Kitchen cabinets cost in Merced, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (25 linear ft)
- $4,600 – $15,700
- Per linear ft
- $165 – $571
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +12%
- US $9,150
- Rank of 300 metros
- #25
- 1 = most expensive
Merced homeowners pay roughly $4,600 to $15,700 to replace kitchen cabinets at 25 linear ft, or $165 to $571 per linear ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Merced is 12% higher. Carpenters earn a median of $35.94 an hour in the Merced area, 23% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 25 linear ft in Merced, CA, standard level
$7,950 to $12,400
About $287 to $449 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 52% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $3,400 | $4,450 |
| Labor | $3,750 | $6,750 |
| Permits and fees | $790 | $1,200 |
| Total | $7,950 | $12,400 |
Cost breakdown for 25 linear ft in Merced, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,650 | $3,950 | $5,250 | 39% |
| Labor | $1,500 | $5,250 | $9,000 | 52% |
| Permits and fees | $490 | $980 | $1,450 | 10% |
| Total | $4,600 | $10,200 | $15,700 | 100% |
What is behind the Merced number
Labor is 52% of the midpoint bill here, against 48% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is carpenters (80%), electricians (10%), plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (10%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Merced the blended ratio comes out at 1.20.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Merced metro is 105.2 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 25 linear ft comes to $3,950, compared with $3,750 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (98.3) and land at $490 to $1,450.
Why two Merced quotes can differ
Removal
Taking out the old cabinets is $300-$600, though many installers fold it into their labor price.
Permit
Kitchen remodeling permits are $500-$1,500 where one is needed, usually when you change layout, plumbing or wiring.
Stock, semi-custom or custom
Stock cabinets run $100-$400 per linear foot installed, semi-custom $150-$700, and custom $500-$1,200 (HomeGuide).
What nearby projects cost in Merced
Because every project leans on different trades, Merced's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, storm door runs +12% and shower pan +1%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $19,800 – $33,600 | +7% |
| Storm door | 1 door | $400 – $1,050 | +12% |
| Front door | 1 door | $580 – $2,700 | +10% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $5,050 – $25,000 | +7% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $940 – $2,850 | +1% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $320 – $1,600 | +6% |
How Merced compares
Same job, same size (25 linear ft), priced for the nearest metros. San Jose is the priciest of the group at $11,000. Fresno is the cheapest at $9,550.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merced, CAthis page | $4,600 – $15,700 | $10,200 | |
| Modesto, CA30 miles | $4,650 – $15,800 | $10,200 | level |
| San Jose, CA40 miles | $4,900 – $17,200 | $11,000 | +8% |
| Stockton, CA60 miles | $4,550 – $15,300 | $9,950 | −2% |
| Fresno, CA60 miles | $4,450 – $14,700 | $9,550 | −6% |
| Santa Cruz, CA70 miles | $4,750 – $16,300 | $10,500 | +3% |
| California (statewide) | $4,750 – $16,200 | $10,500 | +3% |
| United States | $4,250 – $14,000 | $9,150 | −10% |
Across 300 US metros, Merced comes in at #25 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $12,000; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $7,050 (midpoints, 25 linear ft). Statewide, Merced is 3% below the California figure.
Other California metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 6,271,560 jobs | $4,750 – $16,200 | $10,500 | +3% |
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $5,100 – $18,000 | $11,600 | +13% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $4,500 – $15,300 | $9,900 | −3% |
| San Diego, CA | 1,538,060 jobs | $4,750 – $16,100 | $10,400 | +2% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $4,900 – $17,200 | $11,000 | +8% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $4,650 – $15,900 | $10,300 | +1% |
Cities with a workforce like Merced's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Merced against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saginaw, MI | 80,000 jobs | $4,150 – $14,100 | $9,100 | −10% |
| Chico, CA | 78,220 jobs | $4,600 – $15,400 | $10,000 | −2% |
| Las Cruces, NM | 80,000 jobs | $4,000 – $13,100 | $8,550 | −16% |
| Napa, CA | 77,860 jobs | $4,800 – $16,600 | $10,700 | +5% |
Local wages behind the labor line
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 3 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Merced is 1.20 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 80%) the local median is $35.94 an hour, which is 23% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $27.11 and $39.05 an hour. BLS counts 350 of them working in the area, 44.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is about average.
Electricians (47-2111), 10% of the weighting: a median of $36.60 an hour, 20% above the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $26.87 and $47.92 an hour. About 180 work in the metro. That is 22.6 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 48.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 10%) the local median is $28.96 an hour, which is 6% below the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $23.28 and $35.20 an hour. BLS counts 160 of them working in the area, 20.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($39.05 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $370. At the 25th percentile ($27.11) it shrinks by about $1,050. The total moves by 3.7% or 10.4%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 79,510 jobs in the Merced area. That makes it the 240th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.05% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 80% | $27.11 | $35.94 | $39.05 | $29.12 | 1.23 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $26.87 | $36.60 | $47.92 | $30.38 | 1.20 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $23.28 | $28.96 | $35.20 | $30.67 | 0.94 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.20 | |||||
Cost by quality level and size in Merced
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Merced 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
$4,600 to $9,050
Stock cabinets, same layout
Standard
$7,950 to $12,400
Semi-custom with upgraded finishes
Premium
$11,300 to $15,700
Custom cabinetry, new layout
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small galley (15 linear ft) | $2,950 – $5,800 | $5,100 – $7,900 | $7,200 – $10,000 |
| 10x10 kitchen (20 linear ft) | $3,800 – $7,450 | $6,550 – $10,200 | $9,250 – $12,900 |
| average kitchen (25 linear ft) | $4,600 – $9,050 | $7,950 – $12,400 | $11,300 – $15,700 |
| large kitchen (40 linear ft) | $7,100 – $14,000 | $12,300 – $19,200 | $17,400 – $24,300 |
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Kitchen cabinets in Merced: your questions
+How much does it cost to replace kitchen cabinets in Merced?
For 25 linear ft, expect $4,600 to $15,700 in the Merced area. A standard-spec job lands at $7,950 to $12,400. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for kitchen cabinets in Merced?
About $165 to $571 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $490 to $1,450 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $150 to $500.
+Is kitchen cabinets cheaper in Merced or Modesto?
Modesto is 30 miles away. The midpoint for 25 linear ft there is $10,200, which is 0% more than Merced ($10,200). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Merced?
About 52% at the midpoint, or $5,250 out of $10,200. Materials are 39% and permits 10%. Nationally, labor is 48%.
+What would average kitchen (25 linear ft) cost in Merced?
$4,600 to $15,700. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen cabinets need a permit in Merced?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $490 to $1,450 for fees in the Merced area (our national range of $500 to $1,500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Merced expensive for kitchen cabinets compared with the rest of California?
Merced is 3% below the California statewide estimate ($10,500 at the midpoint). We cover 23 metros in California; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Merced?
The BLS median is $35.94 an hour in the Merced area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $27.11 to $39.05.
+What do basic and premium kitchen cabinets work cost in Merced?
For 25 linear ft, basic work runs $4,600 to $9,050 and premium work $11,300 to $15,700. Basic means: stock cabinets, same layout. Premium means: custom cabinetry, new layout.
Kitchen cabinets near Merced
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 Do Kitchen Cabinets Cost? (2026 Prices) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: How Much Does Cabinet Installation Cost? (New 2026 Prices) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
Note on derived figures: Materials = installed price minus HomeGuide's labor figure of $50-$300 per linear foot, matched low-to-low and high-to-high. Treat the split as a rough guide: labor swings with the cabinet type.