25,300 for 45 sq ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint runs 9% higher than the US figure. Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn a median of $37.02 an hour in the St. Louis area, 21% above the US median of $30.67.
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Estimated cost for 45 sq ft in St. Louis, MO, standard level
$11,200 to $19,300
About $240 to $415 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 57% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,450 | $7,700 |
| Labor | $6,350 | $11,000 |
| Permits and fees | $360 | $590 |
| Total | $11,200 | $19,300 |
Cost breakdown for 45 sq ft in St. Louis, MO
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,000 | $6,050 | $10,100 | 40% |
| Labor | $2,900 | $8,650 | $14,400 | 57% |
| Permits and fees | $190 | $480 | $760 | 3% |
| Total | $5,100 | $15,200 | $25,300 | 100% |
Why St. Louis prices look the way they do
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 $37.02 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for St. Louis is 1.17 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 57% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. St. Louis is at 100.0 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $6,100 nationally becomes $6,050 here (midpoint, 45 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 95.1: $190 to $760.
Is St. Louis cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (45 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Springfield is the priciest of the group at $15,800. Jefferson City is the cheapest at $13,400.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MOthis page | $5,100 – $25,300 | $15,200 | |
| Springfield, IL85 miles | $5,300 – $26,300 | $15,800 | +4% |
| Jefferson City, MO95 miles | $4,500 – $22,300 | $13,400 | −12% |
| Columbia, MO120 miles | $4,500 – $22,400 | $13,500 | −12% |
| Bloomington, IL145 miles | $5,000 – $24,900 | $14,900 | −2% |
| Peoria, IL150 miles | $5,150 – $25,700 | $15,400 | +1% |
| Missouri (statewide) | $4,750 – $23,600 | $14,200 | −7% |
| United States | $4,700 – $23,300 | $14,000 | −8% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, St. Louis ranks #37 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, St. Louis is 7% above the Missouri figure.
Elsewhere in Missouri
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO | 1,096,110 jobs | $4,700 – $23,400 | $14,100 | −8% |
| Springfield, MO | 223,030 jobs | $4,250 – $21,200 | $12,700 | −16% |
| Columbia, MO | 107,680 jobs | $4,500 – $22,400 | $13,500 | −12% |
| Joplin, MO | 87,190 jobs | $4,550 – $22,500 | $13,500 | −11% |
| Jefferson City, MO | 80,220 jobs | $4,500 – $22,300 | $13,400 | −12% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is St. Louis against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore, MD | 1,356,680 jobs | $4,600 – $22,900 | $13,700 | −10% |
| Austin, TX | 1,293,690 jobs | $4,300 – $21,400 | $12,900 | −15% |
| Charlotte, NC | 1,358,370 jobs | $4,300 – $21,200 | $12,700 | −16% |
| Portland, OR | 1,208,410 jobs | $5,650 – $27,900 | $16,800 | +10% |
Why two St. Louis quotes can differ
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).
Who does the work: St. Louis trade wages
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 6 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For St. Louis the blend is 1.17.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 25% of the weighting: a median of $37.02 an hour, 21% above the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $27.61 and $49.92 an hour. About 4,060 work in the metro. That is 30.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.0 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
Tile and stone setters (47-2044), 25% of the weighting: a median of $30.60 an hour, 14% above the US median of $26.77. The middle half of them earn between $21.48 and $37.48 an hour. About 280 work in the metro. That is 2.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 2.3 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
Carpenters (47-2031), 20% of the weighting: a median of $34.13 an hour, 17% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $25.32 and $44.28 an hour. About 7,210 work in the metro. That is 53.8 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For electricians (47-2111, weighted 10%) the local median is $37.10 an hour, which is 22% above the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $26.13 and $47.45 an hour. BLS counts 5,920 of them working in the area, 44.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 48.7), so the local bench is about average.
For drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081, weighted 10%) the local median is $28.97 an hour, which is in line with the national $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $27.34 and $38.74 an hour. BLS counts 250 of them working in the area, 1.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 5.3), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141), 10% of the weighting: a median of $28.75 an hour, 21% above the US median of $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $23.19 and $37.07 an hour. About 2,350 work in the metro. That is 17.5 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 14.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $780 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $570. That is a swing of roughly 3.7% to 5.1% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
St. Louis has 1,341,320 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 23rd by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 25% | $27.61 | $37.02 | $49.92 | $30.67 | 1.21 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 25% | $21.48 | $30.60 | $37.48 | $26.77 | 1.14 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 20% | $25.32 | $34.13 | $44.28 | $29.12 | 1.17 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $26.13 | $37.10 | $47.45 | $30.38 | 1.22 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $27.34 | $28.97 | $38.74 | $28.33 | 1.02 | metro |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 10% | $23.19 | $28.75 | $37.07 | $23.75 | 1.21 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.17 | |||||
Cost by quality level and size in St. Louis
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to St. Louis. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from half bath (20 sq ft) to primary bath (100 sq ft).
Basic
$5,100 to $13,200
Cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring
Standard
$11,200 to $19,300
Full remodel with new tub or shower and tile
Premium
$17,200 to $25,300
Primary bath, custom tile, layout change
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| half bath (20 sq ft) | $2,350 – $6,100 | $5,150 – $8,900 | $7,950 – $11,700 |
| small full bath (40 sq ft) | $4,550 – $11,800 | $9,950 – $17,200 | $15,400 – $22,600 |
| average bath (60 sq ft) | $6,750 – $17,500 | $14,800 – $25,500 | $22,800 – $33,500 |
| primary bath (100 sq ft) | $11,100 – $28,800 | $24,400 – $42,100 | $37,700 – $55,400 |
Planning more than one job in St. Louis?
Jobs that often go together with bathroom remodel are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same St. Louis wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, shower pan comes out highest (+9%) and window replacement lowest (+3%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $1,050 – $3,000 | +9% |
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $19,100 – $32,500 | +3% |
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,450 – $15,300 | +8% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,700 – $15,400 | +3% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $320 – $1,600 | +6% |
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 $11,200 to $19,300 for St. Louis, MO is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
The report lays out the bathroom remodel numbers for St. Louis, MO line by line, with the local wage and price inputs, permit and timing notes, a quote comparison sheet and the full method. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Bathroom remodel in St. Louis: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom in St. Louis?
For 45 sq ft, expect $5,100 to $25,300 in the St. Louis area. A standard-spec job lands at $11,200 to $19,300. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for bathroom remodel in St. Louis?
About $109 to $546 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $190 to $760 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $100 to $500.
+Is bathroom remodel cheaper in St. Louis or Springfield?
Springfield is 85 miles away. The midpoint for 45 sq ft there is $15,800, which is 4% more than St. Louis ($15,200). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in St. Louis?
About 57% at the midpoint, or $8,650 out of $15,200. Materials are 40% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 53%.
+What would average bath (60 sq ft) cost in St. Louis?
$6,750 to $33,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does bathroom remodel need a permit in St. Louis?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $190 to $760 for fees in the St. Louis area (our national range of $200 to $800 scaled by the local price level).
+Is St. Louis expensive for bathroom remodel compared with the rest of Missouri?
St. Louis is 7% above the Missouri statewide estimate ($14,200 at the midpoint). We cover 6 metros in Missouri; see the state page to compare them.
+What do plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn in St. Louis?
The BLS median is $37.02 an hour in the St. Louis area, compared with $30.67 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $27.61 to $49.92.
+What do basic and premium bathroom remodel work cost in St. Louis?
For 45 sq ft, basic work runs $5,100 to $13,200 and premium work $17,200 to $25,300. Basic means: cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring. Premium means: primary bath, custom tile, layout change.
Bathroom remodel near St. Louis
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.