Bathroom remodel cost in Racine, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (45 sq ft)
- $4,850 – $24,100
- Per sq ft
- $104 – $519
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +4%
- US $14,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #88
- 1 = most expensive
A bathroom remodel in Racine, WI usually costs $4,850 to $24,100 for 45 sq ft. That works out to about $104 to $519 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $490 more. Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn a median of $37.05 an hour in the Racine area, 21% above the US median of $30.67.
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Estimated cost for 45 sq ft in Racine, WI, standard level
$10,600 to $18,300
About $228 to $394 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 57% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,200 | $7,200 |
| Labor | $6,100 | $10,500 |
| Permits and fees | $360 | $590 |
| Total | $10,600 | $18,300 |
Cost breakdown for 45 sq ft in Racine, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,900 | $5,700 | $9,500 | 39% |
| Labor | $2,750 | $8,300 | $13,900 | 57% |
| Permits and fees | $190 | $480 | $770 | 3% |
| Total | $4,850 | $14,500 | $24,100 | 100% |
Where the Racine price comes from
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 $37.05 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Racine is 1.12 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 57% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Racine is at 93.8 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $6,100 nationally becomes $5,700 here (midpoint, 45 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 96.0: $190 to $770.
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 Racine. The wage table below marks each row.
What local crews earn in Racine
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 Racine the blend is 1.12.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 25% of the weighting: a median of $37.05 an hour, 21% above the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $28.45 and $48.94 an hour. About 240 work in the metro. That is 31.5 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.0 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
Tile and stone setters (47-2044) carry 25% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Racine metro, so we used the Wisconsin statewide median: $30.14 an hour against $26.77 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $27.44 and $36.42 an hour.
Carpenters (47-2031), 20% of the weighting: a median of $29.29 an hour, in line with the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $24.17 and $40.84 an hour. About 320 work in the metro. That is 42.0 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 $39.67 an hour, which is 31% above the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $28.72 and $46.36 an hour. BLS counts 350 of them working in the area, 45.9 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 Racine metro, so we used the Wisconsin statewide median: $28.83 an hour against $28.33 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $23.05 and $33.42 an hour.
Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141), 10% of the weighting: a median of $24.50 an hour, 3% above the US median of $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $22.32 and $35.26 an hour. About 80 work in the metro. That is 10.5 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 $720 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $520. That is a swing of roughly 3.6% to 5.0% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Racine-Mount Pleasant has 76,280 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 243rd 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% | $28.45 | $37.05 | $48.94 | $30.67 | 1.21 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 25% | $27.44 | $30.14 | $36.42 | $26.77 | 1.13 | state |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 20% | $24.17 | $29.29 | $40.84 | $29.12 | 1.01 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $28.72 | $39.67 | $46.36 | $30.38 | 1.31 | metro |
| 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% | $22.32 | $24.50 | $35.26 | $23.75 | 1.03 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.12 | |||||
Planning more than one job in Racine?
Jobs that often go together with bathroom remodel are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Racine wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, shower pan comes out highest (+7%) and kitchen remodel lowest (−3%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $1,050 – $2,950 | +7% |
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $18,000 – $30,600 | −3% |
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,150 – $14,000 | level |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,400 – $14,500 | −3% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $310 – $1,500 | +1% |
Is Racine cheap or dear? The local comparison
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 45 sq ft range from $14,500 to $17,500 across Racine and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Racine, WIthis page | $4,850 – $24,100 | $14,500 | |
| Milwaukee, WI10 miles | $4,950 – $24,600 | $14,800 | +2% |
| Kenosha, WI15 miles | $5,100 – $25,200 | $15,100 | +4% |
| Sheboygan, WI65 miles | $5,000 – $24,800 | $14,900 | +3% |
| Janesville, WI65 miles | $5,000 – $24,800 | $14,900 | +3% |
| Chicago, IL70 miles | $5,850 – $29,100 | $17,500 | +21% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $4,900 – $24,300 | $14,600 | +1% |
| United States | $4,700 – $23,300 | $14,000 | −3% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Racine ranks #88 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Racine is 1% below the Wisconsin figure.
Elsewhere in Wisconsin
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $4,950 – $24,600 | $14,800 | +2% |
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $5,000 – $24,900 | $15,000 | +3% |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $4,950 – $24,500 | $14,700 | +2% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $4,950 – $24,600 | $14,800 | +2% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $5,100 – $25,400 | $15,300 | +5% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $4,950 – $24,500 | $14,700 | +2% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Racine against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Napa, CA | 77,860 jobs | $5,250 – $26,100 | $15,700 | +8% |
| Warner Robins, GA | 76,050 jobs | $4,350 – $21,600 | $13,000 | −11% |
| Chico, CA | 78,220 jobs | $4,800 – $23,800 | $14,300 | −1% |
| Kenosha, WI | 75,450 jobs | $5,100 – $25,200 | $15,100 | +4% |
Racine: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Racine. 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
$4,850 to $12,600
Cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring
Standard
$10,600 to $18,300
Full remodel with new tub or shower and tile
Premium
$16,400 to $24,100
Primary bath, custom tile, layout change
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| half bath (20 sq ft) | $2,250 – $5,800 | $4,950 – $8,500 | $7,600 – $11,100 |
| small full bath (40 sq ft) | $4,350 – $11,200 | $9,500 – $16,400 | $14,700 – $21,500 |
| average bath (60 sq ft) | $6,400 – $16,600 | $14,100 – $24,300 | $21,700 – $31,900 |
| primary bath (100 sq ft) | $10,600 – $27,400 | $23,200 – $40,000 | $35,800 – $52,700 |
Why two Racine quotes can differ
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).
Size
HomeGuide's average-size bathroom comes to $3,500-$25,000+; per square foot it's $100-$500.
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Bathroom remodel in Racine: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom in Racine?
For 45 sq ft, expect $4,850 to $24,100 in the Racine area. A standard-spec job lands at $10,600 to $18,300. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for bathroom remodel in Racine?
About $104 to $519 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $190 to $770 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $100 to $500.
+Is bathroom remodel cheaper in Racine or Milwaukee?
Milwaukee is 10 miles away. The midpoint for 45 sq ft there is $14,800, which is 2% more than Racine ($14,500). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Racine?
About 57% at the midpoint, or $8,300 out of $14,500. Materials are 39% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 53%.
+What would average bath (60 sq ft) cost in Racine?
$6,400 to $31,900. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does bathroom remodel need a permit in Racine?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $190 to $770 for fees in the Racine area (our national range of $200 to $800 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Racine expensive for bathroom remodel compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Racine is 1% below the Wisconsin statewide estimate ($14,600 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Wisconsin; see the state page to compare them.
+What do plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn in Racine?
The BLS median is $37.05 an hour in the Racine area, compared with $30.67 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.45 to $48.94.
+What do basic and premium bathroom remodel work cost in Racine?
For 45 sq ft, basic work runs $4,850 to $12,600 and premium work $16,400 to $24,100. Basic means: cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring. Premium means: primary bath, custom tile, layout change.
Bathroom remodel near Racine
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.