Concrete patio cost in Washington, DC
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $1,300 – $4,150
- Per sq ft
- $4.15 – $12.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +4%
- US $2,650
- Rank of 300 metros
- #87
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to pour a concrete patio in Washington, plan on $1,300 to $4,150 for 300 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $4.15 to $12.50 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 4% higher than the national one. Building materials run about 5% above the US average here (BEA goods price index 104.8).
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Washington, DC, standard level
$2,150 to $3,300
About $6.60 to $9.90 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 50% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $980 | $1,250 |
| Labor | $1,000 | $1,750 |
| Permits and fees | $170 | $320 |
| Total | $2,150 | $3,300 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Washington, DC
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $790 | $1,100 | $1,400 | 40% |
| Labor | $460 | $1,350 | $2,300 | 50% |
| Permits and fees | $55 | $240 | $440 | 9% |
| Total | $1,300 | $2,700 | $4,150 | 100% |
Where the Washington price comes from
Labor is 50% of the midpoint bill here, against 51% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is cement masons and concrete finishers (50%), construction laborers (30%), carpenters (10%), operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (10%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Washington the blended ratio comes out at 1.02.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Washington metro is 104.8 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 300 sq ft comes to $1,100, compared with $1,050 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (108.9) and land at $55 to $440.
What nearby projects cost in Washington
Because every project leans on different trades, Washington's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, asphalt driveway runs +5% and concrete driveway +3%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,550 – $5,400 | +4% |
| Stamped concrete | 400 sq ft | $3,350 – $8,250 | +4% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,100 – $5,600 | +3% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,750 – $15,600 | +3% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,750 – $9,450 | +3% |
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,200 – $7,800 | +5% |
Concrete patio: what moves the price in Washington
Site prep
Excavation, forms and a gravel base are the unglamorous part of the bill and vary most with soil and slope.
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.
Cost by quality level and size in Washington
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Washington 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
$1,300 to $2,450
Plain gray slab, broom finish, flat yard
Standard
$2,150 to $3,300
Colored or stained, saw-cut joints, minor grading
Premium
$3,000 to $4,150
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) | $850 – $1,650 | $1,450 – $2,200 | $2,000 – $2,800 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $1,700 – $3,200 | $2,800 – $4,300 | $3,900 – $5,350 |
Washington 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 Washington is 1.02 times the national level.
For cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051, weighted 50%) the local median is $28.05 an hour, which is in line with the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $23.42 and $30.30 an hour. BLS counts 2,810 of them working in the area, 9.0 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 $22.80 an hour, in line with the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $20.07 and $27.05 an hour. About 17,710 work in the metro. That is 56.5 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 $29.23 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $26.62 and $35.56 an hour. BLS counts 13,280 of them working in the area, 42.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is about average.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 10%) the local median is $29.64 an hour, which is in line with the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $26.33 and $35.07 an hour. BLS counts 6,450 of them working in the area, 20.6 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 ($30.30 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $55. At the 25th percentile ($23.42) it shrinks by about $110. The total moves by 2.0% or 4.2%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 3,136,190 jobs in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria area. That makes it the 6th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 2.02% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 50% | $23.42 | $28.05 | $30.30 | $27.41 | 1.02 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $20.07 | $22.80 | $27.05 | $22.66 | 1.01 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 10% | $26.62 | $29.23 | $35.56 | $29.12 | 1.00 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10% | $26.33 | $29.64 | $35.07 | $28.78 | 1.03 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.02 | |||||
Climate in Washington: timing your concrete patio job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Washington Reagan Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through June and August through November are the stretches where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in Washington (7 of 12 months). January, February, March and December have an average overnight low of 40°F or below; July has 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 July, crews often start early, wet the base and plan for faster set times.
Washington gets about 42 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 14 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and July (4.3 inches in July). Inside the workable window, April and November are the driest, at 3.2 and 2.9 inches. The station averages about 40 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 | 45 | 30 | 2.9 | Cold |
| Feb | 48 | 32 | 2.6 | Cold |
| Mar | 57 | 39 | 3.5 | Cold |
| Apr | 68 | 48 | 3.2 | Workable |
| May | 77 | 58 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 85 | 68 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 90 | 72 | 4.3 | Hot |
| Aug | 88 | 71 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Sep | 81 | 64 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Oct | 69 | 52 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Nov | 58 | 42 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Dec | 49 | 35 | 3.4 | Cold |
Washington against nearby metros and the rest of the District of Columbia
Of the five closest metros, all are cheaper than Washington. Winchester is the lowest at about $2,400 (midpoint, 300 sq ft), 60 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington, DCthis page | $1,300 – $4,150 | $2,700 | |
| Hagerstown, MD55 miles | $1,150 – $3,650 | $2,400 | −12% |
| Baltimore, MD60 miles | $1,250 – $3,950 | $2,600 | −4% |
| Winchester, VA60 miles | $1,150 – $3,600 | $2,400 | −12% |
| Lexington Park, MD65 miles | $1,250 – $3,900 | $2,550 | −6% |
| Chambersburg, PA75 miles | $1,200 – $3,800 | $2,500 | −7% |
| District of Columbia (statewide) | $1,350 – $4,300 | $2,850 | +4% |
| United States | $1,250 – $4,000 | $2,650 | −3% |
Across 300 US metros, Washington comes in at #87 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $3,800; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $2,100 (midpoints, 300 sq ft). Statewide, Washington is 4% below the District of Columbia figure.
Washington is the only District of Columbia metro we cover, so the statewide page is the only in-state comparison. It uses statewide wages, which include rural areas.
Cities with a workforce like Washington's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Washington against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston, TX | 3,289,720 jobs | $1,200 – $3,650 | $2,400 | −11% |
| Philadelphia, PA | 2,897,830 jobs | $1,250 – $4,200 | $2,750 | level |
| Dallas, TX | 4,049,800 jobs | $1,200 – $3,750 | $2,500 | −8% |
| Atlanta, GA | 2,889,670 jobs | $1,200 – $3,650 | $2,400 | −11% |
Add-ons priced for Washington
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Washington by the average of the local wage index (1.02) and goods index (1.05), a factor of 1.03. 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 | $930 – $3,100 |
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 $2,150 to $3,300 for Washington, DC is attached.
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Concrete patio in Washington: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour a concrete patio in Washington?
For 300 sq ft, expect $1,300 to $4,150 in the Washington area. A standard-spec job lands at $2,150 to $3,300. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for concrete patio in Washington?
About $4.15 to $12.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $55 to $440 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $4 to $12.
+Is concrete patio cheaper in Washington or Hagerstown?
Hagerstown is 55 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $2,400, which is 12% less than Washington ($2,700). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Washington?
About 50% at the midpoint, or $1,350 out of $2,700. Materials are 40% and permits 9%. Nationally, labor is 51%.
+What would 12x16 (192 sq ft) cost in Washington?
$850 to $2,800. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does concrete patio need a permit in Washington?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $55 to $440 for fees in the Washington area (our national range of $50 to $400 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Washington expensive for concrete patio compared with the rest of District of Columbia?
Washington is 4% below the District of Columbia statewide estimate ($2,850 at the midpoint).
+What do cement masons and concrete finishers earn in Washington?
The BLS median is $28.05 an hour in the Washington area, compared with $27.41 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.42 to $30.30.
+What do basic and premium concrete patio work cost in Washington?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $1,300 to $2,450 and premium work $3,000 to $4,150. 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 Washington?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through June and August through November. April and November 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 Washington?
$930 to $3,100 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Concrete patio near Washington
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.