Kitchen remodel cost in Eau Claire, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (120 sq ft)
- $17,900 – $30,500
- Per sq ft
- $146 – $243
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −3%
- US $25,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #116
- 1 = most expensive
A kitchen remodel in Eau Claire, WI usually costs $17,900 to $30,500 for 120 sq ft. That works out to about $146 to $243 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $770 less. Building materials run about 6% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 93.8).
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Estimated cost for 120 sq ft in Eau Claire, WI, standard level
$21,700 to $26,700
About $175 to $214 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 23% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,100 | $19,600 |
| Labor | $4,900 | $6,000 |
| Permits and fees | $740 | $1,100 |
| Total | $21,700 | $26,700 |
Cost breakdown for 120 sq ft in Eau Claire, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,400 | $17,800 | $22,300 | 74% |
| Labor | $4,100 | $5,450 | $6,850 | 23% |
| Permits and fees | $460 | $930 | $1,400 | 4% |
| Total | $17,900 | $24,200 | $30,500 | 100% |
Why Eau Claire 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 $28.41 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Eau Claire is 1.10 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 23% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Eau Claire is at 93.8 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $19,000 nationally becomes $17,800 here (midpoint, 120 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 92.8: $460 to $1,400.
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 Eau Claire. The wage table below marks each row.
What local crews earn in Eau Claire
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 Eau Claire the blend is 1.10.
Carpenters (47-2031), 45% of the weighting: a median of $28.41 an hour, in line with the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.39 and $38.28 an hour. About 360 work in the metro. That is 41.8 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For electricians (47-2111, weighted 15%) the local median is $36.24 an hour, which is 19% above the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $29.33 and $42.73 an hour. BLS counts 350 of them working in the area, 40.7 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 $44.58 an hour, 45% above the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $30.62 and $48.23 an hour. About 210 work in the metro. That is 24.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.0 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Tile and stone setters (47-2044) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Eau Claire metro, so we used the Wisconsin statewide median: $30.14 an hour against $26.77 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $27.44 and $36.42 an hour.
For drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081, weighted 10%) the local median is $28.47 an hour, which is in line with the national $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $23.67 and $29.82 an hour. BLS counts 40 of them working in the area, 4.6 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 5.3), so the local bench is about average.
Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141), 5% of the weighting: a median of $22.71 an hour, 4% below the US median of $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $21.83 and $28.39 an hour. About 110 work in the metro. That is 12.8 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 $760 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $390. That is a swing of roughly 1.6% to 3.1% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Eau Claire has 86,060 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 226th 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% | $23.39 | $28.41 | $38.28 | $29.12 | 0.98 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 15% | $29.33 | $36.24 | $42.73 | $30.38 | 1.19 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 15% | $30.62 | $44.58 | $48.23 | $30.67 | 1.45 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 10% | $27.44 | $30.14 | $36.42 | $26.77 | 1.13 | state |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $23.67 | $28.47 | $29.82 | $28.33 | 1.00 | metro |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 5% | $21.83 | $22.71 | $28.39 | $23.75 | 0.96 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.10 | |||||
What nearby projects cost in Eau Claire
Jobs that often go together with kitchen remodel are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Eau Claire wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, shower pan comes out highest (+13%) and window replacement lowest (−3%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,100 – $13,900 | −1% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,950 – $24,500 | +5% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,400 – $14,500 | −3% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $38,600 – $78,000 | +1% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $1,150 – $3,100 | +13% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $310 – $1,500 | +1% |
Eau Claire against nearby metros and the rest of Wisconsin
Of the five closest metros, 2 are cheaper than Eau Claire. Wausau is the lowest at about $23,900 (midpoint, 120 sq ft), 75 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eau Claire, WIthis page | $17,900 – $30,500 | $24,200 | |
| Wausau, WI75 miles | $17,700 – $30,100 | $23,900 | −1% |
| Rochester, MN85 miles | $18,400 – $31,200 | $24,800 | +2% |
| La Crosse, WI85 miles | $17,900 – $30,400 | $24,100 | level |
| Minneapolis, MN100 miles | $20,000 – $34,100 | $27,000 | +12% |
| Oshkosh, WI140 miles | $18,600 – $31,700 | $25,100 | +4% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $18,000 – $30,700 | $24,300 | level |
| United States | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | +3% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Eau Claire ranks #116 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Eau Claire is 0% below the Wisconsin figure.
Elsewhere in Wisconsin
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $18,100 – $30,800 | $24,400 | +1% |
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $18,100 – $30,900 | $24,500 | +1% |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $18,000 – $30,600 | $24,300 | level |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $18,000 – $30,600 | $24,300 | level |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $18,600 – $31,700 | $25,100 | +4% |
| La Crosse, WI | 84,380 jobs | $17,900 – $30,400 | $24,100 | level |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Eau Claire against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daphne, AL | 87,120 jobs | $17,200 – $29,400 | $23,300 | −4% |
| Jackson, TN | 84,530 jobs | $17,200 – $29,300 | $23,300 | −4% |
| Joplin, MO | 87,190 jobs | $17,400 – $29,500 | $23,400 | −3% |
| La Crosse, WI | 84,380 jobs | $17,900 – $30,400 | $24,100 | level |
Kitchen remodel: what moves the price in Eau Claire
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+.
Pick a size, pick a tier: kitchen remodel pricing in Eau Claire
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Eau Claire. 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
$17,900 to $23,000
Update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout
Standard
$21,700 to $26,700
Full remodel, mid-range finishes, some layout changes
Premium
$25,500 to $30,500
Large or custom remodel, high-end finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small kitchen (100 sq ft) | $15,000 – $19,300 | $18,200 – $22,500 | $21,400 – $25,700 |
| 10x12 kitchen (120 sq ft) | $17,900 – $23,000 | $21,700 – $26,700 | $25,500 – $30,500 |
| average kitchen (200 sq ft) | $29,600 – $37,700 | $35,700 – $43,800 | $41,800 – $49,900 |
| large kitchen (300 sq ft) | $44,200 – $56,200 | $53,200 – $65,200 | $62,200 – $74,200 |
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Kitchen remodel in Eau Claire: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a kitchen in Eau Claire?
For 120 sq ft, expect $17,900 to $30,500 in the Eau Claire area. A standard-spec job lands at $21,700 to $26,700. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for kitchen remodel in Eau Claire?
About $146 to $243 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $460 to $1,400 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $150 to $250.
+Is kitchen remodel cheaper in Eau Claire or Wausau?
Wausau is 75 miles away. The midpoint for 120 sq ft there is $23,900, which is 1% less than Eau Claire ($24,200). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Eau Claire?
About 23% at the midpoint, or $5,450 out of $24,200. Materials are 74% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 20%.
+What would average kitchen (200 sq ft) cost in Eau Claire?
$29,600 to $49,900. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen remodel need a permit in Eau Claire?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $460 to $1,400 for fees in the Eau Claire area (our national range of $500 to $1,500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Eau Claire expensive for kitchen remodel compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Eau Claire is 0% below the Wisconsin statewide estimate ($24,300 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Wisconsin; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Eau Claire?
The BLS median is $28.41 an hour in the Eau Claire area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.39 to $38.28.
+What do basic and premium kitchen remodel work cost in Eau Claire?
For 120 sq ft, basic work runs $17,900 to $23,000 and premium work $25,500 to $30,500. Basic means: update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout. Premium means: large or custom remodel, high-end finishes.
Kitchen remodel near Eau Claire
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.