Concrete patio cost in Boulder, CO
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $1,250 – $4,100
- Per sq ft
- $4 – $12
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +2%
- US $2,650
- Rank of 300 metros
- #109
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to pour a concrete patio in Boulder, plan on $1,250 to $4,100 for 300 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $4 to $12 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint lands close to the national one. Cement masons and concrete finishers earn a median of $29.00 an hour in the Boulder area, 6% above the US median of $27.41.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Boulder, CO, standard level
$2,100 to $3,250
About $6.45 to $9.75 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 53% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $890 | $1,100 |
| Labor | $1,050 | $1,800 |
| Permits and fees | $160 | $310 |
| Total | $2,100 | $3,250 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Boulder, CO
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $720 | $1,000 | $1,300 | 38% |
| Labor | $470 | $1,400 | $2,350 | 53% |
| Permits and fees | $55 | $240 | $420 | 9% |
| Total | $1,250 | $2,650 | $4,100 | 100% |
Why Boulder prices look the way they do
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, Boulder wages are 1.05 times the national level. Labor makes up about 53% of the midpoint estimate (51% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Boulder metro is 96.1 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 300 sq ft comes to $1,000, compared with $1,050 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (105.2) and land at $55 to $420.
Boulder against nearby metros and the rest of Colorado
Same job, same size (300 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Denver is the priciest of the group at $2,750. Greeley is the cheapest at $2,600.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder, COthis page | $1,250 – $4,100 | $2,650 | |
| Fort Collins, CO40 miles | $1,250 – $4,000 | $2,600 | −2% |
| Denver, CO55 miles | $1,300 – $4,200 | $2,750 | +3% |
| Greeley, CO60 miles | $1,200 – $3,950 | $2,600 | −3% |
| Cheyenne, WY90 miles | $1,250 – $4,000 | $2,600 | −2% |
| Colorado Springs, CO95 miles | $1,250 – $4,000 | $2,600 | −2% |
| Colorado (statewide) | $1,250 – $4,100 | $2,700 | +1% |
| United States | $1,250 – $4,000 | $2,650 | −2% |
Across 300 US metros, Boulder comes in at #109 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $3,800; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $2,100 (midpoints, 300 sq ft). Statewide, Boulder is 1% below the Colorado figure.
Other Colorado metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver, CO | 1,609,350 jobs | $1,300 – $4,200 | $2,750 | +3% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 316,060 jobs | $1,250 – $4,000 | $2,600 | −2% |
| Fort Collins, CO | 169,430 jobs | $1,250 – $4,000 | $2,600 | −2% |
| Greeley, CO | 119,540 jobs | $1,200 – $3,950 | $2,600 | −3% |
| Grand Junction, CO | 67,170 jobs | $1,200 – $3,850 | $2,550 | −5% |
| Pueblo, CO | 61,780 jobs | $1,200 – $3,850 | $2,550 | −5% |
Cities with a workforce like Boulder's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Boulder against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corpus Christi, TX | 192,580 jobs | $1,150 – $3,600 | $2,350 | −11% |
| Wilmington, NC | 191,280 jobs | $1,150 – $3,600 | $2,350 | −11% |
| Modesto, CA | 195,230 jobs | $1,450 – $4,850 | $3,150 | +18% |
| Pensacola, FL | 190,480 jobs | $1,150 – $3,600 | $2,400 | −11% |
Climate in Boulder: timing your concrete patio job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Boulder (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
May through September is the stretch where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in Boulder (5 of 12 months). January, February, March, April, October, November and December have an average overnight low of 40°F or below.
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.
Boulder gets about 21 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 93 inches of snow. The wettest months are April, May and September (3.2 inches in May). Inside the workable window, July and August are the driest, at 1.8 and 1.7 inches. The station averages about 33 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 | 47 | 22 | 0.8 | Cold |
| Feb | 48 | 22 | 1.0 | Cold |
| Mar | 57 | 29 | 2.0 | Cold |
| Apr | 63 | 35 | 3.0 | Cold |
| May | 71 | 43 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Jun | 83 | 51 | 1.9 | Workable |
| Jul | 88 | 57 | 1.8 | Workable |
| Aug | 86 | 56 | 1.7 | Workable |
| Sep | 79 | 48 | 2.1 | Workable |
| Oct | 66 | 37 | 1.6 | Cold |
| Nov | 55 | 28 | 1.2 | Cold |
| Dec | 46 | 21 | 0.8 | Cold |
Why two Boulder quotes can differ
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).
Boulder labor market for concrete patio
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 Boulder is 1.05 times the national level.
For cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051, weighted 50%) the local median is $29.00 an hour, which is 6% above the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $23.59 and $32.25 an hour. BLS counts 150 of them working in the area, 7.8 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 $23.07 an hour, in line with the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $19.64 and $28.23 an hour. About 540 work in the metro. That is 28.1 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 $28.73 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.92 and $35.50 an hour. BLS counts 540 of them working in the area, 28.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is thinner than average.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 10%) the local median is $34.16 an hour, which is 19% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $29.51 and $38.37 an hour. BLS counts 190 of them working in the area, 9.9 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 ($32.25 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $80. At the 25th percentile ($23.59) it shrinks by about $130. The total moves by 3.0% or 5.0%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 192,390 jobs in the Boulder area. That makes it the 119th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.12% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 50% | $23.59 | $29.00 | $32.25 | $27.41 | 1.06 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $19.64 | $23.07 | $28.23 | $22.66 | 1.02 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 10% | $23.92 | $28.73 | $35.50 | $29.12 | 0.99 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10% | $29.51 | $34.16 | $38.37 | $28.78 | 1.19 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.05 | |||||
Planning more than one job in Boulder?
Because every project leans on different trades, Boulder's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, paver patio runs +3% and wood deck −2%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,450 – $5,200 | level |
| Stamped concrete | 400 sq ft | $3,250 – $8,050 | +1% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,050 – $5,600 | +3% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,350 – $14,800 | −2% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,700 – $9,450 | +2% |
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,100 – $7,600 | +2% |
Boulder: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Boulder 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
$1,250 to $2,400
Plain gray slab, broom finish, flat yard
Standard
$2,100 to $3,250
Colored or stained, saw-cut joints, minor grading
Premium
$2,950 to $4,100
Exposed aggregate or heavy decorative finish, drainage work
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x10 (100 sq ft) | $450 – $930 | $810 – $1,300 | $1,150 – $1,650 |
| 12x16 (192 sq ft) | $820 – $1,600 | $1,400 – $2,200 | $2,000 – $2,750 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $1,650 – $3,100 | $2,750 – $4,200 | $3,850 – $5,300 |
Optional extras in Boulder
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Boulder by the average of the local wage index (1.05) and goods index (0.96), a factor of 1.01. 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 | $910 – $3,000 |
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 $2,100 to $3,250 for Boulder, CO is attached.
Take this estimate with you: PDF report, $9
Multi-page report for Boulder, CO: 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.
Concrete patio in Boulder: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour a concrete patio in Boulder?
For 300 sq ft, expect $1,250 to $4,100 in the Boulder area. A standard-spec job lands at $2,100 to $3,250. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for concrete patio in Boulder?
About $4 to $12 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $55 to $420 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $4 to $12.
+Is concrete patio cheaper in Boulder or Fort Collins?
Fort Collins is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $2,600, which is 2% less than Boulder ($2,650). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Boulder?
About 53% at the midpoint, or $1,400 out of $2,650. Materials are 38% and permits 9%. Nationally, labor is 51%.
+What would 12x16 (192 sq ft) cost in Boulder?
$820 to $2,750. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does concrete patio need a permit in Boulder?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $55 to $420 for fees in the Boulder area (our national range of $50 to $400 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Boulder expensive for concrete patio compared with the rest of Colorado?
Boulder is 1% below the Colorado statewide estimate ($2,700 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Colorado; see the state page to compare them.
+What do cement masons and concrete finishers earn in Boulder?
The BLS median is $29.00 an hour in the Boulder area, compared with $27.41 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.59 to $32.25.
+What do basic and premium concrete patio work cost in Boulder?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $1,250 to $2,400 and premium work $2,950 to $4,100. 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 Boulder?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are May through September. July and August 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 Boulder?
$910 to $3,000 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Concrete patio near Boulder
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.