Concrete patio cost in Raleigh, NC
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $1,150 – $3,650
- Per sq ft
- $3.75 – $11
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −8%
- US $2,650
- Rank of 300 metros
- #195
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to pour a concrete patio in Raleigh, plan on $1,150 to $3,650 for 300 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $3.75 to $11 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 8% lower than the national one. Cement masons and concrete finishers earn a median of $22.80 an hour in the Raleigh area, 17% below the US median of $27.41.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Raleigh, NC, standard level
$1,900 to $2,900
About $5.90 to $8.75 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 49% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $900 | $1,150 |
| Labor | $870 | $1,500 |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $290 |
| Total | $1,900 | $2,900 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Raleigh, NC
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $720 | $1,000 | $1,300 | 42% |
| Labor | $390 | $1,200 | $1,950 | 49% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $220 | $390 | 9% |
| Total | $1,150 | $2,400 | $3,650 | 100% |
Where the Raleigh 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, Raleigh wages are 0.88 times the national level. Labor makes up about 49% of the midpoint estimate (51% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Raleigh metro is 96.6 (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 (98.2) and land at $50 to $390.
Raleigh 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 Raleigh is 0.88 times the national level.
For cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051, weighted 50%) the local median is $22.80 an hour, which is 17% below the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $20.96 and $27.56 an hour. BLS counts 870 of them working in the area, 11.7 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 13.3), so the local bench is about average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 30% of the weighting: a median of $21.95 an hour, 3% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.31 and $23.77 an hour. About 6,360 work in the metro. That is 85.6 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 10%) the local median is $24.43 an hour, which is 16% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $21.31 and $29.01 an hour. BLS counts 2,680 of them working in the area, 36.1 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 $24.57 an hour, which is 15% below the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $23.05 and $28.70 an hour. BLS counts 3,080 of them working in the area, 41.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is deeper 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 ($27.56 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $120. At the 25th percentile ($20.96) it shrinks by about $45. The total moves by 4.8% or 1.9%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 743,120 jobs in the Raleigh-Cary area. That makes it the 41st largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.48% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 50% | $20.96 | $22.80 | $27.56 | $27.41 | 0.83 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $18.31 | $21.95 | $23.77 | $22.66 | 0.97 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 10% | $21.31 | $24.43 | $29.01 | $29.12 | 0.84 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10% | $23.05 | $24.57 | $28.70 | $28.78 | 0.85 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.88 | |||||
Planning more than one job in Raleigh?
Because every project leans on different trades, Raleigh's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, asphalt driveway runs −6% and concrete driveway −10%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,250 – $4,850 | −7% |
| Stamped concrete | 400 sq ft | $3,000 – $7,300 | −8% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,800 – $5,150 | −6% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $6,950 – $14,000 | −8% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,350 – $8,300 | −10% |
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $2,900 – $6,950 | −6% |
Add-ons priced for Raleigh
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Raleigh by the average of the local wage index (0.88) and goods index (0.97), a factor of 0.92. 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 | $830 – $2,750 |
Is Raleigh 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 $2,250 to $2,400 across Raleigh and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh, NCthis page | $1,150 – $3,650 | $2,400 | |
| Durham, NC40 miles | $1,150 – $3,600 | $2,400 | −1% |
| Burlington, NC55 miles | $1,150 – $3,550 | $2,350 | −3% |
| Fayetteville, NC60 miles | $1,100 – $3,400 | $2,250 | −7% |
| Greenville, NC60 miles | $1,100 – $3,400 | $2,250 | −7% |
| Greensboro, NC75 miles | $1,150 – $3,550 | $2,350 | −3% |
| North Carolina (statewide) | $1,150 – $3,600 | $2,400 | −1% |
| United States | $1,250 – $4,000 | $2,650 | +9% |
Across 300 US metros, Raleigh comes in at #195 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $3,800; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $2,100 (midpoints, 300 sq ft). Statewide, Raleigh is 1% above the North Carolina figure.
Other North Carolina metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte, NC | 1,358,370 jobs | $1,150 – $3,700 | $2,450 | level |
| Greensboro, NC | 365,410 jobs | $1,150 – $3,550 | $2,350 | −3% |
| Durham, NC | 344,020 jobs | $1,150 – $3,600 | $2,400 | −1% |
| Winston, NC | 271,980 jobs | $1,150 – $3,500 | $2,350 | −4% |
| Wilmington, NC | 191,280 jobs | $1,150 – $3,600 | $2,350 | −2% |
| Asheville, NC | 180,620 jobs | $1,150 – $3,650 | $2,400 | −1% |
Cities with a workforce like Raleigh's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Raleigh against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA | 763,060 jobs | $1,150 – $3,600 | $2,400 | −1% |
| Providence, RI | 714,120 jobs | $1,300 – $4,300 | $2,800 | +16% |
| Jacksonville, FL | 765,930 jobs | $1,150 – $3,650 | $2,400 | level |
| Louisville, KY | 685,190 jobs | $1,200 – $3,850 | $2,500 | +4% |
Raleigh: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Raleigh 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
$1,150 to $2,150
Plain gray slab, broom finish, flat yard
Standard
$1,900 to $2,900
Colored or stained, saw-cut joints, minor grading
Premium
$2,650 to $3,650
Exposed aggregate or heavy decorative finish, drainage work
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x10 (100 sq ft) | $420 – $850 | $740 – $1,150 | $1,050 – $1,500 |
| 12x16 (192 sq ft) | $770 – $1,450 | $1,300 – $1,950 | $1,800 – $2,500 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $1,550 – $2,850 | $2,500 – $3,800 | $3,450 – $4,750 |
Specs and site conditions that change a Raleigh bid
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).
Site prep
Excavation, forms and a gravel base are the unglamorous part of the bill and vary most with soil and slope.
Climate in Raleigh: timing your concrete patio job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Raleigh Durham Intl Ap (10 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through June and August through October are the stretches where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in Raleigh (6 of 12 months). January, February, March, November 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.
Raleigh gets about 46 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 5 inches of snow. The wettest months are July, August and September (5.2 inches in September). Inside the workable window, May and October are the driest, at 3.4 and 3.4 inches. The station averages about 52 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 | 52 | 32 | 3.4 | Cold |
| Feb | 56 | 34 | 2.8 | Cold |
| Mar | 63 | 40 | 4.1 | Cold |
| Apr | 73 | 49 | 3.5 | Workable |
| May | 80 | 58 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 87 | 66 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Jul | 91 | 70 | 5.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 89 | 69 | 4.7 | Workable |
| Sep | 83 | 63 | 5.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 73 | 50 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Nov | 63 | 40 | 3.3 | Cold |
| Dec | 55 | 34 | 3.4 | Cold |
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 $1,900 to $2,900 for Raleigh, NC is attached.
Take this estimate with you: PDF report, $9
Multi-page report for Raleigh, 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 Raleigh: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour a concrete patio in Raleigh?
For 300 sq ft, expect $1,150 to $3,650 in the Raleigh area. A standard-spec job lands at $1,900 to $2,900. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for concrete patio in Raleigh?
About $3.75 to $11 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $50 to $390 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $4 to $12.
+Is concrete patio cheaper in Raleigh or Durham?
Durham is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $2,400, which is 1% less than Raleigh ($2,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Raleigh?
About 49% at the midpoint, or $1,200 out of $2,400. Materials are 42% and permits 9%. Nationally, labor is 51%.
+What would 12x16 (192 sq ft) cost in Raleigh?
$770 to $2,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does concrete patio need a permit in Raleigh?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $50 to $390 for fees in the Raleigh area (our national range of $50 to $400 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Raleigh expensive for concrete patio compared with the rest of North Carolina?
Raleigh is 1% above 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 Raleigh?
The BLS median is $22.80 an hour in the Raleigh area, compared with $27.41 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $20.96 to $27.56.
+What do basic and premium concrete patio work cost in Raleigh?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $1,150 to $2,150 and premium work $2,650 to $3,650. 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 Raleigh?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through June and August 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 Raleigh?
$830 to $2,750 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Concrete patio near Raleigh
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.