Kitchen cabinets cost in Dubuque, IA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (25 linear ft)
- $4,000 – $13,400
- Per linear ft
- $143 – $484
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −5%
- US $9,150
- Rank of 300 metros
- #149
- 1 = most expensive
New kitchen cabinets in Dubuque, IA usually costs $4,000 to $13,400 for 25 linear ft. That works out to about $143 to $484 per linear ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $410 less. Building materials run about 6% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 93.7).
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Estimated cost for 25 linear ft in Dubuque, IA, standard level
$6,850 to $10,600
About $245 to $382 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 50% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $3,050 | $4,000 |
| Labor | $3,100 | $5,550 |
| Permits and fees | $700 | $1,050 |
| Total | $6,850 | $10,600 |
Cost breakdown for 25 linear ft in Dubuque, IA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,350 | $3,500 | $4,700 | 40% |
| Labor | $1,250 | $4,300 | $7,400 | 50% |
| Permits and fees | $440 | $870 | $1,300 | 10% |
| Total | $4,000 | $8,700 | $13,400 | 100% |
What is behind the Dubuque number
Labor is 50% 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 Dubuque the blended ratio comes out at 0.99.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Dubuque is at 93.7 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $3,750 nationally becomes $3,500 here (midpoint, 25 linear ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 87.3: $440 to $1,300.
Is Dubuque 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 25 linear ft range from $8,150 to $9,300 across Dubuque and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubuque, IAthis page | $4,000 – $13,400 | $8,700 | |
| Cedar Rapids, IA45 miles | $4,000 – $13,400 | $8,750 | level |
| Iowa City, IA75 miles | $3,850 – $12,400 | $8,150 | −7% |
| Davenport, IA75 miles | $4,100 – $13,800 | $8,950 | +3% |
| Madison, WI80 miles | $4,200 – $14,400 | $9,300 | +7% |
| Waterloo, IA80 miles | $3,950 – $13,000 | $8,500 | −3% |
| Iowa (statewide) | $4,000 – $13,200 | $8,600 | −1% |
| United States | $4,250 – $14,000 | $9,150 | +5% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Dubuque ranks #149 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Dubuque is 1% above the Iowa figure.
Elsewhere in Iowa
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA | 404,130 jobs | $4,100 – $13,800 | $8,950 | +2% |
| Davenport, IA | 180,450 jobs | $4,100 – $13,800 | $8,950 | +3% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 139,260 jobs | $4,000 – $13,400 | $8,750 | level |
| Iowa City, IA | 93,760 jobs | $3,850 – $12,400 | $8,150 | −7% |
| Waterloo, IA | 84,260 jobs | $3,950 – $13,000 | $8,500 | −3% |
| Sioux City, IA | 75,010 jobs | $3,900 – $12,700 | $8,250 | −5% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Dubuque against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altoona, PA | 58,650 jobs | $4,150 – $13,500 | $8,800 | +1% |
| Albany, GA | 58,390 jobs | $3,700 – $11,200 | $7,400 | −15% |
| Kingston, NY | 59,140 jobs | $4,300 – $14,200 | $9,250 | +6% |
| Wheeling, WV | 58,130 jobs | $3,950 – $12,700 | $8,300 | −5% |
Specs and site conditions that change a Dubuque bid
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.
Pick a size, pick a tier: kitchen cabinets pricing in Dubuque
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Dubuque. 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
$4,000 to $7,750
Stock cabinets, same layout
Standard
$6,850 to $10,600
Semi-custom with upgraded finishes
Premium
$9,650 to $13,400
Custom cabinetry, new layout
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small galley (15 linear ft) | $2,600 – $5,000 | $4,400 – $6,750 | $6,150 – $8,550 |
| 10x10 kitchen (20 linear ft) | $3,300 – $6,350 | $5,600 – $8,700 | $7,900 – $11,000 |
| average kitchen (25 linear ft) | $4,000 – $7,750 | $6,850 – $10,600 | $9,650 – $13,400 |
| large kitchen (40 linear ft) | $6,150 – $12,000 | $10,500 – $16,300 | $14,900 – $20,700 |
What local crews earn in Dubuque
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 Dubuque the blend is 0.99.
Carpenters (47-2031), 80% of the weighting: a median of $28.89 an hour, in line with the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.41 and $30.47 an hour. About 260 work in the metro. That is 44.5 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 $29.86 an hour, which is in line with the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $22.96 and $38.68 an hour. BLS counts 210 of them working in the area, 35.9 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 $29.51 an hour, 4% below the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $23.70 and $39.45 an hour. About 120 work in the metro. That is 20.5 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 $190 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $660. That is a swing of roughly 7.6% to 2.2% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Dubuque has 58,470 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 292nd 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% | $23.41 | $28.89 | $30.47 | $29.12 | 0.99 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $22.96 | $29.86 | $38.68 | $30.38 | 0.98 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $23.70 | $29.51 | $39.45 | $30.67 | 0.96 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.99 | |||||
Related projects, priced for Dubuque
Jobs that often go together with kitchen cabinets are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Dubuque wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, storm door comes out highest (−3%) and kitchen remodel lowest (−6%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $17,400 – $29,600 | −6% |
| Storm door | 1 door | $340 – $920 | −3% |
| Front door | 1 door | $490 – $2,400 | −4% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,450 – $22,100 | −5% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $890 – $2,650 | −5% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $290 – $1,450 | −5% |
Get 3 local quotes
Tell us about the job and we will try to connect you with up to three local contractors for written quotes. It is free and you are under no obligation to hire. Your estimate of $6,850 to $10,600 for Dubuque, IA is attached.
Detailed kitchen cabinets report for Dubuque, IA, $9
The report lays out the kitchen cabinets numbers for Dubuque, IA line by line, with the local wage and price inputs, permit and timing notes, a quote comparison sheet and the full method. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Kitchen cabinets in Dubuque: your questions
+How much does it cost to replace kitchen cabinets in Dubuque?
For 25 linear ft, expect $4,000 to $13,400 in the Dubuque area. A standard-spec job lands at $6,850 to $10,600. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for kitchen cabinets in Dubuque?
About $143 to $484 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $440 to $1,300 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $150 to $500.
+Is kitchen cabinets cheaper in Dubuque or Cedar Rapids?
Cedar Rapids is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 25 linear ft there is $8,750, which is 0% more than Dubuque ($8,700). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Dubuque?
About 50% at the midpoint, or $4,300 out of $8,700. Materials are 40% and permits 10%. Nationally, labor is 48%.
+What would average kitchen (25 linear ft) cost in Dubuque?
$4,000 to $13,400. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen cabinets need a permit in Dubuque?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $440 to $1,300 for fees in the Dubuque area (our national range of $500 to $1,500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Dubuque expensive for kitchen cabinets compared with the rest of Iowa?
Dubuque is 1% above the Iowa statewide estimate ($8,600 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Iowa; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Dubuque?
The BLS median is $28.89 an hour in the Dubuque area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.41 to $30.47.
+What do basic and premium kitchen cabinets work cost in Dubuque?
For 25 linear ft, basic work runs $4,000 to $7,750 and premium work $9,650 to $13,400. Basic means: stock cabinets, same layout. Premium means: custom cabinetry, new layout.
Kitchen cabinets near Dubuque
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.