Bathroom remodel cost in Wilmington, NC
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (45 sq ft)
- $4,300 – $21,200
- Per sq ft
- $90.50 – $454
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −9%
- US $14,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #215
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to remodel a bathroom in Wilmington, plan on $4,300 to $21,200 for 45 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $90.50 to $454 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 9% lower than the national one. Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn a median of $27.11 an hour in the Wilmington area, 12% below the US median of $30.67.
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Estimated cost for 45 sq ft in Wilmington, NC, standard level
$9,350 to $16,100
About $200 to $345 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 50% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,300 | $7,450 |
| Labor | $4,700 | $8,100 |
| Permits and fees | $370 | $600 |
| Total | $9,350 | $16,100 |
Cost breakdown for 45 sq ft in Wilmington, NC
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,950 | $5,850 | $9,800 | 46% |
| Labor | $2,150 | $6,400 | $10,600 | 50% |
| Permits and fees | $190 | $480 | $770 | 4% |
| Total | $4,300 | $12,700 | $21,200 | 100% |
Why Wilmington 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 $27.11 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Wilmington is 0.86 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 50% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Wilmington 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 (96.4) and land at $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 Wilmington. The wage table below marks each row.
Wilmington 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 Wilmington is 0.86 times the national level.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 25%) the local median is $27.11 an hour, which is 12% below the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $22.29 and $30.10 an hour. BLS counts 690 of them working in the area, 36.1 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 Wilmington 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 $24.44 an hour, which is 16% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $22.06 and $28.70 an hour. BLS counts 640 of them working in the area, 33.5 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 $26.00 an hour, 14% below the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $22.07 and $28.87 an hour. About 910 work in the metro. That is 47.6 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 $27.66 an hour, in line with the US median of $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $20.82 and $27.66 an hour. About 100 work in the metro. That is 5.2 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 $20.60 an hour, which is 13% below the national $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $16.77 and $22.98 an hour. BLS counts 220 of them working in the area, 11.5 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 ($30.10 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $180. At the 25th percentile ($22.29) it shrinks by about $290. The total moves by 1.4% or 2.3%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 191,280 jobs in the Wilmington area. That makes it the 120th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.12% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 25% | $22.29 | $27.11 | $30.10 | $30.67 | 0.88 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 25% | $19.02 | $21.47 | $24.36 | $26.77 | 0.80 | state |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 20% | $22.06 | $24.44 | $28.70 | $29.12 | 0.84 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $22.07 | $26.00 | $28.87 | $30.38 | 0.86 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $20.82 | $27.66 | $27.66 | $28.33 | 0.98 | metro |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 10% | $16.77 | $20.60 | $22.98 | $23.75 | 0.87 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.86 | |||||
Bathroom remodel: what moves the price in Wilmington
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).
Size
HomeGuide's average-size bathroom comes to $3,500-$25,000+; per square foot it's $100-$500.
Wilmington: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Wilmington 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 $11,000
Cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring
Standard
$9,350 to $16,100
Full remodel with new tub or shower and tile
Premium
$14,400 to $21,200
Primary bath, custom tile, layout change
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| half bath (20 sq ft) | $2,000 – $5,150 | $4,350 – $7,500 | $6,700 – $9,850 |
| small full bath (40 sq ft) | $3,800 – $9,850 | $8,350 – $14,400 | $12,900 – $18,900 |
| average bath (60 sq ft) | $5,650 – $14,600 | $12,300 – $21,300 | $19,100 – $28,000 |
| primary bath (100 sq ft) | $9,250 – $24,000 | $20,300 – $35,100 | $31,400 – $46,100 |
What nearby projects cost in Wilmington
Because every project leans on different trades, Wilmington's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, kitchen remodel runs −6% and shower pan −10%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $810 – $2,550 | −10% |
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $17,500 – $29,800 | −6% |
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $3,950 – $12,600 | −9% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,150 – $14,000 | −7% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $270 – $1,350 | −10% |
Is Wilmington cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, 4 are cheaper than Wilmington. Myrtle Beach is the lowest at about $12,100 (midpoint, 45 sq ft), 60 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington, NCthis page | $4,300 – $21,200 | $12,700 | |
| Myrtle Beach, SC60 miles | $4,050 – $20,100 | $12,100 | −5% |
| Fayetteville, NC75 miles | $4,150 – $20,500 | $12,300 | −3% |
| Greenville, NC100 miles | $4,150 – $20,600 | $12,400 | −3% |
| Florence, SC100 miles | $4,150 – $20,600 | $12,400 | −3% |
| Raleigh, NC105 miles | $4,300 – $21,300 | $12,800 | level |
| North Carolina (statewide) | $4,250 – $21,000 | $12,600 | −1% |
| United States | $4,700 – $23,300 | $14,000 | +10% |
Across 300 US metros, Wilmington comes in at #215 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $18,400; the cheapest is Jonesboro, AR at $11,600 (midpoints, 45 sq ft). Statewide, Wilmington is 1% 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 |
| Raleigh, NC | 743,120 jobs | $4,300 – $21,300 | $12,800 | level |
| Greensboro, NC | 365,410 jobs | $4,300 – $21,300 | $12,800 | +1% |
| Durham, NC | 344,020 jobs | $4,300 – $21,300 | $12,800 | +1% |
| Winston, NC | 271,980 jobs | $4,150 – $20,500 | $12,300 | −3% |
| Asheville, NC | 180,620 jobs | $4,300 – $21,400 | $12,800 | +1% |
Cities with a workforce like Wilmington's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Wilmington against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | 192,390 jobs | $4,700 – $23,200 | $14,000 | +10% |
| Pensacola, FL | 190,480 jobs | $4,150 – $20,500 | $12,300 | −3% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 192,580 jobs | $4,250 – $21,000 | $12,600 | −1% |
| Salem, OR | 188,620 jobs | $5,150 – $25,600 | $15,400 | +21% |
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Bathroom remodel in Wilmington: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom in Wilmington?
For 45 sq ft, expect $4,300 to $21,200 in the Wilmington area. A standard-spec job lands at $9,350 to $16,100. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for bathroom remodel in Wilmington?
About $90.50 to $454 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 Wilmington or Myrtle Beach?
Myrtle Beach is 60 miles away. The midpoint for 45 sq ft there is $12,100, which is 5% less than Wilmington ($12,700). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Wilmington?
About 50% at the midpoint, or $6,400 out of $12,700. Materials are 46% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 53%.
+What would average bath (60 sq ft) cost in Wilmington?
$5,650 to $28,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does bathroom remodel need a permit in Wilmington?
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 Wilmington area (our national range of $200 to $800 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Wilmington expensive for bathroom remodel compared with the rest of North Carolina?
Wilmington is 1% 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 Wilmington?
The BLS median is $27.11 an hour in the Wilmington area, compared with $30.67 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.29 to $30.10.
+What do basic and premium bathroom remodel work cost in Wilmington?
For 45 sq ft, basic work runs $4,300 to $11,000 and premium work $14,400 to $21,200. Basic means: cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring. Premium means: primary bath, custom tile, layout change.
Bathroom remodel near Wilmington
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.