Asphalt driveway cost in Salt Lake City, UT
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (600 sq ft)
- $3,050 – $7,500
- Per sq ft
- $5 – $12
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +1%
- US $5,250
- Rank of 300 metros
- #116
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to pave a driveway in Salt Lake City, plan on $3,050 to $7,500 for 600 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $5 to $12 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint lands close to the national one. Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn a median of $30.03 an hour in the Salt Lake City area, 17% above the US median of $25.64.
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Estimated cost for 600 sq ft in Salt Lake City, UT, standard level
$4,400 to $6,200
About $7.15 to $10 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 43% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,500 | $3,250 |
| Labor | $1,800 | $2,800 |
| Permits and fees | $95 | $160 |
| Total | $4,400 | $6,200 |
Cost breakdown for 600 sq ft in Salt Lake City, UT
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,900 | $2,850 | $3,800 | 54% |
| Labor | $1,100 | $2,300 | $3,500 | 43% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $130 | $200 | 2% |
| Total | $3,050 | $5,300 | $7,500 | 100% |
Where the Salt Lake City 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, Salt Lake City wages are 1.08 times the national level. Labor makes up about 43% of the midpoint estimate (41% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Salt Lake City metro is 96.4 (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 (100.9) and land at $50 to $200.
Climate in Salt Lake City: timing your asphalt driveway job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Salt Lake City Intl Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
March through June and September through November are the stretches where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Salt Lake City (7 of 12 months). January, February and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F); July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
In January, February 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 112 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Salt Lake City gets about 16 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 52 inches of snow. The wettest months are March, April and May (2.2 inches in April). Inside the workable window, June and September are the driest, at 0.9 and 1.1 inches. The station averages about 62 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 | 39 | 24 | 1.4 | Cold |
| Feb | 45 | 29 | 1.3 | Cold |
| Mar | 55 | 36 | 1.8 | Workable |
| Apr | 62 | 42 | 2.2 | Workable |
| May | 73 | 50 | 1.8 | Workable |
| Jun | 84 | 59 | 0.9 | Workable |
| Jul | 94 | 68 | 0.5 | Hot |
| Aug | 92 | 67 | 0.6 | Hot |
| Sep | 81 | 56 | 1.1 | Workable |
| Oct | 66 | 44 | 1.3 | Workable |
| Nov | 51 | 33 | 1.3 | Workable |
| Dec | 39 | 25 | 1.4 | Cold |
Cost by quality level and size in Salt Lake City
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Salt Lake City 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
$3,050 to $4,850
New topcoat over a sound base, flat lot
Standard
$4,400 to $6,200
Full new driveway: base, 2-3 in of hot mix, edging
Premium
$5,750 to $7,500
Full tear-out and rebuild, drainage work, heavy-duty depth
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $1,250 – $2,000 | $1,800 – $2,550 | $2,400 – $3,150 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $2,050 – $3,250 | $2,950 – $4,150 | $3,850 – $5,100 |
| 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft | $3,050 – $4,850 | $4,400 – $6,200 | $5,750 – $7,500 |
| long rural (10x100), 1,000 sq ft | $5,050 – $8,000 | $7,250 – $10,200 | $9,450 – $12,400 |
How Salt Lake City compares
Same job, same size (600 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Idaho Falls is the priciest of the group at $5,450. Logan is the cheapest at $5,000.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City, UTthis page | $3,050 – $7,500 | $5,300 | |
| Provo, UT60 miles | $2,900 – $7,050 | $5,000 | −6% |
| Ogden, UT70 miles | $2,900 – $7,100 | $5,000 | −6% |
| Logan, UT110 miles | $2,900 – $7,050 | $5,000 | −6% |
| Idaho Falls, ID210 miles | $3,150 – $7,750 | $5,450 | +3% |
| St. George, UT230 miles | $2,900 – $7,100 | $5,000 | −5% |
| Utah (statewide) | $2,950 – $7,150 | $5,050 | −5% |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,400 | $5,250 | −1% |
Across 300 US metros, Salt Lake City comes in at #116 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, Salt Lake City is 5% above the Utah figure.
Other Utah metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Provo, UT | 304,660 jobs | $2,900 – $7,050 | $5,000 | −6% |
| Ogden, UT | 271,370 jobs | $2,900 – $7,100 | $5,000 | −6% |
| St. George, UT | 90,500 jobs | $2,900 – $7,100 | $5,000 | −5% |
| Logan, UT | 66,800 jobs | $2,900 – $7,050 | $5,000 | −6% |
Cities with a workforce like Salt Lake City's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Salt Lake City against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland, OH | 1,031,130 jobs | $3,100 – $7,700 | $5,400 | +2% |
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $3,300 – $8,400 | $5,850 | +11% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $3,650 – $9,150 | $6,400 | +21% |
| Jacksonville, FL | 765,930 jobs | $2,850 – $6,850 | $4,850 | −8% |
Optional extras in Salt Lake City
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Salt Lake City by the average of the local wage index (1.08) and goods index (0.96), a factor of 1.02. 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 | $610 – $1,250 |
Planning more than one job in Salt Lake City?
Because every project leans on different trades, Salt Lake City's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, concrete driveway runs +1% and gravel driveway −1%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,700 – $9,350 | +1% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,500 – $10,100 | −1% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,000 – $5,450 | level |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $600 – $2,100 | level |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,450 – $5,200 | level |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,250 – $4,050 | +1% |
Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City is 1.08 times the national level.
For paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators (47-2071, weighted 40%) the local median is $30.03 an hour, which is 17% above the national $25.64. The middle half of them earn between $23.17 and $30.03 an hour. BLS counts 150 of them working in the area, 1.8 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 2.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 30% of the weighting: a median of $22.82 an hour, in line with the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $19.03 and $27.96 an hour. About 7,790 work in the metro. That is 94.3 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 $29.69 an hour, which is 3% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $27.70 and $32.13 an hour. BLS counts 2,570 of them working in the area, 31.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is about 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 ($30.03 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $0. At the 25th percentile ($23.17) it shrinks by about $230. The total moves by 0.0% or 4.3%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 826,210 jobs in the Salt Lake City-Murray area. That makes it the 37th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.53% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators (47-2071) | 40% | $23.17 | $30.03 | $30.03 | $25.64 | 1.17 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $19.03 | $22.82 | $27.96 | $22.66 | 1.01 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $27.70 | $29.69 | $32.13 | $28.78 | 1.03 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.08 | |||||
Asphalt driveway: what moves the price in Salt Lake City
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.
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.
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 $4,400 to $6,200 for Salt Lake City, UT is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
Multi-page report for Salt Lake City, UT: 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 Salt Lake City: your questions
+How much does it cost to pave a driveway in Salt Lake City?
For 600 sq ft, expect $3,050 to $7,500 in the Salt Lake City area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,400 to $6,200. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for asphalt driveway in Salt Lake City?
About $5 to $12 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $50 to $200 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $5 to $12.
+Is asphalt driveway cheaper in Salt Lake City or Provo?
Provo is 60 miles away. The midpoint for 600 sq ft there is $5,000, which is 6% less than Salt Lake City ($5,300). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Salt Lake City?
About 43% at the midpoint, or $2,300 out of $5,300. Materials are 54% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 41%.
+What would 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft cost in Salt Lake City?
$3,050 to $7,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does asphalt driveway need a permit in Salt Lake City?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $50 to $200 for fees in the Salt Lake City area (our national range of $50 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Salt Lake City expensive for asphalt driveway compared with the rest of Utah?
Salt Lake City is 5% above the Utah statewide estimate ($5,050 at the midpoint). We cover 5 metros in Utah; see the state page to compare them.
+What do paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn in Salt Lake City?
The BLS median is $30.03 an hour in the Salt Lake City area, compared with $25.64 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.17 to $30.03.
+What do basic and premium asphalt driveway work cost in Salt Lake City?
For 600 sq ft, basic work runs $3,050 to $4,850 and premium work $5,750 to $7,500. 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 Salt Lake City?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through June and September through November. June and September 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 Salt Lake City?
$610 to $1,250 for 600 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Asphalt driveway near Salt Lake City
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.