Concrete patio cost in Charleston, SC
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $1,200 – $3,750
- Per sq ft
- $3.75 – $11
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −6%
- US $2,650
- Rank of 300 metros
- #177
- 1 = most expensive
Charleston homeowners pay roughly $1,200 to $3,750 to pour a concrete patio at 300 sq ft, or $3.75 to $11 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Charleston is 6% lower. Cement masons and concrete finishers earn a median of $25.27 an hour in the Charleston area, 8% below the US median of $27.41.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Charleston, SC, standard level
$1,950 to $3,000
About $6 to $8.90 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 50% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $900 | $1,150 |
| Labor | $900 | $1,550 |
| Permits and fees | $160 | $300 |
| Total | $1,950 | $3,000 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Charleston, SC
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $720 | $1,000 | $1,300 | 41% |
| Labor | $410 | $1,200 | $2,050 | 50% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $230 | $400 | 9% |
| Total | $1,200 | $2,450 | $3,750 | 100% |
Where the Charleston 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 $25.27 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Charleston is 0.91 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 50% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Charleston metro is 96.3 (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 (101.0) and land at $50 to $400.
When to schedule concrete patio in Charleston
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Charleston City (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
Weather is not a serious constraint for pouring concrete in Charleston: no month in the averages is cold enough (an average overnight low of 40°F or below) or hot enough (an average daytime high of 90°F or more) to rule it out, so the workable window is all year.
Charleston gets about 44 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are July, August and September (6.1 inches in August). The station averages about 25 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 | 58 | 44 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Feb | 60 | 46 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Mar | 66 | 52 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Apr | 72 | 60 | 3.0 | Workable |
| May | 79 | 68 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Jun | 84 | 74 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Jul | 88 | 77 | 5.1 | Workable |
| Aug | 86 | 77 | 6.1 | Workable |
| Sep | 83 | 73 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Oct | 76 | 63 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Nov | 67 | 53 | 2.3 | Workable |
| Dec | 61 | 47 | 2.9 | Workable |
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 Charleston is 0.91 times the national level.
For cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051, weighted 50%) the local median is $25.27 an hour, which is 8% below the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $22.52 and $30.36 an hour. BLS counts 300 of them working in the area, 7.6 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 $20.98 an hour, 7% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.00 and $24.49 an hour. About 3,710 work in the metro. That is 94.1 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 $24.22 an hour, which is 17% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $21.37 and $29.52 an hour. BLS counts 1,240 of them working in the area, 31.5 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 $24.35 an hour, which is 15% below the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $23.39 and $29.69 an hour. BLS counts 1,470 of them working in the area, 37.3 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 ($30.36 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $130. At the 25th percentile ($22.52) it shrinks by about $70. The total moves by 5.1% or 2.8%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 394,170 jobs in the Charleston-North Charleston area. That makes it the 66th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.25% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 50% | $22.52 | $25.27 | $30.36 | $27.41 | 0.92 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $18.00 | $20.98 | $24.49 | $22.66 | 0.93 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 10% | $21.37 | $24.22 | $29.52 | $29.12 | 0.83 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10% | $23.39 | $24.35 | $29.69 | $28.78 | 0.85 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.91 | |||||
Specs and site conditions that change a Charleston 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.
Charleston against nearby metros and the rest of South 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 $2,300 to $2,450 across Charleston and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston, SCthis page | $1,200 – $3,750 | $2,450 | |
| Hilton Head, SC65 miles | $1,150 – $3,700 | $2,450 | −1% |
| Florence, SC80 miles | $1,150 – $3,600 | $2,350 | −4% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC85 miles | $1,150 – $3,500 | $2,300 | −6% |
| Columbia, SC95 miles | $1,150 – $3,650 | $2,400 | −2% |
| Savannah, GA95 miles | $1,150 – $3,500 | $2,300 | −7% |
| South Carolina (statewide) | $1,150 – $3,650 | $2,400 | −3% |
| United States | $1,250 – $4,000 | $2,650 | +7% |
Across 300 US metros, Charleston comes in at #177 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $3,800; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $2,100 (midpoints, 300 sq ft). Statewide, Charleston is 3% above the South Carolina figure.
Other South Carolina metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville, SC | 434,900 jobs | $1,150 – $3,700 | $2,400 | −2% |
| Columbia, SC | 394,200 jobs | $1,150 – $3,650 | $2,400 | −2% |
| Spartanburg, SC | 165,150 jobs | $1,150 – $3,600 | $2,350 | −4% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | 146,260 jobs | $1,150 – $3,500 | $2,300 | −6% |
| Florence, SC | 89,060 jobs | $1,150 – $3,600 | $2,350 | −4% |
| Hilton Head, SC | 81,920 jobs | $1,150 – $3,700 | $2,450 | −1% |
Cities with a workforce like Charleston's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Charleston against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia, SC | 394,200 jobs | $1,150 – $3,650 | $2,400 | −2% |
| Boise, ID | 391,790 jobs | $1,200 – $3,900 | $2,550 | +4% |
| Des Moines, IA | 404,130 jobs | $1,200 – $4,000 | $2,600 | +6% |
| Tucson, AZ | 389,630 jobs | $1,200 – $3,850 | $2,550 | +3% |
Planning more than one job in Charleston?
Because every project leans on different trades, Charleston's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, concrete slab runs −6% and asphalt driveway −9%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,300 – $4,900 | −6% |
| Stamped concrete | 400 sq ft | $3,050 – $7,500 | −6% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,750 – $5,050 | −8% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $6,900 – $13,900 | −9% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,400 – $8,500 | −7% |
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $2,800 – $6,700 | −9% |
Add-ons priced for Charleston
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Charleston by the average of the local wage index (0.91) and goods index (0.96), a factor of 0.93. 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 | $840 – $2,800 |
Pick a size, pick a tier: concrete patio pricing in Charleston
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Charleston 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
$1,200 to $2,200
Plain gray slab, broom finish, flat yard
Standard
$1,950 to $3,000
Colored or stained, saw-cut joints, minor grading
Premium
$2,700 to $3,750
Exposed aggregate or heavy decorative finish, drainage work
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x10 (100 sq ft) | $430 – $860 | $750 – $1,200 | $1,100 – $1,500 |
| 12x16 (192 sq ft) | $770 – $1,500 | $1,300 – $2,000 | $1,850 – $2,550 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $1,550 – $2,900 | $2,550 – $3,850 | $3,550 – $4,850 |
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 $1,950 to $3,000 for Charleston, SC is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
Multi-page report for Charleston, SC: 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 Charleston: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour a concrete patio in Charleston?
For 300 sq ft, expect $1,200 to $3,750 in the Charleston area. A standard-spec job lands at $1,950 to $3,000. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for concrete patio in Charleston?
About $3.75 to $11 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $50 to $400 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $4 to $12.
+Is concrete patio cheaper in Charleston or Hilton Head?
Hilton Head is 65 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $2,450, which is 1% less than Charleston ($2,450). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Charleston?
About 50% at the midpoint, or $1,200 out of $2,450. Materials are 41% and permits 9%. Nationally, labor is 51%.
+What would 12x16 (192 sq ft) cost in Charleston?
$770 to $2,550. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does concrete patio need a permit in Charleston?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $50 to $400 for fees in the Charleston area (our national range of $50 to $400 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Charleston expensive for concrete patio compared with the rest of South Carolina?
Charleston is 3% above the South Carolina statewide estimate ($2,400 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in South Carolina; see the state page to compare them.
+What do cement masons and concrete finishers earn in Charleston?
The BLS median is $25.27 an hour in the Charleston area, compared with $27.41 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.52 to $30.36.
+What do basic and premium concrete patio work cost in Charleston?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $1,200 to $2,200 and premium work $2,700 to $3,750. Basic means: plain gray slab, broom finish, flat yard. Premium means: exposed aggregate or heavy decorative finish, drainage work.
+Is there a bad season to pour a concrete patio in Charleston?
Not from a temperature point of view. NOAA's 1991-2020 normals show no month with a freezing-level overnight low or a 90°F-plus average high, so timing is mostly about contractor availability and rain.
+What does "add an acid or water-based stain" add in Charleston?
$840 to $2,800 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Concrete patio near Charleston
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.