Asphalt driveway cost in Yakima, WA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (600 sq ft)
- $3,300 – $8,050
- Per sq ft
- $5.40 – $13
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +9%
- US $5,250
- Rank of 300 metros
- #61
- 1 = most expensive
An asphalt driveway in Yakima, WA usually costs $3,300 to $8,050 for 600 sq ft. That works out to about $5.40 to $13 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $450 more. Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn a median of $30.37 an hour in the Yakima area, 18% above the US median of $25.64.
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Estimated cost for 600 sq ft in Yakima, WA, standard level
$4,700 to $6,650
About $7.70 to $11 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 43% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,700 | $3,550 |
| Labor | $1,950 | $2,950 |
| Permits and fees | $90 | $150 |
| Total | $4,700 | $6,650 |
Cost breakdown for 600 sq ft in Yakima, WA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,100 | $3,100 | $4,150 | 55% |
| Labor | $1,150 | $2,450 | $3,700 | 43% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $120 | $190 | 2% |
| Total | $3,300 | $5,700 | $8,050 | 100% |
Where the Yakima 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, Yakima wages are 1.14 times the national level. Labor makes up about 43% of the midpoint estimate (41% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Yakima is at 105.0 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $2,950 nationally becomes $3,100 here (midpoint, 600 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 95.5: $50 to $190.
What nearby projects cost in Yakima
Jobs that often go together with asphalt driveway are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Yakima wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, concrete driveway comes out highest (+22%) and gravel driveway lowest (+8%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $4,400 – $11,300 | +22% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,700 – $11,000 | +8% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,300 – $5,950 | +10% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $680 – $2,400 | +14% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,850 – $5,950 | +15% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,400 – $4,750 | +17% |
Yakima 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, Yakima Air Terminal (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 Yakima are April through June and August through October: 6 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March, November and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F), and July has an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
In January, February, March, November 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 147 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Yakima gets about 8 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 20 inches of snow. The wettest months are January, November and December (1.4 inches in December). Inside the workable window, August and September are the driest, at 0.2 and 0.2 inches. The station averages about 40 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 | 40 | 24 | 1.2 | Cold |
| Feb | 47 | 26 | 0.8 | Cold |
| Mar | 57 | 30 | 0.6 | Cold |
| Apr | 65 | 35 | 0.6 | Workable |
| May | 74 | 44 | 0.7 | Workable |
| Jun | 81 | 50 | 0.5 | Workable |
| Jul | 90 | 55 | 0.2 | Hot |
| Aug | 89 | 53 | 0.2 | Workable |
| Sep | 79 | 45 | 0.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 64 | 35 | 0.6 | Workable |
| Nov | 49 | 27 | 0.9 | Cold |
| Dec | 38 | 23 | 1.4 | Cold |
What local crews earn in Yakima
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 Yakima the blend is 1.14.
Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators (47-2071), 40% of the weighting: a median of $30.37 an hour, 18% above the US median of $25.64. The middle half of them earn between $28.60 and $39.94 an hour. About 30 work in the metro. That is 3.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 2.7 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 30%) the local median is $23.47 an hour, which is 4% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.25 and $29.70 an hour. BLS counts 590 of them working in the area, 60.8 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is about average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 30% of the weighting: a median of $34.52 an hour, 20% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $29.42 and $39.41 an hour. About 190 work in the metro. That is 19.6 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $320 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $60. That is a swing of roughly 1.0% to 5.6% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Yakima has 97,010 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 208th 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% | $28.60 | $30.37 | $39.94 | $25.64 | 1.18 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $21.25 | $23.47 | $29.70 | $22.66 | 1.04 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $29.42 | $34.52 | $39.41 | $28.78 | 1.20 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.14 | |||||
Extras that change the Yakima total
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.10 for Yakima, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.14) and goods price index (1.05). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add a sealcoat | $660 – $1,300 |
Asphalt driveway: what moves the price in Yakima
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.
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.
Is Yakima cheap or dear? The local comparison
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 600 sq ft range from $5,700 to $6,600 across Yakima and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yakima, WAthis page | $3,300 – $8,050 | $5,700 | |
| Kennewick, WA70 miles | $3,600 – $9,000 | $6,300 | +11% |
| Seattle, WA90 miles | $3,750 – $9,450 | $6,600 | +16% |
| Portland, OR100 miles | $3,450 – $8,500 | $5,950 | +5% |
| Olympia, WA105 miles | $3,700 – $9,350 | $6,500 | +15% |
| Bremerton, WA120 miles | $3,600 – $8,950 | $6,250 | +10% |
| Washington (statewide) | $3,600 – $9,050 | $6,350 | +12% |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,400 | $5,250 | −8% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Yakima ranks #61 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Yakima is 10% below the Washington figure.
Elsewhere in Washington
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | 2,086,210 jobs | $3,750 – $9,450 | $6,600 | +16% |
| Spokane, WA | 255,820 jobs | $3,550 – $8,800 | $6,200 | +9% |
| Olympia, WA | 130,300 jobs | $3,700 – $9,350 | $6,500 | +15% |
| Kennewick, WA | 129,490 jobs | $3,600 – $9,000 | $6,300 | +11% |
| Bremerton, WA | 93,740 jobs | $3,600 – $8,950 | $6,250 | +10% |
| Bellingham, WA | 91,390 jobs | $3,650 – $9,250 | $6,450 | +14% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Yakima against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Binghamton, NY | 97,030 jobs | $3,050 – $7,450 | $5,250 | −8% |
| Athens, GA | 95,800 jobs | $2,750 – $6,600 | $4,700 | −17% |
| Lynchburg, VA | 97,190 jobs | $2,850 – $6,800 | $4,800 | −15% |
| Fort Smith, AR | 95,560 jobs | $2,650 – $6,200 | $4,450 | −22% |
Cost by quality level and size in Yakima
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Yakima. 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
$3,300 to $5,200
New topcoat over a sound base, flat lot
Standard
$4,700 to $6,650
Full new driveway: base, 2-3 in of hot mix, edging
Premium
$6,150 to $8,050
Full tear-out and rebuild, drainage work, heavy-duty depth
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $1,350 – $2,150 | $1,950 – $2,750 | $2,550 – $3,350 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $2,200 – $3,500 | $3,200 – $4,450 | $4,150 – $5,450 |
| 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft | $3,300 – $5,200 | $4,700 – $6,650 | $6,150 – $8,050 |
| long rural (10x100), 1,000 sq ft | $5,450 – $8,600 | $7,800 – $10,900 | $10,200 – $13,300 |
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 $6,650 for Yakima, WA is attached.
Detailed asphalt driveway report for Yakima, WA, $9
Multi-page report for Yakima, WA: 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 Yakima: your questions
+How much does it cost to pave a driveway in Yakima?
For 600 sq ft, expect $3,300 to $8,050 in the Yakima area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,700 to $6,650. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for asphalt driveway in Yakima?
About $5.40 to $13 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 Yakima or Kennewick?
Kennewick is 70 miles away. The midpoint for 600 sq ft there is $6,300, which is 11% more than Yakima ($5,700). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Yakima?
About 43% at the midpoint, or $2,450 out of $5,700. Materials are 55% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 41%.
+What would 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft cost in Yakima?
$3,300 to $8,050. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does asphalt driveway need a permit in Yakima?
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 Yakima area (our national range of $50 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Yakima expensive for asphalt driveway compared with the rest of Washington?
Yakima is 10% below the Washington statewide estimate ($6,350 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Washington; see the state page to compare them.
+What do paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn in Yakima?
The BLS median is $30.37 an hour in the Yakima area, compared with $25.64 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.60 to $39.94.
+What do basic and premium asphalt driveway work cost in Yakima?
For 600 sq ft, basic work runs $3,300 to $5,200 and premium work $6,150 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 Yakima?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through June and August through October. August 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 Yakima?
$660 to $1,300 for 600 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Asphalt driveway near Yakima
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.