Bathroom remodel cost in San Antonio, TX
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (45 sq ft)
- $4,200 – $20,700
- Per sq ft
- $89 – $444
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −11%
- US $14,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #249
- 1 = most expensive
San Antonio homeowners pay roughly $4,200 to $20,700 to remodel a bathroom at 45 sq ft, or $89 to $444 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, San Antonio is 11% lower. Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn a median of $27.97 an hour in the San Antonio area, 9% below the US median of $30.67.
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Estimated cost for 45 sq ft in San Antonio, TX, standard level
$9,150 to $15,800
About $195 to $337 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 50% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,200 | $7,200 |
| Labor | $4,600 | $7,950 |
| Permits and fees | $360 | $590 |
| Total | $9,150 | $15,800 |
Cost breakdown for 45 sq ft in San Antonio, TX
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,900 | $5,700 | $9,500 | 46% |
| Labor | $2,100 | $6,300 | $10,500 | 50% |
| Permits and fees | $190 | $470 | $760 | 4% |
| Total | $4,200 | $12,500 | $20,700 | 100% |
Where the San Antonio 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 San Antonio the blended ratio comes out at 0.85.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the San Antonio metro is 93.8 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 45 sq ft comes to $5,700, 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.
How San Antonio compares
Of the five closest metros, 3 are cheaper than San Antonio. Laredo is the lowest at about $11,700 (midpoint, 45 sq ft), 125 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Antonio, TXthis page | $4,200 – $20,700 | $12,500 | |
| Austin, TX80 miles | $4,300 – $21,400 | $12,900 | +3% |
| Laredo, TX125 miles | $3,950 – $19,600 | $11,700 | −6% |
| Corpus Christi, TX130 miles | $4,250 – $21,000 | $12,600 | +1% |
| Killeen, TX130 miles | $4,100 – $20,400 | $12,300 | −1% |
| College Station, TX155 miles | $4,100 – $20,200 | $12,100 | −3% |
| Texas (statewide) | $4,350 – $21,500 | $12,900 | +4% |
| United States | $4,700 – $23,300 | $14,000 | +12% |
Across 300 US metros, San Antonio comes in at #249 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $18,400; the cheapest is Jonesboro, AR at $11,600 (midpoints, 45 sq ft). Statewide, San Antonio is 4% below the Texas figure.
Other Texas metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX | 4,049,800 jobs | $4,500 – $22,200 | $13,300 | +7% |
| Houston, TX | 3,289,720 jobs | $4,400 – $21,900 | $13,200 | +6% |
| Austin, TX | 1,293,690 jobs | $4,300 – $21,400 | $12,900 | +3% |
| El Paso, TX | 339,120 jobs | $4,000 – $19,900 | $12,000 | −4% |
| McAllen, TX | 296,700 jobs | $3,950 – $19,700 | $11,800 | −5% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 192,580 jobs | $4,250 – $21,000 | $12,600 | +1% |
Cities with a workforce like San Antonio's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is San Antonio against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $5,750 – $28,500 | $17,100 | +37% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 1,114,490 jobs | $4,900 – $24,400 | $14,600 | +18% |
| Las Vegas, NV | 1,136,960 jobs | $4,750 – $23,400 | $14,100 | +13% |
| Columbus, OH | 1,105,580 jobs | $4,550 – $22,600 | $13,600 | +9% |
Related projects, priced for San Antonio
Because every project leans on different trades, San Antonio's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, kitchen remodel runs −8% and kitchen backsplash −12%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $810 – $2,500 | −11% |
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $17,000 – $28,900 | −8% |
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $3,850 – $12,300 | −11% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,050 – $13,700 | −9% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $260 – $1,350 | −12% |
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 San Antonio is 0.85 times the national level.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 25%) the local median is $27.97 an hour, which is 9% below the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $22.23 and $32.94 an hour. BLS counts 3,190 of them working in the area, 28.3 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 $21.48 an hour, which is 20% below the national $26.77. The middle half of them earn between $19.28 and $23.25 an hour. BLS counts 90 of them working in the area, 0.8 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 $23.51 an hour, which is 19% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $21.91 and $26.49 an hour. BLS counts 2,240 of them working in the area, 19.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Electricians (47-2111), 10% of the weighting: a median of $27.41 an hour, 10% below the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $21.78 and $31.61 an hour. About 6,660 work in the metro. That is 59.1 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 $22.38 an hour, 21% below the US median of $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $19.09 and $27.55 an hour. About 290 work in the metro. That is 2.6 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 $20.88 an hour, which is 12% below the national $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $18.30 and $22.75 an hour. BLS counts 960 of them working in the area, 8.5 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 ($32.94 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $300. At the 25th percentile ($22.23) it shrinks by about $350. The total moves by 2.4% or 2.8%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 1,126,880 jobs in the San Antonio-New Braunfels area. That makes it the 28th 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% | $22.23 | $27.97 | $32.94 | $30.67 | 0.91 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 25% | $19.28 | $21.48 | $23.25 | $26.77 | 0.80 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 20% | $21.91 | $23.51 | $26.49 | $29.12 | 0.81 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $21.78 | $27.41 | $31.61 | $30.38 | 0.90 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $19.09 | $22.38 | $27.55 | $28.33 | 0.79 | metro |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 10% | $18.30 | $20.88 | $22.75 | $23.75 | 0.88 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.85 | |||||
Cost by quality level and size in San Antonio
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for San Antonio 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
$4,200 to $10,800
Cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring
Standard
$9,150 to $15,800
Full remodel with new tub or shower and tile
Premium
$14,100 to $20,700
Primary bath, custom tile, layout change
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| half bath (20 sq ft) | $1,950 – $5,050 | $4,250 – $7,350 | $6,550 – $9,650 |
| small full bath (40 sq ft) | $3,750 – $9,650 | $8,150 – $14,100 | $12,600 – $18,500 |
| average bath (60 sq ft) | $5,500 – $14,300 | $12,100 – $20,800 | $18,600 – $27,400 |
| primary bath (100 sq ft) | $9,050 – $23,500 | $19,900 – $34,300 | $30,700 – $45,200 |
Specs and site conditions that change a San Antonio 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).
Get 3 local quotes
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Bathroom remodel in San Antonio: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom in San Antonio?
For 45 sq ft, expect $4,200 to $20,700 in the San Antonio area. A standard-spec job lands at $9,150 to $15,800. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for bathroom remodel in San Antonio?
About $89 to $444 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 San Antonio or Austin?
Austin is 80 miles away. The midpoint for 45 sq ft there is $12,900, which is 3% more than San Antonio ($12,500). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in San Antonio?
About 50% at the midpoint, or $6,300 out of $12,500. Materials are 46% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 53%.
+What would average bath (60 sq ft) cost in San Antonio?
$5,500 to $27,400. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does bathroom remodel need a permit in San Antonio?
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 San Antonio area (our national range of $200 to $800 scaled by the local price level).
+Is San Antonio expensive for bathroom remodel compared with the rest of Texas?
San Antonio is 4% below the Texas statewide estimate ($12,900 at the midpoint). We cover 21 metros in Texas; see the state page to compare them.
+What do plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn in San Antonio?
The BLS median is $27.97 an hour in the San Antonio area, compared with $30.67 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.23 to $32.94.
+What do basic and premium bathroom remodel work cost in San Antonio?
For 45 sq ft, basic work runs $4,200 to $10,800 and premium work $14,100 to $20,700. Basic means: cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring. Premium means: primary bath, custom tile, layout change.
Bathroom remodel near San Antonio
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.