Bathroom remodel cost in North Carolina
Statewide estimate from BLS wages and BEA prices. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Statewide range (45 sq ft)
- $4,250 – $21,000
- Per sq ft
- $90 – $449
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −10%
- US $14,000
- Metros covered
- 11
Across North Carolina, a bathroom remodel costs about $4,250 to $21,000 for 45 sq ft. Statewide, that midpoint is 10% below the US figure of $14,000. Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn a median $27.44 an hour in North Carolina (US: $30.67).
Inside North Carolina, the metros we cover range from $12,300 (Hickory) to $12,800 (Asheville) 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 North Carolina (statewide), standard level
$9,250 to $15,900
About $198 to $341 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 50% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,300 | $7,450 |
| Labor | $4,600 | $7,900 |
| Permits and fees | $360 | $580 |
| Total | $9,250 | $15,900 |
Cost breakdown for 45 sq ft in North Carolina
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,950 | $5,850 | $9,800 | 47% |
| Labor | $2,100 | $6,250 | $10,400 | 50% |
| Permits and fees | $190 | $470 | $750 | 4% |
| Total | $4,250 | $12,600 | $21,000 | 100% |
What plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters and the other trades earn in North Carolina
North Carolina's labor line is priced from 6 trades, each compared with its US median wage. After weighting by each trade's share of the work, the state comes out at 0.84 times the national level.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 25% of the weighting: a median of $27.44 an hour, 11% below the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $22.38 and $30.43 an hour. About 14,510 work in the state. That is 29.4 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 $21.47 an hour, 20% below the US median of $26.77. The middle half of them earn between $19.02 and $24.36 an hour. About 680 work in the state. That is 1.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 2.3 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Carpenters (47-2031), 20% of the weighting: a median of $23.61 an hour, 19% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $20.27 and $28.27 an hour. About 13,480 work in the state. That is 27.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For electricians (47-2111, weighted 10%) the local median is $27.31 an hour, which is 10% below the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $22.63 and $29.77 an hour. BLS counts 21,640 of them working in the state, 43.8 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 $21.67 an hour, which is 24% below the national $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $17.43 and $24.29 an hour. BLS counts 1,520 of them working in the state, 3.1 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 $21.21 an hour, 11% below the US median of $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $17.83 and $23.63 an hour. About 5,220 work in the state. That is 10.6 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 14.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
A crew paid at the 75th percentile for plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters ($30.43 an hour) would add about $180 to the statewide midpoint; one at the 25th percentile ($22.38) would take off about $310. Use that as a rough guide to how far a bid can sit from our midpoint on wages alone.
BLS counts 4,941,820 jobs across North Carolina (May 2025), which is 3.2% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 25% | $22.38 | $27.44 | $30.43 | $30.67 | 0.89 | state |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 25% | $19.02 | $21.47 | $24.36 | $26.77 | 0.80 | state |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 20% | $20.27 | $23.61 | $28.27 | $29.12 | 0.81 | state |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $22.63 | $27.31 | $29.77 | $30.38 | 0.90 | state |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $17.43 | $21.67 | $24.29 | $28.33 | 0.76 | state |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 10% | $17.83 | $21.21 | $23.63 | $23.75 | 0.89 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 0.84 | |||||
North Carolina versus the states around it
North Carolina ranks 47 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. North Carolina sits at $12,600. The five states closest by workforce center are listed below.
| State | Distance | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | 120 miles away | $4,200 – $20,700 | $12,500 | −1% |
| Virginia | 180 miles away | $4,550 – $22,500 | $13,500 | +7% |
| West Virginia | 240 miles away | $4,350 – $21,700 | $13,000 | +3% |
| District of Columbia | 260 miles away | $5,350 – $26,500 | $15,900 | +26% |
| Georgia | 270 miles away | $4,400 – $21,800 | $13,100 | +4% |
Why two North Carolina quotes can differ
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).
Basic, standard or premium: North Carolina prices
Bands overlap on purpose, since a good standard job can cost as much as a light premium one. Below are the three bands for the default size, then a grid from half bath (20 sq ft) to primary bath (100 sq ft).
Basic
$4,250 to $10,900
Cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring
Standard
$9,250 to $15,900
Full remodel with new tub or shower and tile
Premium
$14,300 to $21,000
Primary bath, custom tile, layout change
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| half bath (20 sq ft) | $2,000 – $5,100 | $4,300 – $7,400 | $6,650 – $9,750 |
| small full bath (40 sq ft) | $3,800 – $9,750 | $8,250 – $14,200 | $12,700 – $18,700 |
| average bath (60 sq ft) | $5,600 – $14,400 | $12,200 – $21,100 | $18,800 – $27,700 |
| primary bath (100 sq ft) | $9,150 – $23,800 | $20,100 – $34,700 | $31,100 – $45,600 |
North Carolina metro-by-metro prices
6 of the 11 metros sit above the statewide midpoint of $12,600, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville, NC | $4,300 – $21,400 | $12,800 | +2% |
| Greensboro, NC | $4,300 – $21,300 | $12,800 | +2% |
| Durham, NC | $4,300 – $21,300 | $12,800 | +2% |
| Raleigh, NC | $4,300 – $21,300 | $12,800 | +2% |
| Charlotte, NC | $4,300 – $21,200 | $12,700 | +1% |
| Wilmington, NC | $4,300 – $21,200 | $12,700 | +1% |
| Burlington, NC | $4,200 – $20,700 | $12,400 | −1% |
| Greenville, NC | $4,150 – $20,600 | $12,400 | −2% |
| Fayetteville, NC | $4,150 – $20,500 | $12,300 | −2% |
| Winston, NC | $4,150 – $20,500 | $12,300 | −2% |
| Hickory, NC | $4,100 – $20,400 | $12,300 | −3% |
Related projects, priced for North Carolina
Each project weights the trades differently, so North Carolina's wage level does not push every price by the same amount. Compared with the US midpoint, kitchen remodel is −6% and shower pan −10%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $810 – $2,550 | −10% |
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $17,400 – $29,600 | −6% |
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $3,900 – $12,500 | −10% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,150 – $14,000 | −7% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $270 – $1,350 | −10% |
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Bathroom remodel in North Carolina: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom in North Carolina?
$4,250 to $21,000 for 45 sq ft, using statewide wages and prices. Metro areas inside North Carolina can sit above or below that.
+Which city in North Carolina is cheapest for bathroom remodel?
Hickory at about $12,300 (midpoint, 45 sq ft). The priciest is Asheville at $12,800.
+Is bathroom remodel cheaper in North Carolina than the US average?
It is 10% cheaper: $12,600 against $14,000 for 45 sq ft at the midpoint.
+What share of the price is labor in North Carolina?
About 50% ($6,250). Materials are 47%. Statewide labor for this job is weighted 0.84x the national wage level.
+What do plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn in North Carolina?
The BLS statewide median is $27.44 an hour, against $30.67 for the US. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.38 to $30.43.
+Where does North Carolina rank for bathroom remodel costs?
47th most expensive of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) at the midpoint, $12,600 for 45 sq ft. Rank 1 is the costliest.
+What do basic and premium bathroom remodel work cost in North Carolina?
For 45 sq ft, basic work runs $4,250 to $10,900 and premium work $14,300 to $21,000. Basic means: cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring. Premium means: primary bath, custom tile, layout change.
Bathroom remodel by city in North Carolina
- Asheville, NC$12,800 midpoint
- Greensboro, NC$12,800 midpoint
- Durham, NC$12,800 midpoint
- Raleigh, NC$12,800 midpoint
- Charlotte, NC$12,700 midpoint
- Wilmington, NC$12,700 midpoint
- Burlington, NC$12,400 midpoint
- Greenville, NC$12,400 midpoint
- Fayetteville, NC$12,300 midpoint
- Winston, NC$12,300 midpoint
- Hickory, NC$12,300 midpoint
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.