Bathroom remodel cost in Salem, OR
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (45 sq ft)
- $5,150 – $25,600
- Per sq ft
- $110 – $550
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +10%
- US $14,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #33
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to remodel a bathroom in Salem, plan on $5,150 to $25,600 for 45 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $110 to $550 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 10% higher than the national one. Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn a median of $38.76 an hour in the Salem area, 26% above the US median of $30.67.
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Estimated cost for 45 sq ft in Salem, OR, standard level
$11,300 to $19,400
About $242 to $418 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 55% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,700 | $8,100 |
| Labor | $6,200 | $10,700 |
| Permits and fees | $390 | $640 |
| Total | $11,300 | $19,400 |
Cost breakdown for 45 sq ft in Salem, OR
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,150 | $6,400 | $10,700 | 42% |
| Labor | $2,800 | $8,450 | $14,100 | 55% |
| Permits and fees | $210 | $520 | $830 | 3% |
| Total | $5,150 | $15,400 | $25,600 | 100% |
Why Salem prices look the way they do
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, Salem wages are 1.14 times the national level. Labor makes up about 55% of the midpoint estimate (53% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Salem metro is 105.3 (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 (103.6) and land at $210 to $830.
Salem 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 Salem is 1.14 times the national level.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 25%) the local median is $38.76 an hour, which is 26% above the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $29.42 and $45.97 an hour. BLS counts 440 of them working in the area, 23.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is thinner than average.
For tile and stone setters (47-2044, weighted 25%) the local median is $28.35 an hour, which is 6% above the national $26.77. The middle half of them earn between $22.32 and $32.08 an hour. BLS counts 100 of them working in the area, 5.3 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 $28.71 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.19 and $36.75 an hour. BLS counts 1,720 of them working in the area, 91.2 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 $47.53 an hour, 56% above the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $36.81 and $56.99 an hour. About 1,000 work in the metro. That is 53.0 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 $30.00 an hour, 6% above the US median of $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $22.43 and $36.94 an hour. About 200 work in the metro. That is 10.6 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 $23.00 an hour, which is 3% below the national $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $21.87 and $26.44 an hour. BLS counts 670 of them working in the area, 35.5 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 ($45.97 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $440. At the 25th percentile ($29.42) it shrinks by about $570. The total moves by 2.8% or 3.7%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 188,620 jobs in the Salem area. That makes it the 122nd 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% | $29.42 | $38.76 | $45.97 | $30.67 | 1.26 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 25% | $22.32 | $28.35 | $32.08 | $26.77 | 1.06 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 20% | $23.19 | $28.71 | $36.75 | $29.12 | 0.99 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $36.81 | $47.53 | $56.99 | $30.38 | 1.56 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $22.43 | $30.00 | $36.94 | $28.33 | 1.06 | metro |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 10% | $21.87 | $23.00 | $26.44 | $23.75 | 0.97 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.14 | |||||
Related projects, priced for Salem
Because every project leans on different trades, Salem's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, shower pan runs +11% and kitchen backsplash +5%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $1,050 – $3,100 | +11% |
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $19,700 – $33,600 | +7% |
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,500 – $14,900 | +6% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,950 – $16,300 | +9% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $320 – $1,600 | +5% |
Is Salem cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (45 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Portland is the priciest of the group at $16,800. Yakima is the cheapest at $15,100.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salem, ORthis page | $5,150 – $25,600 | $15,400 | |
| Portland, OR50 miles | $5,650 – $27,900 | $16,800 | +9% |
| Eugene, OR65 miles | $5,200 – $25,800 | $15,500 | +1% |
| Bend, OR110 miles | $5,200 – $25,700 | $15,500 | +1% |
| Olympia, WA140 miles | $5,500 – $27,200 | $16,300 | +6% |
| Yakima, WA150 miles | $5,100 – $25,200 | $15,100 | −1% |
| Oregon (statewide) | $5,400 – $26,800 | $16,100 | +5% |
| United States | $4,700 – $23,300 | $14,000 | −9% |
Across 300 US metros, Salem comes in at #33 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $18,400; the cheapest is Jonesboro, AR at $11,600 (midpoints, 45 sq ft). Statewide, Salem is 5% below the Oregon figure.
Other Oregon metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland, OR | 1,208,410 jobs | $5,650 – $27,900 | $16,800 | +9% |
| Eugene, OR | 157,710 jobs | $5,200 – $25,800 | $15,500 | +1% |
| Bend, OR | 108,240 jobs | $5,200 – $25,700 | $15,500 | +1% |
| Medford, OR | 89,060 jobs | $4,950 – $24,500 | $14,700 | −4% |
Cities with a workforce like Salem's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Salem against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pensacola, FL | 190,480 jobs | $4,150 – $20,500 | $12,300 | −20% |
| Salinas, CA | 186,430 jobs | $5,100 – $25,300 | $15,200 | −1% |
| Wilmington, NC | 191,280 jobs | $4,300 – $21,200 | $12,700 | −17% |
| Tallahassee, FL | 186,160 jobs | $4,150 – $20,600 | $12,400 | −19% |
Why two Salem quotes can differ
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.
Salem: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Salem 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
$5,150 to $13,300
Cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring
Standard
$11,300 to $19,400
Full remodel with new tub or shower and tile
Premium
$17,400 to $25,600
Primary bath, custom tile, layout change
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| half bath (20 sq ft) | $2,400 – $6,150 | $5,250 – $9,000 | $8,050 – $11,800 |
| small full bath (40 sq ft) | $4,600 – $11,900 | $10,100 – $17,300 | $15,500 – $22,800 |
| average bath (60 sq ft) | $6,800 – $17,600 | $14,900 – $25,700 | $23,000 – $33,800 |
| primary bath (100 sq ft) | $11,200 – $29,000 | $24,600 – $42,400 | $37,900 – $55,800 |
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Detailed bathroom remodel report for Salem, OR, $9
Multi-page report for Salem, 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 Salem: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom in Salem?
For 45 sq ft, expect $5,150 to $25,600 in the Salem area. A standard-spec job lands at $11,300 to $19,400. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for bathroom remodel in Salem?
About $110 to $550 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $210 to $830 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $100 to $500.
+Is bathroom remodel cheaper in Salem or Portland?
Portland is 50 miles away. The midpoint for 45 sq ft there is $16,800, which is 9% more than Salem ($15,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Salem?
About 55% at the midpoint, or $8,450 out of $15,400. Materials are 42% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 53%.
+What would average bath (60 sq ft) cost in Salem?
$6,800 to $33,800. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does bathroom remodel need a permit in Salem?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $210 to $830 for fees in the Salem area (our national range of $200 to $800 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Salem expensive for bathroom remodel compared with the rest of Oregon?
Salem is 5% below 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 Salem?
The BLS median is $38.76 an hour in the Salem area, compared with $30.67 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $29.42 to $45.97.
+What do basic and premium bathroom remodel work cost in Salem?
For 45 sq ft, basic work runs $5,150 to $13,300 and premium work $17,400 to $25,600. Basic means: cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring. Premium means: primary bath, custom tile, layout change.
Bathroom remodel near Salem
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.