Concrete patio cost in Rapid City, SD
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
- #200
- 1 = most expensive
Rapid City homeowners pay roughly $1,150 to $3,650 to pour a concrete patio at 300 sq ft, or $3.75 to $11 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Rapid City is 8% lower. Cement masons and concrete finishers earn a median of $23.22 an hour in the Rapid City area, 15% below the US median of $27.41.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Rapid City, SD, standard level
$1,900 to $2,900
About $5.90 to $8.85 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 50% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $890 | $1,100 |
| Labor | $890 | $1,550 |
| Permits and fees | $140 | $260 |
| Total | $1,900 | $2,900 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Rapid City, SD
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $720 | $1,000 | $1,300 | 42% |
| Labor | $400 | $1,200 | $2,000 | 50% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $200 | $360 | 8% |
| Total | $1,150 | $2,400 | $3,650 | 100% |
Why Rapid City prices look the way they do
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 $23.22 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Rapid City is 0.90 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 50% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Rapid City metro is 95.5 (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 (89.2) and land at $45 to $360.
Cost by quality level and size in Rapid City
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Rapid City 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 – $830 | $730 – $1,150 | $1,050 – $1,450 |
| 12x16 (192 sq ft) | $760 – $1,450 | $1,250 – $1,950 | $1,800 – $2,450 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $1,550 – $2,850 | $2,500 – $3,800 | $3,450 – $4,750 |
Planning more than one job in Rapid City?
Because every project leans on different trades, Rapid City's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, asphalt driveway runs −1% and wood deck −10%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,250 – $4,800 | −7% |
| Stamped concrete | 400 sq ft | $3,000 – $7,350 | −7% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,850 – $5,200 | −5% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $6,800 – $13,700 | −10% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,350 – $8,400 | −9% |
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,000 – $7,350 | −1% |
When to schedule concrete patio in Rapid City
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Rapid City Wfo (in the city). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
May through September is the stretch where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in Rapid City (5 of 12 months). January, February, March, April, October, 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.
Rapid City gets about 20 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 54 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and July (4.1 inches in May). Inside the workable window, August and September are the driest, at 2.2 and 1.4 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 | 37 | 16 | 0.3 | Cold |
| Feb | 38 | 18 | 0.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 47 | 26 | 0.9 | Cold |
| Apr | 55 | 34 | 2.3 | Cold |
| May | 65 | 45 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Jun | 76 | 55 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 84 | 62 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Aug | 83 | 60 | 2.2 | Workable |
| Sep | 74 | 51 | 1.4 | Workable |
| Oct | 59 | 38 | 1.5 | Cold |
| Nov | 47 | 27 | 0.5 | Cold |
| Dec | 38 | 19 | 0.4 | Cold |
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 Rapid City is 0.90 times the national level.
For cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051, weighted 50%) the local median is $23.22 an hour, which is 15% below the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $21.78 and $28.47 an hour. BLS counts 470 of them working in the area, 63.7 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 13.3), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 30% of the weighting: a median of $21.94 an hour, 3% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $19.14 and $22.91 an hour. About 410 work in the metro. That is 55.5 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 $23.39 an hour, which is 20% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $21.34 and $28.88 an hour. BLS counts 870 of them working in the area, 117.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is deeper than average.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 10%) the local median is $29.16 an hour, which is in line with the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $25.29 and $30.59 an hour. BLS counts 410 of them working in the area, 55.5 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 ($28.47 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $130. At the 25th percentile ($21.78) it shrinks by about $35. The total moves by 5.4% or 1.5%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 73,820 jobs in the Rapid City area. That makes it the 249th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.05% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 50% | $21.78 | $23.22 | $28.47 | $27.41 | 0.85 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $19.14 | $21.94 | $22.91 | $22.66 | 0.97 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 10% | $21.34 | $23.39 | $28.88 | $29.12 | 0.80 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10% | $25.29 | $29.16 | $30.59 | $28.78 | 1.01 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.90 | |||||
How Rapid City 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 $2,400 to $2,600 across Rapid City and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City, SDthis page | $1,150 – $3,650 | $2,400 | |
| Bismarck, ND210 miles | $1,200 – $3,950 | $2,600 | +7% |
| Cheyenne, WY220 miles | $1,250 – $4,000 | $2,600 | +8% |
| Greeley, CO260 miles | $1,200 – $3,950 | $2,600 | +8% |
| Fort Collins, CO275 miles | $1,250 – $4,000 | $2,600 | +9% |
| Sioux Falls, SD305 miles | $1,150 – $3,700 | $2,400 | level |
| South Dakota (statewide) | $1,150 – $3,650 | $2,400 | −1% |
| United States | $1,250 – $4,000 | $2,650 | +9% |
Across 300 US metros, Rapid City comes in at #200 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $3,800; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $2,100 (midpoints, 300 sq ft). Statewide, Rapid City is 1% above the South Dakota figure.
Other South Dakota metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD | 178,590 jobs | $1,150 – $3,700 | $2,400 | level |
Cities with a workforce like Rapid City's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Rapid City against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg, VA | 74,070 jobs | $1,150 – $3,550 | $2,350 | −3% |
| Kahului, HI | 73,750 jobs | $1,700 – $5,900 | $3,800 | +58% |
| Sioux City, IA | 75,010 jobs | $1,200 – $3,850 | $2,550 | +5% |
| Bloomington, IN | 73,240 jobs | $1,250 – $4,100 | $2,700 | +11% |
Add-ons priced for Rapid City
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Rapid City by the average of the local wage index (0.90) and goods index (0.95), 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 | $830 – $2,800 |
Concrete patio: what moves the price in Rapid City
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.
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 Rapid City, SD is attached.
Take this estimate with you: PDF report, $9
The report lays out the concrete patio numbers for Rapid City, SD line by line, with the local wage and price inputs, permit and timing notes, a quote comparison sheet and the full method. 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 Rapid City: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour a concrete patio in Rapid City?
For 300 sq ft, expect $1,150 to $3,650 in the Rapid City 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 Rapid City?
About $3.75 to $11 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $45 to $360 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $4 to $12.
+Is concrete patio cheaper in Rapid City or Bismarck?
Bismarck is 210 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $2,600, which is 7% more than Rapid City ($2,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Rapid City?
About 50% at the midpoint, or $1,200 out of $2,400. Materials are 42% and permits 8%. Nationally, labor is 51%.
+What would 12x16 (192 sq ft) cost in Rapid City?
$760 to $2,450. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does concrete patio need a permit in Rapid City?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $45 to $360 for fees in the Rapid City area (our national range of $50 to $400 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Rapid City expensive for concrete patio compared with the rest of South Dakota?
Rapid City is 1% above the South Dakota statewide estimate ($2,400 at the midpoint). We cover 2 metros in South Dakota; see the state page to compare them.
+What do cement masons and concrete finishers earn in Rapid City?
The BLS median is $23.22 an hour in the Rapid City area, compared with $27.41 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.78 to $28.47.
+What do basic and premium concrete patio work cost in Rapid City?
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 Rapid City?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are May through September. August and September 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 Rapid City?
$830 to $2,800 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Concrete patio near Rapid City
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.