Bathroom remodel cost in Raleigh, NC
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (45 sq ft)
- $4,300 – $21,300
- Per sq ft
- $91 – $456
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −9%
- US $14,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #208
- 1 = most expensive
Raleigh homeowners pay roughly $4,300 to $21,300 to remodel a bathroom at 45 sq ft, or $91 to $456 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Raleigh is 9% lower. Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn a median of $29.10 an hour in the Raleigh area, 5% below the US median of $30.67.
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Estimated cost for 45 sq ft in Raleigh, NC, standard level
$9,400 to $16,200
About $200 to $346 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 50% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,300 | $7,450 |
| Labor | $4,700 | $8,150 |
| Permits and fees | $370 | $610 |
| Total | $9,400 | $16,200 |
Cost breakdown for 45 sq ft in Raleigh, NC
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,950 | $5,850 | $9,800 | 46% |
| Labor | $2,150 | $6,450 | $10,700 | 50% |
| Permits and fees | $200 | $490 | $790 | 4% |
| Total | $4,300 | $12,800 | $21,300 | 100% |
Where the Raleigh price comes from
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, Raleigh wages are 0.87 times the national level. Labor makes up about 50% of the midpoint estimate (53% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Raleigh 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 (98.2) and land at $200 to $790.
Local wages behind the labor line
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 Raleigh is 0.87 times the national level.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 25%) the local median is $29.10 an hour, which is 5% below the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $23.26 and $33.66 an hour. BLS counts 2,810 of them working in the area, 37.8 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is deeper than average.
For tile and stone setters (47-2044, weighted 25%) the local median is $21.57 an hour, which is 19% below the national $26.77. The middle half of them earn between $19.30 and $24.04 an hour. BLS counts 130 of them working in the area, 1.7 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 2.3), so the local bench is thinner than average.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 20%) the local median is $24.43 an hour, which is 16% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $21.31 and $29.01 an hour. BLS counts 2,680 of them working in the area, 36.1 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 $27.31 an hour, 10% below the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $23.44 and $29.72 an hour. About 3,740 work in the metro. That is 50.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 48.7 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081), 10% of the weighting: a median of $22.07 an hour, 22% below the US median of $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $17.43 and $22.85 an hour. About 360 work in the metro. That is 4.8 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 5.3 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141, weighted 10%) the local median is $21.81 an hour, which is 8% below the national $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $18.16 and $23.89 an hour. BLS counts 810 of them working in the area, 10.9 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 ($33.66 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $280. At the 25th percentile ($23.26) it shrinks by about $350. The total moves by 2.2% or 2.8%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 743,120 jobs in the Raleigh-Cary area. That makes it the 41st largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.48% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 25% | $23.26 | $29.10 | $33.66 | $30.67 | 0.95 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 25% | $19.30 | $21.57 | $24.04 | $26.77 | 0.81 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 20% | $21.31 | $24.43 | $29.01 | $29.12 | 0.84 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $23.44 | $27.31 | $29.72 | $30.38 | 0.90 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $17.43 | $22.07 | $22.85 | $28.33 | 0.78 | metro |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 10% | $18.16 | $21.81 | $23.89 | $23.75 | 0.92 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.87 | |||||
Specs and site conditions that change a Raleigh 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.
How Raleigh compares
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 $12,300 to $12,800 across Raleigh and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh, NCthis page | $4,300 – $21,300 | $12,800 | |
| Durham, NC40 miles | $4,300 – $21,300 | $12,800 | level |
| Burlington, NC55 miles | $4,200 – $20,700 | $12,400 | −3% |
| Fayetteville, NC60 miles | $4,150 – $20,500 | $12,300 | −4% |
| Greenville, NC60 miles | $4,150 – $20,600 | $12,400 | −3% |
| Greensboro, NC75 miles | $4,300 – $21,300 | $12,800 | level |
| North Carolina (statewide) | $4,250 – $21,000 | $12,600 | −2% |
| United States | $4,700 – $23,300 | $14,000 | +9% |
Across 300 US metros, Raleigh comes in at #208 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $18,400; the cheapest is Jonesboro, AR at $11,600 (midpoints, 45 sq ft). Statewide, Raleigh is 2% above 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 | level |
| Greensboro, NC | 365,410 jobs | $4,300 – $21,300 | $12,800 | level |
| Durham, NC | 344,020 jobs | $4,300 – $21,300 | $12,800 | level |
| Winston, NC | 271,980 jobs | $4,150 – $20,500 | $12,300 | −4% |
| Wilmington, NC | 191,280 jobs | $4,300 – $21,200 | $12,700 | level |
| Asheville, NC | 180,620 jobs | $4,300 – $21,400 | $12,800 | level |
Cities with a workforce like Raleigh's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Raleigh against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA | 763,060 jobs | $4,350 – $21,600 | $13,000 | +2% |
| Providence, RI | 714,120 jobs | $4,800 – $23,900 | $14,400 | +12% |
| Jacksonville, FL | 765,930 jobs | $4,300 – $21,400 | $12,800 | level |
| Louisville, KY | 685,190 jobs | $4,550 – $22,500 | $13,500 | +6% |
Planning more than one job in Raleigh?
Because every project leans on different trades, Raleigh's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, kitchen remodel runs −5% and kitchen backsplash −10%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $830 – $2,600 | −8% |
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $17,500 – $29,800 | −5% |
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,000 – $12,700 | −8% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,150 – $14,100 | −7% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $270 – $1,350 | −10% |
Cost by quality level and size in Raleigh
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Raleigh 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
$4,300 to $11,100
Cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring
Standard
$9,400 to $16,200
Full remodel with new tub or shower and tile
Premium
$14,500 to $21,300
Primary bath, custom tile, layout change
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| half bath (20 sq ft) | $2,000 – $5,150 | $4,400 – $7,550 | $6,750 – $9,900 |
| small full bath (40 sq ft) | $3,850 – $9,900 | $8,400 – $14,500 | $12,900 – $19,000 |
| average bath (60 sq ft) | $5,650 – $14,600 | $12,400 – $21,400 | $19,100 – $28,100 |
| primary bath (100 sq ft) | $9,300 – $24,100 | $20,400 – $35,200 | $31,500 – $46,300 |
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Bathroom remodel in Raleigh: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom in Raleigh?
For 45 sq ft, expect $4,300 to $21,300 in the Raleigh area. A standard-spec job lands at $9,400 to $16,200. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for bathroom remodel in Raleigh?
About $91 to $456 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $200 to $790 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $100 to $500.
+Is bathroom remodel cheaper in Raleigh or Durham?
Durham is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 45 sq ft there is $12,800, which is 0% more than Raleigh ($12,800). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Raleigh?
About 50% at the midpoint, or $6,450 out of $12,800. Materials are 46% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 53%.
+What would average bath (60 sq ft) cost in Raleigh?
$5,650 to $28,100. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does bathroom remodel need a permit in Raleigh?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $200 to $790 for fees in the Raleigh area (our national range of $200 to $800 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Raleigh expensive for bathroom remodel compared with the rest of North Carolina?
Raleigh is 2% above 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 Raleigh?
The BLS median is $29.10 an hour in the Raleigh area, compared with $30.67 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.26 to $33.66.
+What do basic and premium bathroom remodel work cost in Raleigh?
For 45 sq ft, basic work runs $4,300 to $11,100 and premium work $14,500 to $21,300. Basic means: cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring. Premium means: primary bath, custom tile, layout change.
Bathroom remodel near Raleigh
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.