Kitchen remodel cost in Lincoln, NE
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (120 sq ft)
- $17,200 – $29,300
- Per sq ft
- $140 – $233
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −7%
- US $25,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #253
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a kitchen remodel in the Lincoln area: $17,200 to $29,300 for 120 sq ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint runs 7% lower than the US figure. Building materials run about 6% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 94.1).
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Estimated cost for 120 sq ft in Lincoln, NE, standard level
$20,800 to $25,700
About $168 to $205 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 19% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,100 | $19,700 |
| Labor | $4,000 | $4,900 |
| Permits and fees | $730 | $1,100 |
| Total | $20,800 | $25,700 |
Cost breakdown for 120 sq ft in Lincoln, NE
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,400 | $17,900 | $22,400 | 77% |
| Labor | $3,350 | $4,450 | $5,550 | 19% |
| Permits and fees | $460 | $920 | $1,350 | 4% |
| Total | $17,200 | $23,300 | $29,300 | 100% |
What is behind the Lincoln number
Labor is 19% 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 Lincoln the blended ratio comes out at 0.89.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Lincoln is at 94.1 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $19,000 nationally becomes $17,900 here (midpoint, 120 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 91.6: $460 to $1,350.
Data note: 10% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Lincoln. The wage table below marks each row.
Lincoln: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Lincoln. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from small kitchen (100 sq ft) to large kitchen (300 sq ft).
Basic
$17,200 to $22,000
Update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout
Standard
$20,800 to $25,700
Full remodel, mid-range finishes, some layout changes
Premium
$24,500 to $29,300
Large or custom remodel, high-end finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small kitchen (100 sq ft) | $14,400 – $18,500 | $17,500 – $21,600 | $20,600 – $24,600 |
| 10x12 kitchen (120 sq ft) | $17,200 – $22,000 | $20,800 – $25,700 | $24,500 – $29,300 |
| average kitchen (200 sq ft) | $28,400 – $36,200 | $34,200 – $42,100 | $40,100 – $47,900 |
| large kitchen (300 sq ft) | $42,300 – $53,900 | $51,000 – $62,500 | $59,600 – $71,200 |
Planning more than one job in Lincoln?
Jobs that often go together with kitchen remodel are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Lincoln wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, kitchen backsplash comes out highest (−2%) and home addition lowest (−12%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $3,850 – $12,500 | −11% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,400 – $21,900 | −6% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,100 – $13,800 | −8% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $33,600 – $68,100 | −12% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $920 – $2,700 | −2% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $300 – $1,450 | −2% |
Is Lincoln cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, none is cheaper than Lincoln. Sioux City comes closest at about $23,400.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln, NEthis page | $17,200 – $29,300 | $23,300 | |
| Omaha, NE55 miles | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | +1% |
| Sioux City, IA120 miles | $17,300 – $29,400 | $23,400 | level |
| Topeka, KS135 miles | $17,300 – $29,500 | $23,400 | +1% |
| Des Moines, IA170 miles | $17,600 – $30,000 | $23,800 | +2% |
| Kansas City, MO185 miles | $17,800 – $30,300 | $24,100 | +4% |
| Nebraska (statewide) | $17,200 – $29,300 | $23,300 | level |
| United States | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | +8% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Lincoln ranks #253 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Lincoln is 0% below the Nebraska figure.
Elsewhere in Nebraska
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE | 498,100 jobs | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | +1% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Lincoln against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| York, PA | 183,590 jobs | $18,800 – $32,000 | $25,400 | +9% |
| Asheville, NC | 180,620 jobs | $17,500 – $29,800 | $23,600 | +2% |
| Tallahassee, FL | 186,160 jobs | $17,200 – $29,300 | $23,200 | level |
| Davenport, IA | 180,450 jobs | $17,900 – $30,400 | $24,100 | +4% |
Who does the work: Lincoln trade wages
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 6 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 Lincoln the blend is 0.89.
Carpenters (47-2031), 45% of the weighting: a median of $24.00 an hour, 18% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $21.70 and $28.77 an hour. About 1,020 work in the metro. That is 55.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For electricians (47-2111, weighted 15%) the local median is $29.17 an hour, which is 4% below the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $23.10 and $37.59 an hour. BLS counts 1,020 of them working in the area, 55.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 48.7), so the local bench is about average.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 15% of the weighting: a median of $29.17 an hour, 5% below the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $23.25 and $36.00 an hour. About 650 work in the metro. That is 35.6 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.0 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Tile and stone setters (47-2044) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Lincoln metro, so we used the Nebraska statewide median: $28.53 an hour against $26.77 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $23.15 and $29.44 an hour.
For drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081, weighted 10%) the local median is $22.66 an hour, which is 20% below the national $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $18.27 and $27.27 an hour. BLS counts 160 of them working in the area, 8.8 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 5.3), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141), 5% of the weighting: a median of $22.68 an hour, 5% below the US median of $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $17.76 and $24.92 an hour. About 280 work in the metro. That is 15.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 14.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $370 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $180. That is a swing of roughly 0.8% to 1.6% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Lincoln has 182,620 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 126th by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $21.70 | $24.00 | $28.77 | $29.12 | 0.82 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 15% | $23.10 | $29.17 | $37.59 | $30.38 | 0.96 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 15% | $23.25 | $29.17 | $36.00 | $30.67 | 0.95 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 10% | $23.15 | $28.53 | $29.44 | $26.77 | 1.07 | state |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $18.27 | $22.66 | $27.27 | $28.33 | 0.80 | metro |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 5% | $17.76 | $22.68 | $24.92 | $23.75 | 0.95 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.89 | |||||
Specs and site conditions that change a Lincoln bid
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.
Counters
New countertops are $50-$150 per square foot installed; HomeGuide gives $1,500-$6,000 for an average kitchen.
Structure
Moving or removing walls can need a structural engineer at $1,900-$3,700+.
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Kitchen remodel in Lincoln: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a kitchen in Lincoln?
For 120 sq ft, expect $17,200 to $29,300 in the Lincoln area. A standard-spec job lands at $20,800 to $25,700. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for kitchen remodel in Lincoln?
About $140 to $233 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $460 to $1,350 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $150 to $250.
+Is kitchen remodel cheaper in Lincoln or Omaha?
Omaha is 55 miles away. The midpoint for 120 sq ft there is $23,500, which is 1% more than Lincoln ($23,300). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Lincoln?
About 19% at the midpoint, or $4,450 out of $23,300. Materials are 77% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 20%.
+What would average kitchen (200 sq ft) cost in Lincoln?
$28,400 to $47,900. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen remodel need a permit in Lincoln?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $460 to $1,350 for fees in the Lincoln area (our national range of $500 to $1,500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Lincoln expensive for kitchen remodel compared with the rest of Nebraska?
Lincoln is 0% below the Nebraska statewide estimate ($23,300 at the midpoint). We cover 2 metros in Nebraska; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Lincoln?
The BLS median is $24.00 an hour in the Lincoln area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.70 to $28.77.
+What do basic and premium kitchen remodel work cost in Lincoln?
For 120 sq ft, basic work runs $17,200 to $22,000 and premium work $24,500 to $29,300. Basic means: update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout. Premium means: large or custom remodel, high-end finishes.
Kitchen remodel near Lincoln
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.