Asphalt driveway cost in Wilmington, NC
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (600 sq ft)
- $2,850 – $6,900
- Per sq ft
- $4.70 – $11
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −7%
- US $5,250
- Rank of 300 metros
- #204
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to pave a driveway in Wilmington, plan on $2,850 to $6,900 for 600 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $4.70 to $11 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 7% lower than the national one. Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn a median of $22.67 an hour in the Wilmington area, 12% below the US median of $25.64.
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Estimated cost for 600 sq ft in Wilmington, NC, standard level
$4,050 to $5,700
About $6.65 to $9.25 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 39% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,500 | $3,250 |
| Labor | $1,500 | $2,300 |
| Permits and fees | $90 | $150 |
| Total | $4,050 | $5,700 |
Cost breakdown for 600 sq ft in Wilmington, NC
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,900 | $2,850 | $3,850 | 59% |
| Labor | $900 | $1,900 | $2,850 | 39% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $120 | $190 | 2% |
| Total | $2,850 | $4,900 | $6,900 | 100% |
Why Wilmington prices look the way they do
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, Wilmington wages are 0.89 times the national level. Labor makes up about 39% of the midpoint estimate (41% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Wilmington metro is 96.6 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 600 sq ft comes to $2,850, compared with $2,950 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (96.4) and land at $50 to $190.
Wilmington against nearby metros and the rest of North Carolina
Same job, same size (600 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Raleigh is the priciest of the group at $4,950. Myrtle Beach is the cheapest at $4,750.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington, NCthis page | $2,850 – $6,900 | $4,900 | |
| Myrtle Beach, SC60 miles | $2,800 – $6,700 | $4,750 | −3% |
| Fayetteville, NC75 miles | $2,850 – $6,850 | $4,850 | level |
| Greenville, NC100 miles | $2,850 – $6,800 | $4,850 | −1% |
| Florence, SC100 miles | $2,850 – $6,850 | $4,850 | −1% |
| Raleigh, NC105 miles | $2,900 – $6,950 | $4,950 | +1% |
| North Carolina (statewide) | $2,850 – $6,900 | $4,900 | level |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,400 | $5,250 | +7% |
Across 300 US metros, Wilmington comes in at #204 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $7,650; the cheapest is Fort Smith, AR at $4,450 (midpoints, 600 sq ft). Statewide, Wilmington is 0% below the North Carolina figure.
Other North Carolina metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte, NC | 1,358,370 jobs | $2,900 – $6,950 | $4,900 | +1% |
| Raleigh, NC | 743,120 jobs | $2,900 – $6,950 | $4,950 | +1% |
| Greensboro, NC | 365,410 jobs | $2,850 – $6,850 | $4,850 | −1% |
| Durham, NC | 344,020 jobs | $2,950 – $7,150 | $5,050 | +3% |
| Winston, NC | 271,980 jobs | $2,850 – $6,850 | $4,850 | −1% |
| Asheville, NC | 180,620 jobs | $2,900 – $7,000 | $4,950 | +2% |
Cities with a workforce like Wilmington's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Wilmington against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | 192,390 jobs | $3,100 – $7,600 | $5,350 | +9% |
| Pensacola, FL | 190,480 jobs | $2,850 – $6,800 | $4,800 | −1% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 192,580 jobs | $2,750 – $6,500 | $4,600 | −5% |
| Salem, OR | 188,620 jobs | $3,350 – $8,200 | $5,750 | +18% |
Pick a size, pick a tier: asphalt driveway pricing in Wilmington
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Wilmington wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 4 common sizes.
Basic
$2,850 to $4,500
New topcoat over a sound base, flat lot
Standard
$4,050 to $5,700
Full new driveway: base, 2-3 in of hot mix, edging
Premium
$5,300 to $6,900
Full tear-out and rebuild, drainage work, heavy-duty depth
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $1,200 – $1,850 | $1,700 – $2,350 | $2,200 – $2,850 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $1,950 – $3,000 | $2,750 – $3,850 | $3,550 – $4,650 |
| 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft | $2,850 – $4,500 | $4,050 – $5,700 | $5,300 – $6,900 |
| long rural (10x100), 1,000 sq ft | $4,750 – $7,400 | $6,750 – $9,400 | $8,700 – $11,400 |
Climate in Wilmington: timing your asphalt driveway job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Wilmington Intl Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
August through June is the stretch where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Wilmington (11 of 12 months). July has an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Wilmington gets about 60 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are July, August and September (8.7 inches in September). Inside the workable window, February and April are the driest, at 3.5 and 3.1 inches. The station averages about 45 days a year at 90°F or above.
Does the season change the price? Probably, but we do not have a sourced seasonal price curve, so the estimator shows a year-round figure and does not adjust by month. When you collect quotes, ask whether scheduling in a slower month gets a better rate.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 57 | 36 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Feb | 60 | 38 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Mar | 67 | 44 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Apr | 75 | 53 | 3.1 | Workable |
| May | 81 | 61 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Jun | 87 | 69 | 5.7 | Workable |
| Jul | 90 | 73 | 6.9 | Hot |
| Aug | 88 | 72 | 8.2 | Workable |
| Sep | 84 | 67 | 8.7 | Workable |
| Oct | 76 | 56 | 4.7 | Workable |
| Nov | 67 | 45 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Dec | 60 | 39 | 3.7 | Workable |
Why two Wilmington quotes can differ
Hot-mix price
Hot-mix asphalt is $100-$200 per ton delivered and moves with oil prices (PaveGauge).
Sealcoating
Sealing is $1-$2 per sq ft and is a maintenance cost, not part of the install.
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.
Add-ons priced for Wilmington
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Wilmington by the average of the local wage index (0.89) and goods index (0.97), a factor of 0.93. Tick any of them in the estimator above to add them to your total. Treat these as planning figures: an add-on touches different trades than the main job, so the scaling is an approximation.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add a sealcoat | $560 – $1,100 |
Planning more than one job in Wilmington?
Because every project leans on different trades, Wilmington's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, French drain runs −6% and concrete driveway −12%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,250 – $8,100 | −12% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,300 – $9,450 | −7% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,800 – $5,100 | −7% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $560 – $2,000 | −6% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,200 – $4,800 | −9% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,150 – $3,600 | −10% |
Wilmington labor market for asphalt driveway
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 3 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Wilmington is 0.89 times the national level.
For paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators (47-2071, weighted 40%) the local median is $22.67 an hour, which is 12% below the national $25.64. The middle half of them earn between $19.07 and $24.53 an hour. BLS counts 90 of them working in the area, 4.7 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 2.7), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 30% of the weighting: a median of $22.16 an hour, in line with the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.02 and $26.94 an hour. About 1,870 work in the metro. That is 97.8 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 30%) the local median is $23.03 an hour, which is 20% below the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $21.55 and $27.13 an hour. BLS counts 790 of them working in the area, 41.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($24.53 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $60. At the 25th percentile ($19.07) it shrinks by about $120. The total moves by 1.3% or 2.5%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 191,280 jobs in the Wilmington area. That makes it the 120th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.12% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators (47-2071) | 40% | $19.07 | $22.67 | $24.53 | $25.64 | 0.88 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $18.02 | $22.16 | $26.94 | $22.66 | 0.98 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $21.55 | $23.03 | $27.13 | $28.78 | 0.80 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.89 | |||||
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 $4,050 to $5,700 for Wilmington, NC is attached.
Detailed asphalt driveway report for Wilmington, NC, $9
Multi-page report for Wilmington, NC: low, typical and high cost, a line-item breakdown of materials and labor by trade, permit notes, the best months to schedule, a quote comparison sheet, red flags, questions for contractors, checklists and every source. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Asphalt driveway in Wilmington: your questions
+How much does it cost to pave a driveway in Wilmington?
For 600 sq ft, expect $2,850 to $6,900 in the Wilmington area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,050 to $5,700. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for asphalt driveway in Wilmington?
About $4.70 to $11 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $50 to $190 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $5 to $12.
+Is asphalt driveway cheaper in Wilmington or Myrtle Beach?
Myrtle Beach is 60 miles away. The midpoint for 600 sq ft there is $4,750, which is 3% less than Wilmington ($4,900). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Wilmington?
About 39% at the midpoint, or $1,900 out of $4,900. Materials are 59% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 41%.
+What would 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft cost in Wilmington?
$2,850 to $6,900. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does asphalt driveway need a permit in Wilmington?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $50 to $190 for fees in the Wilmington area (our national range of $50 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Wilmington expensive for asphalt driveway compared with the rest of North Carolina?
Wilmington is 0% below the North Carolina statewide estimate ($4,900 at the midpoint). We cover 11 metros in North Carolina; see the state page to compare them.
+What do paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn in Wilmington?
The BLS median is $22.67 an hour in the Wilmington area, compared with $25.64 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $19.07 to $24.53.
+What do basic and premium asphalt driveway work cost in Wilmington?
For 600 sq ft, basic work runs $2,850 to $4,500 and premium work $5,300 to $6,900. 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 Wilmington?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are August through June. February and April 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 Wilmington?
$560 to $1,100 for 600 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Asphalt driveway near Wilmington
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.