Concrete patio cost in Reading, PA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $1,250 – $4,050
- Per sq ft
- $4.05 – $12
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +2%
- US $2,650
- Rank of 300 metros
- #110
- 1 = most expensive
Reading homeowners pay roughly $1,250 to $4,050 to pour a concrete patio at 300 sq ft, or $4.05 to $12 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Reading is almost level. Cement masons and concrete finishers earn a median of $28.71 an hour in the Reading area, 5% above the US median of $27.41.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Reading, PA, standard level
$2,100 to $3,200
About $6.50 to $9.80 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 52% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $940 | $1,200 |
| Labor | $1,000 | $1,750 |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $290 |
| Total | $2,100 | $3,200 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Reading, PA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $760 | $1,050 | $1,350 | 40% |
| Labor | $460 | $1,400 | $2,300 | 52% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $220 | $390 | 8% |
| Total | $1,250 | $2,650 | $4,050 | 100% |
Where the Reading price comes from
The wage side of the estimate leans on cement masons and concrete finishers, who do 50% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $28.71 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Reading is 1.03 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 52% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Reading metro is 100.7 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 300 sq ft comes to $1,050, compared with $1,050 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (97.1) and land at $50 to $390.
Local wages behind the labor line
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 Reading is 1.03 times the national level.
For cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051, weighted 50%) the local median is $28.71 an hour, which is 5% above the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $23.74 and $31.46 an hour. BLS counts 160 of them working in the area, 9.2 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 $23.46 an hour, 4% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.78 and $29.13 an hour. About 990 work in the metro. That is 56.7 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 $26.41 an hour, which is 9% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $22.60 and $29.57 an hour. BLS counts 760 of them working in the area, 43.5 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 $29.95 an hour, which is 4% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $24.70 and $36.80 an hour. BLS counts 590 of them working in the area, 33.8 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is about average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the cement masons and concrete finishers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($31.46 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $70. At the 25th percentile ($23.74) it shrinks by about $120. The total moves by 2.5% or 4.6%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 174,670 jobs in the Reading area. That makes it the 132nd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.11% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 50% | $23.74 | $28.71 | $31.46 | $27.41 | 1.05 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $21.78 | $23.46 | $29.13 | $22.66 | 1.04 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 10% | $22.60 | $26.41 | $29.57 | $29.12 | 0.91 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10% | $24.70 | $29.95 | $36.80 | $28.78 | 1.04 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.03 | |||||
When to schedule concrete patio in Reading
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Reading Spaatz Fld (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through October is the stretch where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in Reading (7 of 12 months). 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.
Reading gets about 45 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, July and September (4.9 inches in September). Inside the workable window, April and May are the driest, at 3.4 and 3.5 inches. The station averages about 24 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 | 39 | 23 | 3.0 | Cold |
| Feb | 42 | 24 | 2.6 | Cold |
| Mar | 51 | 32 | 3.5 | Cold |
| Apr | 63 | 42 | 3.4 | Workable |
| May | 74 | 52 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Jun | 82 | 61 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Jul | 87 | 66 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Aug | 84 | 64 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Sep | 77 | 57 | 4.9 | Workable |
| Oct | 65 | 45 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 54 | 35 | 3.0 | Cold |
| Dec | 43 | 28 | 3.5 | Cold |
Specs and site conditions that change a Reading bid
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.
How Reading compares
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 $2,650 to $2,750 across Reading and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading, PAthis page | $1,250 – $4,050 | $2,650 | |
| Lancaster, PA30 miles | $1,250 – $4,050 | $2,650 | level |
| Allentown, PA40 miles | $1,300 – $4,150 | $2,750 | +2% |
| Philadelphia, PA50 miles | $1,250 – $4,200 | $2,750 | +2% |
| York, PA55 miles | $1,250 – $4,100 | $2,700 | +1% |
| Harrisburg, PA60 miles | $1,250 – $4,100 | $2,700 | +1% |
| Pennsylvania (statewide) | $1,250 – $4,100 | $2,700 | +1% |
| United States | $1,250 – $4,000 | $2,650 | −1% |
Across 300 US metros, Reading comes in at #110 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $3,800; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $2,100 (midpoints, 300 sq ft). Statewide, Reading is 1% below the Pennsylvania figure.
Other Pennsylvania metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA | 2,897,830 jobs | $1,250 – $4,200 | $2,750 | +2% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 1,114,490 jobs | $1,300 – $4,150 | $2,750 | +3% |
| Allentown, PA | 377,180 jobs | $1,300 – $4,150 | $2,750 | +2% |
| Harrisburg, PA | 335,010 jobs | $1,250 – $4,100 | $2,700 | +1% |
| Scranton, PA | 255,620 jobs | $1,250 – $4,000 | $2,650 | −1% |
| Lancaster, PA | 252,230 jobs | $1,250 – $4,050 | $2,650 | level |
Cities with a workforce like Reading's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Reading against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage, AK | 177,050 jobs | $1,500 – $5,050 | $3,250 | +23% |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $1,250 – $4,200 | $2,750 | +3% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | 178,590 jobs | $1,150 – $3,700 | $2,400 | −9% |
| Naples, FL | 173,880 jobs | $1,200 – $3,750 | $2,450 | −8% |
Cost by quality level and size in Reading
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Reading 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 $3,200
Colored or stained, saw-cut joints, minor grading
Premium
$2,950 to $4,050
Exposed aggregate or heavy decorative finish, drainage work
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x10 (100 sq ft) | $450 – $920 | $800 – $1,250 | $1,150 – $1,600 |
| 12x16 (192 sq ft) | $830 – $1,600 | $1,400 – $2,150 | $2,000 – $2,750 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $1,650 – $3,100 | $2,750 – $4,200 | $3,850 – $5,300 |
Related projects, priced for Reading
Because every project leans on different trades, Reading's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, paver patio runs +3% and wood deck −3%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,500 – $5,250 | +1% |
| Stamped concrete | 400 sq ft | $3,300 – $8,150 | +2% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,100 – $5,650 | +3% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,350 – $14,800 | −3% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,700 – $9,400 | +2% |
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,100 – $7,550 | +2% |
Optional extras in Reading
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Reading by the average of the local wage index (1.03) and goods index (1.01), a factor of 1.02. 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 | $920 – $3,050 |
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 $3,200 for Reading, PA is attached.
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Multi-page report for Reading, PA: 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 Reading: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour a concrete patio in Reading?
For 300 sq ft, expect $1,250 to $4,050 in the Reading area. A standard-spec job lands at $2,100 to $3,200. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for concrete patio in Reading?
About $4.05 to $12 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 Reading or Lancaster?
Lancaster is 30 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $2,650, which is 0% more than Reading ($2,650). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Reading?
About 52% at the midpoint, or $1,400 out of $2,650. Materials are 40% and permits 8%. Nationally, labor is 51%.
+What would 12x16 (192 sq ft) cost in Reading?
$830 to $2,750. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does concrete patio need a permit in Reading?
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 Reading area (our national range of $50 to $400 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Reading expensive for concrete patio compared with the rest of Pennsylvania?
Reading is 1% below the Pennsylvania statewide estimate ($2,700 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Pennsylvania; see the state page to compare them.
+What do cement masons and concrete finishers earn in Reading?
The BLS median is $28.71 an hour in the Reading area, compared with $27.41 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.74 to $31.46.
+What do basic and premium concrete patio work cost in Reading?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $1,250 to $2,400 and premium work $2,950 to $4,050. 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 Reading?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. April and May 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 Reading?
$920 to $3,050 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Concrete patio near Reading
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.