Bathroom remodel cost in Burlington, NC
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (45 sq ft)
- $4,200 – $20,700
- Per sq ft
- $88.50 – $444
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −11%
- US $14,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #253
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to remodel a bathroom in Burlington, plan on $4,200 to $20,700 for 45 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $88.50 to $444 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 11% lower than the national one. Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn a median of $27.35 an hour in the Burlington area, 11% below the US median of $30.67.
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Estimated cost for 45 sq ft in Burlington, NC, standard level
$9,150 to $15,800
About $195 to $337 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 49% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,300 | $7,450 |
| Labor | $4,500 | $7,750 |
| Permits and fees | $350 | $580 |
| Total | $9,150 | $15,800 |
Cost breakdown for 45 sq ft in Burlington, NC
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,950 | $5,850 | $9,800 | 47% |
| Labor | $2,050 | $6,100 | $10,200 | 49% |
| Permits and fees | $190 | $470 | $750 | 4% |
| Total | $4,200 | $12,400 | $20,700 | 100% |
Why Burlington 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 $27.35 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Burlington is 0.82 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 49% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Burlington metro is 96.6 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 45 sq ft comes to $5,850, compared with $6,100 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (93.2) and land at $190 to $750.
Data note: 35% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Burlington. The wage table below marks each row.
What nearby projects cost in Burlington
Because every project leans on different trades, Burlington's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, kitchen remodel runs −6% and kitchen cabinets −11%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $810 – $2,550 | −11% |
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $17,300 – $29,500 | −6% |
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $3,900 – $12,400 | −11% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,100 – $14,000 | −7% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $270 – $1,350 | −10% |
Cost by quality level and size in Burlington
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Burlington wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 4 common sizes.
Basic
$4,200 to $10,800
Cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring
Standard
$9,150 to $15,800
Full remodel with new tub or shower and tile
Premium
$14,100 to $20,700
Primary bath, custom tile, layout change
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| half bath (20 sq ft) | $1,950 – $5,000 | $4,250 – $7,300 | $6,550 – $9,600 |
| small full bath (40 sq ft) | $3,750 – $9,650 | $8,150 – $14,100 | $12,600 – $18,500 |
| average bath (60 sq ft) | $5,500 – $14,300 | $12,100 – $20,800 | $18,600 – $27,400 |
| primary bath (100 sq ft) | $9,050 – $23,500 | $19,900 – $34,300 | $30,700 – $45,100 |
Burlington labor market for bathroom remodel
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 6 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Burlington is 0.82 times the national level.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 25%) the local median is $27.35 an hour, which is 11% below the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $22.15 and $30.76 an hour. BLS counts 260 of them working in the area, 38.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Tile and stone setters (47-2044) carry 25% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Burlington metro, so we used the North Carolina statewide median: $21.47 an hour against $26.77 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $19.02 and $24.36 an hour.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 20%) the local median is $23.69 an hour, which is 19% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $21.18 and $27.09 an hour. BLS counts 100 of them working in the area, 14.7 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Electricians (47-2111), 10% of the weighting: a median of $24.71 an hour, 19% below the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $21.82 and $28.86 an hour. About 230 work in the metro. That is 33.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 48.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Burlington metro, so we used the North Carolina statewide median: $21.67 an hour against $28.33 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $17.43 and $24.29 an hour.
For painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141, weighted 10%) the local median is $18.77 an hour, which is 21% below the national $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $13.98 and $23.11 an hour. BLS counts 50 of them working in the area, 7.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 14.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($30.76 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $210. At the 25th percentile ($22.15) it shrinks by about $310. The total moves by 1.7% or 2.5%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 67,830 jobs in the Burlington area. That makes it the 266th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.04% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 25% | $22.15 | $27.35 | $30.76 | $30.67 | 0.89 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 25% | $19.02 | $21.47 | $24.36 | $26.77 | 0.80 | state |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 20% | $21.18 | $23.69 | $27.09 | $29.12 | 0.81 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $21.82 | $24.71 | $28.86 | $30.38 | 0.81 | metro |
| 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% | $13.98 | $18.77 | $23.11 | $23.75 | 0.79 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.82 | |||||
How Burlington compares
Of the five closest metros, 2 are cheaper than Burlington. Winston is the lowest at about $12,300 (midpoint, 45 sq ft), 55 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington, NCthis page | $4,200 – $20,700 | $12,400 | |
| Durham, NC15 miles | $4,300 – $21,300 | $12,800 | +3% |
| Greensboro, NC20 miles | $4,300 – $21,300 | $12,800 | +3% |
| Winston, NC55 miles | $4,150 – $20,500 | $12,300 | −1% |
| Raleigh, NC55 miles | $4,300 – $21,300 | $12,800 | +3% |
| Fayetteville, NC75 miles | $4,150 – $20,500 | $12,300 | −1% |
| North Carolina (statewide) | $4,250 – $21,000 | $12,600 | +1% |
| United States | $4,700 – $23,300 | $14,000 | +12% |
Across 300 US metros, Burlington comes in at #253 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $18,400; the cheapest is Jonesboro, AR at $11,600 (midpoints, 45 sq ft). Statewide, Burlington is 1% below the North Carolina figure.
Other North Carolina metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte, NC | 1,358,370 jobs | $4,300 – $21,200 | $12,700 | +2% |
| Raleigh, NC | 743,120 jobs | $4,300 – $21,300 | $12,800 | +3% |
| Greensboro, NC | 365,410 jobs | $4,300 – $21,300 | $12,800 | +3% |
| Durham, NC | 344,020 jobs | $4,300 – $21,300 | $12,800 | +3% |
| Winston, NC | 271,980 jobs | $4,150 – $20,500 | $12,300 | −1% |
| Wilmington, NC | 191,280 jobs | $4,300 – $21,200 | $12,700 | +2% |
Cities with a workforce like Burlington's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Burlington against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dover, DE | 68,080 jobs | $4,450 – $22,000 | $13,200 | +6% |
| Winchester, VA | 67,740 jobs | $4,350 – $21,500 | $12,900 | +4% |
| Traverse City, MI | 68,440 jobs | $4,450 – $22,100 | $13,300 | +6% |
| Morgantown, WV | 67,370 jobs | $4,300 – $21,400 | $12,900 | +3% |
Why two Burlington quotes can differ
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.
Get 3 local quotes
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Bathroom remodel in Burlington: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom in Burlington?
For 45 sq ft, expect $4,200 to $20,700 in the Burlington area. A standard-spec job lands at $9,150 to $15,800. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for bathroom remodel in Burlington?
About $88.50 to $444 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $190 to $750 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $100 to $500.
+Is bathroom remodel cheaper in Burlington or Durham?
Durham is 15 miles away. The midpoint for 45 sq ft there is $12,800, which is 3% more than Burlington ($12,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Burlington?
About 49% at the midpoint, or $6,100 out of $12,400. Materials are 47% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 53%.
+What would average bath (60 sq ft) cost in Burlington?
$5,500 to $27,400. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does bathroom remodel need a permit in Burlington?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $190 to $750 for fees in the Burlington area (our national range of $200 to $800 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Burlington expensive for bathroom remodel compared with the rest of North Carolina?
Burlington is 1% below the North Carolina statewide estimate ($12,600 at the midpoint). We cover 11 metros in North Carolina; see the state page to compare them.
+What do plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn in Burlington?
The BLS median is $27.35 an hour in the Burlington area, compared with $30.67 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.15 to $30.76.
+What do basic and premium bathroom remodel work cost in Burlington?
For 45 sq ft, basic work runs $4,200 to $10,800 and premium work $14,100 to $20,700. Basic means: cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring. Premium means: primary bath, custom tile, layout change.
Bathroom remodel near Burlington
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.