Bathroom remodel cost in Lincoln, NE
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (45 sq ft)
- $4,400 – $21,900
- Per sq ft
- $94 – $470
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −6%
- US $14,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #169
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a bathroom remodel in the Lincoln area: $4,400 to $21,900 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 6% lower than the US figure. Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn a median of $29.17 an hour in the Lincoln area, 5% below the US median of $30.67.
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Estimated cost for 45 sq ft in Lincoln, NE, standard level
$9,650 to $16,700
About $207 to $357 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 53% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,200 | $7,250 |
| Labor | $5,100 | $8,850 |
| Permits and fees | $350 | $570 |
| Total | $9,650 | $16,700 |
Cost breakdown for 45 sq ft in Lincoln, NE
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,900 | $5,700 | $9,550 | 43% |
| Labor | $2,350 | $7,000 | $11,600 | 53% |
| Permits and fees | $180 | $460 | $730 | 3% |
| Total | $4,400 | $13,200 | $21,900 | 100% |
What is behind the Lincoln number
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 6 trades: plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters at 25%, tile and stone setters at 25%, carpenters at 20%, electricians at 10%, drywall and ceiling tile installers at 10%, painters, construction and maintenance at 10%. Weighted together, Lincoln wages are 0.94 times the national level. Labor makes up about 53% of the midpoint estimate (53% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Lincoln is at 94.1 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $6,100 nationally becomes $5,700 here (midpoint, 45 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 91.6: $180 to $730.
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 Lincoln. The wage table below marks each row.
Planning more than one job in Lincoln?
Jobs that often go together with bathroom remodel are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Lincoln wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, kitchen backsplash comes out highest (−2%) and kitchen cabinets lowest (−11%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $920 – $2,700 | −2% |
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $17,200 – $29,300 | −7% |
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $3,850 – $12,500 | −11% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,100 – $13,800 | −8% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $300 – $1,450 | −2% |
Who does the work: Lincoln 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 Lincoln the blend is 0.94.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 25% of the weighting: a median of $29.17 an hour, 5% below the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $23.25 and $36.00 an hour. About 650 work in the metro. That is 35.6 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 Lincoln metro, so we used the Nebraska statewide median: $28.53 an hour against $26.77 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $23.15 and $29.44 an hour.
Carpenters (47-2031), 20% of the weighting: a median of $24.00 an hour, 18% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $21.70 and $28.77 an hour. About 1,020 work in the metro. That is 55.9 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 $29.17 an hour, which is 4% below the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $23.10 and $37.59 an hour. BLS counts 1,020 of them working in the area, 55.9 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 $22.66 an hour, which is 20% below the national $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $18.27 and $27.27 an hour. BLS counts 160 of them working in the area, 8.8 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 $22.68 an hour, 5% below the US median of $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $17.76 and $24.92 an hour. About 280 work in the metro. That is 15.3 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 $410 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $360. That is a swing of roughly 2.7% to 3.1% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Lincoln has 182,620 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 126th 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% | $23.25 | $29.17 | $36.00 | $30.67 | 0.95 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 25% | $23.15 | $28.53 | $29.44 | $26.77 | 1.07 | state |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 20% | $21.70 | $24.00 | $28.77 | $29.12 | 0.82 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $23.10 | $29.17 | $37.59 | $30.38 | 0.96 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $18.27 | $22.66 | $27.27 | $28.33 | 0.80 | metro |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 10% | $17.76 | $22.68 | $24.92 | $23.75 | 0.95 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.94 | |||||
Lincoln against nearby metros and the rest of Nebraska
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 45 sq ft range from $13,200 to $14,100 across Lincoln and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln, NEthis page | $4,400 – $21,900 | $13,200 | |
| Omaha, NE55 miles | $4,550 – $22,500 | $13,500 | +3% |
| Sioux City, IA120 miles | $4,400 – $21,900 | $13,200 | level |
| Topeka, KS135 miles | $4,500 – $22,300 | $13,400 | +2% |
| Des Moines, IA170 miles | $4,650 – $23,100 | $13,900 | +5% |
| Kansas City, MO185 miles | $4,700 – $23,400 | $14,100 | +7% |
| Nebraska (statewide) | $4,450 – $22,000 | $13,200 | level |
| United States | $4,700 – $23,300 | $14,000 | +6% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Lincoln ranks #169 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Lincoln is 0% below the Nebraska figure.
Elsewhere in Nebraska
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE | 498,100 jobs | $4,550 – $22,500 | $13,500 | +3% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Lincoln against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| York, PA | 183,590 jobs | $4,950 – $24,700 | $14,800 | +13% |
| Asheville, NC | 180,620 jobs | $4,300 – $21,400 | $12,800 | −2% |
| Tallahassee, FL | 186,160 jobs | $4,150 – $20,600 | $12,400 | −6% |
| Davenport, IA | 180,450 jobs | $4,750 – $23,600 | $14,200 | +8% |
Cost by quality level and size in Lincoln
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Lincoln. 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
$4,400 to $11,400
Cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring
Standard
$9,650 to $16,700
Full remodel with new tub or shower and tile
Premium
$14,900 to $21,900
Primary bath, custom tile, layout change
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| half bath (20 sq ft) | $2,050 – $5,300 | $4,500 – $7,700 | $6,900 – $10,100 |
| small full bath (40 sq ft) | $3,950 – $10,200 | $8,650 – $14,900 | $13,300 – $19,500 |
| average bath (60 sq ft) | $5,850 – $15,100 | $12,800 – $22,000 | $19,700 – $29,000 |
| primary bath (100 sq ft) | $9,600 – $24,900 | $21,000 – $36,300 | $32,500 – $47,800 |
Specs and site conditions that change a Lincoln 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.
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Bathroom remodel in Lincoln: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom in Lincoln?
For 45 sq ft, expect $4,400 to $21,900 in the Lincoln area. A standard-spec job lands at $9,650 to $16,700. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for bathroom remodel in Lincoln?
About $94 to $470 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $180 to $730 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $100 to $500.
+Is bathroom remodel cheaper in Lincoln or Omaha?
Omaha is 55 miles away. The midpoint for 45 sq ft there is $13,500, which is 3% more than Lincoln ($13,200). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Lincoln?
About 53% at the midpoint, or $7,000 out of $13,200. Materials are 43% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 53%.
+What would average bath (60 sq ft) cost in Lincoln?
$5,850 to $29,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does bathroom remodel need a permit in Lincoln?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $180 to $730 for fees in the Lincoln area (our national range of $200 to $800 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Lincoln expensive for bathroom remodel compared with the rest of Nebraska?
Lincoln is 0% below the Nebraska statewide estimate ($13,200 at the midpoint). We cover 2 metros in Nebraska; see the state page to compare them.
+What do plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn in Lincoln?
The BLS median is $29.17 an hour in the Lincoln area, compared with $30.67 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.25 to $36.00.
+What do basic and premium bathroom remodel work cost in Lincoln?
For 45 sq ft, basic work runs $4,400 to $11,400 and premium work $14,900 to $21,900. Basic means: cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring. Premium means: primary bath, custom tile, layout change.
Bathroom remodel near Lincoln
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.