Kitchen remodel cost in Pittsburgh, PA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (120 sq ft)
- $18,800 – $31,900
- Per sq ft
- $153 – $254
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +1%
- US $25,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #58
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to remodel a kitchen in Pittsburgh, plan on $18,800 to $31,900 for 120 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $153 to $254 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint lands close to the national one. Carpenters earn a median of $29.41 an hour in the Pittsburgh area, 1% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 120 sq ft in Pittsburgh, PA, standard level
$22,700 to $28,000
About $183 to $224 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 21% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $17,200 | $21,100 |
| Labor | $4,750 | $5,800 |
| Permits and fees | $760 | $1,150 |
| Total | $22,700 | $28,000 |
Cost breakdown for 120 sq ft in Pittsburgh, PA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $14,400 | $19,200 | $23,900 | 76% |
| Labor | $3,950 | $5,250 | $6,550 | 21% |
| Permits and fees | $470 | $950 | $1,400 | 4% |
| Total | $18,800 | $25,400 | $31,900 | 100% |
Where the Pittsburgh price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 6 trades: carpenters at 45%, electricians at 15%, plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters at 15%, tile and stone setters at 10%, drywall and ceiling tile installers at 10%, painters, construction and maintenance at 5%. Weighted together, Pittsburgh wages are 1.05 times the national level. Labor makes up about 21% of the midpoint estimate (20% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Pittsburgh metro is 100.7 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 120 sq ft comes to $19,200, compared with $19,000 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (94.7) and land at $470 to $1,400.
Is Pittsburgh cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (120 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Pittsburgh is the priciest of the group. Youngstown is the cheapest at $23,300.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh, PAthis page | $18,800 – $31,900 | $25,400 | |
| Wheeling, WV60 miles | $17,700 – $30,000 | $23,800 | −6% |
| Morgantown, WV65 miles | $17,500 – $29,700 | $23,600 | −7% |
| Youngstown, OH70 miles | $17,300 – $29,400 | $23,300 | −8% |
| Canton, OH75 miles | $17,300 – $29,500 | $23,400 | −8% |
| Altoona, PA80 miles | $18,500 – $31,400 | $25,000 | −2% |
| Pennsylvania (statewide) | $18,600 – $31,600 | $25,100 | −1% |
| United States | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | −1% |
Across 300 US metros, Pittsburgh comes in at #58 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $30,000; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $22,100 (midpoints, 120 sq ft). Statewide, Pittsburgh is 1% above the Pennsylvania figure.
Other Pennsylvania metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA | 2,897,830 jobs | $18,400 – $31,400 | $24,900 | −2% |
| Allentown, PA | 377,180 jobs | $18,600 – $31,600 | $25,100 | −1% |
| Harrisburg, PA | 335,010 jobs | $18,800 – $32,000 | $25,400 | level |
| Scranton, PA | 255,620 jobs | $18,600 – $31,700 | $25,100 | −1% |
| Lancaster, PA | 252,230 jobs | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | −1% |
| York, PA | 183,590 jobs | $18,800 – $32,000 | $25,400 | level |
Cities with a workforce like Pittsburgh's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Pittsburgh against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Antonio, TX | 1,126,880 jobs | $17,000 – $28,900 | $23,000 | −9% |
| Columbus, OH | 1,105,580 jobs | $17,700 – $30,200 | $24,000 | −5% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $20,700 – $35,200 | $28,000 | +10% |
| Indianapolis, IN | 1,105,170 jobs | $17,900 – $30,500 | $24,200 | −5% |
Pittsburgh: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Pittsburgh 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
$18,800 to $24,000
Update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout
Standard
$22,700 to $28,000
Full remodel, mid-range finishes, some layout changes
Premium
$26,700 to $31,900
Large or custom remodel, high-end finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small kitchen (100 sq ft) | $15,700 – $20,200 | $19,100 – $23,500 | $22,400 – $26,800 |
| 10x12 kitchen (120 sq ft) | $18,800 – $24,000 | $22,700 – $28,000 | $26,700 – $31,900 |
| average kitchen (200 sq ft) | $31,000 – $39,500 | $37,400 – $45,900 | $43,700 – $52,300 |
| large kitchen (300 sq ft) | $46,200 – $58,800 | $55,700 – $68,200 | $65,100 – $77,700 |
Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh is 1.05 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 45%) the local median is $29.41 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.40 and $38.14 an hour. BLS counts 5,920 of them working in the area, 53.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Electricians (47-2111), 15% of the weighting: a median of $33.34 an hour, 10% above the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $27.39 and $47.62 an hour. About 5,210 work in the metro. That is 46.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 48.7 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 15%) the local median is $33.70 an hour, which is 10% above the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $28.74 and $40.80 an hour. BLS counts 2,910 of them working in the area, 26.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is about average.
For tile and stone setters (47-2044, weighted 10%) the local median is $31.61 an hour, which is 18% above the national $26.77. The middle half of them earn between $24.64 and $38.35 an hour. BLS counts 230 of them working in the area, 2.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 2.3), so the local bench is about average.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081), 10% of the weighting: a median of $29.14 an hour, in line with the US median of $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $23.33 and $35.13 an hour. About 380 work in the metro. That is 3.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 5.3 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141, weighted 5%) the local median is $23.79 an hour, which is in line with the national $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $23.08 and $29.23 an hour. BLS counts 1,260 of them working in the area, 11.3 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 ($38.14 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $670. At the 25th percentile ($23.40) it shrinks by about $460. The total moves by 2.7% or 1.8%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 1,114,490 jobs in the Pittsburgh area. That makes it the 29th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.72% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $23.40 | $29.41 | $38.14 | $29.12 | 1.01 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 15% | $27.39 | $33.34 | $47.62 | $30.38 | 1.10 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 15% | $28.74 | $33.70 | $40.80 | $30.67 | 1.10 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 10% | $24.64 | $31.61 | $38.35 | $26.77 | 1.18 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $23.33 | $29.14 | $35.13 | $28.33 | 1.03 | metro |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 5% | $23.08 | $23.79 | $29.23 | $23.75 | 1.00 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.05 | |||||
Planning more than one job in Pittsburgh?
Because every project leans on different trades, Pittsburgh's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, shower pan runs +7% and window replacement −1%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,250 – $14,200 | +1% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,900 – $24,400 | +5% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,450 – $14,900 | −1% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $38,900 – $78,700 | +2% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $1,050 – $2,950 | +7% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $330 – $1,600 | +7% |
Why two Pittsburgh quotes can differ
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.
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).
Get 3 local quotes
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Multi-page report for Pittsburgh, PA: low, typical and high cost, a line-item breakdown of materials and labor by trade, permit notes, the best months to schedule, a quote comparison sheet, red flags, questions for contractors, checklists and every source. 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 remodel in Pittsburgh: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a kitchen in Pittsburgh?
For 120 sq ft, expect $18,800 to $31,900 in the Pittsburgh area. A standard-spec job lands at $22,700 to $28,000. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for kitchen remodel in Pittsburgh?
About $153 to $254 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $470 to $1,400 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $150 to $250.
+Is kitchen remodel cheaper in Pittsburgh or Wheeling?
Wheeling is 60 miles away. The midpoint for 120 sq ft there is $23,800, which is 6% less than Pittsburgh ($25,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Pittsburgh?
About 21% at the midpoint, or $5,250 out of $25,400. Materials are 76% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 20%.
+What would average kitchen (200 sq ft) cost in Pittsburgh?
$31,000 to $52,300. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen remodel need a permit in Pittsburgh?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $470 to $1,400 for fees in the Pittsburgh area (our national range of $500 to $1,500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Pittsburgh expensive for kitchen remodel compared with the rest of Pennsylvania?
Pittsburgh is 1% above the Pennsylvania statewide estimate ($25,100 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Pennsylvania; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Pittsburgh?
The BLS median is $29.41 an hour in the Pittsburgh area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.40 to $38.14.
+What do basic and premium kitchen remodel work cost in Pittsburgh?
For 120 sq ft, basic work runs $18,800 to $24,000 and premium work $26,700 to $31,900. Basic means: update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout. Premium means: large or custom remodel, high-end finishes.
Kitchen remodel near Pittsburgh
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.