Concrete patio cost in San Francisco, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $1,550 – $5,250
- Per sq ft
- $4.95 – $16
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +30%
- US $2,650
- Rank of 300 metros
- #3
- 1 = most expensive
San Francisco homeowners pay roughly $1,550 to $5,250 to pour a concrete patio at 300 sq ft, or $4.95 to $16 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, San Francisco is 30% higher. Cement masons and concrete finishers earn a median of $36.53 an hour in the San Francisco area, 33% above the US median of $27.41.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in San Francisco, CA, standard level
$2,650 to $4,150
About $8.25 to $12.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 59% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,000 | $1,250 |
| Labor | $1,450 | $2,550 |
| Permits and fees | $180 | $340 |
| Total | $2,650 | $4,150 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in San Francisco, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $810 | $1,150 | $1,450 | 33% |
| Labor | $670 | $2,000 | $3,350 | 59% |
| Permits and fees | $60 | $260 | $460 | 8% |
| Total | $1,550 | $3,400 | $5,250 | 100% |
Where the San Francisco price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 4 trades: cement masons and concrete finishers at 50%, construction laborers at 30%, carpenters at 10%, operating engineers and other construction equipment operators at 10%. Weighted together, San Francisco wages are 1.48 times the national level. Labor makes up about 59% of the midpoint estimate (51% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the San Francisco metro is 108.5 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 300 sq ft comes to $1,150, compared with $1,050 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (115.6) and land at $60 to $460.
Local wages behind the labor line
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 4 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for San Francisco is 1.48 times the national level.
For cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051, weighted 50%) the local median is $36.53 an hour, which is 33% above the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $29.20 and $48.73 an hour. BLS counts 2,420 of them working in the area, 10.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 13.3), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 30% of the weighting: a median of $34.91 an hour, 54% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $28.03 and $40.50 an hour. About 11,620 work in the metro. That is 48.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 10%) the local median is $42.89 an hour, which is 47% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $30.45 and $48.26 an hour. BLS counts 14,010 of them working in the area, 59.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is deeper than average.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 10%) the local median is $59.97 an hour, which is 108% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $38.08 and $64.34 an hour. BLS counts 4,080 of them working in the area, 17.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the cement masons and concrete finishers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($48.73 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $300. At the 25th percentile ($29.20) it shrinks by about $180. The total moves by 8.8% or 5.3%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 2,373,920 jobs in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont area. That makes it the 12th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 1.53% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 50% | $29.20 | $36.53 | $48.73 | $27.41 | 1.33 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $28.03 | $34.91 | $40.50 | $22.66 | 1.54 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 10% | $30.45 | $42.89 | $48.26 | $29.12 | 1.47 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10% | $38.08 | $59.97 | $64.34 | $28.78 | 2.08 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.48 | |||||
When to schedule concrete patio in San Francisco
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for San Francisco Dwtn (in the city). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
Weather is not a serious constraint for pouring concrete in San Francisco: 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.
San Francisco gets about 23 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, February and December (4.8 inches in December). The station averages about 3 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 | 58 | 47 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Feb | 60 | 48 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Mar | 62 | 49 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Apr | 63 | 50 | 1.6 | Workable |
| May | 64 | 51 | 0.7 | Workable |
| Jun | 67 | 53 | 0.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 66 | 54 | 0.0 | Workable |
| Aug | 68 | 56 | 0.1 | Workable |
| Sep | 70 | 56 | 0.1 | Workable |
| Oct | 70 | 54 | 0.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 64 | 51 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Dec | 58 | 47 | 4.8 | Workable |
Is San Francisco 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 300 sq ft range from $2,850 to $3,400 across San Francisco and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CAthis page | $1,550 – $5,250 | $3,400 | |
| Vallejo, CA40 miles | $1,400 – $4,600 | $3,000 | −12% |
| Napa, CA50 miles | $1,450 – $4,800 | $3,150 | −8% |
| Santa Cruz, CA55 miles | $1,350 – $4,450 | $2,900 | −14% |
| Stockton, CA55 miles | $1,350 – $4,350 | $2,850 | −17% |
| Santa Rosa, CA65 miles | $1,400 – $4,650 | $3,000 | −11% |
| California (statewide) | $1,400 – $4,600 | $3,000 | −12% |
| United States | $1,250 – $4,000 | $2,650 | −23% |
Across 300 US metros, San Francisco comes in at #3 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $3,800; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $2,100 (midpoints, 300 sq ft). Statewide, San Francisco is 14% above the California figure.
Other California metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 6,271,560 jobs | $1,400 – $4,650 | $3,000 | −11% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $1,350 – $4,400 | $2,850 | −16% |
| San Diego, CA | 1,538,060 jobs | $1,400 – $4,600 | $3,000 | −11% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $1,500 – $5,100 | $3,300 | −3% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $1,400 – $4,500 | $2,950 | −13% |
| Fresno, CA | 476,890 jobs | $1,350 – $4,300 | $2,800 | −17% |
Cities with a workforce like San Francisco's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is San Francisco against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix, AZ | 2,375,760 jobs | $1,200 – $4,000 | $2,600 | −23% |
| Seattle, WA | 2,086,210 jobs | $1,450 – $4,950 | $3,200 | −6% |
| Boston, MA | 2,703,890 jobs | $1,350 – $4,500 | $2,900 | −14% |
| Minneapolis, MN | 1,951,650 jobs | $1,400 – $4,700 | $3,050 | −10% |
Pick a size, pick a tier: concrete patio pricing in San Francisco
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for San Francisco 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 3 common sizes.
Basic
$1,550 to $3,050
Plain gray slab, broom finish, flat yard
Standard
$2,650 to $4,150
Colored or stained, saw-cut joints, minor grading
Premium
$3,800 to $5,250
Exposed aggregate or heavy decorative finish, drainage work
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x10 (100 sq ft) | $550 – $1,150 | $1,000 – $1,600 | $1,450 – $2,050 |
| 12x16 (192 sq ft) | $1,000 – $2,000 | $1,750 – $2,800 | $2,500 – $3,550 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $2,050 – $3,950 | $3,500 – $5,400 | $4,950 – $6,850 |
Planning more than one job in San Francisco?
Because every project leans on different trades, San Francisco's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, asphalt driveway runs +41% and concrete slab +26%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $3,150 – $6,450 | +26% |
| Stamped concrete | 400 sq ft | $4,050 – $10,200 | +27% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,800 – $6,950 | +27% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $9,500 – $19,100 | +26% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $4,850 – $12,600 | +36% |
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $4,100 – $10,600 | +41% |
Concrete patio: what moves the price in San Francisco
Size
Small patios carry fixed costs for forms and mobilization, so the per-square-foot price drops as the patio gets bigger.
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).
Add-ons priced for San Francisco
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to San Francisco by the average of the local wage index (1.48) and goods index (1.08), a factor of 1.28. 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 an acid or water-based stain | $1,150 – $3,850 |
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 $2,650 to $4,150 for San Francisco, CA is attached.
Detailed concrete patio report for San Francisco, CA, $9
The report lays out the concrete patio numbers for San Francisco, 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 patio in San Francisco: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour a concrete patio in San Francisco?
For 300 sq ft, expect $1,550 to $5,250 in the San Francisco area. A standard-spec job lands at $2,650 to $4,150. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for concrete patio in San Francisco?
About $4.95 to $16 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $60 to $460 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $4 to $12.
+Is concrete patio cheaper in San Francisco or Vallejo?
Vallejo is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $3,000, which is 12% less than San Francisco ($3,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in San Francisco?
About 59% at the midpoint, or $2,000 out of $3,400. Materials are 33% and permits 8%. Nationally, labor is 51%.
+What would 12x16 (192 sq ft) cost in San Francisco?
$1,000 to $3,550. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does concrete patio need a permit in San Francisco?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $60 to $460 for fees in the San Francisco area (our national range of $50 to $400 scaled by the local price level).
+Is San Francisco expensive for concrete patio compared with the rest of California?
San Francisco is 14% above 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 San Francisco?
The BLS median is $36.53 an hour in the San Francisco area, compared with $27.41 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $29.20 to $48.73.
+What do basic and premium concrete patio work cost in San Francisco?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $1,550 to $3,050 and premium work $3,800 to $5,250. Basic means: plain gray slab, broom finish, flat yard. Premium means: exposed aggregate or heavy decorative finish, drainage work.
+Is there a bad season to pour a concrete patio in San Francisco?
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 an acid or water-based stain" add in San Francisco?
$1,150 to $3,850 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Concrete patio near San Francisco
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.