Bathroom remodel cost in Portland, OR
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (45 sq ft)
- $5,650 – $27,900
- Per sq ft
- $120 – $602
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +20%
- US $14,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #8
- 1 = most expensive
Portland homeowners pay roughly $5,650 to $27,900 to remodel a bathroom at 45 sq ft, or $120 to $602 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Portland is 20% higher. Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn a median of $48.56 an hour in the Portland area, 58% above the US median of $30.67.
Estimate your bathroom remodel cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 45 sq ft in Portland, OR, standard level
$12,300 to $21,200
About $265 to $458 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 59% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,700 | $8,100 |
| Labor | $7,250 | $12,500 |
| Permits and fees | $400 | $650 |
| Total | $12,300 | $21,200 |
Cost breakdown for 45 sq ft in Portland, OR
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,150 | $6,400 | $10,700 | 38% |
| Labor | $3,300 | $9,850 | $16,400 | 59% |
| Permits and fees | $210 | $530 | $840 | 3% |
| Total | $5,650 | $16,800 | $27,900 | 100% |
Why Portland prices look the way they do
Labor is 59% of the midpoint bill here, against 53% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (25%), tile and stone setters (25%), carpenters (20%), electricians (10%), drywall and ceiling tile installers (10%), painters, construction and maintenance (10%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Portland the blended ratio comes out at 1.33.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Portland metro is 105.2 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 45 sq ft comes to $6,400, compared with $6,100 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (105.4) and land at $210 to $840.
Planning more than one job in Portland?
Because every project leans on different trades, Portland's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, shower pan runs +22% and kitchen backsplash +8%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $1,200 – $3,350 | +22% |
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $20,500 – $34,900 | +11% |
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,800 – $16,600 | +17% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $5,050 – $16,500 | +11% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $330 – $1,600 | +8% |
Cost by quality level and size in Portland
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Portland 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
$5,650 to $14,600
Cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring
Standard
$12,300 to $21,200
Full remodel with new tub or shower and tile
Premium
$19,000 to $27,900
Primary bath, custom tile, layout change
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| half bath (20 sq ft) | $2,600 – $6,750 | $5,700 – $9,800 | $8,800 – $12,900 |
| small full bath (40 sq ft) | $5,050 – $13,000 | $11,000 – $19,000 | $17,000 – $24,900 |
| average bath (60 sq ft) | $7,450 – $19,300 | $16,300 – $28,100 | $25,200 – $37,000 |
| primary bath (100 sq ft) | $12,300 – $31,800 | $26,900 – $46,400 | $41,500 – $61,100 |
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 Portland is 1.33 times the national level.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 25%) the local median is $48.56 an hour, which is 58% above the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $34.83 and $61.71 an hour. BLS counts 4,600 of them working in the area, 38.1 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 $29.76 an hour, which is 11% above the national $26.77. The middle half of them earn between $24.43 and $35.94 an hour. BLS counts 390 of them working in the area, 3.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 2.3), so the local bench is deeper than average.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 20%) the local median is $35.44 an hour, which is 22% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $28.53 and $49.78 an hour. BLS counts 9,210 of them working in the area, 76.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Electricians (47-2111), 10% of the weighting: a median of $50.53 an hour, 66% above the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $37.95 and $60.26 an hour. About 7,340 work in the metro. That is 60.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 48.7 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081), 10% of the weighting: a median of $38.99 an hour, 38% above the US median of $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $27.00 and $50.94 an hour. About 1,100 work in the metro. That is 9.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 5.3 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141, weighted 10%) the local median is $25.62 an hour, which is 8% above the national $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $22.75 and $30.44 an hour. BLS counts 3,540 of them working in the area, 29.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 14.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($61.71 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $800. At the 25th percentile ($34.83) it shrinks by about $830. The total moves by 4.7% or 5.0%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 1,208,410 jobs in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro area. That makes it the 25th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.78% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 25% | $34.83 | $48.56 | $61.71 | $30.67 | 1.58 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 25% | $24.43 | $29.76 | $35.94 | $26.77 | 1.11 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 20% | $28.53 | $35.44 | $49.78 | $29.12 | 1.22 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $37.95 | $50.53 | $60.26 | $30.38 | 1.66 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $27.00 | $38.99 | $50.94 | $28.33 | 1.38 | metro |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 10% | $22.75 | $25.62 | $30.44 | $23.75 | 1.08 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.33 | |||||
Portland against nearby metros and the rest of Oregon
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 $15,100 to $16,800 across Portland and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland, ORthis page | $5,650 – $27,900 | $16,800 | |
| Salem, OR50 miles | $5,150 – $25,600 | $15,400 | −9% |
| Olympia, WA95 miles | $5,500 – $27,200 | $16,300 | −3% |
| Yakima, WA100 miles | $5,100 – $25,200 | $15,100 | −10% |
| Eugene, OR115 miles | $5,200 – $25,800 | $15,500 | −8% |
| Bend, OR125 miles | $5,200 – $25,700 | $15,500 | −8% |
| Oregon (statewide) | $5,400 – $26,800 | $16,100 | −4% |
| United States | $4,700 – $23,300 | $14,000 | −17% |
Across 300 US metros, Portland comes in at #8 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $18,400; the cheapest is Jonesboro, AR at $11,600 (midpoints, 45 sq ft). Statewide, Portland is 4% above the Oregon figure.
Other Oregon metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salem, OR | 188,620 jobs | $5,150 – $25,600 | $15,400 | −9% |
| Eugene, OR | 157,710 jobs | $5,200 – $25,800 | $15,500 | −8% |
| Bend, OR | 108,240 jobs | $5,200 – $25,700 | $15,500 | −8% |
| Medford, OR | 89,060 jobs | $4,950 – $24,500 | $14,700 | −12% |
Cities with a workforce like Portland's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Portland against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin, TX | 1,293,690 jobs | $4,300 – $21,400 | $12,900 | −23% |
| Las Vegas, NV | 1,136,960 jobs | $4,750 – $23,400 | $14,100 | −16% |
| St. Louis, MO | 1,341,320 jobs | $5,100 – $25,300 | $15,200 | −9% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $5,750 – $28,500 | $17,100 | +2% |
Why two Portland quotes can differ
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).
Get 3 local quotes
Tell us about the job and we will try to connect you with up to three local contractors for written quotes. It is free and you are under no obligation to hire. Your estimate of $12,300 to $21,200 for Portland, OR is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
Multi-page report for Portland, OR: low, typical and high cost, a line-item breakdown of materials and labor by trade, permit notes, the best months to schedule, a quote comparison sheet, red flags, questions for contractors, checklists and every source. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Bathroom remodel in Portland: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom in Portland?
For 45 sq ft, expect $5,650 to $27,900 in the Portland area. A standard-spec job lands at $12,300 to $21,200. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for bathroom remodel in Portland?
About $120 to $602 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $210 to $840 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $100 to $500.
+Is bathroom remodel cheaper in Portland or Salem?
Salem is 50 miles away. The midpoint for 45 sq ft there is $15,400, which is 9% less than Portland ($16,800). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Portland?
About 59% at the midpoint, or $9,850 out of $16,800. Materials are 38% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 53%.
+What would average bath (60 sq ft) cost in Portland?
$7,450 to $37,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does bathroom remodel need a permit in Portland?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $210 to $840 for fees in the Portland area (our national range of $200 to $800 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Portland expensive for bathroom remodel compared with the rest of Oregon?
Portland is 4% above the Oregon statewide estimate ($16,100 at the midpoint). We cover 5 metros in Oregon; see the state page to compare them.
+What do plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn in Portland?
The BLS median is $48.56 an hour in the Portland area, compared with $30.67 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $34.83 to $61.71.
+What do basic and premium bathroom remodel work cost in Portland?
For 45 sq ft, basic work runs $5,650 to $14,600 and premium work $19,000 to $27,900. Basic means: cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring. Premium means: primary bath, custom tile, layout change.
Bathroom remodel near Portland
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.