Kitchen remodel cost in New Jersey
Statewide estimate from BLS wages and BEA prices. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Statewide range (120 sq ft)
- $20,100 – $34,200
- Per sq ft
- $163 – $271
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +9%
- US $25,000
- Metros covered
- 3
Across New Jersey, a kitchen remodel costs about $20,100 to $34,200 for 120 sq ft. Statewide, that midpoint is 9% above the US figure of $25,000. Carpenters earn a median $30.77 an hour in New Jersey (US: $29.12).
Inside New Jersey, the metros we cover range from $25,200 (Atlantic City) to $25,800 (Trenton) at the midpoint. Pick your closest city in the table for a tighter number.
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Estimated cost for 120 sq ft in New Jersey (statewide), standard level
$24,300 to $30,000
About $195 to $239 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 21% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $18,300 | $22,400 |
| Labor | $5,100 | $6,250 |
| Permits and fees | $870 | $1,300 |
| Total | $24,300 | $30,000 |
Cost breakdown for 120 sq ft in New Jersey
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $15,300 | $20,400 | $25,500 | 75% |
| Labor | $4,250 | $5,700 | $7,100 | 21% |
| Permits and fees | $540 | $1,100 | $1,650 | 4% |
| Total | $20,100 | $27,100 | $34,200 | 100% |
Why two New Jersey quotes can differ
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.
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+.
Permit
Kitchen remodel permits are $500-$1,500 and are usually based on project value.
Which New Jersey city is cheapest for kitchen remodel?
0 of the 3 metros sit above the statewide midpoint of $27,100, and the top-to-bottom gap is 2%. Each row prices the default size with that metro's own BLS wages and BEA price levels, so the gap between rows is real local variation rather than a flat markup.
| Metro | Range (120 sq ft) | Midpoint | vs. state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trenton, NJ | $19,100 – $32,500 | $25,800 | −5% |
| Vineland, NJ | $18,900 – $32,200 | $25,500 | −6% |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $18,700 – $31,800 | $25,200 | −7% |
Related projects, priced for New Jersey
Each project weights the trades differently, so New Jersey's wage level does not push every price by the same amount. Compared with the US midpoint, shower pan is +13% and kitchen cabinets +8%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,600 – $15,200 | +8% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $5,300 – $26,200 | +12% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,950 – $16,400 | +9% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $42,600 – $86,300 | +12% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $1,050 – $3,150 | +13% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $330 – $1,650 | +9% |
New Jersey labor market for kitchen remodel
New Jersey's labor line is priced from 6 trades, each compared with its US median wage. After weighting by each trade's share of the work, the state comes out at 1.14 times the national level.
Carpenters (47-2031), 45% of the weighting: a median of $30.77 an hour, 6% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $24.63 and $38.67 an hour. About 14,230 work in the state. That is 33.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For electricians (47-2111, weighted 15%) the local median is $37.14 an hour, which is 22% above the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $30.00 and $58.23 an hour. BLS counts 13,520 of them working in the state, 31.5 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 48.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 15% of the weighting: a median of $37.61 an hour, 23% above the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $29.72 and $51.36 an hour. About 8,750 work in the state. That is 20.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.0 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Tile and stone setters (47-2044), 10% of the weighting: a median of $29.99 an hour, 12% above the US median of $26.77. The middle half of them earn between $22.31 and $46.73 an hour. About 460 work in the state. That is 1.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 2.3 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081, weighted 10%) the local median is $36.09 an hour, which is 27% above the national $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $25.81 and $55.42 an hour. BLS counts 1,340 of them working in the state, 3.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 5.3), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141), 5% of the weighting: a median of $28.49 an hour, 20% above the US median of $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $21.87 and $34.80 an hour. About 4,110 work in the state. That is 9.6 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 14.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
A crew paid at the 75th percentile for carpenters ($38.67 an hour) would add about $610 to the statewide midpoint; one at the 25th percentile ($24.63) would take off about $470. Use that as a rough guide to how far a bid can sit from our midpoint on wages alone.
BLS counts 4,285,720 jobs across New Jersey (May 2025), which is 2.8% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $24.63 | $30.77 | $38.67 | $29.12 | 1.06 | state |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 15% | $30.00 | $37.14 | $58.23 | $30.38 | 1.22 | state |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 15% | $29.72 | $37.61 | $51.36 | $30.67 | 1.23 | state |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 10% | $22.31 | $29.99 | $46.73 | $26.77 | 1.12 | state |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $25.81 | $36.09 | $55.42 | $28.33 | 1.27 | state |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 5% | $21.87 | $28.49 | $34.80 | $23.75 | 1.20 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 1.14 | |||||
New Jersey versus the states around it
New Jersey ranks 7 of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) for kitchen remodel, where 1 is the most expensive. The costliest is Hawaii at $29,500 and the cheapest Arkansas at $22,500, both for 120 sq ft at the midpoint. New Jersey sits at $27,100. The five states closest by workforce center are listed below.
| State | Distance | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware | 60 miles away | $17,900 – $30,500 | $24,200 | −11% |
| New York | 100 miles away | $20,200 – $34,500 | $27,400 | +1% |
| Pennsylvania | 100 miles away | $18,600 – $31,600 | $25,100 | −8% |
| Maryland | 110 miles away | $19,000 – $32,300 | $25,600 | −6% |
| Connecticut | 150 miles away | $18,600 – $31,600 | $25,100 | −7% |
Basic, standard or premium: New Jersey prices
Bands overlap on purpose, since a good standard job can cost as much as a light premium one. Below are the three bands for the default size, then a grid from small kitchen (100 sq ft) to large kitchen (300 sq ft).
Basic
$20,100 to $25,700
Update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout
Standard
$24,300 to $30,000
Full remodel, mid-range finishes, some layout changes
Premium
$28,600 to $34,200
Large or custom remodel, high-end finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small kitchen (100 sq ft) | $16,800 – $21,600 | $20,400 – $25,200 | $24,000 – $28,800 |
| 10x12 kitchen (120 sq ft) | $20,100 – $25,700 | $24,300 – $30,000 | $28,600 – $34,200 |
| average kitchen (200 sq ft) | $33,100 – $42,200 | $39,900 – $49,100 | $46,800 – $55,900 |
| large kitchen (300 sq ft) | $49,400 – $62,900 | $59,500 – $72,900 | $69,600 – $83,000 |
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Kitchen remodel in New Jersey: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a kitchen in New Jersey?
$20,100 to $34,200 for 120 sq ft, using statewide wages and prices. Metro areas inside New Jersey can sit above or below that.
+Which city in New Jersey is cheapest for kitchen remodel?
Atlantic City at about $25,200 (midpoint, 120 sq ft). The priciest is Trenton at $25,800.
+Is kitchen remodel cheaper in New Jersey than the US average?
It is 9% more expensive: $27,100 against $25,000 for 120 sq ft at the midpoint.
+What share of the price is labor in New Jersey?
About 21% ($5,700). Materials are 75%. Statewide labor for this job is weighted 1.14x the national wage level.
+What do carpenters earn in New Jersey?
The BLS statewide median is $30.77 an hour, against $29.12 for the US. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $24.63 to $38.67.
+Where does New Jersey rank for kitchen remodel costs?
7th most expensive of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) at the midpoint, $27,100 for 120 sq ft. Rank 1 is the costliest.
+What do basic and premium kitchen remodel work cost in New Jersey?
For 120 sq ft, basic work runs $20,100 to $25,700 and premium work $28,600 to $34,200. Basic means: update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout. Premium means: large or custom remodel, high-end finishes.
Kitchen remodel by city in New Jersey
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.