Asphalt driveway cost in Wausau, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (600 sq ft)
- $3,250 – $8,150
- Per sq ft
- $5.30 – $13.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +9%
- US $5,250
- Rank of 300 metros
- #59
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for an asphalt driveway in the Wausau area: $3,250 to $8,150 for 600 sq ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint runs 9% higher than the US figure. Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn a median of $33.18 an hour in the Wausau area, 29% above the US median of $25.64.
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Estimated cost for 600 sq ft in Wausau, WI, standard level
$4,700 to $6,650
About $7.70 to $11 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 49% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,400 | $3,150 |
| Labor | $2,200 | $3,350 |
| Permits and fees | $90 | $140 |
| Total | $4,700 | $6,650 |
Cost breakdown for 600 sq ft in Wausau, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,850 | $2,800 | $3,700 | 49% |
| Labor | $1,350 | $2,800 | $4,250 | 49% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $120 | $190 | 2% |
| Total | $3,250 | $5,700 | $8,150 | 100% |
Why Wausau prices look the way they do
Labor is 49% of the midpoint bill here, against 41% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators (40%), construction laborers (30%), operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (30%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Wausau the blended ratio comes out at 1.31. BLS does not publish this trade for the metro, so we used the Wisconsin statewide median.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Wausau is at 93.8 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $2,950 nationally becomes $2,800 here (midpoint, 600 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 92.7: $45 to $190.
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 Wausau. The wage table below marks each row.
Optional extras in Wausau
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.12 for Wausau, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.31) and goods price index (0.94). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add a sealcoat | $670 – $1,350 |
Specs and site conditions that change a Wausau bid
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.
Pick a size, pick a tier: asphalt driveway pricing in Wausau
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Wausau. 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 $5,200
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
$6,200 to $8,150
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 – $4,500 | $4,150 – $5,500 |
| 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft | $3,250 – $5,200 | $4,700 – $6,650 | $6,200 – $8,150 |
| long rural (10x100), 1,000 sq ft | $5,350 – $8,600 | $7,800 – $11,000 | $10,200 – $13,400 |
Who does the work: Wausau trade wages
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 Wausau the blend is 1.31.
Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators (47-2071) carry 40% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Wausau metro, so we used the Wisconsin statewide median: $33.18 an hour against $25.64 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $24.22 and $43.86 an hour.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 30%) the local median is $25.30 an hour, which is 12% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.07 and $30.00 an hour. BLS counts 510 of them working in the area, 73.3 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 $43.70 an hour, 52% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $30.94 and $45.52 an hour. About 200 work in the metro. That is 28.8 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 $350 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $300. That is a swing of roughly 5.2% to 6.2% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Wausau has 69,530 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 261st 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% | $24.22 | $33.18 | $43.86 | $25.64 | 1.29 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $22.07 | $25.30 | $30.00 | $22.66 | 1.12 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $30.94 | $43.70 | $45.52 | $28.78 | 1.52 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.31 | |||||
Wausau against nearby metros and the rest of Wisconsin
Same job, same size (600 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Appleton is the priciest of the group at $5,850. Green Bay is the cheapest at $5,250.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wausau, WIthis page | $3,250 – $8,150 | $5,700 | |
| Eau Claire, WI75 miles | $3,200 – $8,000 | $5,600 | −1% |
| Oshkosh, WI80 miles | $3,150 – $7,900 | $5,500 | −3% |
| Appleton, WI80 miles | $3,300 – $8,350 | $5,850 | +3% |
| Green Bay, WI90 miles | $3,050 – $7,500 | $5,250 | −7% |
| La Crosse, WI105 miles | $3,200 – $7,950 | $5,550 | −2% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $3,200 – $8,000 | $5,600 | −2% |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,400 | $5,250 | −8% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Wausau ranks #59 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Wausau is 2% above the Wisconsin figure.
Elsewhere in Wisconsin
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $3,300 – $8,400 | $5,850 | +3% |
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $3,400 – $8,700 | $6,050 | +7% |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $3,050 – $7,500 | $5,250 | −7% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $3,300 – $8,350 | $5,850 | +3% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $3,150 – $7,900 | $5,500 | −3% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $3,200 – $8,000 | $5,600 | −1% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Wausau against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Janesville, WI | 69,870 jobs | $3,150 – $7,800 | $5,450 | −4% |
| Yuma, AZ | 68,880 jobs | $2,900 – $7,050 | $4,950 | −13% |
| Lexington Park, MD | 70,650 jobs | $3,100 – $7,550 | $5,300 | −6% |
| State College, PA | 68,840 jobs | $3,150 – $7,650 | $5,400 | −5% |
The best months for asphalt driveway in Wausau
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Wausau Dwtn 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 Wausau are May through October: 6 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March, April, November and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
In January, February, March, April, 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 163 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Wausau gets about 34 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 64 inches of snow. The wettest months are June, July and August (4.7 inches in June). Inside the workable window, May and October are the driest, at 3.8 and 3.1 inches. The station averages about 5 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 | 23 | 7 | 1.2 | Cold |
| Feb | 27 | 10 | 1.1 | Cold |
| Mar | 40 | 21 | 1.8 | Cold |
| Apr | 54 | 32 | 3.1 | Cold |
| May | 67 | 45 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Jun | 76 | 55 | 4.7 | Workable |
| Jul | 80 | 59 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Aug | 78 | 57 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Sep | 70 | 49 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Oct | 56 | 37 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Nov | 40 | 25 | 1.9 | Cold |
| Dec | 28 | 14 | 1.5 | Cold |
Related projects, priced for Wausau
Jobs that often go together with asphalt driveway are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Wausau wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, French drain comes out highest (+16%) and concrete slab lowest (+1%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,800 – $9,800 | +6% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,850 – $11,500 | +13% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,200 – $5,750 | +6% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $700 – $2,450 | +16% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,500 – $5,200 | +1% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,250 – $4,150 | +3% |
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 Wausau, WI is attached.
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Multi-page report for Wausau, WI: 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 Wausau: your questions
+How much does it cost to pave a driveway in Wausau?
For 600 sq ft, expect $3,250 to $8,150 in the Wausau 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 Wausau?
About $5.30 to $13.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $45 to $190 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $5 to $12.
+Is asphalt driveway cheaper in Wausau or Eau Claire?
Eau Claire is 75 miles away. The midpoint for 600 sq ft there is $5,600, which is 1% less than Wausau ($5,700). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Wausau?
About 49% at the midpoint, or $2,800 out of $5,700. Materials are 49% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 41%.
+What would 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft cost in Wausau?
$3,250 to $8,150. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does asphalt driveway need a permit in Wausau?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $45 to $190 for fees in the Wausau area (our national range of $50 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Wausau expensive for asphalt driveway compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Wausau is 2% above the Wisconsin statewide estimate ($5,600 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Wisconsin; see the state page to compare them.
+What do paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn in Wausau?
BLS has no published metro figure here, so we use the statewide median of $33.18 an hour, compared with $25.64 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $24.22 to $43.86.
+What do basic and premium asphalt driveway work cost in Wausau?
For 600 sq ft, basic work runs $3,250 to $5,200 and premium work $6,200 to $8,150. 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 Wausau?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are May through October. May and October 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 Wausau?
$670 to $1,350 for 600 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Asphalt driveway near Wausau
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.