Concrete driveway cost in Los Angeles, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (600 sq ft)
- $4,200 – $10,800
- Per sq ft
- $6.95 – $17.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +17%
- US $6,450
- Rank of 300 metros
- #25
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a concrete driveway in the Los Angeles area: $4,200 to $10,800 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 17% higher than the US figure. Cement masons and concrete finishers earn a median of $30.67 an hour in the Los Angeles area, 12% above the US median of $27.41.
Estimate your concrete driveway cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 600 sq ft in Los Angeles, CA, standard level
$6,200 to $8,850
About $10 to $14.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 71% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,800 | $2,250 |
| Labor | $4,300 | $6,400 |
| Permits and fees | $110 | $180 |
| Total | $6,200 | $8,850 |
Cost breakdown for 600 sq ft in Los Angeles, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,450 | $2,000 | $2,550 | 27% |
| Labor | $2,700 | $5,350 | $8,000 | 71% |
| Permits and fees | $55 | $140 | $230 | 2% |
| Total | $4,200 | $7,500 | $10,800 | 100% |
Why Los Angeles prices look the way they do
The wage side of the estimate leans on cement masons and concrete finishers, who do 50% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $30.67 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Los Angeles is 1.21 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 71% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Los Angeles is at 106.6 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $1,900 nationally becomes $2,000 here (midpoint, 600 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 113.6: $55 to $230.
Los Angeles: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Los Angeles. 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 3-car (900 sq ft).
Basic
$4,200 to $6,850
Plain gray, 4-inch broom finish, flat site
Standard
$6,200 to $8,850
5-inch with rebar and saw-cut joints, a border or one color
Premium
$8,150 to $10,800
6-inch for heavy vehicles, stamped or colored, grading needed
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $1,700 – $2,800 | $2,550 – $3,650 | $3,350 – $4,450 |
| 2-car (20x24), 480 sq ft | $3,400 – $5,500 | $5,000 – $7,100 | $6,550 – $8,700 |
| 2-car + apron (600 sq ft) | $4,200 – $6,850 | $6,200 – $8,850 | $8,150 – $10,800 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $6,300 – $10,200 | $9,250 – $13,200 | $12,200 – $16,100 |
Who does the work: Los Angeles trade wages
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 4 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 Los Angeles the blend is 1.21.
Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051), 50% of the weighting: a median of $30.67 an hour, 12% above the US median of $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $25.10 and $40.34 an hour. About 7,810 work in the metro. That is 12.5 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 13.3 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 30%) the local median is $28.28 an hour, which is 25% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.75 and $37.31 an hour. BLS counts 21,730 of them working in the area, 34.6 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), 10% of the weighting: a median of $44.66 an hour, 55% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $31.40 and $60.51 an hour. About 8,780 work in the metro. That is 14.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Carpenters (47-2031), 10% of the weighting: a median of $36.41 an hour, 25% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $28.59 and $48.37 an hour. About 30,600 work in the metro. That is 48.8 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (cement masons and concrete finishers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $780 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $450. That is a swing of roughly 6.0% to 10.4% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim has 6,271,560 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 2nd by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 50% | $25.10 | $30.67 | $40.34 | $27.41 | 1.12 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $22.75 | $28.28 | $37.31 | $22.66 | 1.25 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10% | $31.40 | $44.66 | $60.51 | $28.78 | 1.55 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 10% | $28.59 | $36.41 | $48.37 | $29.12 | 1.25 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.21 | |||||
Concrete driveway: what moves the price in Los Angeles
Grading and drainage
Professional grading runs $3-$8 per sq ft or $700-$2,500 for a typical job. A sloped lot or poor soil raises it.
Finish
Decorative driveways run $10-$25 per sq ft installed: colors and borders at $10-$15, stamped patterns at $15-$20, and high-end finishes at $20-$25+ (HomeGuide).
Permits and the apron
A driveway permit is typically $50-$200 and is often required for new work. The apron where the driveway meets the street can need a separate right-of-way permit.
Los Angeles against nearby metros and the rest of California
Same job, same size (600 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Los Angeles is the priciest of the group. Bakersfield is the cheapest at $7,000.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CAthis page | $4,200 – $10,800 | $7,500 | |
| Oxnard, CA55 miles | $4,150 – $10,700 | $7,400 | −1% |
| Bakersfield, CA90 miles | $3,950 – $10,100 | $7,000 | −7% |
| Santa Maria, CA110 miles | $4,050 – $10,300 | $7,150 | −5% |
| San Diego, CA110 miles | $4,250 – $10,800 | $7,500 | level |
| Riverside, CA120 miles | $4,000 – $10,200 | $7,100 | −5% |
| California (statewide) | $4,200 – $10,700 | $7,450 | −1% |
| United States | $3,650 – $9,200 | $6,450 | −14% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Los Angeles ranks #25 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Los Angeles is 1% above the California figure.
Elsewhere in California
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $4,850 – $12,600 | $8,750 | +16% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $4,000 – $10,200 | $7,100 | −5% |
| San Diego, CA | 1,538,060 jobs | $4,250 – $10,800 | $7,500 | level |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $4,700 – $12,200 | $8,450 | +13% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $4,150 – $10,600 | $7,350 | −2% |
| Fresno, CA | 476,890 jobs | $3,950 – $9,950 | $6,950 | −8% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Los Angeles against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 9,492,000 jobs | $4,350 – $11,100 | $7,750 | +3% |
| Chicago, IL | 4,513,280 jobs | $4,650 – $12,000 | $8,350 | +11% |
| Dallas, TX | 4,049,800 jobs | $3,400 – $8,450 | $5,950 | −21% |
| Houston, TX | 3,289,720 jobs | $3,300 – $8,150 | $5,750 | −24% |
Related projects, priced for Los Angeles
Jobs that often go together with concrete driveway are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Los Angeles wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, gravel driveway comes out highest (+23%) and paver patio lowest (+12%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,650 – $9,200 | +23% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $3,100 – $12,600 | +23% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,800 – $5,850 | +13% |
| Stamped concrete | 400 sq ft | $3,650 – $9,050 | +13% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,350 – $6,150 | +12% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,400 – $4,650 | +15% |
Optional extras in Los Angeles
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.14 for Los Angeles, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.21) and goods price index (1.07). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add rebar reinforcement | $680 – $2,050 |
| Remove the old driveway | $1,350 – $4,100 |
The best months for concrete driveway in Los Angeles
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Culver City (in the city). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
Weather is not a serious constraint for pouring concrete in Los Angeles: no month in the averages is cold enough (an average overnight low of 40°F or below) or hot enough (an average daytime high of 90°F or more) to rule it out, so the workable window is all year.
Los Angeles gets about 14 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, February and December (3.5 inches in February). The station averages about 7 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 | 67 | 48 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Feb | 67 | 49 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Mar | 68 | 51 | 2.2 | Workable |
| Apr | 71 | 53 | 0.6 | Workable |
| May | 72 | 57 | 0.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 75 | 60 | 0.1 | Workable |
| Jul | 78 | 63 | 0.0 | Workable |
| Aug | 79 | 64 | 0.0 | Workable |
| Sep | 78 | 62 | 0.1 | Workable |
| Oct | 76 | 58 | 0.6 | Workable |
| Nov | 71 | 52 | 0.9 | Workable |
| Dec | 66 | 47 | 2.5 | Workable |
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 $6,200 to $8,850 for Los Angeles, CA is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
The report lays out the concrete driveway numbers for Los Angeles, CA line by line, with the local wage and price inputs, permit and timing notes, a quote comparison sheet and the full method. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Concrete driveway in Los Angeles: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour a concrete driveway in Los Angeles?
For 600 sq ft, expect $4,200 to $10,800 in the Los Angeles area. A standard-spec job lands at $6,200 to $8,850. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for concrete driveway in Los Angeles?
About $6.95 to $17.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $55 to $230 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $6 to $15.
+Is concrete driveway cheaper in Los Angeles or Oxnard?
Oxnard is 55 miles away. The midpoint for 600 sq ft there is $7,400, which is 1% less than Los Angeles ($7,500). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Los Angeles?
About 71% at the midpoint, or $5,350 out of $7,500. Materials are 27% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 69%.
+What would 2-car + apron (600 sq ft) cost in Los Angeles?
$4,200 to $10,800. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does concrete driveway need a permit in Los Angeles?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $55 to $230 for fees in the Los Angeles area (our national range of $50 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Los Angeles expensive for concrete driveway compared with the rest of California?
Los Angeles is 1% above the California statewide estimate ($7,450 at the midpoint). We cover 23 metros in California; see the state page to compare them.
+What do cement masons and concrete finishers earn in Los Angeles?
The BLS median is $30.67 an hour in the Los Angeles area, compared with $27.41 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $25.10 to $40.34.
+What do basic and premium concrete driveway work cost in Los Angeles?
For 600 sq ft, basic work runs $4,200 to $6,850 and premium work $8,150 to $10,800. Basic means: plain gray, 4-inch broom finish, flat site. Premium means: 6-inch for heavy vehicles, stamped or colored, grading needed.
+Is there a bad season to pour a concrete driveway in Los Angeles?
Not from a temperature point of view. NOAA's 1991-2020 normals show no month with a freezing-level overnight low or a 90°F-plus average high, so timing is mostly about contractor availability and rain.
+What does "add rebar reinforcement" add in Los Angeles?
$680 to $2,050 for 600 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Concrete driveway near Los Angeles
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 a Concrete Driveway Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- SimplyWise: Concrete Estimate Template: Free PDF + Excel (2026) (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 = SimplyWise's sample 600 sq ft, 4-inch driveway line ($1,400-$2,400 in materials) divided by 600 sq ft.