Asphalt driveway cost in Worcester, MA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (600 sq ft)
- $3,250 – $8,050
- Per sq ft
- $5.30 – $13
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +8%
- US $5,250
- Rank of 300 metros
- #66
- 1 = most expensive
An asphalt driveway in Worcester, MA usually costs $3,250 to $8,050 for 600 sq ft. That works out to about $5.30 to $13 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $410 more. Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn a median of $29.31 an hour in the Worcester area, 14% above the US median of $25.64.
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Estimated cost for 600 sq ft in Worcester, MA, standard level
$4,700 to $6,600
About $7.65 to $10.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 47% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,500 | $3,250 |
| Labor | $2,100 | $3,200 |
| Permits and fees | $95 | $160 |
| Total | $4,700 | $6,600 |
Cost breakdown for 600 sq ft in Worcester, MA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,900 | $2,900 | $3,850 | 51% |
| Labor | $1,250 | $2,650 | $4,000 | 47% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $130 | $210 | 2% |
| Total | $3,250 | $5,650 | $8,050 | 100% |
Where the Worcester price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 3 trades: paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators at 40%, construction laborers at 30%, operating engineers and other construction equipment operators at 30%. Weighted together, Worcester wages are 1.23 times the national level. Labor makes up about 47% of the midpoint estimate (41% at national prices). BLS does not publish this trade for the metro, so we used the Massachusetts statewide median.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Worcester is at 97.0 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $2,950 nationally becomes $2,900 here (midpoint, 600 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 102.5: $50 to $210.
Data note: 40% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Worcester. The wage table below marks each row.
What nearby projects cost in Worcester
Jobs that often go together with asphalt driveway are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Worcester wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, French drain comes out highest (+16%) and concrete slab lowest (+7%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $4,050 – $10,500 | +13% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,850 – $11,500 | +13% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,450 – $6,300 | +15% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $700 – $2,450 | +16% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,650 – $5,550 | +7% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,300 – $4,400 | +9% |
Worcester: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Worcester. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft to long rural (10x100), 1,000 sq ft.
Basic
$3,250 to $5,150
New topcoat over a sound base, flat lot
Standard
$4,700 to $6,600
Full new driveway: base, 2-3 in of hot mix, edging
Premium
$6,100 to $8,050
Full tear-out and rebuild, drainage work, heavy-duty depth
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $1,300 – $2,150 | $1,950 – $2,750 | $2,550 – $3,350 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $2,150 – $3,500 | $3,150 – $4,450 | $4,150 – $5,450 |
| 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft | $3,250 – $5,150 | $4,700 – $6,600 | $6,100 – $8,050 |
| long rural (10x100), 1,000 sq ft | $5,350 – $8,500 | $7,750 – $10,900 | $10,100 – $13,300 |
What local crews earn in Worcester
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 3 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For Worcester the blend is 1.23.
Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators (47-2071) carry 40% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Worcester metro, so we used the Massachusetts statewide median: $29.31 an hour against $25.64 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $26.82 and $37.47 an hour.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 30%) the local median is $29.52 an hour, which is 30% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $23.23 and $43.40 an hour. BLS counts 1,650 of them working in the area, 47.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 30% of the weighting: a median of $37.05 an hour, 29% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $29.12 and $54.24 an hour. About 1,230 work in the metro. That is 35.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $270 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $85. That is a swing of roughly 1.5% to 4.8% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Worcester has 349,880 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 73rd by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators (47-2071) | 40% | $26.82 | $29.31 | $37.47 | $25.64 | 1.14 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $23.23 | $29.52 | $43.40 | $22.66 | 1.30 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $29.12 | $37.05 | $54.24 | $28.78 | 1.29 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.23 | |||||
Worcester weather and the asphalt driveway calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Worcester Rgnl Ap (5 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For digging, grading and setting material in the ground, the comfortable months in Worcester are April through November: 8 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
In January, February, March and December the average low is at or below freezing, which means frozen ground and slower digging, compaction and sod or stone placement. NOAA counts about 130 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Worcester gets about 48 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 73 inches of snow. The wettest months are September, October and December (4.8 inches in October). Inside the workable window, May and July are the driest, at 3.6 and 3.9 inches. The station averages about 3 days a year at 90°F or above.
We do not adjust the estimate by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. It is still worth asking contractors whether an off-peak start date changes their bid.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 32 | 17 | 3.5 | Cold |
| Feb | 35 | 19 | 3.3 | Cold |
| Mar | 43 | 26 | 4.2 | Cold |
| Apr | 56 | 37 | 4.1 | Workable |
| May | 67 | 47 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Jun | 75 | 56 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 80 | 62 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Aug | 78 | 61 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Sep | 71 | 53 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 59 | 42 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 48 | 33 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Dec | 38 | 23 | 4.3 | Cold |
How Worcester compares
Of the five closest metros, 3 are cheaper than Worcester. Manchester is the lowest at about $5,300 (midpoint, 600 sq ft), 45 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worcester, MAthis page | $3,250 – $8,050 | $5,650 | |
| Amherst, MA35 miles | $3,150 – $7,800 | $5,500 | −3% |
| Springfield, MA40 miles | $3,200 – $8,000 | $5,600 | −1% |
| Manchester, NH45 miles | $3,100 – $7,550 | $5,300 | −6% |
| Boston, MA50 miles | $3,350 – $8,400 | $5,850 | +4% |
| Hartford, CT55 miles | $3,350 – $8,350 | $5,850 | +4% |
| Massachusetts (statewide) | $3,300 – $8,150 | $5,700 | +1% |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,400 | $5,250 | −7% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Worcester ranks #66 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Worcester is 1% below the Massachusetts figure.
Elsewhere in Massachusetts
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston, MA | 2,703,890 jobs | $3,350 – $8,400 | $5,850 | +4% |
| Springfield, MA | 201,240 jobs | $3,200 – $8,000 | $5,600 | −1% |
| Barnstable, MA | 94,110 jobs | $3,200 – $7,950 | $5,550 | −1% |
| Amherst, MA | 65,670 jobs | $3,150 – $7,800 | $5,500 | −3% |
| Pittsfield, MA | 56,810 jobs | $3,100 – $7,650 | $5,350 | −5% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Worcester against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Rock, AR | 358,210 jobs | $2,750 – $6,550 | $4,650 | −18% |
| Durham, NC | 344,020 jobs | $2,950 – $7,150 | $5,050 | −11% |
| Greensboro, NC | 365,410 jobs | $2,850 – $6,850 | $4,850 | −14% |
| North Port, FL | 339,940 jobs | $2,850 – $6,950 | $4,900 | −13% |
Asphalt driveway: what moves the price in Worcester
New versus overlay
Resurfacing an existing driveway runs $3-$7 per sq ft; a full new driveway runs $5-$12+ (HomeGuide). Tearing out and replacing one is higher still.
Base work
Four to eight inches of compacted aggregate under the asphalt is where cheap quotes cut corners. Base typically runs $1-$3 per sq ft.
Small jobs cost more per foot
Paving crews move a paver, roller and trucks to your address, so a 400 sq ft driveway carries more mobilization per square foot than a 1,000 sq ft one.
Extras that change the Worcester total
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.10 for Worcester, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.23) and goods price index (0.97). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add a sealcoat | $660 – $1,300 |
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 $4,700 to $6,600 for Worcester, MA is attached.
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Asphalt driveway in Worcester: your questions
+How much does it cost to pave a driveway in Worcester?
For 600 sq ft, expect $3,250 to $8,050 in the Worcester area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,700 to $6,600. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for asphalt driveway in Worcester?
About $5.30 to $13 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $50 to $210 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $5 to $12.
+Is asphalt driveway cheaper in Worcester or Amherst?
Amherst is 35 miles away. The midpoint for 600 sq ft there is $5,500, which is 3% less than Worcester ($5,650). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Worcester?
About 47% at the midpoint, or $2,650 out of $5,650. Materials are 51% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 41%.
+What would 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft cost in Worcester?
$3,250 to $8,050. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does asphalt driveway need a permit in Worcester?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $50 to $210 for fees in the Worcester area (our national range of $50 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Worcester expensive for asphalt driveway compared with the rest of Massachusetts?
Worcester is 1% below the Massachusetts statewide estimate ($5,700 at the midpoint). We cover 6 metros in Massachusetts; see the state page to compare them.
+What do paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn in Worcester?
BLS has no published metro figure here, so we use the statewide median of $29.31 an hour, compared with $25.64 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $26.82 to $37.47.
+What do basic and premium asphalt driveway work cost in Worcester?
For 600 sq ft, basic work runs $3,250 to $5,150 and premium work $6,100 to $8,050. Basic means: new topcoat over a sound base, flat lot. Premium means: full tear-out and rebuild, drainage work, heavy-duty depth.
+When is the best time to pave a driveway in Worcester?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through November. May and July are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
+What does "add a sealcoat" add in Worcester?
$660 to $1,300 for 600 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Asphalt driveway near Worcester
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.
- HomeGuide: How Much Does Paving an Asphalt Driveway Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- PaveGauge: Asphalt Driveway Cost (2026): Price by Size (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: 2026 Building Permit Costs | Fees & Cost Calculator (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991-2020
Note on derived figures: Materials = hot-mix asphalt ($2.30-$3.60/sq ft at 3 in) plus aggregate base ($1-$3/sq ft) from PaveGauge's component table.