Concrete slab cost in the District of Columbia
Statewide estimate from BLS wages and BEA prices. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Statewide range (400 sq ft)
- $2,650 – $5,600
- Per sq ft
- $6.45 – $13
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +8%
- US $3,850
- Metros covered
- 1
District of Columbia prices for concrete slab: $2,650 to $5,600 for 400 sq ft, or $6.45 to $13 per sq ft without the permit. The state midpoint is 8% above the national one. Local wages for cement masons and concrete finishers are $29.65 an hour.
District of Columbia has one metro in our dataset, Washington, so the statewide and metro figures are close. The state figure uses BLS statewide wages, which include rural areas.
Estimate your concrete slab cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 400 sq ft in District of Columbia (statewide), standard level
$3,500 to $4,700
About $8.40 to $11 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 42% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,800 | $2,450 |
| Labor | $1,550 | $1,900 |
| Permits and fees | $170 | $320 |
| Total | $3,500 | $4,700 |
Cost breakdown for 400 sq ft in District of Columbia
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,300 | $2,150 | $3,000 | 52% |
| Labor | $1,300 | $1,750 | $2,150 | 42% |
| Permits and fees | $55 | $250 | $440 | 6% |
| Total | $2,650 | $4,100 | $5,600 | 100% |
District of Columbia metro-by-metro prices
District of Columbia has one metro in our dataset, Washington, so the statewide and metro figures are close. The state figure uses BLS statewide wages, which include rural areas. Each row prices the default size with that metro's own BLS wages and BEA price levels, so the gap between rows is real local variation rather than a flat markup.
| Metro | Range (400 sq ft) | Midpoint | vs. state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington, DC | $2,550 – $5,400 | $3,950 | −4% |
Related projects, priced for the District of Columbia
The table prices neighboring jobs at their usual sizes using statewide District of Columbia wages and prices. Against national midpoints, asphalt driveway comes out highest (+19%) and detached garage lowest (+7%), because each job leans on different trades.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,950 – $9,950 | +8% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,350 – $4,300 | +8% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $30,900 – $62,000 | +7% |
| Stamped concrete | 400 sq ft | $3,500 – $8,600 | +8% |
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,550 – $8,900 | +19% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,800 – $11,300 | +11% |
Quality levels and sizes in the District of Columbia
The cited range is cut into three overlapping bands (basic, standard and premium) and scaled to statewide District of Columbia wages and prices. The grid prices the same bands at 5 common sizes.
Basic
$2,650 to $3,800
4-inch broom-finish slab, light mesh, easy truck access
Standard
$3,500 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 – $1,750 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $980 – $1,500 | $1,400 – $1,900 | $1,750 – $2,300 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $2,650 – $3,800 | $3,500 – $4,700 | $4,400 – $5,600 |
| 24x24 garage floor (576 sq ft) | $3,750 – $5,400 | $5,000 – $6,650 | $6,250 – $7,850 |
| 30x40 foundation (1,200 sq ft) | $7,800 – $11,000 | $10,200 – $13,500 | $12,700 – $15,900 |
Add-ons priced for District of Columbia
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to District of Columbia by the average of the local wage index (1.09) and goods index (1.07), a factor of 1.08. 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 | $430 – $1,300 |
| Remove old concrete first | $860 – $2,600 |
What cement masons and concrete finishers and the other trades earn in the District of Columbia
Statewide wages come from BLS's state-level estimates, which blend big cities with small towns and rural areas. 4 trades drive the labor line for this job, and the weighted ratio against the national wage level is 1.09 for the District of Columbia.
For cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051, weighted 50%) the local median is $29.65 an hour, which is 8% above the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $27.67 and $34.00 an hour. BLS counts 320 of them working in the state, 4.6 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 $24.05 an hour, 6% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $20.80 and $28.41 an hour. About 2,090 work in the state. That is 29.8 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 10%) the local median is $35.87 an hour, which is 25% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $31.47 and $41.48 an hour. BLS counts 620 of them working in the state, 8.8 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 10%) the local median is $29.67 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $27.48 and $36.18 an hour. BLS counts 1,540 of them working in the state, 21.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is thinner than average.
A crew paid at the 75th percentile for cement masons and concrete finishers ($34.00 an hour) would add about $130 to the statewide midpoint; one at the 25th percentile ($27.67) would take off about $60. Use that as a rough guide to how far a bid can sit from our midpoint on wages alone.
BLS counts 701,920 jobs across the District of Columbia (May 2025), which is 0.5% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 50% | $27.67 | $29.65 | $34.00 | $27.41 | 1.08 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $20.80 | $24.05 | $28.41 | $22.66 | 1.06 | state |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10% | $31.47 | $35.87 | $41.48 | $28.78 | 1.25 | state |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 10% | $27.48 | $29.67 | $36.18 | $29.12 | 1.02 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 1.09 | |||||
Concrete slab: what moves the price in the District of Columbia
Thickness and mix
A 4-inch slab uses about 1.23 cubic yards of concrete per 100 sq ft; a 6-inch slab uses about 1.85. Stepping up from a 3,000 PSI to a 4,000-4,500 PSI mix adds $10-$40 per cubic yard (Estimators.us).
Base and reinforcement
A compacted gravel base, vapor barrier, and wire mesh or rebar are priced separately by some contractors and bundled by others. Ask which one your quote does.
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.
District of Columbia seasons and concrete slab
Season matters for concrete slab. For each District of Columbia metro below we took NOAA's 1991-2020 monthly normals from the nearest suitable station and counted comfortable months for pouring concrete.
Washington has 7 comfortable months (April through June and August through November), with about 42 inches of precipitation a year.
We do not adjust prices by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. Timing is still worth raising when you collect bids.
| Metro | Jan avg low °F | Jul avg high °F | Precip (in/yr) | Comfortable months |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 30 | 90 | 42 | 7: April through June and August through November |
District of Columbia against its neighbors
District of Columbia ranks 11 of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) for concrete slab, where 1 is the most expensive. The costliest is Hawaii at $5,150 and the cheapest Arkansas at $3,350, both for 400 sq ft at the midpoint. District of Columbia sits at $4,100. The five states closest by workforce center are listed below.
| State | Distance | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | 50 miles away | $2,450 – $5,200 | $3,800 | −7% |
| Virginia | 110 miles away | $2,350 – $5,050 | $3,700 | −10% |
| Pennsylvania | 110 miles away | $2,500 – $5,300 | $3,900 | −5% |
| Delaware | 110 miles away | $2,400 – $5,050 | $3,700 | −10% |
| New Jersey | 160 miles away | $2,800 – $5,850 | $4,300 | +5% |
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 $3,500 to $4,700 for District of Columbia is attached.
Detailed concrete slab report for District of Columbia, $9
Multi-page report for District of Columbia: 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 the District of Columbia: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour a concrete slab in the District of Columbia?
$2,650 to $5,600 for 400 sq ft, using statewide wages and prices. Metro areas inside the District of Columbia can sit above or below that.
+Which city in the District of Columbia is cheapest for concrete slab?
Washington at about $3,950 (midpoint, 400 sq ft).
+Is concrete slab cheaper in the District of Columbia than the US average?
It is 8% more expensive: $4,100 against $3,850 for 400 sq ft at the midpoint.
+What share of the price is labor in the District of Columbia?
About 42% ($1,750). Materials are 52%. Statewide labor for this job is weighted 1.09x the national wage level.
+Does a concrete slab need a permit?
Often yes if it's structural (a garage floor or foundation) and often no for a small at-grade pad. Permit fees run $50-$400 depending on the city (HomeGuide).
+What do cement masons and concrete finishers earn in the District of Columbia?
The BLS statewide median is $29.65 an hour, against $27.41 for the US. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $27.67 to $34.00.
+Where does District of Columbia rank for concrete slab costs?
11th most expensive of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) at the midpoint, $4,100 for 400 sq ft. Rank 1 is the costliest.
+What do basic and premium concrete slab work cost in the District of Columbia?
For 400 sq ft, basic work runs $2,650 to $3,800 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.
+Does the season matter for concrete slab in the District of Columbia?
Yes where winters or summers are hard. Of the District of Columbia metros we cover, Washington has the most comfortable months (7 of 12) based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals. Our prices do not change by month, so ask contractors whether they charge more or less in busy and slow seasons.
+What does "add rebar reinforcement" add in the District of Columbia?
$430 to $1,300 for 400 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the statewide wage and goods indexes.
Concrete slab by city in the District of Columbia
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