How Much Does a Steam Shower Cost? [2026 Data]

In 2026, the national average cost to install a steam shower is $4,300. Most homeowners spend $2,800 to $7,100, with shower size and materials driving most of the spread. Custom designs can push costs up to $25,000.

What Is a Steam Shower?

A steam shower uses valves and a steam generator to pump steam into your shower stall, creating a luxurious spa-like steam room at home. Activating the digital controls will trigger the steam generator to fill with cold water, which gets heated to a boil and projects steam out of the valves. These come as hybrids with your regular shower, so they don't require the use of any extra space.

Steam Shower Costs: What Determines the Price?

If you can't swing the cost of a complete bathroom remodel, a steam shower is one upgrade worth prioritizing, though the price varies dramatically based on materials and shower size. The breakdown below shows how costs differ across the most common configurations.

Steam Shower Type

Steam showers come in two main types: prefabricated and custom, with prefab units costing significantly less across the board. Steam shower type plays a major role in total cost, as shown in the breakdown below:

Prefab Steam Shower

Most prefab steam showers cost somewhere between $2,800 and $7,100 to install, but it depends on the features. For a luxury model with a jetted tub, you could pay as much as $10,000.

Here is how prefab steam shower costs break down by type:

If you can’t budget for the cost of a complete bathroom remodel, a steam-shower is one place you might want to splurge. The overall price tag can vary dramatically based on the materials you use and the size of the shower. Here’s how the costs break down.

Steam Shower Type 

There are two main types of steam showers—prefabricated or custom. Prefab steam showers cost significantly less than custom showers. The price tag still depends on the model. Bare-bones, walk-in showers cost less than combination models with upgraded features like jetted tubs or saunas.

Prefab Steam Shower

Most prefab steam showers cost somewhere between $2,800 and $7,100 to install—but it depends on the features. For a luxury model with a jetted tub, you could pay as much as $10,000.

Most custom steam showers cost between $4,000 and $14,000, but you could spend up to $25,000. Again, it depends on the design. Intricate tiling can significantly drive up costs along with features like luxury custom tubs and saunas.

Here is how custom steam shower costs break down by type:

Size

Steam shower installation runs around $70 per square foot on average, with larger showers costing more due to the additional materials and labor required. Standard-sized showers typically come in at the lower end of that range because prefabricated options are available for common dimensions, while unusual or custom shapes push costs higher.

• Small Stall: 32-by-32 inches

• Large Stall: 36-by-36 inches

• ADA Standard: 36-by-36 inches

• Small Shower-Tub Combo: 60-by-30 inches

• Large Shower-Tub Combo: 60-by-36 inches

Material

Steam shower surround materials range from budget-friendly options like acrylic and fiberglass to high-end choices like glass tile and solid surface walls. Material type is a key driver of overall cost, as the breakdown below shows:

Prefab

If you're installing a prefab steam shower, you can choose from acrylic, fiberglass, or solid surface (which is often called Corian or Swanstone, even though they're brand names). Typical costs per unit are as follows:

• Acrylic: $2,300 to $5,000

• Fiberglass: $2,500 to $5,000

• Solid surface: $3,000 to $6,500

Custom

Custom showers are priced by the square foot. There's a range of options, including basic or luxury tiles, porcelain or stone slabs, and solid surface walls. You can even mix materials. Keep in mind that tiling a shower is a laborious process, so it does raise your labor costs.

• Ceramic tile: $1 to $40 per sq. ft.

• Porcelain tile: $3 to $40 per sq. ft.

• Stone tile: $5 to $100 per sq. ft.

• Glass tile: $10 to $100 per sq. ft.

• Porcelain slab: $14 to $16 per sq. ft.

• Solid surface walls: $15 to $65 per sq. ft.

• Stone slab: $40 to $400 per sq. ft.

Steam Shower Contractor Cost

Labor to install a prefabricated steam shower costs $500 to $600, while a custom-built unit runs $1,000 to $6,000, with the final figure varying by location and project complexity. A steam shower contractor can also coordinate the plumber and electrician needed for the job, and professional installation typically comes with warranty coverage for added peace of mind.

Additional Pros to Consider Hiring

As mentioned above, you will need a licensed plumber and electrician for this project. If you're building a custom steam shower, you'll also need pros to install the tile and shower door.

• Plumber: A plumber will integrate your steam shower with your home's plumbing system for $45 to $200 per hour.

• Electrician: For proper installation of the steam generator and other components, you'll need an electrician. These pros cost $50 to $100 per hour.

• Tile installer: From subway tile to herringbone patterns, your tile installer will make sure your steam shower looks beautiful while sloping surfaces to direct water to the shower drain. These pros charge $3 to $15 per square foot.

• Shower door installer: You'll need a door to keep the steam in. For a new shower door installation, these pros charge $60 per hour.

Steam Shower Additional Costs: What Else to Budget For

Converting an Existing Shower vs. New Steam Shower

Converting an existing shower into a steam shower requires installing the unit and steam generator, with an average total cost of $4,300 including parts and labor.

Tub-to-Shower Conversion

Converting a tub into a walk-in steam shower adds $150 to $300 for old tub removal and disposal on top of your steam shower installation costs. The total depends on your tub-to-shower conversion design, though prefab materials like acrylic or fiberglass keep costs at the lower end.

Steam Shower vs. Steam Room

Steam rooms can be slightly more affordable than steam showers, with a shower-to-steam-room conversion running around $2,600. The cost of a steam room generally falls between $22 and $65 per square foot, though custom rooms can reach $130 per square foot.

Steam Generator

A steam generator is a required component of any steam shower, typically costing $600 to $2,500, with more powerful units commanding higher prices. Buying the generator as part of a package that includes the control panel, steam heads, and release valves can reduce the overall cost, though labor to install the generator is always an additional expense.

Door and Wall Installation

Glass shower walls run $700 to $1,900 and glass shower doors cost $550 to $1,350, both of which your contractor may need to install in addition to the surround. Thicker glass increases the price, and clear glass is the most affordable option while rain glass sits at the top of the range.

Tile Installation

Shower tile patterns range from simple layouts to ornate mosaics, and more complicated designs require additional labor that raises your overall cost. Labor costs vary by pattern, separate from the cost of materials, as shown in the table below.

Exhaust Fan Installation

Installing an exhaust fan in a steam shower or steam room costs $250 to $500, and it is a worthwhile addition given the extra humidity steam showers produce. In some areas, an exhaust fan is required by building code, so check local requirements before skipping this step.

Steam Shower Upgrades

Since steam showers are a luxury experience, you may want to budget for luxury upgrades like sound systems, seating, and aromatherapy. Here is how common steam shower upgrade costs compare by element:

Steam Shower Ongoing Costs: What to Budget For

Running a steam shower adds a modest amount to your utility bills, averaging $0.50 to $1 per 20- to 30-minute session. Most units use roughly 2 to 2.5 gallons of water per 30-minute shower, though your actual cost will vary based on generator size and local utility rates.

Why You Should Hire a Steam Shower Installation Pro

While DIY installation might save you on labor costs, it's best to hire a steam shower installation company for the job. The project is challenging and labor-intensive, and improper installation can lead to water damage in your bathroom. Generally, a pro charges $100 to $300 per hour for plumbing and $50 to $100 per hour for electrical and other labor.

Here's why it's ideal to hire a steam shower pro

Steam shower installation is no project for the amateur. Here's why hiring a pro is your best option:

• Complicated project: steam shower installation involves plumbing, electrical, and general construction work. Hiring a professional ensures that you have one company taking care of everything.

• Labor: The installation is extremely labor-intensive. Your time is better spent elsewhere.

• Risks: Burn and electric risks are present during the installation.

• Insurance: If something goes wrong during installation, your insured pro will be able to take care of it.

If you want to DIY a steam shower

Depending on your skill level and existing bathroom configuration, there are DIY options you can choose:

• Prefabricated unit: You might be able to install a prefabricated unit with a generator yourself to replace the existing shower, assuming your utility lines are already in place.

• DIY parts of the project: You can leave the installation to the pro, but handle parts of the project yourself, such as removing the old fixture or re-tiling the surrounding floors. This option is much safer and can help you reduce the overall cost of the project.

How to Save on Steam Shower Installation

It's not always easy to budget for a steam shower. This project can cost upwards of $10,000 if you splurge on the high-end options, but there are ways to create affordable luxury. These tips can help you save thousands on the cost of a steam shower.

• Opt for a prefab shower instead of a custom-build

• Buy a generator kit instead of individual parts

• Convert your existing shower

• DIY some of the demo

• Choose cheaper materials

Benefits of Steam Showers

Access to a steam shower comes with some benefits, including:

• Muscle relaxation and recovery after a workout

• Relaxation in a calm atmosphere before bed

• Improving stiffnes in joints

• Opening up pores to release dirt and dead skin cells

• Congestion relief via opening up sinuses and relieving a runny nose

• Conserve more water than a traditional shower

In addition, the return on investment for a steam shower can be as much as 70% and may even increase the selling price of your home.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

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