Short answer
A tub to shower conversion in Chicago typically costs $2,500 to $14,900 in 2026, based on This Old House's national range adjusted for Chicago trade wages from BLS (May 2025). Angi's Chicago figures run $1,554 to $8,288. A prefab stall in the tub's footprint sits at the low end; tile, curbless entry and drain moves push it up.
Key facts
- Angi (July 2026): a Chicago tub to shower conversion averages $3,108, with most between $1,554 and $8,288.[5]
- Angi (July 2026) lists Chicago conversion permits at $100 to $500, plumbing updates at $500 to $2,500 and debris removal at $300 to $800.[5]
- BLS OEWS May 2025: Chicago-area plumbers' median hourly wage is $49.70, versus $30.67 for the U.S.[1]
Tub to shower conversion cost in Chicago at a glance
Our estimate raises the labor half of each national price to Chicago trade wages. Angi's Chicago numbers sit alongside. Both are planning ranges, not quotes.
| Conversion type | National (This Old House 2026) | Our Chicago estimate | Angi Chicago figure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prefab stall in the tub space | $2,000 to $6,000[3] | $2,500 to $7,400 | small stall $1,800 to $4,000[5] |
| Tub to walk-in shower | $5,000 to $12,000[3] | $6,200 to $14,900 | large 36 x 60 inch shower $3,500 to $6,500[5] |
| Tub to curbless shower | $8,000 to $15,000[3] | $9,900 to $18,600 | not listed |
| All types | $2,000 to $12,000[3] | $2,500 to $14,900 | $1,554 to $8,288, average $3,108[5] |
Want to price your own choices? Try the cost estimator, or read the national tub to shower conversion cost guide.
How we got this number
The national base is This Old House's $2,000 to $12,000 range for a tub to shower conversion[3]. Angi says labor makes up 40% to 60% of a conversion[4]; we used 50%.
Chicago labor comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2025 wage survey for the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro[1], compared with the U.S.[2]:
| Trade (SOC code) | Chicago median hourly | U.S. median hourly | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | $49.70[1] | $30.67[2] | 1.62 |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | $35.90[1] | $26.77[2] | 1.34 |
We averaged the two trades to a labor factor of 1.48. With half the job at 1.48 and half at 1.00, the total multiplier is 1.24:
| Point in range | National | Chicago (x 1.24), nearest $100 |
|---|---|---|
| Low | $2,000[3] | $2,500 |
| Angi's national average | $3,000[4] | $3,700 |
| High | $12,000[3] | $14,900 |
Angi's Chicago average of $3,108 is its national average of about $3,000 times roughly 1.04[4][5]. Angi says union labor rates and permits can push Chicago costs above national averages[5], but its own figures reflect a flat local adjustment, so we treat them as a second opinion rather than local data.
What changes the price in Chicago
Staying in the footprint. A shower that replaces the tub in the same spot counts as replacing an existing plumbing fixture, which is Express Permit work[7]. The city's 2022 fee excerpts list $75 per dwelling unit or toilet room for in-kind fixture replacement with no changes to plumbing in walls[6]. Angi's Chicago page budgets $100 to $500 for permits[5].
Old drains. Half of Chicago's homes were built in 1953 or earlier[9]. Angi notes that historic homes and modern condos alike often need extra prep, especially when outdated plumbing must be updated, and it prices plumbing updates at $500 to $2,500[5].
Debris. Cast iron tubs are heavy. Angi lists debris removal in Chicago at $300 to $800[5].
Who may do the work. Chicago requires a licensed and bonded plumbing contractor for most plumbing work[8].
Questions to ask a Chicago contractor
- Will the new shower stay in the tub's footprint, and does your price assume the existing valve location?
- Who removes and hauls away the old tub, and is that in the price?
- Will you replace the tub's drain line with a shower-size drain?
- Which permit will you file, and who is the licensed plumbing contractor on it?
- What happens to the price if the wall behind the tub has rot or old galvanized pipe?
When to call a pro
- Any drain, valve or supply line work: a Chicago-licensed plumbing contractor on a city permit[8].
- A curbless or zero-threshold entry: the subfloor work affects drainage and waterproofing.
- A window inside the new shower area: it may need replacing or sealing.
- Before you remove the only tub in the house: ask a local agent how it affects resale.
More questions
Do I need a permit to convert a tub to a shower in Chicago?
In most cases, yes. Swapping an existing tub for a shower is a fixture replacement under the city's plumbing Express Permit. If the drain moves or a wall changes, the job needs a different permit path, and Chicago may require drawings.
Why are Chicago tub to shower quotes so far apart?
Scope and labor. A prefab stall in the old tub space needs little trade time, while a tiled or curbless shower needs a plumber and a tile setter for days. In Chicago those trades earn well above national wages, per BLS May 2025 data.
How long does a tub to shower conversion take in Chicago?
Nationally, This Old House says three to seven days for most professional conversions. In Chicago, add time for the Express Permit and inspection, and for any repairs to old drain pipe or plaster walls found during demolition.
Sources
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, SOC 47-2152 and 47-2044 hourly median wages (series OEUM001698000000047215208, OEUM001698000000047204408), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: national estimates, SOC 47-2152 and 47-2044 hourly median wages (series OEUN000000000000047215208, OEUN000000000000047204408), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- Tub-to-shower conversion cost (updated Mar 4, 2026), This Old House. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- How much does tub-to-shower conversion cost? (2026 data, updated Jul 8, 2026), Angi. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- How much does tub-to-shower conversion cost in Chicago, IL? (updated Jul 9, 2026), Angi. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- Excerpts of the Chicago Construction Codes related to building permit fees, effective January 1, 2022 (unofficial, for web posting), City of Chicago, Department of Buildings. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- Express Permit Program: plumbing work, City of Chicago, Department of Buildings. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- Does my project require a licensed plumbing contractor?, City of Chicago, Department of Buildings. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- American Community Survey 2024 5-year estimates, tables B25034 and B25035 (year structure built), Chicago city, via Census Reporter, U.S. Census Bureau. Accessed 2026-10-15.
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