Kitchen cabinets cost in Salinas, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (25 linear ft)
- $4,550 – $15,300
- Per linear ft
- $161 – $546
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +9%
- US $9,150
- Rank of 300 metros
- #35
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for new kitchen cabinets in the Salinas area: $4,550 to $15,300 for 25 linear ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint runs 9% higher than the US figure. Carpenters earn a median of $32.47 an hour in the Salinas area, 12% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 25 linear ft in Salinas, CA, standard level
$7,800 to $12,100
About $276 to $430 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 49% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $3,400 | $4,450 |
| Labor | $3,500 | $6,300 |
| Permits and fees | $870 | $1,300 |
| Total | $7,800 | $12,100 |
Cost breakdown for 25 linear ft in Salinas, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,650 | $3,950 | $5,250 | 40% |
| Labor | $1,400 | $4,900 | $8,400 | 49% |
| Permits and fees | $550 | $1,100 | $1,650 | 11% |
| Total | $4,550 | $9,900 | $15,300 | 100% |
What is behind the Salinas number
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 80% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $32.47 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Salinas is 1.12 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 49% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Salinas is at 105.2 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $3,750 nationally becomes $3,950 here (midpoint, 25 linear ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 109.0: $550 to $1,650.
Cost by quality level and size in Salinas
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Salinas. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from small galley (15 linear ft) to large kitchen (40 linear ft).
Basic
$4,550 to $8,850
Stock cabinets, same layout
Standard
$7,800 to $12,100
Semi-custom with upgraded finishes
Premium
$11,000 to $15,300
Custom cabinetry, new layout
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small galley (15 linear ft) | $2,950 – $5,700 | $5,000 – $7,750 | $7,100 – $9,800 |
| 10x10 kitchen (20 linear ft) | $3,750 – $7,300 | $6,400 – $9,900 | $9,050 – $12,500 |
| average kitchen (25 linear ft) | $4,550 – $8,850 | $7,800 – $12,100 | $11,000 – $15,300 |
| large kitchen (40 linear ft) | $7,000 – $13,600 | $11,900 – $18,500 | $16,900 – $23,500 |
Why two Salinas quotes can differ
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).
Layout changes
Keeping the plumbing and wiring where it is saves real money. Moving them brings in plumbers and electricians.
Salinas against nearby metros and the rest of California
Same job, same size (25 linear ft), priced for the nearest metros. San Jose is the priciest of the group at $11,000.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salinas, CAthis page | $4,550 – $15,300 | $9,900 | |
| San Jose, CA45 miles | $4,900 – $17,200 | $11,000 | +11% |
| Santa Cruz, CA65 miles | $4,750 – $16,300 | $10,500 | +6% |
| Merced, CA75 miles | $4,600 – $15,700 | $10,200 | +3% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA75 miles | $4,700 – $16,200 | $10,500 | +5% |
| Modesto, CA95 miles | $4,650 – $15,800 | $10,200 | +3% |
| California (statewide) | $4,750 – $16,200 | $10,500 | +6% |
| United States | $4,250 – $14,000 | $9,150 | −8% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Salinas ranks #35 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Salinas is 5% below the California figure.
Elsewhere in California
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 6,271,560 jobs | $4,750 – $16,200 | $10,500 | +6% |
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $5,100 – $18,000 | $11,600 | +16% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $4,500 – $15,300 | $9,900 | level |
| San Diego, CA | 1,538,060 jobs | $4,750 – $16,100 | $10,400 | +5% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $4,900 – $17,200 | $11,000 | +11% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $4,650 – $15,900 | $10,300 | +4% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Salinas against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salem, OR | 188,620 jobs | $4,500 – $14,900 | $9,650 | −3% |
| Tallahassee, FL | 186,160 jobs | $3,850 – $12,100 | $7,950 | −20% |
| Pensacola, FL | 190,480 jobs | $3,900 – $12,200 | $8,050 | −19% |
| York, PA | 183,590 jobs | $4,250 – $14,100 | $9,200 | −7% |
Related projects, priced for Salinas
Jobs that often go together with kitchen cabinets are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Salinas wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, bathroom remodel comes out highest (+8%) and shower pan lowest (+4%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $19,800 – $33,700 | +7% |
| Storm door | 1 door | $380 – $1,000 | +7% |
| Front door | 1 door | $540 – $2,650 | +6% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $5,100 – $25,300 | +8% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $960 – $2,950 | +4% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $320 – $1,600 | +5% |
Who does the work: Salinas trade wages
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 3 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 Salinas the blend is 1.12.
Carpenters (47-2031), 80% of the weighting: a median of $32.47 an hour, 12% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $24.94 and $39.57 an hour. About 1,210 work in the metro. That is 64.9 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 $37.88 an hour, which is 25% above the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $28.51 and $46.58 an hour. BLS counts 530 of them working in the area, 28.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 48.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 10% of the weighting: a median of $30.98 an hour, in line with the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $28.21 and $39.44 an hour. About 320 work in the metro. That is 17.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.0 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $850 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $910. That is a swing of roughly 9.1% to 8.6% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Salinas has 186,430 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 123rd by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 80% | $24.94 | $32.47 | $39.57 | $29.12 | 1.12 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $28.51 | $37.88 | $46.58 | $30.38 | 1.25 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $28.21 | $30.98 | $39.44 | $30.67 | 1.01 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.12 | |||||
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Kitchen cabinets in Salinas: your questions
+How much does it cost to replace kitchen cabinets in Salinas?
For 25 linear ft, expect $4,550 to $15,300 in the Salinas area. A standard-spec job lands at $7,800 to $12,100. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for kitchen cabinets in Salinas?
About $161 to $546 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $550 to $1,650 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $150 to $500.
+Is kitchen cabinets cheaper in Salinas or San Jose?
San Jose is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 25 linear ft there is $11,000, which is 11% more than Salinas ($9,900). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Salinas?
About 49% at the midpoint, or $4,900 out of $9,900. Materials are 40% and permits 11%. Nationally, labor is 48%.
+What would average kitchen (25 linear ft) cost in Salinas?
$4,550 to $15,300. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen cabinets need a permit in Salinas?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $550 to $1,650 for fees in the Salinas area (our national range of $500 to $1,500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Salinas expensive for kitchen cabinets compared with the rest of California?
Salinas is 5% 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 Salinas?
The BLS median is $32.47 an hour in the Salinas area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $24.94 to $39.57.
+What do basic and premium kitchen cabinets work cost in Salinas?
For 25 linear ft, basic work runs $4,550 to $8,850 and premium work $11,000 to $15,300. Basic means: stock cabinets, same layout. Premium means: custom cabinetry, new layout.
Kitchen cabinets near Salinas
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.