Bathroom remodel cost in Missoula, MT
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (45 sq ft)
- $4,850 – $24,000
- Per sq ft
- $103 – $517
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +3%
- US $14,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #95
- 1 = most expensive
A bathroom remodel in Missoula, MT usually costs $4,850 to $24,000 for 45 sq ft. That works out to about $103 to $517 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $430 more. Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn a median of $38.34 an hour in the Missoula area, 25% above the US median of $30.67.
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Estimated cost for 45 sq ft in Missoula, MT, standard level
$10,600 to $18,300
About $227 to $393 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 56% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,300 | $7,400 |
| Labor | $5,950 | $10,300 |
| Permits and fees | $370 | $600 |
| Total | $10,600 | $18,300 |
Cost breakdown for 45 sq ft in Missoula, MT
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,950 | $5,850 | $9,700 | 40% |
| Labor | $2,700 | $8,100 | $13,500 | 56% |
| Permits and fees | $190 | $480 | $770 | 3% |
| Total | $4,850 | $14,400 | $24,000 | 100% |
What is behind the Missoula number
Labor is 56% 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 Missoula the blended ratio comes out at 1.09.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Missoula is at 96.0 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $6,100 nationally becomes $5,850 here (midpoint, 45 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 96.4: $190 to $770.
Data note: 25% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Missoula. The wage table below marks each row.
Specs and site conditions that change a Missoula bid
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.
What nearby projects cost in Missoula
Jobs that often go together with bathroom remodel are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Missoula wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, shower pan comes out highest (+7%) and window replacement lowest (−5%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $1,050 – $2,950 | +7% |
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $18,100 – $30,800 | −2% |
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,150 – $13,800 | −2% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,250 – $14,200 | −5% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $300 – $1,500 | −1% |
What local crews earn in Missoula
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 Missoula the blend is 1.09.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 25% of the weighting: a median of $38.34 an hour, 25% above the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $28.19 and $46.77 an hour. About 290 work in the metro. That is 43.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.0 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Tile and stone setters (47-2044) carry 25% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Missoula metro, so we used the Montana statewide median: $28.21 an hour against $26.77 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $23.23 and $29.82 an hour.
Carpenters (47-2031), 20% of the weighting: a median of $27.48 an hour, 6% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.35 and $30.07 an hour. About 400 work in the metro. That is 59.6 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 $38.10 an hour, which is 25% above the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $29.89 and $38.51 an hour. BLS counts 280 of them working in the area, 41.7 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 $24.67 an hour, which is 13% below the national $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $22.13 and $29.49 an hour. BLS counts 50 of them working in the area, 7.5 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 5.3), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141), 10% of the weighting: a median of $27.43 an hour, 15% above the US median of $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $23.29 and $29.06 an hour. About 90 work in the metro. That is 13.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 14.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $510 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $610. That is a swing of roughly 4.3% to 3.5% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Missoula has 67,070 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 270th 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% | $28.19 | $38.34 | $46.77 | $30.67 | 1.25 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 25% | $23.23 | $28.21 | $29.82 | $26.77 | 1.05 | state |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 20% | $23.35 | $27.48 | $30.07 | $29.12 | 0.94 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $29.89 | $38.10 | $38.51 | $30.38 | 1.25 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $22.13 | $24.67 | $29.49 | $28.33 | 0.87 | metro |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 10% | $23.29 | $27.43 | $29.06 | $23.75 | 1.15 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.09 | |||||
How Missoula compares
Same job, same size (45 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Kennewick is the priciest of the group at $16,700. Idaho Falls is the cheapest at $12,400.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missoula, MTthis page | $4,850 – $24,000 | $14,400 | |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID120 miles | $4,300 – $21,300 | $12,800 | −11% |
| Spokane, WA175 miles | $5,200 – $25,900 | $15,600 | +8% |
| Bozeman, MT185 miles | $4,950 – $24,600 | $14,800 | +3% |
| Kennewick, WA240 miles | $5,600 – $27,900 | $16,700 | +16% |
| Idaho Falls, ID255 miles | $4,150 – $20,600 | $12,400 | −14% |
| Montana (statewide) | $4,900 – $24,200 | $14,600 | +1% |
| United States | $4,700 – $23,300 | $14,000 | −3% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Missoula ranks #95 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Missoula is 1% below the Montana figure.
Elsewhere in Montana
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT | 93,800 jobs | $4,900 – $24,400 | $14,700 | +2% |
| Bozeman, MT | 72,210 jobs | $4,950 – $24,600 | $14,800 | +3% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Missoula against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Junction, CO | 67,170 jobs | $4,600 – $22,700 | $13,600 | −6% |
| Logan, UT | 66,800 jobs | $4,350 – $21,400 | $12,900 | −11% |
| Morgantown, WV | 67,370 jobs | $4,300 – $21,400 | $12,900 | −11% |
| Flagstaff, AZ | 66,610 jobs | $4,450 – $22,000 | $13,200 | −8% |
Cost by quality level and size in Missoula
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Missoula. 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
$4,850 to $12,500
Cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring
Standard
$10,600 to $18,300
Full remodel with new tub or shower and tile
Premium
$16,300 to $24,000
Primary bath, custom tile, layout change
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| half bath (20 sq ft) | $2,250 – $5,800 | $4,900 – $8,450 | $7,550 – $11,100 |
| small full bath (40 sq ft) | $4,300 – $11,200 | $9,450 – $16,300 | $14,600 – $21,400 |
| average bath (60 sq ft) | $6,400 – $16,500 | $14,000 – $24,200 | $21,600 – $31,800 |
| primary bath (100 sq ft) | $10,500 – $27,300 | $23,100 – $39,900 | $35,700 – $52,400 |
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Bathroom remodel in Missoula: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom in Missoula?
For 45 sq ft, expect $4,850 to $24,000 in the Missoula area. A standard-spec job lands at $10,600 to $18,300. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for bathroom remodel in Missoula?
About $103 to $517 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $190 to $770 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $100 to $500.
+Is bathroom remodel cheaper in Missoula or Coeur d'Alene?
Coeur d'Alene is 120 miles away. The midpoint for 45 sq ft there is $12,800, which is 11% less than Missoula ($14,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Missoula?
About 56% at the midpoint, or $8,100 out of $14,400. Materials are 40% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 53%.
+What would average bath (60 sq ft) cost in Missoula?
$6,400 to $31,800. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does bathroom remodel need a permit in Missoula?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $190 to $770 for fees in the Missoula area (our national range of $200 to $800 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Missoula expensive for bathroom remodel compared with the rest of Montana?
Missoula is 1% below the Montana statewide estimate ($14,600 at the midpoint). We cover 3 metros in Montana; see the state page to compare them.
+What do plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn in Missoula?
The BLS median is $38.34 an hour in the Missoula area, compared with $30.67 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.19 to $46.77.
+What do basic and premium bathroom remodel work cost in Missoula?
For 45 sq ft, basic work runs $4,850 to $12,500 and premium work $16,300 to $24,000. Basic means: cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring. Premium means: primary bath, custom tile, layout change.
Bathroom remodel near Missoula
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.