Concrete patio cost in Hickory, NC
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $1,150 – $3,550
- Per sq ft
- $3.65 – $10.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −11%
- US $2,650
- Rank of 300 metros
- #243
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a concrete patio in the Hickory area: $1,150 to $3,550 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 11% lower than the US figure. Cement masons and concrete finishers earn a median of $21.43 an hour in the Hickory area, 22% below the US median of $27.41.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Hickory, NC, standard level
$1,850 to $2,800
About $5.75 to $8.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 48% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $900 | $1,150 |
| Labor | $820 | $1,400 |
| Permits and fees | $140 | $260 |
| Total | $1,850 | $2,800 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Hickory, NC
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $720 | $1,000 | $1,300 | 43% |
| Labor | $370 | $1,100 | $1,850 | 48% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $200 | $350 | 9% |
| Total | $1,150 | $2,350 | $3,550 | 100% |
Why Hickory 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, Hickory wages are 0.83 times the national level. Labor makes up about 48% of the midpoint estimate (51% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Hickory is at 96.6 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $1,050 nationally becomes $1,000 here (midpoint, 300 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 88.5: $45 to $350.
The best months for concrete patio in Hickory
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Hickory Faa 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 Hickory are April through October: 7 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March, 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.
Hickory gets about 47 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, July and August (4.6 inches in August). Inside the workable window, May and October are the driest, at 3.9 and 3.5 inches. The station averages about 33 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 | 49 | 30 | 3.8 | Cold |
| Feb | 53 | 33 | 3.2 | Cold |
| Mar | 61 | 40 | 4.1 | Cold |
| Apr | 70 | 48 | 4.1 | Workable |
| May | 77 | 56 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 84 | 64 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 87 | 68 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Aug | 86 | 67 | 4.6 | Workable |
| Sep | 80 | 61 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Oct | 70 | 49 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Nov | 60 | 39 | 3.6 | Cold |
| Dec | 52 | 33 | 3.9 | Cold |
Optional extras in Hickory
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.90 for Hickory, which is the average of the area's wage index (0.83) and goods price index (0.97). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add an acid or water-based stain | $810 – $2,700 |
Who does the work: Hickory 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 Hickory the blend is 0.83.
Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051), 50% of the weighting: a median of $21.43 an hour, 22% below the US median of $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $17.02 and $23.18 an hour. About 70 work in the metro. That is 4.5 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 13.3 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 30%) the local median is $21.42 an hour, which is 5% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.03 and $24.58 an hour. BLS counts 800 of them working in the area, 51.9 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 $23.20 an hour, 20% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $20.63 and $27.52 an hour. About 250 work in the metro. That is 16.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 10% of the weighting: a median of $22.76 an hour, 21% below the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $19.88 and $27.84 an hour. About 370 work in the metro. That is 24.0 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 $45 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $110. That is a swing of roughly 4.6% to 1.8% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton has 154,090 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 152nd 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% | $17.02 | $21.43 | $23.18 | $27.41 | 0.78 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $17.03 | $21.42 | $24.58 | $22.66 | 0.95 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 10% | $20.63 | $23.20 | $27.52 | $29.12 | 0.80 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10% | $19.88 | $22.76 | $27.84 | $28.78 | 0.79 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.83 | |||||
Planning more than one job in Hickory?
Jobs that often go together with concrete patio are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Hickory wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, paver patio comes out highest (−8%) and concrete driveway lowest (−13%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,200 – $4,750 | −9% |
| Stamped concrete | 400 sq ft | $2,950 – $7,100 | −10% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,800 – $5,000 | −8% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $6,850 – $13,700 | −10% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,250 – $8,000 | −13% |
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $2,850 – $6,800 | −8% |
Hickory against nearby metros and the rest of North Carolina
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 $2,350 to $2,450 across Hickory and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hickory, NCthis page | $1,150 – $3,550 | $2,350 | |
| Johnson City, TN60 miles | $1,150 – $3,550 | $2,350 | level |
| Charlotte, NC60 miles | $1,150 – $3,700 | $2,450 | +4% |
| Asheville, NC65 miles | $1,150 – $3,650 | $2,400 | +2% |
| Winston, NC65 miles | $1,150 – $3,500 | $2,350 | level |
| Spartanburg, SC70 miles | $1,150 – $3,600 | $2,350 | +2% |
| North Carolina (statewide) | $1,150 – $3,600 | $2,400 | +2% |
| United States | $1,250 – $4,000 | $2,650 | +12% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Hickory ranks #243 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Hickory is 2% below the North Carolina figure.
Elsewhere in North Carolina
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte, NC | 1,358,370 jobs | $1,150 – $3,700 | $2,450 | +4% |
| Raleigh, NC | 743,120 jobs | $1,150 – $3,650 | $2,400 | +3% |
| Greensboro, NC | 365,410 jobs | $1,150 – $3,550 | $2,350 | level |
| Durham, NC | 344,020 jobs | $1,150 – $3,600 | $2,400 | +2% |
| Winston, NC | 271,980 jobs | $1,150 – $3,500 | $2,350 | level |
| Wilmington, NC | 191,280 jobs | $1,150 – $3,600 | $2,350 | +1% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Hickory against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brownsville, TX | 157,450 jobs | $1,100 – $3,350 | $2,200 | −5% |
| Roanoke, VA | 153,980 jobs | $1,150 – $3,600 | $2,350 | +1% |
| Eugene, OR | 157,710 jobs | $1,300 – $4,200 | $2,750 | +18% |
| Gainesville, FL | 152,670 jobs | $1,150 – $3,550 | $2,350 | +1% |
Hickory: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Hickory. 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 $2,100
Plain gray slab, broom finish, flat yard
Standard
$1,850 to $2,800
Colored or stained, saw-cut joints, minor grading
Premium
$2,600 to $3,550
Exposed aggregate or heavy decorative finish, drainage work
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x10 (100 sq ft) | $410 – $810 | $710 – $1,100 | $1,000 – $1,400 |
| 12x16 (192 sq ft) | $750 – $1,400 | $1,250 – $1,900 | $1,750 – $2,400 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $1,500 – $2,750 | $2,450 – $3,650 | $3,350 – $4,600 |
Concrete patio: what moves the price in Hickory
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.
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 $1,850 to $2,800 for Hickory, NC is attached.
Detailed concrete patio report for Hickory, NC, $9
Multi-page report for Hickory, NC: 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 Hickory: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour a concrete patio in Hickory?
For 300 sq ft, expect $1,150 to $3,550 in the Hickory area. A standard-spec job lands at $1,850 to $2,800. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for concrete patio in Hickory?
About $3.65 to $10.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $45 to $350 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $4 to $12.
+Is concrete patio cheaper in Hickory or Johnson City?
Johnson City is 60 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $2,350, which is 0% more than Hickory ($2,350). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Hickory?
About 48% at the midpoint, or $1,100 out of $2,350. Materials are 43% and permits 9%. Nationally, labor is 51%.
+What would 12x16 (192 sq ft) cost in Hickory?
$750 to $2,400. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does concrete patio need a permit in Hickory?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $45 to $350 for fees in the Hickory area (our national range of $50 to $400 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Hickory expensive for concrete patio compared with the rest of North Carolina?
Hickory is 2% below the North Carolina statewide estimate ($2,400 at the midpoint). We cover 11 metros in North Carolina; see the state page to compare them.
+What do cement masons and concrete finishers earn in Hickory?
The BLS median is $21.43 an hour in the Hickory area, compared with $27.41 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $17.02 to $23.18.
+What do basic and premium concrete patio work cost in Hickory?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $1,150 to $2,100 and premium work $2,600 to $3,550. 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 Hickory?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. 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 Hickory?
$810 to $2,700 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Concrete patio near Hickory
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.