Bathroom remodel cost in Pennsylvania
Statewide estimate from BLS wages and BEA prices. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Statewide range (45 sq ft)
- $4,900 – $24,400
- Per sq ft
- $105 – $525
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +5%
- US $14,000
- Metros covered
- 12
Pennsylvania prices for bathroom remodel: $4,900 to $24,400 for 45 sq ft, or $105 to $525 per sq ft without the permit. The state midpoint is 5% above the national one. Local wages for plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters are $32.73 an hour.
Inside Pennsylvania, the metros we cover range from $14,000 (Allentown) to $15,000 (Philadelphia) at the midpoint. Pick your closest city in the table for a tighter number.
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Estimated cost for 45 sq ft in Pennsylvania (statewide), standard level
$10,800 to $18,500
About $231 to $399 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 55% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,450 | $7,650 |
| Labor | $5,950 | $10,300 |
| Permits and fees | $370 | $600 |
| Total | $10,800 | $18,500 |
Cost breakdown for 45 sq ft in Pennsylvania
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,000 | $6,050 | $10,100 | 41% |
| Labor | $2,700 | $8,150 | $13,500 | 55% |
| Permits and fees | $200 | $490 | $780 | 3% |
| Total | $4,900 | $14,700 | $24,400 | 100% |
Quality levels and sizes in Pennsylvania
The cited range is cut into three overlapping bands (basic, standard and premium) and scaled to statewide Pennsylvania wages and prices. The grid prices the same bands at 4 common sizes.
Basic
$4,900 to $12,700
Cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring
Standard
$10,800 to $18,500
Full remodel with new tub or shower and tile
Premium
$16,600 to $24,400
Primary bath, custom tile, layout change
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| half bath (20 sq ft) | $2,300 – $5,900 | $5,000 – $8,600 | $7,700 – $11,300 |
| small full bath (40 sq ft) | $4,400 – $11,300 | $9,600 – $16,600 | $14,800 – $21,800 |
| average bath (60 sq ft) | $6,500 – $16,800 | $14,200 – $24,500 | $21,900 – $32,300 |
| primary bath (100 sq ft) | $10,700 – $27,700 | $23,400 – $40,500 | $36,200 – $53,200 |
How Pennsylvania compares with nearby states
Pennsylvania ranks 14 of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) for bathroom remodel, where 1 is the most expensive. The costliest is Hawaii at $17,800 and the cheapest Arkansas at $11,700, both for 45 sq ft at the midpoint. Pennsylvania sits at $14,700. The five states closest by workforce center are listed below.
| State | Distance | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | 70 miles away | $4,700 – $23,300 | $14,000 | −4% |
| Delaware | 100 miles away | $4,650 – $23,000 | $13,800 | −6% |
| New Jersey | 100 miles away | $5,300 – $26,200 | $15,700 | +7% |
| District of Columbia | 110 miles away | $5,350 – $26,500 | $15,900 | +8% |
| New York | 140 miles away | $5,300 – $26,200 | $15,700 | +7% |
Other Pennsylvania jobs that often go with bathroom remodel
The table prices neighboring jobs at their usual sizes using statewide Pennsylvania wages and prices. Against national midpoints, kitchen backsplash comes out highest (+9%) and kitchen cabinets lowest (−1%), because each job leans on different trades.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $1,050 – $3,000 | +9% |
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $18,600 – $31,600 | level |
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,200 – $13,900 | −1% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,500 – $15,000 | level |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $330 – $1,650 | +9% |
Bathroom remodel: what moves the price in Pennsylvania
Size
HomeGuide's average-size bathroom comes to $3,500-$25,000+; per square foot it's $100-$500.
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.
Permit
A bathroom remodel permit is $200-$800, more if you move walls (HomeGuide).
Pennsylvania labor market for bathroom remodel
Statewide wages come from BLS's state-level estimates, which blend big cities with small towns and rural areas. 6 trades drive the labor line for this job, and the weighted ratio against the national wage level is 1.09 for Pennsylvania.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 25%) the local median is $32.73 an hour, which is 7% above the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $27.83 and $44.15 an hour. BLS counts 13,620 of them working in the state, 22.5 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 $33.77 an hour, which is 26% above the national $26.77. The middle half of them earn between $24.16 and $37.82 an hour. BLS counts 880 of them working in the state, 1.5 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 $28.54 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.01 and $35.92 an hour. BLS counts 30,630 of them working in the state, 50.5 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 $32.50 an hour, 7% above the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $26.51 and $45.92 an hour. About 22,730 work in the state. That is 37.5 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 48.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081), 10% of the weighting: a median of $29.40 an hour, 4% above the US median of $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $23.28 and $34.01 an hour. About 1,690 work in the state. That is 2.8 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 5.3 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141, weighted 10%) the local median is $25.06 an hour, which is 6% above the national $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $22.89 and $29.33 an hour. BLS counts 5,980 of them working in the state, 9.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 14.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
A crew paid at the 75th percentile for plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters ($44.15 an hour) would add about $690 to the statewide midpoint; one at the 25th percentile ($27.83) would take off about $300. Use that as a rough guide to how far a bid can sit from our midpoint on wages alone.
BLS counts 6,064,600 jobs across Pennsylvania (May 2025), which is 3.9% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 25% | $27.83 | $32.73 | $44.15 | $30.67 | 1.07 | state |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 25% | $24.16 | $33.77 | $37.82 | $26.77 | 1.26 | state |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 20% | $23.01 | $28.54 | $35.92 | $29.12 | 0.98 | state |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $26.51 | $32.50 | $45.92 | $30.38 | 1.07 | state |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $23.28 | $29.40 | $34.01 | $28.33 | 1.04 | state |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 10% | $22.89 | $25.06 | $29.33 | $23.75 | 1.06 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 1.09 | |||||
Pennsylvania metro-by-metro prices
3 of the 12 metros sit above the statewide midpoint of $14,700, and the top-to-bottom gap is 7%. Each row prices the default size with that metro's own BLS wages and BEA price levels, so the gap between rows is real local variation rather than a flat markup.
| Metro | Range (45 sq ft) | Midpoint | vs. state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA | $5,000 – $24,900 | $15,000 | +2% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $5,000 – $24,800 | $14,900 | +2% |
| York, PA | $4,950 – $24,700 | $14,800 | +1% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $4,900 – $24,400 | $14,600 | level |
| Reading, PA | $4,850 – $24,200 | $14,500 | −1% |
| Erie, PA | $4,850 – $24,100 | $14,500 | −1% |
| Scranton, PA | $4,800 – $23,900 | $14,300 | −2% |
| Altoona, PA | $4,800 – $23,700 | $14,300 | −3% |
| Lancaster, PA | $4,800 – $23,700 | $14,200 | −3% |
| Chambersburg, PA | $4,750 – $23,700 | $14,200 | −3% |
| State College, PA | $4,750 – $23,500 | $14,100 | −4% |
| Allentown, PA | $4,700 – $23,300 | $14,000 | −4% |
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Bathroom remodel in Pennsylvania: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom in Pennsylvania?
$4,900 to $24,400 for 45 sq ft, using statewide wages and prices. Metro areas inside Pennsylvania can sit above or below that.
+Which city in Pennsylvania is cheapest for bathroom remodel?
Allentown at about $14,000 (midpoint, 45 sq ft). The priciest is Philadelphia at $15,000.
+Is bathroom remodel cheaper in Pennsylvania than the US average?
It is 5% more expensive: $14,700 against $14,000 for 45 sq ft at the midpoint.
+What share of the price is labor in Pennsylvania?
About 55% ($8,150). Materials are 41%. Statewide labor for this job is weighted 1.09x the national wage level.
+What do plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn in Pennsylvania?
The BLS statewide median is $32.73 an hour, against $30.67 for the US. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $27.83 to $44.15.
+Where does Pennsylvania rank for bathroom remodel costs?
14th most expensive of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) at the midpoint, $14,700 for 45 sq ft. Rank 1 is the costliest.
+What do basic and premium bathroom remodel work cost in Pennsylvania?
For 45 sq ft, basic work runs $4,900 to $12,700 and premium work $16,600 to $24,400. Basic means: cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring. Premium means: primary bath, custom tile, layout change.
Bathroom remodel by city in Pennsylvania
- Philadelphia, PA$15,000 midpoint
- Harrisburg, PA$14,900 midpoint
- York, PA$14,800 midpoint
- Pittsburgh, PA$14,600 midpoint
- Reading, PA$14,500 midpoint
- Erie, PA$14,500 midpoint
- Scranton, PA$14,300 midpoint
- Altoona, PA$14,300 midpoint
- Lancaster, PA$14,200 midpoint
- Chambersburg, PA$14,200 midpoint
- State College, PA$14,100 midpoint
- Allentown, PA$14,000 midpoint
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.