Concrete patio cost in Merced, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $1,300 – $4,200
- Per sq ft
- $4.20 – $12.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +5%
- US $2,650
- Rank of 300 metros
- #70
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a concrete patio in the Merced area: $1,300 to $4,200 for 300 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 5% higher than the US figure. Cement masons and concrete finishers earn a median of $25.59 an hour in the Merced area, 7% below the US median of $27.41.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Merced, CA, standard level
$2,200 to $3,350
About $6.75 to $10 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 52% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $980 | $1,250 |
| Labor | $1,050 | $1,800 |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $290 |
| Total | $2,200 | $3,350 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Merced, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $790 | $1,100 | $1,400 | 40% |
| Labor | $480 | $1,450 | $2,400 | 52% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $220 | $390 | 8% |
| Total | $1,300 | $2,750 | $4,200 | 100% |
What is behind the Merced number
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 $25.59 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Merced is 1.06 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 52% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Merced is at 105.2 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $1,050 nationally becomes $1,100 here (midpoint, 300 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 98.3: $50 to $390.
The best months for concrete patio in Merced
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Merced Muni Ap (5 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For pouring concrete, the comfortable months in Merced are March through May and October through November: 5 of 12. Outside them, January, February and December have an average overnight low of 40°F or below, and June, July, August and September have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
The 40°F line is a deliberately cautious stand-in. The American Concrete Institute's cold-weather guide (ACI 306R-16) defines cold-weather concreting around an average daily air temperature below 40°F, which is colder than our test of an average overnight low at or below 40°F, so we flag a few extra shoulder months. In cold weather crews may need heated enclosures, insulating blankets or accelerated mixes, and those measures can raise a quote.
Heat matters for concrete as well. With average highs of 90°F or more in June, July, August and September, crews often start early, wet the base and plan for faster set times.
Merced gets about 12 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, February and December (2.4 inches in January). Inside the workable window, May and October are the driest, at 0.6 and 0.6 inches. The station averages about 100 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 | 56 | 37 | 2.4 | Cold |
| Feb | 62 | 39 | 2.2 | Cold |
| Mar | 68 | 42 | 1.8 | Workable |
| Apr | 74 | 45 | 1.1 | Workable |
| May | 83 | 52 | 0.6 | Workable |
| Jun | 91 | 58 | 0.1 | Hot |
| Jul | 96 | 62 | 0.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 95 | 61 | 0.0 | Hot |
| Sep | 91 | 57 | 0.1 | Hot |
| Oct | 80 | 49 | 0.6 | Workable |
| Nov | 66 | 41 | 1.0 | Workable |
| Dec | 56 | 36 | 1.9 | Cold |
Concrete patio: what moves the price in Merced
Permit
Permits run $50-$400 where required. Many cities don't require one for a small at-grade patio.
Finish
Plain concrete is $4-$12 per sq ft and a broom finish $6-$13; designs with several colors and decorative finishes run up to about $28 (HomeGuide).
Site prep
Excavation, forms and a gravel base are the unglamorous part of the bill and vary most with soil and slope.
Cost by quality level and size in Merced
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Merced. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from 10x10 (100 sq ft) to 20x20 (400 sq ft).
Basic
$1,300 to $2,450
Plain gray slab, broom finish, flat yard
Standard
$2,200 to $3,350
Colored or stained, saw-cut joints, minor grading
Premium
$3,050 to $4,200
Exposed aggregate or heavy decorative finish, drainage work
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x10 (100 sq ft) | $470 – $950 | $830 – $1,300 | $1,200 – $1,650 |
| 12x16 (192 sq ft) | $860 – $1,650 | $1,450 – $2,250 | $2,050 – $2,850 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $1,750 – $3,250 | $2,850 – $4,350 | $4,000 – $5,450 |
Is Merced cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, none is cheaper than Merced. Fresno comes closest at about $2,800.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merced, CAthis page | $1,300 – $4,200 | $2,750 | |
| Modesto, CA30 miles | $1,450 – $4,850 | $3,150 | +14% |
| San Jose, CA40 miles | $1,500 – $5,100 | $3,300 | +19% |
| Stockton, CA60 miles | $1,350 – $4,350 | $2,850 | +3% |
| Fresno, CA60 miles | $1,350 – $4,300 | $2,800 | +2% |
| Santa Cruz, CA70 miles | $1,350 – $4,450 | $2,900 | +6% |
| California (statewide) | $1,400 – $4,600 | $3,000 | +8% |
| United States | $1,250 – $4,000 | $2,650 | −5% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Merced ranks #70 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Merced is 8% below the California figure.
Elsewhere in California
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 6,271,560 jobs | $1,400 – $4,650 | $3,000 | +9% |
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $1,550 – $5,250 | $3,400 | +23% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $1,350 – $4,400 | $2,850 | +4% |
| San Diego, CA | 1,538,060 jobs | $1,400 – $4,600 | $3,000 | +9% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $1,500 – $5,100 | $3,300 | +19% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $1,400 – $4,500 | $2,950 | +7% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Merced against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saginaw, MI | 80,000 jobs | $1,200 – $3,900 | $2,550 | −7% |
| Chico, CA | 78,220 jobs | $1,350 – $4,350 | $2,850 | +3% |
| Las Cruces, NM | 80,000 jobs | $1,150 – $3,500 | $2,300 | −16% |
| Napa, CA | 77,860 jobs | $1,450 – $4,800 | $3,150 | +13% |
Optional extras in Merced
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.06 for Merced, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.06) and goods price index (1.05). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add an acid or water-based stain | $950 – $3,150 |
Related projects, priced for Merced
Jobs that often go together with concrete patio are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Merced wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, asphalt driveway comes out highest (+17%) and stamped concrete lowest (+4%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,600 – $5,450 | +5% |
| Stamped concrete | 400 sq ft | $3,400 – $8,250 | +4% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,300 – $5,950 | +10% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $8,500 – $17,000 | +12% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,850 – $9,750 | +6% |
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,500 – $8,700 | +17% |
Who does the work: Merced 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 Merced the blend is 1.06.
Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051), 50% of the weighting: a median of $25.59 an hour, 7% below the US median of $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $22.21 and $30.15 an hour. About 330 work in the metro. That is 41.5 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 13.3 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 30%) the local median is $26.17 an hour, which is 15% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.73 and $33.81 an hour. BLS counts 380 of them working in the area, 47.8 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Carpenters (47-2031), 10% of the weighting: a median of $35.94 an hour, 23% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $27.11 and $39.05 an hour. About 350 work in the metro. That is 44.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 10% of the weighting: a median of $35.96 an hour, 25% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $29.02 and $56.66 an hour. About 160 work in the metro. That is 20.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (cement masons and concrete finishers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $110 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $85. That is a swing of roughly 3.0% to 4.1% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Merced has 79,510 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 240th 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% | $22.21 | $25.59 | $30.15 | $27.41 | 0.93 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $21.73 | $26.17 | $33.81 | $22.66 | 1.15 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 10% | $27.11 | $35.94 | $39.05 | $29.12 | 1.23 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10% | $29.02 | $35.96 | $56.66 | $28.78 | 1.25 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.06 | |||||
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Concrete patio in Merced: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour a concrete patio in Merced?
For 300 sq ft, expect $1,300 to $4,200 in the Merced area. A standard-spec job lands at $2,200 to $3,350. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for concrete patio in Merced?
About $4.20 to $12.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $50 to $390 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $4 to $12.
+Is concrete patio cheaper in Merced or Modesto?
Modesto is 30 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $3,150, which is 14% more than Merced ($2,750). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Merced?
About 52% at the midpoint, or $1,450 out of $2,750. Materials are 40% and permits 8%. Nationally, labor is 51%.
+What would 12x16 (192 sq ft) cost in Merced?
$860 to $2,850. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does concrete patio need a permit in Merced?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $50 to $390 for fees in the Merced area (our national range of $50 to $400 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Merced expensive for concrete patio compared with the rest of California?
Merced is 8% below the California statewide estimate ($3,000 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 Merced?
The BLS median is $25.59 an hour in the Merced area, compared with $27.41 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.21 to $30.15.
+What do basic and premium concrete patio work cost in Merced?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $1,300 to $2,450 and premium work $3,050 to $4,200. Basic means: plain gray slab, broom finish, flat yard. Premium means: exposed aggregate or heavy decorative finish, drainage work.
+When is the best time to pour a concrete patio in Merced?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through May and October through November. 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 an acid or water-based stain" add in Merced?
$950 to $3,150 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Concrete patio near Merced
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 Patio Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- SimplyWise: Concrete Estimate Template: Free PDF + Excel (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: How Much Does Stamped Concrete Cost? (2026) (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 200 sq ft broom-finish patio line ($500-$900 in materials) divided by 200 sq ft.