Kitchen remodel cost in Dubuque, IA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (120 sq ft)
- $17,400 – $29,600
- Per sq ft
- $142 – $236
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −6%
- US $25,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #194
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to remodel a kitchen in Dubuque, plan on $17,400 to $29,600 for 120 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $142 to $236 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 6% lower than the national one. Building materials run about 6% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 93.7).
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Estimated cost for 120 sq ft in Dubuque, IA, standard level
$21,100 to $26,000
About $170 to $208 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 21% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,000 | $19,600 |
| Labor | $4,350 | $5,300 |
| Permits and fees | $700 | $1,050 |
| Total | $21,100 | $26,000 |
Cost breakdown for 120 sq ft in Dubuque, IA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,400 | $17,800 | $22,300 | 76% |
| Labor | $3,600 | $4,850 | $6,050 | 21% |
| Permits and fees | $440 | $870 | $1,300 | 4% |
| Total | $17,400 | $23,500 | $29,600 | 100% |
What is behind the Dubuque number
Labor is 21% of the midpoint bill here, against 20% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is carpenters (45%), electricians (15%), plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (15%), tile and stone setters (10%), drywall and ceiling tile installers (10%), painters, construction and maintenance (5%). 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 0.97.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Dubuque metro is 93.7 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 120 sq ft comes to $17,800, compared with $19,000 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (87.3) and land at $440 to $1,300.
Data note: 20% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Dubuque. The wage table below marks each row.
What nearby projects cost in Dubuque
Because every project leans on different trades, Dubuque's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, window replacement runs −4% and shower pan −5%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,000 – $13,400 | −5% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,450 – $22,100 | −5% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,350 – $14,300 | −4% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $36,400 – $73,600 | −4% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $890 – $2,650 | −5% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $290 – $1,450 | −5% |
Kitchen remodel: what moves the price in Dubuque
Permit
Kitchen remodel permits are $500-$1,500 and are usually based on project value.
Scope
A full kitchen update is $15,000-$50,000, a large remodel $50,000-$70,000+, and a partial refresh $60-$150 per square foot (HomeGuide).
Cabinets
In a 10x10 kitchen, cabinets alone are $3,000-$11,000 for stock or semi-custom and up to $26,500 for fully custom.
Dubuque labor market for kitchen remodel
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 6 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Dubuque is 0.97 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 45%) the local median is $28.89 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.41 and $30.47 an hour. BLS counts 260 of them working in the area, 44.5 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is about average.
Electricians (47-2111), 15% of the weighting: a median of $29.86 an hour, in line with the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $22.96 and $38.68 an hour. About 210 work in the metro. That is 35.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 48.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 15%) the local median is $29.51 an hour, which is 4% below the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $23.70 and $39.45 an hour. BLS counts 120 of them working in the area, 20.5 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Tile and stone setters (47-2044) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Dubuque metro, so we used the Iowa statewide median: $26.13 an hour against $26.77 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $23.11 and $34.11 an hour.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Dubuque metro, so we used the Iowa statewide median: $24.53 an hour against $28.33 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $21.54 and $29.70 an hour.
For painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141, weighted 5%) the local median is $22.79 an hour, which is 4% below the national $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $20.84 and $29.41 an hour. BLS counts 40 of them working in the area, 6.8 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 14.5), 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 ($30.47 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $120. At the 25th percentile ($23.41) it shrinks by about $420. The total moves by 0.5% or 1.8%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 58,470 jobs in the Dubuque area. That makes it the 292nd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.04% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $23.41 | $28.89 | $30.47 | $29.12 | 0.99 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 15% | $22.96 | $29.86 | $38.68 | $30.38 | 0.98 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 15% | $23.70 | $29.51 | $39.45 | $30.67 | 0.96 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 10% | $23.11 | $26.13 | $34.11 | $26.77 | 0.98 | state |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $21.54 | $24.53 | $29.70 | $28.33 | 0.87 | state |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 5% | $20.84 | $22.79 | $29.41 | $23.75 | 0.96 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.97 | |||||
Dubuque against nearby metros and the rest of Iowa
Same job, same size (120 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Madison is the priciest of the group at $24,500. Iowa City is the cheapest at $23,100.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubuque, IAthis page | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | |
| Cedar Rapids, IA45 miles | $17,500 – $29,700 | $23,600 | level |
| Iowa City, IA75 miles | $17,100 – $29,200 | $23,100 | −2% |
| Davenport, IA75 miles | $17,900 – $30,400 | $24,100 | +2% |
| Madison, WI80 miles | $18,100 – $30,900 | $24,500 | +4% |
| Waterloo, IA80 miles | $17,400 – $29,500 | $23,400 | level |
| Iowa (statewide) | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | level |
| United States | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | +6% |
Across 300 US metros, Dubuque comes in at #194 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $30,000; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $22,100 (midpoints, 120 sq ft). Statewide, Dubuque is 0% above the Iowa figure.
Other Iowa metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA | 404,130 jobs | $17,600 – $30,000 | $23,800 | +1% |
| Davenport, IA | 180,450 jobs | $17,900 – $30,400 | $24,100 | +2% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 139,260 jobs | $17,500 – $29,700 | $23,600 | level |
| Iowa City, IA | 93,760 jobs | $17,100 – $29,200 | $23,100 | −2% |
| Waterloo, IA | 84,260 jobs | $17,400 – $29,500 | $23,400 | level |
| Sioux City, IA | 75,010 jobs | $17,300 – $29,400 | $23,400 | −1% |
Cities with a workforce like Dubuque's
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 | $18,500 – $31,400 | $25,000 | +6% |
| Albany, GA | 58,390 jobs | $17,100 – $29,000 | $23,100 | −2% |
| Kingston, NY | 59,140 jobs | $18,600 – $31,700 | $25,200 | +7% |
| Wheeling, WV | 58,130 jobs | $17,700 – $30,000 | $23,800 | +1% |
Dubuque: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Dubuque 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
$17,400 to $22,300
Update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout
Standard
$21,100 to $26,000
Full remodel, mid-range finishes, some layout changes
Premium
$24,800 to $29,600
Large or custom remodel, high-end finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small kitchen (100 sq ft) | $14,600 – $18,700 | $17,700 – $21,800 | $20,800 – $24,900 |
| 10x12 kitchen (120 sq ft) | $17,400 – $22,300 | $21,100 – $26,000 | $24,800 – $29,600 |
| average kitchen (200 sq ft) | $28,800 – $36,700 | $34,700 – $42,600 | $40,600 – $48,500 |
| large kitchen (300 sq ft) | $42,900 – $54,600 | $51,700 – $63,400 | $60,400 – $72,100 |
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Kitchen remodel in Dubuque: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a kitchen in Dubuque?
For 120 sq ft, expect $17,400 to $29,600 in the Dubuque area. A standard-spec job lands at $21,100 to $26,000. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for kitchen remodel in Dubuque?
About $142 to $236 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $440 to $1,300 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $150 to $250.
+Is kitchen remodel cheaper in Dubuque or Cedar Rapids?
Cedar Rapids is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 120 sq ft there is $23,600, which is 0% more than Dubuque ($23,500). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Dubuque?
About 21% at the midpoint, or $4,850 out of $23,500. Materials are 76% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 20%.
+What would average kitchen (200 sq ft) cost in Dubuque?
$28,800 to $48,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen remodel 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 remodel compared with the rest of Iowa?
Dubuque is 0% above the Iowa statewide estimate ($23,500 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 remodel work cost in Dubuque?
For 120 sq ft, basic work runs $17,400 to $22,300 and premium work $24,800 to $29,600. Basic means: update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout. Premium means: large or custom remodel, high-end finishes.
Kitchen remodel 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 Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- Cost to Renovate: Renovation Labor Report 2026: Where the Money Goes (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
Note on derived figures: Materials = 70% of the low installed price and 85% of the high one, from HomeGuide's statement that professional labor is 15-30% of a kitchen remodeling budget. Cost to Renovate's mid-range kitchen split (45% labor, 50% materials) sits inside that band.