How much does it cost to paint kitchen cabinets?
Painting kitchen cabinets costs $1,390 to $4,000 for most kitchens in 2026. What changes your price is below.
Thumbtack's March 2026 data puts most jobs at $1,390 to $3,353, about $2,164. Fixr puts the average higher at $4,000, with most kitchens at $2,500 to $6,500 and $30 to $70 per linear foot. Painting costs far less than refacing or new cabinets.
Find out what it will cost you
Pick the job, your state's cost level and the last detail. The estimate updates as you change them.
An estimate built from published 2026 cost guides. It is not a quote. Get a written quote before work starts.
How much does it cost to paint kitchen cabinets by kitchen size?
| Thumbtack typical range | $1,390 to $3,353, about $2,164 (Mar 2026). |
|---|---|
| Fixr typical range | $2,500 to $6,500, average $4,000 (Jan 2026). |
| Per linear foot | $30 to $70. |
| Per square foot | $3 to $10. |
| Spray in place, one Phoenix shop | $38 per linear foot. |
| Refacing instead | $5,000 to $10,000 (Always Do Better). |
| New cabinets instead | $8,000 to $13,000 or more. |
What pushes a quote up
| Kitchen size | More doors and drawers mean more hours. |
|---|---|
| Prep | Degreasing, sanding and priming are most of the work. |
| Paint type | Hard wearing enamels cost more. |
| Spray or brush | Spraying looks smoother; setup costs more. |
| Island and trim | Add to the total. |
Kitchen cabinet painting cost by region
| Lower cost states | $1,100 to $3,200. Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, West Virginia and most rural areas. |
|---|---|
| Average cost states | $1,390 to $4,000. Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and most mid size cities. |
| Higher cost states | $1,800 to $5,200. California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Washington, plus big metros such as Chicago, Denver and Washington DC. |
These rows are our estimate. We took the typical national range and adjusted it for local labor costs, which run about 20 percent lower in the cheapest states and about 30 percent higher in the dearest ones. Painters in big cities charge more per hour.
Paint, reface or replace?
Painting keeps your cabinet boxes and doors and changes the color. Refacing adds new doors and drawer fronts. Replacing swaps everything. If the boxes are solid and you like the layout, painting gives the biggest change per dollar.
Most of the price is prep, not paint. Cabinets must be cleaned of grease, sanded and primed, or the new paint will peel.
Ask how the doors are done
Some painters spray the boxes in place and take the doors to a shop. This gives a smoother finish and keeps your kitchen usable sooner.
Why this costs more in 2026
Quality paint and primer cost more in 2026, and good cabinet painters are busy.
The short version is oil. Diesel passed $6 a gallon on the AAA national average for the first time on September 11, 2026. A year earlier it was about $3.70 (CBS 8 reporting AAA). That lands in trip charges, deliveries and anything made from petroleum. In March 2026, construction input prices were up 4.8 percent on the year, the biggest annual gain since January 2023, according to Associated Builders and Contractors, and the Associated General Contractors measured a 37.8 percent one month jump in diesel, the largest since 1990 (Roofing Contractor, April 2026). Quotes are being held open for shorter periods this year, so ask for the expiry date in writing.
How to judge the quote in your hand
- Ask how many coats and what primer.
- Ask if doors are sprayed off site.
- Ask if new hinges or pulls are included.
- Ask how long the kitchen is out of use.
- Ask about touch ups.
Ways to pay less
- Take the doors off yourself if the painter allows.
- Keep the hardware.
- Paint the island only for a smaller budget.
- Pick a standard color.
- Get three quotes.
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Common questions
How much does it cost to paint kitchen cabinets?
About $1,390 to $4,000 for most kitchens.
How much per linear foot?
About $30 to $70.
Is painting cheaper than refacing?
Yes. Refacing runs $5,000 to $10,000.
How long does it take?
Often a few days to a week.