Bathroom remodel cost in Wausau, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (45 sq ft)
- $4,850 – $24,000
- Per sq ft
- $103 – $516
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +3%
- US $14,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #97
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a bathroom remodel in the Wausau area: $4,850 to $24,000 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 lands close to the US figure. Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn a median of $41.71 an hour in the Wausau area, 36% above the US median of $30.67.
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Estimated cost for 45 sq ft in Wausau, WI, standard level
$10,600 to $18,200
About $227 to $392 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 57% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,200 | $7,200 |
| Labor | $6,050 | $10,400 |
| Permits and fees | $350 | $570 |
| Total | $10,600 | $18,200 |
Cost breakdown for 45 sq ft in Wausau, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,900 | $5,700 | $9,500 | 40% |
| Labor | $2,750 | $8,250 | $13,700 | 57% |
| Permits and fees | $190 | $460 | $740 | 3% |
| Total | $4,850 | $14,400 | $24,000 | 100% |
Why Wausau prices look the way they do
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 6 trades: plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters at 25%, tile and stone setters at 25%, carpenters at 20%, electricians at 10%, drywall and ceiling tile installers at 10%, painters, construction and maintenance at 10%. Weighted together, Wausau wages are 1.11 times the national level. Labor makes up about 57% of the midpoint estimate (53% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Wausau 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 92.7: $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 Wausau. The wage table below marks each row.
Related projects, priced for Wausau
Jobs that often go together with bathroom remodel are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Wausau wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, shower pan comes out highest (+11%) and kitchen cabinets lowest (−7%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $1,100 – $3,050 | +11% |
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $17,700 – $30,100 | −5% |
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $3,950 – $13,000 | −7% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,300 – $14,300 | −5% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $310 – $1,500 | level |
Cost by quality level and size in Wausau
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Wausau. 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 $12,500
Cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring
Standard
$10,600 to $18,200
Full remodel with new tub or shower and tile
Premium
$16,300 to $24,000
Primary bath, custom tile, layout change
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| half bath (20 sq ft) | $2,250 – $5,750 | $4,900 – $8,400 | $7,550 – $11,100 |
| small full bath (40 sq ft) | $4,300 – $11,100 | $9,450 – $16,300 | $14,600 – $21,400 |
| average bath (60 sq ft) | $6,400 – $16,500 | $14,000 – $24,100 | $21,600 – $31,700 |
| primary bath (100 sq ft) | $10,500 – $27,200 | $23,100 – $39,800 | $35,600 – $52,300 |
Why two Wausau 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).
Is Wausau cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, none is cheaper than Wausau. La Crosse comes closest at about $14,500.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wausau, WIthis page | $4,850 – $24,000 | $14,400 | |
| Eau Claire, WI75 miles | $4,950 – $24,500 | $14,700 | +2% |
| Oshkosh, WI80 miles | $5,100 – $25,400 | $15,300 | +6% |
| Appleton, WI80 miles | $4,950 – $24,600 | $14,800 | +2% |
| Green Bay, WI90 miles | $4,950 – $24,500 | $14,700 | +2% |
| La Crosse, WI105 miles | $4,850 – $24,100 | $14,500 | level |
| 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, Wausau ranks #97 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Wausau 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 | +3% |
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $5,000 – $24,900 | $15,000 | +4% |
| 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 | +6% |
| 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 Wausau against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Janesville, WI | 69,870 jobs | $5,000 – $24,800 | $14,900 | +4% |
| Yuma, AZ | 68,880 jobs | $4,350 – $21,500 | $12,900 | −10% |
| Lexington Park, MD | 70,650 jobs | $4,550 – $22,400 | $13,500 | −6% |
| State College, PA | 68,840 jobs | $4,750 – $23,500 | $14,100 | −2% |
Who does the work: Wausau 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 Wausau the blend is 1.11.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 25% of the weighting: a median of $41.71 an hour, 36% above the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $29.85 and $48.25 an hour. About 260 work in the metro. That is 37.4 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 Wausau 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 $24.03 an hour, 17% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.14 and $29.66 an hour. About 370 work in the metro. That is 53.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For electricians (47-2111, weighted 10%) the local median is $37.83 an hour, which is 25% above the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $24.13 and $41.57 an hour. BLS counts 480 of them working in the area, 69.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 48.7), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Wausau 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 $22.90 an hour, 4% below the US median of $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $22.20 and $28.09 an hour. About 50 work in the metro. That is 7.2 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 $720. That is a swing of roughly 5.0% to 2.7% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Wausau has 69,530 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 261st 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% | $29.85 | $41.71 | $48.25 | $30.67 | 1.36 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 25% | $27.44 | $30.14 | $36.42 | $26.77 | 1.13 | state |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 20% | $23.14 | $24.03 | $29.66 | $29.12 | 0.83 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $24.13 | $37.83 | $41.57 | $30.38 | 1.25 | 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% | $22.20 | $22.90 | $28.09 | $23.75 | 0.96 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.11 | |||||
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Bathroom remodel in Wausau: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom in Wausau?
For 45 sq ft, expect $4,850 to $24,000 in the Wausau area. A standard-spec job lands at $10,600 to $18,200. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for bathroom remodel in Wausau?
About $103 to $516 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 Wausau or Eau Claire?
Eau Claire is 75 miles away. The midpoint for 45 sq ft there is $14,700, which is 2% more than Wausau ($14,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Wausau?
About 57% at the midpoint, or $8,250 out of $14,400. Materials are 40% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 53%.
+What would average bath (60 sq ft) cost in Wausau?
$6,400 to $31,700. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does bathroom remodel need a permit in Wausau?
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 Wausau area (our national range of $200 to $800 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Wausau expensive for bathroom remodel compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Wausau 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 Wausau?
The BLS median is $41.71 an hour in the Wausau area, compared with $30.67 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $29.85 to $48.25.
+What do basic and premium bathroom remodel work cost in Wausau?
For 45 sq ft, basic work runs $4,850 to $12,500 and premium work $16,300 to $24,000. Basic means: cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring. Premium means: primary bath, custom tile, layout change.
Bathroom remodel near Wausau
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.