Concrete patio cost in Lincoln, NE
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $1,150 – $3,700
- Per sq ft
- $3.75 – $11
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −7%
- US $2,650
- Rank of 300 metros
- #185
- 1 = most expensive
A concrete patio in Lincoln, NE usually costs $1,150 to $3,700 for 300 sq ft. That works out to about $3.75 to $11 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $190 less. Cement masons and concrete finishers earn a median of $24.02 an hour in the Lincoln area, 12% below the US median of $27.41.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Lincoln, NE, standard level
$1,950 to $2,950
About $5.95 to $8.90 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 51% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $880 | $1,100 |
| Labor | $910 | $1,550 |
| Permits and fees | $140 | $270 |
| Total | $1,950 | $2,950 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Lincoln, NE
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $710 | $990 | $1,250 | 41% |
| Labor | $410 | $1,250 | $2,050 | 51% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $210 | $370 | 8% |
| Total | $1,150 | $2,450 | $3,700 | 100% |
What is behind the Lincoln number
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, Lincoln wages are 0.92 times the national level. Labor makes up about 51% of the midpoint estimate (51% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Lincoln is at 94.1 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $1,050 nationally becomes $990 here (midpoint, 300 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 91.6: $45 to $370.
What nearby projects cost in Lincoln
Jobs that often go together with concrete patio are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Lincoln wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, asphalt driveway comes out highest (−4%) and wood deck lowest (−10%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,300 – $4,850 | −7% |
| Stamped concrete | 400 sq ft | $3,050 – $7,400 | −7% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,850 – $5,200 | −5% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $6,850 – $13,700 | −10% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,400 – $8,500 | −7% |
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $2,950 – $7,150 | −4% |
Pick a size, pick a tier: concrete patio pricing in Lincoln
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Lincoln. 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
$1,150 to $2,200
Plain gray slab, broom finish, flat yard
Standard
$1,950 to $2,950
Colored or stained, saw-cut joints, minor grading
Premium
$2,700 to $3,700
Exposed aggregate or heavy decorative finish, drainage work
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x10 (100 sq ft) | $420 – $840 | $740 – $1,150 | $1,050 – $1,500 |
| 12x16 (192 sq ft) | $760 – $1,450 | $1,300 – $2,000 | $1,800 – $2,500 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $1,550 – $2,850 | $2,500 – $3,850 | $3,500 – $4,800 |
Lincoln weather and the concrete patio calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Lincoln 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 Lincoln are May through October: 6 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March, April, 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.
Lincoln gets about 29 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 26 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and August (4.9 inches in May). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 2.9 and 2.1 inches. The station averages about 42 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 | 36 | 14 | 0.7 | Cold |
| Feb | 41 | 18 | 0.9 | Cold |
| Mar | 54 | 29 | 1.6 | Cold |
| Apr | 65 | 39 | 2.7 | Cold |
| May | 75 | 51 | 4.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 85 | 62 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Jul | 89 | 67 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Aug | 87 | 64 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Sep | 80 | 54 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Oct | 67 | 41 | 2.1 | Workable |
| Nov | 52 | 28 | 1.3 | Cold |
| Dec | 39 | 18 | 1.2 | Cold |
Extras that change the Lincoln total
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.93 for Lincoln, which is the average of the area's wage index (0.92) and goods price index (0.94). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add an acid or water-based stain | $840 – $2,800 |
Specs and site conditions that change a Lincoln bid
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.
Size
Small patios carry fixed costs for forms and mobilization, so the per-square-foot price drops as the patio gets bigger.
What local crews earn in Lincoln
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 Lincoln the blend is 0.92.
Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051), 50% of the weighting: a median of $24.02 an hour, 12% below the US median of $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $22.88 and $28.82 an hour. About 700 work in the metro. That is 38.3 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 $22.45 an hour, which is in line with the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $19.28 and $24.46 an hour. BLS counts 1,250 of them working in the area, 68.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is about average.
Carpenters (47-2031), 10% of the weighting: a median of $24.00 an hour, 18% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $21.70 and $28.77 an hour. About 1,020 work in the metro. That is 55.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 10% of the weighting: a median of $29.24 an hour, in line with the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $24.86 and $30.19 an hour. About 490 work in the metro. That is 26.8 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 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 $120 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $30. That is a swing of roughly 1.2% to 4.9% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Lincoln has 182,620 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 126th 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% | $22.88 | $24.02 | $28.82 | $27.41 | 0.88 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $19.28 | $22.45 | $24.46 | $22.66 | 0.99 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 10% | $21.70 | $24.00 | $28.77 | $29.12 | 0.82 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10% | $24.86 | $29.24 | $30.19 | $28.78 | 1.02 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.92 | |||||
Lincoln against nearby metros and the rest of Nebraska
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 $2,450 to $2,650 across Lincoln and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln, NEthis page | $1,150 – $3,700 | $2,450 | |
| Omaha, NE55 miles | $1,150 – $3,750 | $2,450 | +1% |
| Sioux City, IA120 miles | $1,200 – $3,850 | $2,550 | +4% |
| Topeka, KS135 miles | $1,150 – $3,750 | $2,450 | +1% |
| Des Moines, IA170 miles | $1,200 – $4,000 | $2,600 | +7% |
| Kansas City, MO185 miles | $1,250 – $4,050 | $2,650 | +9% |
| Nebraska (statewide) | $1,150 – $3,700 | $2,450 | level |
| United States | $1,250 – $4,000 | $2,650 | +8% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Lincoln ranks #185 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Lincoln is 0% above the Nebraska figure.
Elsewhere in Nebraska
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE | 498,100 jobs | $1,150 – $3,750 | $2,450 | +1% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Lincoln against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| York, PA | 183,590 jobs | $1,250 – $4,100 | $2,700 | +10% |
| Asheville, NC | 180,620 jobs | $1,150 – $3,650 | $2,400 | −2% |
| Tallahassee, FL | 186,160 jobs | $1,150 – $3,450 | $2,300 | −6% |
| Davenport, IA | 180,450 jobs | $1,250 – $4,050 | $2,650 | +9% |
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Concrete patio in Lincoln: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour a concrete patio in Lincoln?
For 300 sq ft, expect $1,150 to $3,700 in the Lincoln area. A standard-spec job lands at $1,950 to $2,950. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for concrete patio in Lincoln?
About $3.75 to $11 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $45 to $370 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $4 to $12.
+Is concrete patio cheaper in Lincoln or Omaha?
Omaha is 55 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $2,450, which is 1% more than Lincoln ($2,450). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Lincoln?
About 51% at the midpoint, or $1,250 out of $2,450. Materials are 41% and permits 8%. Nationally, labor is 51%.
+What would 12x16 (192 sq ft) cost in Lincoln?
$760 to $2,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does concrete patio need a permit in Lincoln?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $45 to $370 for fees in the Lincoln area (our national range of $50 to $400 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Lincoln expensive for concrete patio compared with the rest of Nebraska?
Lincoln is 0% above the Nebraska statewide estimate ($2,450 at the midpoint). We cover 2 metros in Nebraska; see the state page to compare them.
+What do cement masons and concrete finishers earn in Lincoln?
The BLS median is $24.02 an hour in the Lincoln area, compared with $27.41 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.88 to $28.82.
+What do basic and premium concrete patio work cost in Lincoln?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $1,150 to $2,200 and premium work $2,700 to $3,700. 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 Lincoln?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are May through October. September 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 Lincoln?
$840 to $2,800 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Concrete patio near Lincoln
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.