Tile flooring cost in Madison, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (200 sq ft)
- $2,700 – $10,100
- Per sq ft
- $13.50 – $50.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +3%
- US $6,200
- Rank of 300 metros
- #76
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install a tile floor in Madison, plan on $2,700 to $10,100 for 200 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $13.50 to $50.50 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 3% higher than the national one. Tile and stone setters earn a median of $31.22 an hour in the Madison area, 17% above the US median of $26.77.
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Estimated cost for 200 sq ft in Madison, WI, standard level
$4,950 to $7,850
About $24.50 to $39.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 46% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,250 | $4,700 |
| Labor | $2,700 | $3,150 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $4,950 | $7,850 |
Cost breakdown for 200 sq ft in Madison, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $380 | $3,450 | $6,550 | 54% |
| Labor | $2,350 | $2,950 | $3,500 | 46% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $2,700 | $6,400 | $10,100 | 100% |
What is behind the Madison number
Labor is 46% of the midpoint bill here, against 40% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is tile and stone setters (85%), construction laborers (15%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Madison the blended ratio comes out at 1.17.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Madison metro is 93.8 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 200 sq ft comes to $3,450, compared with $3,700 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (97.3) and land at $0 to $0.
Madison against nearby metros and the rest of Wisconsin
Same job, same size (200 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Rockford is the priciest of the group at $6,500. Dubuque is the cheapest at $5,950.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison, WIthis page | $2,700 – $10,100 | $6,400 | |
| Janesville, WI40 miles | $2,650 – $9,950 | $6,300 | −2% |
| Rockford, IL60 miles | $2,800 – $10,200 | $6,500 | +1% |
| Dubuque, IA80 miles | $2,350 – $9,500 | $5,950 | −7% |
| Oshkosh, WI85 miles | $2,600 – $9,950 | $6,250 | −2% |
| La Crosse, WI85 miles | $2,650 – $10,000 | $6,350 | −1% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $2,650 – $10,000 | $6,350 | −1% |
| United States | $2,400 – $10,000 | $6,200 | −3% |
Across 300 US metros, Madison comes in at #76 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $8,050; the cheapest is Little Rock, AR at $5,150 (midpoints, 200 sq ft). Statewide, Madison is 1% above the Wisconsin figure.
Other Wisconsin metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $2,700 – $10,100 | $6,400 | level |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $2,600 – $9,900 | $6,250 | −2% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $2,650 – $10,000 | $6,350 | −1% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $2,600 – $9,950 | $6,250 | −2% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $2,650 – $10,000 | $6,350 | −1% |
| La Crosse, WI | 84,380 jobs | $2,650 – $10,000 | $6,350 | −1% |
Cities with a workforce like Madison's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Madison against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, LA | 409,690 jobs | $2,000 – $9,000 | $5,500 | −14% |
| Albuquerque, NM | 404,700 jobs | $2,050 – $9,200 | $5,650 | −12% |
| Knoxville, TN | 424,600 jobs | $2,000 – $9,150 | $5,600 | −13% |
| Bridgeport, CT | 404,180 jobs | $2,750 – $10,400 | $6,550 | +3% |
Related projects, priced for Madison
Because every project leans on different trades, Madison's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, shower pan runs +12% and laminate flooring −6%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwood flooring | 500 sq ft | $5,300 – $12,000 | −4% |
| Laminate flooring | 500 sq ft | $1,900 – $6,600 | −6% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $5,000 – $24,900 | +7% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $1,100 – $3,050 | +12% |
Cost by quality level and size in Madison
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Madison 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 3 common sizes.
Basic
$2,700 to $5,650
Basic ceramic or vinyl tile, simple square layout
Standard
$4,950 to $7,850
Porcelain tile, standard layout
Premium
$7,150 to $10,100
Large-format, natural stone or patterned layouts
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| bathroom (50 sq ft) | $680 – $1,400 | $1,250 – $1,950 | $1,800 – $2,500 |
| kitchen (150 sq ft) | $2,050 – $4,250 | $3,700 – $5,900 | $5,350 – $7,550 |
| main floor (400 sq ft) | $5,450 – $11,300 | $9,850 – $15,700 | $14,300 – $20,200 |
Madison labor market for tile floor
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 2 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Madison is 1.17 times the national level.
For tile and stone setters (47-2044, weighted 85%) the local median is $31.22 an hour, which is 17% above the national $26.77. The middle half of them earn between $28.31 and $37.00 an hour. BLS counts 50 of them working in the area, 1.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 2.3), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 15% of the weighting: a median of $27.40 an hour, 21% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.70 and $31.94 an hour. About 2,370 work in the metro. That is 58.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the tile and stone setters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($37.00 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $460. At the 25th percentile ($28.31) it shrinks by about $230. The total moves by 7.2% or 3.6%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 408,070 jobs in the Madison area. That makes it the 61st largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.26% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 85% | $28.31 | $31.22 | $37.00 | $26.77 | 1.17 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 15% | $22.70 | $27.40 | $31.94 | $22.66 | 1.21 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.17 | |||||
Specs and site conditions that change a Madison bid
Tile type
Porcelain runs $15-$50 per sq ft installed. Luxury vinyl tile is $4-$16 (HomeGuide).
Labor
Labor starts around $5 per sq ft for the simplest jobs and tops $20 for patterns or premium tile.
Tile alone
Tile costs $2-$35 per sq ft before installation, which is what makes the range so wide.
Get 3 local quotes
Tell us about the job and we will try to connect you with up to three local contractors for written quotes. It is free and you are under no obligation to hire. Your estimate of $4,950 to $7,850 for Madison, WI is attached.
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Multi-page report for Madison, WI: 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.
Tile flooring in Madison: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a tile floor in Madison?
For 200 sq ft, expect $2,700 to $10,100 in the Madison area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,950 to $7,850. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for tile floor in Madison?
About $13.50 to $50.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $0 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $12 to $50.
+Is tile floor cheaper in Madison or Janesville?
Janesville is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 200 sq ft there is $6,300, which is 2% less than Madison ($6,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Madison?
About 46% at the midpoint, or $2,950 out of $6,400. Materials are 54% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 40%.
+What would kitchen (150 sq ft) cost in Madison?
$2,050 to $7,550. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does tile floor need a permit in Madison?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $0 for fees in the Madison area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Madison expensive for tile floor compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Madison is 1% above the Wisconsin statewide estimate ($6,350 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Wisconsin; see the state page to compare them.
+What do tile and stone setters earn in Madison?
The BLS median is $31.22 an hour in the Madison area, compared with $26.77 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.31 to $37.00.
+What do basic and premium tile floor work cost in Madison?
For 200 sq ft, basic work runs $2,700 to $5,650 and premium work $7,150 to $10,100. Basic means: basic ceramic or vinyl tile, simple square layout. Premium means: large-format, natural stone or patterned layouts.
Tile flooring near Madison
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.