Concrete slab cost in San Diego, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (400 sq ft)
- $2,800 – $5,900
- Per sq ft
- $6.85 – $13.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +14%
- US $3,850
- Rank of 300 metros
- #18
- 1 = most expensive
A concrete slab in San Diego, CA usually costs $2,800 to $5,900 for 400 sq ft. That works out to about $6.85 to $13.50 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $520 more. Cement masons and concrete finishers earn a median of $31.98 an hour in the San Diego area, 17% above the US median of $27.41.
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Estimated cost for 400 sq ft in San Diego, CA, standard level
$3,750 to $4,950
About $8.90 to $11.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 44% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,800 | $2,500 |
| Labor | $1,750 | $2,150 |
| Permits and fees | $170 | $330 |
| Total | $3,750 | $4,950 |
Cost breakdown for 400 sq ft in San Diego, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,300 | $2,150 | $3,000 | 50% |
| Labor | $1,450 | $1,950 | $2,400 | 44% |
| Permits and fees | $55 | $250 | $450 | 6% |
| Total | $2,800 | $4,350 | $5,900 | 100% |
Where the San Diego price comes from
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 San Diego the blended ratio comes out at 1.21.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. San Diego is at 108.0 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $2,000 nationally becomes $2,150 here (midpoint, 400 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 111.9: $55 to $450.
Why two San Diego quotes can differ
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.
Planning more than one job in San Diego?
Jobs that often go together with concrete slab are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same San Diego wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, gravel driveway comes out highest (+19%) and detached garage lowest (+14%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $4,250 – $10,800 | +17% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,400 – $4,600 | +15% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $32,900 – $66,000 | +14% |
| Stamped concrete | 400 sq ft | $3,700 – $9,100 | +14% |
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,500 – $8,600 | +16% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $3,000 – $12,100 | +19% |
What local crews earn in San Diego
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 4 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For San Diego the blend is 1.21.
Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051), 50% of the weighting: a median of $31.98 an hour, 17% above the US median of $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $26.35 and $43.78 an hour. About 2,330 work in the metro. That is 15.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 13.3 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 30%) the local median is $27.49 an hour, which is 21% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $23.31 and $34.32 an hour. BLS counts 8,850 of them working in the area, 57.5 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 10% of the weighting: a median of $40.23 an hour, 40% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $33.08 and $60.44 an hour. About 3,130 work in the metro. That is 20.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Carpenters (47-2031), 10% of the weighting: a median of $35.19 an hour, 21% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $28.16 and $46.12 an hour. About 8,710 work in the metro. That is 56.6 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (cement masons and concrete finishers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $340 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $160. That is a swing of roughly 3.8% to 7.9% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad has 1,538,060 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 18th by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 50% | $26.35 | $31.98 | $43.78 | $27.41 | 1.17 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $23.31 | $27.49 | $34.32 | $22.66 | 1.21 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10% | $33.08 | $40.23 | $60.44 | $28.78 | 1.40 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 10% | $28.16 | $35.19 | $46.12 | $29.12 | 1.21 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.21 | |||||
San Diego: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to San Diego. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from 10x10 pad (100 sq ft) to 30x40 foundation (1,200 sq ft).
Basic
$2,800 to $4,050
4-inch broom-finish slab, light mesh, easy truck access
Standard
$3,750 to $4,950
4-5 inch slab with rebar or heavier mesh and standard base prep
Premium
$4,650 to $5,900
6-inch slab, heavy reinforcement, thick base, pump truck or tight access
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x10 pad (100 sq ft) | $740 – $1,150 | $1,050 – $1,500 | $1,400 – $1,800 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $1,050 – $1,600 | $1,450 – $2,000 | $1,850 – $2,400 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $2,800 – $4,050 | $3,750 – $4,950 | $4,650 – $5,900 |
| 24x24 garage floor (576 sq ft) | $4,000 – $5,700 | $5,300 – $7,000 | $6,550 – $8,300 |
| 30x40 foundation (1,200 sq ft) | $8,300 – $11,700 | $10,800 – $14,200 | $13,400 – $16,800 |
San Diego weather and the concrete slab calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, San Diego Montgomery Fld (in the city). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
Weather is not a serious constraint for pouring concrete in San Diego: 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.
San Diego gets about 11 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, February and March (2.6 inches in February). The station averages about 16 days a year at 90°F or above.
We do not adjust the estimate by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. It is still worth asking contractors whether an off-peak start date changes their bid.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 67 | 46 | 2.3 | Workable |
| Feb | 67 | 47 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Mar | 69 | 50 | 1.6 | Workable |
| Apr | 71 | 52 | 0.8 | Workable |
| May | 72 | 57 | 0.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 75 | 60 | 0.1 | Workable |
| Jul | 80 | 64 | 0.1 | Workable |
| Aug | 82 | 65 | 0.0 | Workable |
| Sep | 81 | 64 | 0.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 78 | 58 | 0.5 | Workable |
| Nov | 73 | 50 | 0.9 | Workable |
| Dec | 67 | 45 | 1.6 | Workable |
Is San Diego 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 400 sq ft range from $3,550 to $4,350 across San Diego and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego, CAthis page | $2,800 – $5,900 | $4,350 | |
| El Centro, CA80 miles | $2,550 – $5,400 | $4,000 | −8% |
| Los Angeles, CA110 miles | $2,800 – $5,850 | $4,350 | level |
| Riverside, CA110 miles | $2,650 – $5,550 | $4,100 | −5% |
| Oxnard, CA165 miles | $2,750 – $5,800 | $4,250 | −2% |
| Yuma, AZ165 miles | $2,250 – $4,800 | $3,550 | −19% |
| California (statewide) | $2,750 – $5,800 | $4,300 | −1% |
| United States | $2,450 – $5,200 | $3,850 | −12% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, San Diego ranks #18 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, San Diego is 1% above the California figure.
Elsewhere in California
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 6,271,560 jobs | $2,800 – $5,850 | $4,350 | level |
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $3,150 – $6,450 | $4,800 | +11% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $2,650 – $5,550 | $4,100 | −5% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $3,050 – $6,250 | $4,650 | +7% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $2,750 – $5,750 | $4,250 | −2% |
| Fresno, CA | 476,890 jobs | $2,600 – $5,550 | $4,100 | −6% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is San Diego against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver, CO | 1,609,350 jobs | $2,550 – $5,400 | $3,950 | −9% |
| Tampa, FL | 1,447,120 jobs | $2,250 – $4,850 | $3,550 | −18% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $2,650 – $5,550 | $4,100 | −5% |
| Orlando, FL | 1,411,730 jobs | $2,200 – $4,800 | $3,500 | −19% |
Optional extras in San Diego
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.14 for San Diego, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.21) and goods price index (1.08). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add rebar reinforcement | $460 – $1,350 |
| Remove old concrete first | $920 – $2,750 |
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 $3,750 to $4,950 for San Diego, CA is attached.
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Multi-page report for San Diego, CA: 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 slab in San Diego: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour a concrete slab in San Diego?
For 400 sq ft, expect $2,800 to $5,900 in the San Diego area. A standard-spec job lands at $3,750 to $4,950. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for concrete slab in San Diego?
About $6.85 to $13.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $55 to $450 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $6 to $12.
+Is concrete slab cheaper in San Diego or El Centro?
El Centro is 80 miles away. The midpoint for 400 sq ft there is $4,000, which is 8% less than San Diego ($4,350). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in San Diego?
About 44% at the midpoint, or $1,950 out of $4,350. Materials are 50% and permits 6%. Nationally, labor is 42%.
+What would 20x20 (400 sq ft) cost in San Diego?
$2,800 to $5,900. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does concrete slab need a permit in San Diego?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $55 to $450 for fees in the San Diego area (our national range of $50 to $400 scaled by the local price level).
+Is San Diego expensive for concrete slab compared with the rest of California?
San Diego is 1% above 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 San Diego?
The BLS median is $31.98 an hour in the San Diego area, compared with $27.41 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $26.35 to $43.78.
+What do basic and premium concrete slab work cost in San Diego?
For 400 sq ft, basic work runs $2,800 to $4,050 and premium work $4,650 to $5,900. 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.
+Is there a bad season to pour a concrete slab in San Diego?
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 rebar reinforcement" add in San Diego?
$460 to $1,350 for 400 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Concrete slab near San Diego
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