Why is Chicago bathroom tile labor priced the way it is?

Local tile setter wages, trade availability, permitting, and climate all move the labor bill in Chicago. Metros with tighter labor markets and stricter codes sit at the upper end of the range.

How do I compare tile setter labor quotes in Chicago?

Ask each tile setter to break out labor per sq ft or per job separately from materials, confirm crew size and schedule, and get at least three written quotes before you commit.

Bathroom Tile Labor Cost in Chicago, IL (2026)

Bathroom Tile labor in Chicago runs $8.54-$27 per sq ft, about 22% above the national average. This is the tile setter labor charge only, separate from materials.

Estimate labor only

Size (sq ft)ComplexityCity

Estimated bathroom tile labor

$3,538

Range $1,708 - $5,368

Labor rate: $17.69 / sq ft

Local index: 1.22x

Labor only. Materials are billed separately.

City labor avg

$17.69 / sq ft

vs national

+22%

Local tile setter hourly

$40/hr

Close-up of geometric patterned cement tile being laid

A detailed Chicago labor guide for this trade is being prepared. In the meantime, use the calculator above for a local labor-only estimate.

See full bathroom tile cost in Chicago (labor + materials)

Nearby labor costs: New York, NY · Atlanta, GA

All bathroom tile labor costs by city →

Frequently asked questions

Labor for a bathroom tile in Chicago, IL runs $8.54-$27 per sq ft, about 22% above the national average. That covers the tile setter crew's time, not materials.