Kitchen remodel cost in Seattle, WA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (120 sq ft)
- $20,500 – $34,900
- Per sq ft
- $166 – $277
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +11%
- US $25,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #8
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a kitchen remodel in the Seattle area: $20,500 to $34,900 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 11% higher than the US figure. Carpenters earn a median of $36.74 an hour in the Seattle area, 26% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 120 sq ft in Seattle, WA, standard level
$24,800 to $30,600
About $199 to $244 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 25% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $17,800 | $21,800 |
| Labor | $6,100 | $7,500 |
| Permits and fees | $890 | $1,350 |
| Total | $24,800 | $30,600 |
Cost breakdown for 120 sq ft in Seattle, WA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $14,800 | $19,800 | $24,700 | 71% |
| Labor | $5,100 | $6,800 | $8,500 | 25% |
| Permits and fees | $560 | $1,100 | $1,650 | 4% |
| Total | $20,500 | $27,700 | $34,900 | 100% |
Why Seattle prices look the way they do
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 45% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $36.74 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Seattle is 1.36 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 25% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Seattle is at 104.0 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $19,000 nationally becomes $19,800 here (midpoint, 120 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 111.1: $560 to $1,650.
Kitchen remodel: what moves the price in Seattle
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+.
Cost by quality level and size in Seattle
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Seattle. 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
$20,500 to $26,200
Update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout
Standard
$24,800 to $30,600
Full remodel, mid-range finishes, some layout changes
Premium
$29,100 to $34,900
Large or custom remodel, high-end finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small kitchen (100 sq ft) | $17,200 – $22,000 | $20,800 – $25,700 | $24,500 – $29,300 |
| 10x12 kitchen (120 sq ft) | $20,500 – $26,200 | $24,800 – $30,600 | $29,100 – $34,900 |
| average kitchen (200 sq ft) | $33,800 – $43,100 | $40,700 – $50,000 | $47,700 – $57,000 |
| large kitchen (300 sq ft) | $50,400 – $64,100 | $60,700 – $74,400 | $71,000 – $84,700 |
Planning more than one job in Seattle?
Jobs that often go together with kitchen remodel are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Seattle wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, shower pan comes out highest (+28%) and window replacement lowest (+11%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,800 – $16,800 | +18% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $5,750 – $28,600 | +23% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $5,050 – $16,500 | +11% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $46,900 – $94,800 | +23% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $1,300 – $3,500 | +28% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $370 – $1,800 | +19% |
Who does the work: Seattle 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 Seattle the blend is 1.36.
Carpenters (47-2031), 45% of the weighting: a median of $36.74 an hour, 26% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $30.64 and $47.93 an hour. About 14,970 work in the metro. That is 71.8 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 $48.93 an hour, which is 61% above the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $36.35 and $60.55 an hour. BLS counts 9,750 of them working in the area, 46.7 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 $45.78 an hour, 49% above the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $29.83 and $60.93 an hour. About 6,350 work in the metro. That is 30.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.0 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
Tile and stone setters (47-2044), 10% of the weighting: a median of $38.00 an hour, 42% above the US median of $26.77. The middle half of them earn between $33.37 and $48.26 an hour. About 450 work in the metro. That is 2.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 2.3 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081, weighted 10%) the local median is $36.33 an hour, which is 28% above the national $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $30.94 and $49.23 an hour. BLS counts 1,840 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 $29.06 an hour, 22% above the US median of $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $23.86 and $33.64 an hour. About 5,140 work in the metro. That is 24.6 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 14.5 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 $860 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $470. That is a swing of roughly 1.7% to 3.1% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue has 2,086,210 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 13th 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% | $30.64 | $36.74 | $47.93 | $29.12 | 1.26 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 15% | $36.35 | $48.93 | $60.55 | $30.38 | 1.61 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 15% | $29.83 | $45.78 | $60.93 | $30.67 | 1.49 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 10% | $33.37 | $38.00 | $48.26 | $26.77 | 1.42 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $30.94 | $36.33 | $49.23 | $28.33 | 1.28 | metro |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 5% | $23.86 | $29.06 | $33.64 | $23.75 | 1.22 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.36 | |||||
Is Seattle cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (120 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Portland is the priciest of the group at $27,700. Yakima is the cheapest at $26,300.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WAthis page | $20,500 – $34,900 | $27,700 | |
| Bremerton, WA40 miles | $20,000 – $34,000 | $27,000 | −2% |
| Olympia, WA60 miles | $20,000 – $34,100 | $27,100 | −2% |
| Yakima, WA90 miles | $19,500 – $33,200 | $26,300 | −5% |
| Bellingham, WA95 miles | $20,400 – $34,800 | $27,600 | level |
| Portland, OR135 miles | $20,500 – $34,900 | $27,700 | level |
| Washington (statewide) | $20,200 – $34,500 | $27,400 | −1% |
| United States | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | −10% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Seattle ranks #8 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Seattle is 1% above the Washington figure.
Elsewhere in Washington
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spokane, WA | 255,820 jobs | $19,700 – $33,500 | $26,600 | −4% |
| Olympia, WA | 130,300 jobs | $20,000 – $34,100 | $27,100 | −2% |
| Kennewick, WA | 129,490 jobs | $20,200 – $34,300 | $27,200 | −2% |
| Yakima, WA | 97,010 jobs | $19,500 – $33,200 | $26,300 | −5% |
| Bremerton, WA | 93,740 jobs | $20,000 – $34,000 | $27,000 | −2% |
| Bellingham, WA | 91,390 jobs | $20,400 – $34,800 | $27,600 | level |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Seattle against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $21,200 – $36,100 | $28,700 | +4% |
| Minneapolis, MN | 1,951,650 jobs | $20,000 – $34,100 | $27,000 | −2% |
| Phoenix, AZ | 2,375,760 jobs | $17,700 – $30,200 | $24,000 | −13% |
| Detroit, MI | 1,904,530 jobs | $18,800 – $32,000 | $25,400 | −8% |
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Kitchen remodel in Seattle: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a kitchen in Seattle?
For 120 sq ft, expect $20,500 to $34,900 in the Seattle area. A standard-spec job lands at $24,800 to $30,600. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for kitchen remodel in Seattle?
About $166 to $277 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $560 to $1,650 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $150 to $250.
+Is kitchen remodel cheaper in Seattle or Bremerton?
Bremerton is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 120 sq ft there is $27,000, which is 2% less than Seattle ($27,700). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Seattle?
About 25% at the midpoint, or $6,800 out of $27,700. Materials are 71% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 20%.
+What would average kitchen (200 sq ft) cost in Seattle?
$33,800 to $57,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen remodel need a permit in Seattle?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $560 to $1,650 for fees in the Seattle area (our national range of $500 to $1,500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Seattle expensive for kitchen remodel compared with the rest of Washington?
Seattle is 1% above the Washington statewide estimate ($27,400 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Washington; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Seattle?
The BLS median is $36.74 an hour in the Seattle area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $30.64 to $47.93.
+What do basic and premium kitchen remodel work cost in Seattle?
For 120 sq ft, basic work runs $20,500 to $26,200 and premium work $29,100 to $34,900. Basic means: update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout. Premium means: large or custom remodel, high-end finishes.
Kitchen remodel near Seattle
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.