Concrete slab cost in Chico, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (400 sq ft)
- $2,650 – $5,600
- Per sq ft
- $6.55 – $13
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +8%
- US $3,850
- Rank of 300 metros
- #40
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to pour a concrete slab in Chico, plan on $2,650 to $5,600 for 400 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $6.55 to $13 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 8% higher than the national one. Cement masons and concrete finishers earn a median of $28.71 an hour in the Chico area, 5% above the US median of $27.41.
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Estimated cost for 400 sq ft in Chico, CA, standard level
$3,550 to $4,700
About $8.45 to $11 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 44% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,750 | $2,450 |
| Labor | $1,600 | $2,000 |
| Permits and fees | $160 | $300 |
| Total | $3,550 | $4,700 |
Cost breakdown for 400 sq ft in Chico, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,250 | $2,100 | $2,950 | 51% |
| Labor | $1,350 | $1,800 | $2,250 | 44% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $230 | $400 | 6% |
| Total | $2,650 | $4,150 | $5,600 | 100% |
Why Chico prices look the way they do
Labor is 44% of the midpoint bill here, against 42% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is cement masons and concrete finishers (50%), construction laborers (30%), operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (10%), carpenters (10%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Chico the blended ratio comes out at 1.12.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Chico metro is 105.2 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 400 sq ft comes to $2,100, compared with $2,000 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (101.2) and land at $50 to $400.
Climate in Chico: timing your concrete slab job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Chico Univ Farm (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
March through June and October are the stretches where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in Chico (5 of 12 months). January, February, November and December have an average overnight low of 40°F or below; July, August and September have 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, August and September, crews often start early, wet the base and plan for faster set times.
Chico gets about 27 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, February and December (5.1 inches in February). Inside the workable window, May and June are the driest, at 1.4 and 0.6 inches. The station averages about 99 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 | 56 | 36 | 5.1 | Cold |
| Feb | 62 | 38 | 5.1 | Cold |
| Mar | 67 | 42 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Apr | 73 | 45 | 1.9 | Workable |
| May | 81 | 52 | 1.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 89 | 57 | 0.6 | Workable |
| Jul | 95 | 61 | 0.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 94 | 59 | 0.1 | Hot |
| Sep | 91 | 55 | 0.3 | Hot |
| Oct | 80 | 47 | 1.7 | Workable |
| Nov | 65 | 40 | 2.4 | Cold |
| Dec | 57 | 36 | 5.0 | Cold |
Is Chico cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (400 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Napa is the priciest of the group at $4,450.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chico, CAthis page | $2,650 – $5,600 | $4,150 | |
| Sacramento, CA70 miles | $2,750 – $5,750 | $4,250 | +3% |
| Redding, CA80 miles | $2,700 – $5,650 | $4,150 | +1% |
| Napa, CA90 miles | $2,900 – $6,000 | $4,450 | +8% |
| Vallejo, CA100 miles | $2,800 – $5,800 | $4,300 | +4% |
| Santa Rosa, CA105 miles | $2,800 – $5,850 | $4,300 | +5% |
| California (statewide) | $2,750 – $5,800 | $4,300 | +4% |
| United States | $2,450 – $5,200 | $3,850 | −7% |
Across 300 US metros, Chico comes in at #40 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $5,300; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $3,200 (midpoints, 400 sq ft). Statewide, Chico is 4% below the California figure.
Other California metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 6,271,560 jobs | $2,800 – $5,850 | $4,350 | +5% |
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $3,150 – $6,450 | $4,800 | +16% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $2,650 – $5,550 | $4,100 | −1% |
| San Diego, CA | 1,538,060 jobs | $2,800 – $5,900 | $4,350 | +5% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $3,050 – $6,250 | $4,650 | +13% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $2,750 – $5,750 | $4,250 | +3% |
Cities with a workforce like Chico's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Chico against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merced, CA | 79,510 jobs | $2,600 – $5,450 | $4,000 | −3% |
| Napa, CA | 77,860 jobs | $2,900 – $6,000 | $4,450 | +8% |
| Saginaw, MI | 80,000 jobs | $2,400 – $5,000 | $3,700 | −10% |
| Racine, WI | 76,280 jobs | $2,550 – $5,300 | $3,950 | −5% |
Cost by quality level and size in Chico
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Chico 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 5 common sizes.
Basic
$2,650 to $3,850
4-inch broom-finish slab, light mesh, easy truck access
Standard
$3,550 to $4,700
4-5 inch slab with rebar or heavier mesh and standard base prep
Premium
$4,400 to $5,600
6-inch slab, heavy reinforcement, thick base, pump truck or tight access
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x10 pad (100 sq ft) | $700 – $1,100 | $1,000 – $1,400 | $1,300 – $1,700 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $990 – $1,500 | $1,400 – $1,900 | $1,750 – $2,250 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $2,650 – $3,850 | $3,550 – $4,700 | $4,400 – $5,600 |
| 24x24 garage floor (576 sq ft) | $3,800 – $5,450 | $5,050 – $6,650 | $6,250 – $7,900 |
| 30x40 foundation (1,200 sq ft) | $7,900 – $11,100 | $10,300 – $13,500 | $12,700 – $16,000 |
Chico labor market for concrete slab
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 Chico is 1.12 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 $24.32 and $37.49 an hour. BLS counts 150 of them working in the area, 19.2 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 $26.31 an hour, 16% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.14 and $34.60 an hour. About 480 work in the metro. That is 61.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 10%) the local median is $38.00 an hour, which is 32% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $30.40 and $59.81 an hour. BLS counts 230 of them working in the area, 29.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is about average.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 10%) the local median is $34.75 an hour, which is 19% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $24.79 and $38.46 an hour. BLS counts 390 of them working in the area, 49.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), 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 ($37.49 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $260. At the 25th percentile ($24.32) it shrinks by about $130. The total moves by 6.2% or 3.1%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 78,220 jobs in the Chico area. That makes it the 241st 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% | $24.32 | $28.71 | $37.49 | $27.41 | 1.05 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $22.14 | $26.31 | $34.60 | $22.66 | 1.16 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10% | $30.40 | $38.00 | $59.81 | $28.78 | 1.32 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 10% | $24.79 | $34.75 | $38.46 | $29.12 | 1.19 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.12 | |||||
Specs and site conditions that change a Chico bid
Truck and pump access
If the mixer truck can't back up to the forms, someone has to wheelbarrow it in or hire a pump. Pump or line-pump hire is typically billed per day.
Small-job minimums
Many crews have a minimum charge, so a 10x10 pad can cost more per square foot than a 20x20 slab.
Finish
A broom finish is the baseline. Stamped, stained, or exposed-aggregate finishes are priced as add-ons on top of the slab.
What nearby projects cost in Chico
Because every project leans on different trades, Chico's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, asphalt driveway runs +18% and stamped concrete +8%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $4,000 – $10,100 | +10% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,350 – $4,350 | +9% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $31,700 – $63,600 | +10% |
| Stamped concrete | 400 sq ft | $3,500 – $8,600 | +8% |
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,550 – $8,800 | +18% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,850 – $11,700 | +14% |
Extras that change the Chico total
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Chico by the average of the local wage index (1.12) and goods index (1.05), a factor of 1.09. 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 rebar reinforcement | $440 – $1,300 |
| Remove old concrete first | $870 – $2,600 |
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 $3,550 to $4,700 for Chico, CA is attached.
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Concrete slab in Chico: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour a concrete slab in Chico?
For 400 sq ft, expect $2,650 to $5,600 in the Chico area. A standard-spec job lands at $3,550 to $4,700. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for concrete slab in Chico?
About $6.55 to $13 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $50 to $400 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $6 to $12.
+Is concrete slab cheaper in Chico or Sacramento?
Sacramento is 70 miles away. The midpoint for 400 sq ft there is $4,250, which is 3% more than Chico ($4,150). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Chico?
About 44% at the midpoint, or $1,800 out of $4,150. Materials are 51% and permits 6%. Nationally, labor is 42%.
+What would 20x20 (400 sq ft) cost in Chico?
$2,650 to $5,600. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does concrete slab need a permit in Chico?
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 Chico area (our national range of $50 to $400 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Chico expensive for concrete slab compared with the rest of California?
Chico is 4% below the California statewide estimate ($4,300 at the midpoint). We cover 23 metros in California; see the state page to compare them.
+What do cement masons and concrete finishers earn in Chico?
The BLS median is $28.71 an hour in the Chico area, compared with $27.41 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $24.32 to $37.49.
+What do basic and premium concrete slab work cost in Chico?
For 400 sq ft, basic work runs $2,650 to $3,850 and premium work $4,400 to $5,600. Basic means: 4-inch broom-finish slab, light mesh, easy truck access. Premium means: 6-inch slab, heavy reinforcement, thick base, pump truck or tight access.
+When is the best time to pour a concrete slab in Chico?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through June and October. May and June 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 rebar reinforcement" add in Chico?
$440 to $1,300 for 400 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Concrete slab near Chico
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 Slab Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- Estimators.us: Concrete Slab Cost in 2026 | $6-$12/Sq Ft Guide (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: How Much Does a Concrete Patio Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: How Much Does a Concrete Driveway 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