Bathroom remodel cost in Pittsburgh, PA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (45 sq ft)
- $4,900 – $24,400
- Per sq ft
- $105 – $525
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +5%
- US $14,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #77
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to remodel a bathroom in Pittsburgh, plan on $4,900 to $24,400 for 45 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $105 to $525 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 5% higher than the national one. Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn a median of $33.70 an hour in the Pittsburgh area, 10% above the US median of $30.67.
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Estimated cost for 45 sq ft in Pittsburgh, PA, 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 | $4,500 | $7,750 |
| Labor | $5,900 | $10,200 |
| Permits and fees | $360 | $590 |
| Total | $10,800 | $18,500 |
Cost breakdown for 45 sq ft in Pittsburgh, PA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,050 | $6,100 | $10,200 | 42% |
| Labor | $2,700 | $8,050 | $13,400 | 55% |
| Permits and fees | $190 | $470 | $760 | 3% |
| Total | $4,900 | $14,600 | $24,400 | 100% |
What is behind the Pittsburgh number
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 $33.70 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Pittsburgh is 1.08 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 55% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Pittsburgh metro is 100.7 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 45 sq ft comes to $6,100, compared with $6,100 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (94.7) and land at $190 to $760.
Pittsburgh against nearby metros and the rest of Pennsylvania
Of the five closest metros, all are cheaper than Pittsburgh. Morgantown is the lowest at about $12,900 (midpoint, 45 sq ft), 65 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh, PAthis page | $4,900 – $24,400 | $14,600 | |
| Wheeling, WV60 miles | $4,500 – $22,300 | $13,400 | −9% |
| Morgantown, WV65 miles | $4,300 – $21,400 | $12,900 | −12% |
| Youngstown, OH70 miles | $4,300 – $21,400 | $12,900 | −12% |
| Canton, OH75 miles | $4,350 – $21,700 | $13,000 | −11% |
| Altoona, PA80 miles | $4,800 – $23,700 | $14,300 | −3% |
| Pennsylvania (statewide) | $4,900 – $24,400 | $14,700 | level |
| United States | $4,700 – $23,300 | $14,000 | −4% |
Across 300 US metros, Pittsburgh comes in at #77 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $18,400; the cheapest is Jonesboro, AR at $11,600 (midpoints, 45 sq ft). Statewide, Pittsburgh is 0% below the Pennsylvania figure.
Other Pennsylvania metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA | 2,897,830 jobs | $5,000 – $24,900 | $15,000 | +2% |
| Allentown, PA | 377,180 jobs | $4,700 – $23,300 | $14,000 | −4% |
| Harrisburg, PA | 335,010 jobs | $5,000 – $24,800 | $14,900 | +2% |
| Scranton, PA | 255,620 jobs | $4,800 – $23,900 | $14,300 | −2% |
| Lancaster, PA | 252,230 jobs | $4,800 – $23,700 | $14,200 | −3% |
| York, PA | 183,590 jobs | $4,950 – $24,700 | $14,800 | +1% |
Cities with a workforce like Pittsburgh's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Pittsburgh against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Antonio, TX | 1,126,880 jobs | $4,200 – $20,700 | $12,500 | −15% |
| Columbus, OH | 1,105,580 jobs | $4,550 – $22,600 | $13,600 | −7% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $5,750 – $28,500 | $17,100 | +17% |
| Indianapolis, IN | 1,105,170 jobs | $4,700 – $23,400 | $14,000 | −4% |
Related projects, priced for Pittsburgh
Because every project leans on different trades, Pittsburgh's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, shower pan runs +7% and window replacement −1%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $1,050 – $2,950 | +7% |
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $18,800 – $31,900 | +1% |
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,250 – $14,200 | +1% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,450 – $14,900 | −1% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $330 – $1,600 | +7% |
Pick a size, pick a tier: bathroom remodel pricing in Pittsburgh
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Pittsburgh 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
$4,900 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 – $5,850 | $5,000 – $8,550 | $7,650 – $11,300 |
| small full bath (40 sq ft) | $4,400 – $11,300 | $9,600 – $16,500 | $14,800 – $21,800 |
| average bath (60 sq ft) | $6,500 – $16,800 | $14,200 – $24,500 | $21,900 – $32,200 |
| primary bath (100 sq ft) | $10,700 – $27,700 | $23,500 – $40,500 | $36,200 – $53,200 |
Specs and site conditions that change a Pittsburgh bid
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).
Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh is 1.08 times the national level.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 25%) the local median is $33.70 an hour, which is 10% above the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $28.74 and $40.80 an hour. BLS counts 2,910 of them working in the area, 26.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is about average.
For tile and stone setters (47-2044, weighted 25%) the local median is $31.61 an hour, which is 18% above the national $26.77. The middle half of them earn between $24.64 and $38.35 an hour. BLS counts 230 of them working in the area, 2.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 2.3), so the local bench is about average.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 20%) the local median is $29.41 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.40 and $38.14 an hour. BLS counts 5,920 of them working in the area, 53.1 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 $33.34 an hour, 10% above the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $27.39 and $47.62 an hour. About 5,210 work in the metro. That is 46.7 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 $29.14 an hour, in line with the US median of $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $23.33 and $35.13 an hour. About 380 work in the metro. That is 3.4 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 $23.79 an hour, which is in line with the national $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $23.08 and $29.23 an hour. BLS counts 1,260 of them working in the area, 11.3 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 ($40.80 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $430. At the 25th percentile ($28.74) it shrinks by about $300. The total moves by 2.9% or 2.1%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 1,114,490 jobs in the Pittsburgh area. That makes it the 29th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.72% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 25% | $28.74 | $33.70 | $40.80 | $30.67 | 1.10 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 25% | $24.64 | $31.61 | $38.35 | $26.77 | 1.18 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 20% | $23.40 | $29.41 | $38.14 | $29.12 | 1.01 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $27.39 | $33.34 | $47.62 | $30.38 | 1.10 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $23.33 | $29.14 | $35.13 | $28.33 | 1.03 | metro |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 10% | $23.08 | $23.79 | $29.23 | $23.75 | 1.00 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.08 | |||||
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Bathroom remodel in Pittsburgh: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom in Pittsburgh?
For 45 sq ft, expect $4,900 to $24,400 in the Pittsburgh area. A standard-spec job lands at $10,800 to $18,500. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for bathroom remodel in Pittsburgh?
About $105 to $525 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $190 to $760 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $100 to $500.
+Is bathroom remodel cheaper in Pittsburgh or Wheeling?
Wheeling is 60 miles away. The midpoint for 45 sq ft there is $13,400, which is 9% less than Pittsburgh ($14,600). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Pittsburgh?
About 55% at the midpoint, or $8,050 out of $14,600. Materials are 42% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 53%.
+What would average bath (60 sq ft) cost in Pittsburgh?
$6,500 to $32,200. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does bathroom remodel need a permit in Pittsburgh?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $190 to $760 for fees in the Pittsburgh area (our national range of $200 to $800 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Pittsburgh expensive for bathroom remodel compared with the rest of Pennsylvania?
Pittsburgh is 0% below the Pennsylvania statewide estimate ($14,700 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Pennsylvania; see the state page to compare them.
+What do plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn in Pittsburgh?
The BLS median is $33.70 an hour in the Pittsburgh area, compared with $30.67 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.74 to $40.80.
+What do basic and premium bathroom remodel work cost in Pittsburgh?
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 near Pittsburgh
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.