Kitchen cabinets cost in Madison, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (25 linear ft)
- $4,200 – $14,400
- Per linear ft
- $149 – $516
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +2%
- US $9,150
- Rank of 300 metros
- #79
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for new kitchen cabinets in the Madison area: $4,200 to $14,400 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 lands close to the US figure. Carpenters earn a median of $30.52 an hour in the Madison area, 5% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 25 linear ft in Madison, WI, standard level
$7,250 to $11,300
About $259 to $406 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 52% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $3,050 | $4,000 |
| Labor | $3,450 | $6,150 |
| Permits and fees | $780 | $1,150 |
| Total | $7,250 | $11,300 |
Cost breakdown for 25 linear ft in Madison, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,350 | $3,500 | $4,700 | 38% |
| Labor | $1,350 | $4,800 | $8,200 | 52% |
| Permits and fees | $490 | $970 | $1,450 | 10% |
| Total | $4,200 | $9,300 | $14,400 | 100% |
Where the Madison price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 3 trades: carpenters at 80%, electricians at 10%, plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters at 10%. Weighted together, Madison wages are 1.10 times the national level. Labor makes up about 52% of the midpoint estimate (48% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Madison is at 93.8 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 97.3: $490 to $1,450.
Who does the work: Madison 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 Madison the blend is 1.10.
Carpenters (47-2031), 80% of the weighting: a median of $30.52 an hour, 5% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $25.71 and $39.68 an hour. About 2,320 work in the metro. That is 56.9 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 $37.71 an hour, which is 24% above the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $27.92 and $48.32 an hour. BLS counts 1,760 of them working in the area, 43.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 48.7), so the local bench is about average.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 10% of the weighting: a median of $40.94 an hour, 33% above the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $29.54 and $51.62 an hour. About 1,590 work in the metro. That is 39.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.0 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $1,100 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $580. That is a swing of roughly 6.2% to 11.9% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Madison has 408,070 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 61st 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% | $25.71 | $30.52 | $39.68 | $29.12 | 1.05 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $27.92 | $37.71 | $48.32 | $30.38 | 1.24 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $29.54 | $40.94 | $51.62 | $30.67 | 1.33 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.10 | |||||
Why two Madison 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.
Related projects, priced for Madison
Jobs that often go together with kitchen cabinets are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Madison wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, shower pan comes out highest (+12%) and front door lowest (−3%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $18,100 – $30,900 | −2% |
| Storm door | 1 door | $350 – $940 | −1% |
| Front door | 1 door | $510 – $2,400 | −3% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $5,000 – $24,900 | +7% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $1,100 – $3,050 | +12% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $310 – $1,550 | +3% |
Is Madison 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 $8,700 to $10,500 across Madison and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison, WIthis page | $4,200 – $14,400 | $9,300 | |
| Janesville, WI40 miles | $4,400 – $15,500 | $9,900 | +7% |
| Rockford, IL60 miles | $4,350 – $15,500 | $9,950 | +7% |
| Dubuque, IA80 miles | $4,000 – $13,400 | $8,700 | −6% |
| Oshkosh, WI85 miles | $4,500 – $16,400 | $10,500 | +13% |
| La Crosse, WI85 miles | $4,100 – $13,800 | $8,950 | −4% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $4,150 – $14,100 | $9,150 | −2% |
| United States | $4,250 – $14,000 | $9,150 | −2% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Madison ranks #79 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Madison is 2% above the Wisconsin figure.
Elsewhere in Wisconsin
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $4,200 – $14,400 | $9,300 | level |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $4,150 – $14,000 | $9,100 | −2% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $4,150 – $14,100 | $9,150 | −2% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $4,500 – $16,400 | $10,500 | +13% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $4,100 – $13,900 | $9,000 | −3% |
| La Crosse, WI | 84,380 jobs | $4,100 – $13,800 | $8,950 | −4% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Madison against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, LA | 409,690 jobs | $4,000 – $13,200 | $8,600 | −7% |
| Albuquerque, NM | 404,700 jobs | $4,100 – $13,600 | $8,900 | −4% |
| Knoxville, TN | 424,600 jobs | $3,950 – $12,600 | $8,250 | −11% |
| Bridgeport, CT | 404,180 jobs | $4,300 – $14,600 | $9,450 | +2% |
Pick a size, pick a tier: kitchen cabinets pricing in Madison
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Madison. 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
$4,200 to $8,250
Stock cabinets, same layout
Standard
$7,250 to $11,300
Semi-custom with upgraded finishes
Premium
$10,300 to $14,400
Custom cabinetry, new layout
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small galley (15 linear ft) | $2,700 – $5,300 | $4,650 – $7,250 | $6,600 – $9,200 |
| 10x10 kitchen (20 linear ft) | $3,450 – $6,800 | $5,950 – $9,300 | $8,450 – $11,800 |
| average kitchen (25 linear ft) | $4,200 – $8,250 | $7,250 – $11,300 | $10,300 – $14,400 |
| large kitchen (40 linear ft) | $6,450 – $12,700 | $11,100 – $17,400 | $15,800 – $22,100 |
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Kitchen cabinets in Madison: your questions
+How much does it cost to replace kitchen cabinets in Madison?
For 25 linear ft, expect $4,200 to $14,400 in the Madison area. A standard-spec job lands at $7,250 to $11,300. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for kitchen cabinets in Madison?
About $149 to $516 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 Madison or Janesville?
Janesville is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 25 linear ft there is $9,900, which is 7% more than Madison ($9,300). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Madison?
About 52% at the midpoint, or $4,800 out of $9,300. Materials are 38% and permits 10%. Nationally, labor is 48%.
+What would average kitchen (25 linear ft) cost in Madison?
$4,200 to $14,400. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen cabinets need a permit in Madison?
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 Madison area (our national range of $500 to $1,500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Madison expensive for kitchen cabinets compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Madison is 2% above the Wisconsin statewide estimate ($9,150 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Wisconsin; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Madison?
The BLS median is $30.52 an hour in the Madison area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $25.71 to $39.68.
+What do basic and premium kitchen cabinets work cost in Madison?
For 25 linear ft, basic work runs $4,200 to $8,250 and premium work $10,300 to $14,400. Basic means: stock cabinets, same layout. Premium means: custom cabinetry, new layout.
Kitchen cabinets near Madison
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.