Bathroom remodel cost in Wisconsin
Statewide estimate from BLS wages and BEA prices. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Statewide range (45 sq ft)
- $4,900 – $24,300
- Per sq ft
- $104 – $522
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +4%
- US $14,000
- Metros covered
- 12
What does it cost to remodel a bathroom in Wisconsin? Plan on $4,900 to $24,300 for 45 sq ft. Wages (1.13x the US blend), materials (price index 94.3) and permit costs (94.1) put the state above the national midpoint by 4%.
Inside Wisconsin, the metros we cover range from $14,400 (Wausau) to $15,300 (Oshkosh) 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 Wisconsin (statewide), standard level
$10,700 to $18,400
About $230 to $397 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 57% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,200 | $7,250 |
| Labor | $6,150 | $10,600 |
| Permits and fees | $360 | $580 |
| Total | $10,700 | $18,400 |
Cost breakdown for 45 sq ft in Wisconsin
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,900 | $5,750 | $9,550 | 39% |
| Labor | $2,800 | $8,350 | $14,000 | 57% |
| Permits and fees | $190 | $470 | $750 | 3% |
| Total | $4,900 | $14,600 | $24,300 | 100% |
Wages behind the Wisconsin number
Wisconsin's labor line is priced from 6 trades, each compared with its US median wage. After weighting by each trade's share of the work, the state comes out at 1.13 times the national level.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 25% of the weighting: a median of $39.04 an hour, 27% above the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $29.53 and $49.79 an hour. About 10,210 work in the state. That is 34.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.0 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Tile and stone setters (47-2044), 25% of the weighting: a median of $30.14 an hour, 13% above the US median of $26.77. The middle half of them earn between $27.44 and $36.42 an hour. About 410 work in the state. That is 1.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 2.3 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Carpenters (47-2031), 20% of the weighting: a median of $29.65 an hour, in line with the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.92 and $38.13 an hour. About 13,880 work in the state. That is 47.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For electricians (47-2111, weighted 10%) the local median is $36.80 an hour, which is 21% above the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $26.84 and $45.09 an hour. BLS counts 14,310 of them working in the state, 48.6 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 48.7), so the local bench is about average.
For drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081, weighted 10%) the local median is $28.83 an hour, which is in line with the national $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $23.05 and $33.42 an hour. BLS counts 1,140 of them working in the state, 3.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 5.3), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141), 10% of the weighting: a median of $24.08 an hour, in line with the US median of $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $22.42 and $28.89 an hour. About 3,350 work in the state. That is 11.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 14.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
A crew paid at the 75th percentile for plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters ($49.79 an hour) would add about $650 to the statewide midpoint; one at the 25th percentile ($29.53) would take off about $580. Use that as a rough guide to how far a bid can sit from our midpoint on wages alone.
BLS counts 2,941,540 jobs across Wisconsin (May 2025), which is 1.9% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 25% | $29.53 | $39.04 | $49.79 | $30.67 | 1.27 | state |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 25% | $27.44 | $30.14 | $36.42 | $26.77 | 1.13 | state |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 20% | $23.92 | $29.65 | $38.13 | $29.12 | 1.02 | state |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $26.84 | $36.80 | $45.09 | $30.38 | 1.21 | state |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $23.05 | $28.83 | $33.42 | $28.33 | 1.02 | state |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 10% | $22.42 | $24.08 | $28.89 | $23.75 | 1.01 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 1.13 | |||||
Bathroom remodel cost by metro in Wisconsin
9 of the 12 metros sit above the statewide midpoint of $14,600, and the top-to-bottom gap is 6%. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oshkosh, WI | $5,100 – $25,400 | $15,300 | +5% |
| Kenosha, WI | $5,100 – $25,200 | $15,100 | +4% |
| Madison, WI | $5,000 – $24,900 | $15,000 | +3% |
| Janesville, WI | $5,000 – $24,800 | $14,900 | +2% |
| Sheboygan, WI | $5,000 – $24,800 | $14,900 | +2% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $4,950 – $24,600 | $14,800 | +2% |
| Appleton, WI | $4,950 – $24,600 | $14,800 | +1% |
| Eau Claire, WI | $4,950 – $24,500 | $14,700 | +1% |
| Green Bay, WI | $4,950 – $24,500 | $14,700 | +1% |
| Racine, WI | $4,850 – $24,100 | $14,500 | −1% |
| La Crosse, WI | $4,850 – $24,100 | $14,500 | −1% |
| Wausau, WI | $4,850 – $24,000 | $14,400 | −1% |
Wisconsin versus the states around it
Wisconsin ranks 15 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. Wisconsin sits at $14,600. The five states closest by workforce center are listed below.
| State | Distance | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 120 miles away | $5,650 – $27,900 | $16,800 | +15% |
| Iowa | 230 miles away | $4,450 – $22,200 | $13,300 | −9% |
| Michigan | 230 miles away | $4,750 – $23,600 | $14,200 | −3% |
| Minnesota | 260 miles away | $5,300 – $26,400 | $15,800 | +9% |
| Indiana | 260 miles away | $4,650 – $23,000 | $13,800 | −5% |
Other Wisconsin jobs that often go with bathroom remodel
Each project weights the trades differently, so Wisconsin's wage level does not push every price by the same amount. Compared with the US midpoint, shower pan is +9% and kitchen remodel −3%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $1,050 – $3,000 | +9% |
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $18,000 – $30,700 | −3% |
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,150 – $14,100 | level |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,450 – $14,600 | −2% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $310 – $1,500 | +1% |
Why two Wisconsin quotes can differ
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).
Basic, standard or premium: Wisconsin prices
Bands overlap on purpose, since a good standard job can cost as much as a light premium one. Below are the three bands for the default size, then a grid from half bath (20 sq ft) to primary bath (100 sq ft).
Basic
$4,900 to $12,600
Cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring
Standard
$10,700 to $18,400
Full remodel with new tub or shower and tile
Premium
$16,500 to $24,300
Primary bath, custom tile, layout change
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| half bath (20 sq ft) | $2,300 – $5,850 | $4,950 – $8,500 | $7,650 – $11,200 |
| small full bath (40 sq ft) | $4,350 – $11,300 | $9,550 – $16,500 | $14,700 – $21,600 |
| average bath (60 sq ft) | $6,450 – $16,700 | $14,100 – $24,400 | $21,800 – $32,100 |
| primary bath (100 sq ft) | $10,600 – $27,600 | $23,300 – $40,300 | $36,000 – $53,000 |
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Bathroom remodel in Wisconsin: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom in Wisconsin?
$4,900 to $24,300 for 45 sq ft, using statewide wages and prices. Metro areas inside Wisconsin can sit above or below that.
+Which city in Wisconsin is cheapest for bathroom remodel?
Wausau at about $14,400 (midpoint, 45 sq ft). The priciest is Oshkosh at $15,300.
+Is bathroom remodel cheaper in Wisconsin than the US average?
It is 4% more expensive: $14,600 against $14,000 for 45 sq ft at the midpoint.
+What share of the price is labor in Wisconsin?
About 57% ($8,350). Materials are 39%. Statewide labor for this job is weighted 1.13x the national wage level.
+What do plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn in Wisconsin?
The BLS statewide median is $39.04 an hour, against $30.67 for the US. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $29.53 to $49.79.
+Where does Wisconsin rank for bathroom remodel costs?
15th most expensive of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) at the midpoint, $14,600 for 45 sq ft. Rank 1 is the costliest.
+What do basic and premium bathroom remodel work cost in Wisconsin?
For 45 sq ft, basic work runs $4,900 to $12,600 and premium work $16,500 to $24,300. Basic means: cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring. Premium means: primary bath, custom tile, layout change.
Bathroom remodel by city in Wisconsin
- Oshkosh, WI$15,300 midpoint
- Kenosha, WI$15,100 midpoint
- Madison, WI$15,000 midpoint
- Janesville, WI$14,900 midpoint
- Sheboygan, WI$14,900 midpoint
- Milwaukee, WI$14,800 midpoint
- Appleton, WI$14,800 midpoint
- Eau Claire, WI$14,700 midpoint
- Green Bay, WI$14,700 midpoint
- Racine, WI$14,500 midpoint
- La Crosse, WI$14,500 midpoint
- Wausau, WI$14,400 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.