Concrete slab cost in Gainesville, FL
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (400 sq ft)
- $2,200 – $4,750
- Per sq ft
- $5.40 – $11
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −9%
- US $3,850
- Rank of 300 metros
- #231
- 1 = most expensive
A concrete slab in Gainesville, FL usually costs $2,200 to $4,750 for 400 sq ft. That works out to about $5.40 to $11 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $350 less. Cement masons and concrete finishers earn a median of $22.40 an hour in the Gainesville area, 18% below the US median of $27.41.
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Estimated cost for 400 sq ft in Gainesville, FL, standard level
$2,950 to $4,000
About $7.05 to $9.25 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 38% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,600 | $2,250 |
| Labor | $1,200 | $1,450 |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $290 |
| Total | $2,950 | $4,000 |
Cost breakdown for 400 sq ft in Gainesville, FL
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $1,900 | $2,700 | 55% |
| Labor | $1,000 | $1,350 | $1,650 | 38% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $220 | $390 | 6% |
| Total | $2,200 | $3,500 | $4,750 | 100% |
What is behind the Gainesville number
Labor is 38% 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 Gainesville the blended ratio comes out at 0.83.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Gainesville is at 96.2 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $2,000 nationally becomes $1,900 here (midpoint, 400 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 96.7: $50 to $390.
Concrete slab: what moves the price in Gainesville
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.
Related projects, priced for Gainesville
Jobs that often go together with concrete slab are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Gainesville wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, asphalt driveway comes out highest (−8%) and concrete driveway lowest (−13%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,250 – $8,000 | −13% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,150 – $3,550 | −10% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $25,900 – $52,100 | −10% |
| Stamped concrete | 400 sq ft | $2,950 – $7,150 | −10% |
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $2,800 – $6,750 | −8% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,250 – $9,250 | −10% |
Is Gainesville cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (400 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Tampa is the priciest of the group at $3,550. Ocala is the cheapest at $3,450.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gainesville, FLthis page | $2,200 – $4,750 | $3,500 | |
| Ocala, FL40 miles | $2,150 – $4,700 | $3,450 | −1% |
| Jacksonville, FL75 miles | $2,250 – $4,850 | $3,550 | +2% |
| Deltona, FL90 miles | $2,250 – $4,800 | $3,500 | +1% |
| Tampa, FL90 miles | $2,250 – $4,850 | $3,550 | +2% |
| Orlando, FL105 miles | $2,200 – $4,800 | $3,500 | +1% |
| Florida (statewide) | $2,250 – $4,900 | $3,600 | +3% |
| United States | $2,450 – $5,200 | $3,850 | +10% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Gainesville ranks #231 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Gainesville is 3% below the Florida figure.
Elsewhere in Florida
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami, FL | 2,819,940 jobs | $2,350 – $5,150 | $3,750 | +8% |
| Tampa, FL | 1,447,120 jobs | $2,250 – $4,850 | $3,550 | +2% |
| Orlando, FL | 1,411,730 jobs | $2,200 – $4,800 | $3,500 | +1% |
| Jacksonville, FL | 765,930 jobs | $2,250 – $4,850 | $3,550 | +2% |
| North Port, FL | 339,940 jobs | $2,300 – $4,900 | $3,600 | +3% |
| Cape Coral, FL | 304,790 jobs | $2,250 – $4,850 | $3,550 | +2% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Gainesville against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roanoke, VA | 153,980 jobs | $2,200 – $4,750 | $3,500 | +1% |
| Killeen, TX | 150,580 jobs | $2,150 – $4,600 | $3,400 | −3% |
| Hickory, NC | 154,090 jobs | $2,200 – $4,750 | $3,450 | level |
| Fargo, ND | 148,660 jobs | $2,400 – $5,050 | $3,750 | +8% |
Optional extras in Gainesville
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.90 for Gainesville, which is the average of the area's wage index (0.83) and goods price index (0.96). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add rebar reinforcement | $360 – $1,100 |
| Remove old concrete first | $720 – $2,150 |
Gainesville 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, Gainesville Rgnl Ap (5 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For pouring concrete, the comfortable months in Gainesville are September through May: 9 of 12. Outside them, June, July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Heat matters for concrete as well. With average highs of 90°F or more in June, July and August, crews often start early, wet the base and plan for faster set times.
Gainesville gets about 48 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, July and August (7.6 inches in June). Inside the workable window, February and November are the driest, at 2.7 and 1.8 inches. The station averages about 90 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 | 43 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Feb | 71 | 46 | 2.7 | Workable |
| Mar | 76 | 50 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Apr | 82 | 56 | 2.7 | Workable |
| May | 87 | 63 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Jun | 90 | 70 | 7.6 | Hot |
| Jul | 91 | 72 | 6.7 | Hot |
| Aug | 91 | 72 | 6.4 | Hot |
| Sep | 88 | 69 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 82 | 61 | 2.7 | Workable |
| Nov | 75 | 51 | 1.8 | Workable |
| Dec | 69 | 45 | 2.9 | Workable |
Gainesville: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Gainesville. 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
$2,200 to $3,200
4-inch broom-finish slab, light mesh, easy truck access
Standard
$2,950 to $4,000
4-5 inch slab with rebar or heavier mesh and standard base prep
Premium
$3,750 to $4,750
6-inch slab, heavy reinforcement, thick base, pump truck or tight access
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x10 pad (100 sq ft) | $590 – $940 | $850 – $1,200 | $1,100 – $1,500 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $820 – $1,300 | $1,150 – $1,600 | $1,500 – $1,950 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $2,200 – $3,200 | $2,950 – $4,000 | $3,750 – $4,750 |
| 24x24 garage floor (576 sq ft) | $3,150 – $4,550 | $4,200 – $5,600 | $5,250 – $6,650 |
| 30x40 foundation (1,200 sq ft) | $6,500 – $9,300 | $8,600 – $11,400 | $10,700 – $13,500 |
What local crews earn in Gainesville
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 Gainesville the blend is 0.83.
Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051), 50% of the weighting: a median of $22.40 an hour, 18% below the US median of $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $18.63 and $25.37 an hour. About 160 work in the metro. That is 10.5 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 13.3 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 30%) the local median is $20.03 an hour, which is 12% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.17 and $22.59 an hour. BLS counts 1,060 of them working in the area, 69.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is about average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 10% of the weighting: a median of $23.17 an hour, 19% below the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $21.28 and $26.47 an hour. About 300 work in the metro. That is 19.7 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 $23.09 an hour, 21% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $20.94 and $27.90 an hour. About 390 work in the metro. That is 25.5 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so expect fewer 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 $85 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $110. That is a swing of roughly 3.2% to 2.5% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Gainesville has 152,670 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 154th 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% | $18.63 | $22.40 | $25.37 | $27.41 | 0.82 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $17.17 | $20.03 | $22.59 | $22.66 | 0.88 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10% | $21.28 | $23.17 | $26.47 | $28.78 | 0.81 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 10% | $20.94 | $23.09 | $27.90 | $29.12 | 0.79 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.83 | |||||
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Concrete slab in Gainesville: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour a concrete slab in Gainesville?
For 400 sq ft, expect $2,200 to $4,750 in the Gainesville area. A standard-spec job lands at $2,950 to $4,000. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for concrete slab in Gainesville?
About $5.40 to $11 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $50 to $390 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $6 to $12.
+Is concrete slab cheaper in Gainesville or Ocala?
Ocala is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 400 sq ft there is $3,450, which is 1% less than Gainesville ($3,500). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Gainesville?
About 38% at the midpoint, or $1,350 out of $3,500. Materials are 55% and permits 6%. Nationally, labor is 42%.
+What would 20x20 (400 sq ft) cost in Gainesville?
$2,200 to $4,750. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does concrete slab need a permit in Gainesville?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $50 to $390 for fees in the Gainesville area (our national range of $50 to $400 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Gainesville expensive for concrete slab compared with the rest of Florida?
Gainesville is 3% below the Florida statewide estimate ($3,600 at the midpoint). We cover 19 metros in Florida; see the state page to compare them.
+What do cement masons and concrete finishers earn in Gainesville?
The BLS median is $22.40 an hour in the Gainesville area, compared with $27.41 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $18.63 to $25.37.
+What do basic and premium concrete slab work cost in Gainesville?
For 400 sq ft, basic work runs $2,200 to $3,200 and premium work $3,750 to $4,750. 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 Gainesville?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through May. February and November 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 Gainesville?
$360 to $1,100 for 400 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Concrete slab near Gainesville
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