Bathroom remodel cost in Knoxville, TN
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (45 sq ft)
- $4,250 – $21,000
- Per sq ft
- $90 – $451
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −10%
- US $14,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #230
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a bathroom remodel in the Knoxville area: $4,250 to $21,000 for 45 sq ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint runs 10% lower than the US figure. Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn a median of $28.78 an hour in the Knoxville area, 6% below the US median of $30.67.
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Estimated cost for 45 sq ft in Knoxville, TN, standard level
$9,300 to $16,000
About $198 to $343 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 50% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,300 | $7,400 |
| Labor | $4,650 | $8,000 |
| Permits and fees | $350 | $570 |
| Total | $9,300 | $16,000 |
Cost breakdown for 45 sq ft in Knoxville, TN
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,950 | $5,850 | $9,750 | 46% |
| Labor | $2,100 | $6,350 | $10,500 | 50% |
| Permits and fees | $190 | $460 | $740 | 4% |
| Total | $4,250 | $12,600 | $21,000 | 100% |
Where the Knoxville price comes from
Labor is 50% 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 Knoxville the blended ratio comes out at 0.85.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Knoxville is at 96.2 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $6,100 nationally becomes $5,850 here (midpoint, 45 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 92.6: $190 to $740.
Data note: 35% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Knoxville. The wage table below marks each row.
Cost by quality level and size in Knoxville
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Knoxville. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from half bath (20 sq ft) to primary bath (100 sq ft).
Basic
$4,250 to $11,000
Cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring
Standard
$9,300 to $16,000
Full remodel with new tub or shower and tile
Premium
$14,300 to $21,000
Primary bath, custom tile, layout change
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| half bath (20 sq ft) | $2,000 – $5,100 | $4,300 – $7,450 | $6,650 – $9,750 |
| small full bath (40 sq ft) | $3,800 – $9,800 | $8,300 – $14,300 | $12,800 – $18,800 |
| average bath (60 sq ft) | $5,600 – $14,500 | $12,300 – $21,100 | $18,900 – $27,800 |
| primary bath (100 sq ft) | $9,200 – $23,900 | $20,200 – $34,800 | $31,200 – $45,800 |
Knoxville against nearby metros and the rest of Tennessee
Of the five closest metros, 4 are cheaper than Knoxville. Johnson City is the lowest at about $12,100 (midpoint, 45 sq ft), 100 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knoxville, TNthis page | $4,250 – $21,000 | $12,600 | |
| Asheville, NC95 miles | $4,300 – $21,400 | $12,800 | +2% |
| Dalton, GA95 miles | $4,200 – $20,700 | $12,400 | −1% |
| Chattanooga, TN95 miles | $4,250 – $21,000 | $12,600 | level |
| Johnson City, TN100 miles | $4,050 – $20,200 | $12,100 | −4% |
| Kingsport, TN100 miles | $4,200 – $20,800 | $12,500 | −1% |
| Tennessee (statewide) | $4,250 – $21,100 | $12,700 | level |
| United States | $4,700 – $23,300 | $14,000 | +11% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Knoxville ranks #230 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Knoxville is 0% below the Tennessee figure.
Elsewhere in Tennessee
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville, TN | 1,099,300 jobs | $4,350 – $21,600 | $13,000 | +3% |
| Memphis, TN | 611,670 jobs | $4,300 – $21,200 | $12,800 | +1% |
| Chattanooga, TN | 268,750 jobs | $4,250 – $21,000 | $12,600 | level |
| Kingsport, TN | 119,560 jobs | $4,200 – $20,800 | $12,500 | −1% |
| Clarksville, TN | 103,220 jobs | $4,200 – $20,800 | $12,500 | −1% |
| Jackson, TN | 84,530 jobs | $4,150 – $20,600 | $12,400 | −2% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Knoxville against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville, SC | 434,900 jobs | $4,150 – $20,500 | $12,300 | −2% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 409,690 jobs | $4,450 – $22,100 | $13,300 | +5% |
| New Orleans, LA | 445,550 jobs | $4,250 – $21,200 | $12,700 | +1% |
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $5,000 – $24,900 | $15,000 | +18% |
Who does the work: Knoxville trade wages
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 6 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For Knoxville the blend is 0.85.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 25% of the weighting: a median of $28.78 an hour, 6% below the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $22.69 and $35.32 an hour. About 1,700 work in the metro. That is 40.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.0 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Tile and stone setters (47-2044) carry 25% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Knoxville metro, so we used the Tennessee statewide median: $20.95 an hour against $26.77 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $17.57 and $22.81 an hour.
Carpenters (47-2031), 20% of the weighting: a median of $24.23 an hour, 17% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $22.11 and $28.56 an hour. About 1,280 work in the metro. That is 30.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For electricians (47-2111, weighted 10%) the local median is $28.19 an hour, which is 7% below the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $22.79 and $34.73 an hour. BLS counts 2,170 of them working in the area, 51.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 48.7), so the local bench is about average.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Knoxville metro, so we used the Tennessee statewide median: $22.84 an hour against $28.33 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $18.98 and $27.18 an hour.
Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141), 10% of the weighting: a median of $19.44 an hour, 18% below the US median of $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $18.12 and $22.09 an hour. About 400 work in the metro. That is 9.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 14.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $400 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $370. That is a swing of roughly 2.9% to 3.1% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Knoxville has 424,600 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 59th by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 25% | $22.69 | $28.78 | $35.32 | $30.67 | 0.94 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 25% | $17.57 | $20.95 | $22.81 | $26.77 | 0.78 | state |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 20% | $22.11 | $24.23 | $28.56 | $29.12 | 0.83 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $22.79 | $28.19 | $34.73 | $30.38 | 0.93 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $18.98 | $22.84 | $27.18 | $28.33 | 0.81 | state |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 10% | $18.12 | $19.44 | $22.09 | $23.75 | 0.82 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.85 | |||||
Planning more than one job in Knoxville?
Jobs that often go together with bathroom remodel are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Knoxville wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, kitchen remodel comes out highest (−6%) and kitchen backsplash lowest (−11%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $820 – $2,550 | −10% |
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $17,400 – $29,600 | −6% |
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $3,950 – $12,600 | −9% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,150 – $14,100 | −7% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $260 – $1,350 | −11% |
Why two Knoxville 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
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Bathroom remodel in Knoxville: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom in Knoxville?
For 45 sq ft, expect $4,250 to $21,000 in the Knoxville area. A standard-spec job lands at $9,300 to $16,000. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for bathroom remodel in Knoxville?
About $90 to $451 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $190 to $740 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $100 to $500.
+Is bathroom remodel cheaper in Knoxville or Asheville?
Asheville is 95 miles away. The midpoint for 45 sq ft there is $12,800, which is 2% more than Knoxville ($12,600). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Knoxville?
About 50% at the midpoint, or $6,350 out of $12,600. Materials are 46% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 53%.
+What would average bath (60 sq ft) cost in Knoxville?
$5,600 to $27,800. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does bathroom remodel need a permit in Knoxville?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $190 to $740 for fees in the Knoxville area (our national range of $200 to $800 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Knoxville expensive for bathroom remodel compared with the rest of Tennessee?
Knoxville is 0% below the Tennessee statewide estimate ($12,700 at the midpoint). We cover 8 metros in Tennessee; see the state page to compare them.
+What do plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn in Knoxville?
The BLS median is $28.78 an hour in the Knoxville area, compared with $30.67 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.69 to $35.32.
+What do basic and premium bathroom remodel work cost in Knoxville?
For 45 sq ft, basic work runs $4,250 to $11,000 and premium work $14,300 to $21,000. Basic means: cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring. Premium means: primary bath, custom tile, layout change.
Bathroom remodel near Knoxville
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.