Concrete slab cost in Athens, GA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (400 sq ft)
- $2,150 – $4,650
- Per sq ft
- $5.25 – $10.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −11%
- US $3,850
- Rank of 300 metros
- #265
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a concrete slab in the Athens area: $2,150 to $4,650 for 400 sq ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint runs 11% lower than the US figure. Cement masons and concrete finishers earn a median of $22.23 an hour in the Athens area, 19% below the US median of $27.41.
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Estimated cost for 400 sq ft in Athens, GA, standard level
$2,900 to $3,900
About $6.90 to $9.05 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 37% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,600 | $2,250 |
| Labor | $1,150 | $1,400 |
| Permits and fees | $140 | $280 |
| Total | $2,900 | $3,900 |
Cost breakdown for 400 sq ft in Athens, GA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $1,950 | $2,700 | 57% |
| Labor | $950 | $1,250 | $1,600 | 37% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $210 | $370 | 6% |
| Total | $2,150 | $3,400 | $4,650 | 100% |
What is behind the Athens number
Labor is 37% 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 Athens the blended ratio comes out at 0.79. BLS does not publish this trade for the metro, so we used the Georgia statewide median.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Athens is at 96.3 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $2,000 nationally becomes $1,950 here (midpoint, 400 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 93.3: $45 to $370.
Data note: 50% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Athens. The wage table below marks each row.
Related projects, priced for Athens
Jobs that often go together with concrete slab are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Athens wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, asphalt driveway comes out highest (−10%) and concrete driveway lowest (−16%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,150 – $7,700 | −16% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,100 – $3,450 | −13% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $25,200 – $50,500 | −13% |
| Stamped concrete | 400 sq ft | $2,900 – $7,000 | −12% |
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $2,750 – $6,600 | −10% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,150 – $8,800 | −14% |
Pick a size, pick a tier: concrete slab pricing in Athens
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Athens. 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
$2,150 to $3,150
4-inch broom-finish slab, light mesh, easy truck access
Standard
$2,900 to $3,900
4-5 inch slab with rebar or heavier mesh and standard base prep
Premium
$3,650 to $4,650
6-inch slab, heavy reinforcement, thick base, pump truck or tight access
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x10 pad (100 sq ft) | $570 – $920 | $830 – $1,200 | $1,100 – $1,450 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $800 – $1,250 | $1,150 – $1,600 | $1,450 – $1,900 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $2,150 – $3,150 | $2,900 – $3,900 | $3,650 – $4,650 |
| 24x24 garage floor (576 sq ft) | $3,050 – $4,450 | $4,100 – $5,500 | $5,150 – $6,550 |
| 30x40 foundation (1,200 sq ft) | $6,350 – $9,100 | $8,400 – $11,100 | $10,500 – $13,200 |
Why two Athens quotes can differ
Finish
A broom finish is the baseline. Stamped, stained, or exposed-aggregate finishes are priced as add-ons on top of the slab.
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.
Who does the work: Athens trade wages
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 Athens the blend is 0.79.
Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) carry 50% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Athens metro, so we used the Georgia statewide median: $22.23 an hour against $27.41 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $18.28 and $26.98 an hour.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 30%) the local median is $17.85 an hour, which is 21% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $16.56 and $23.50 an hour. BLS counts 420 of them working in the area, 43.8 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 $21.30 an hour, 26% below the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $18.67 and $22.31 an hour. About 230 work in the metro. That is 24.0 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 $21.51 an hour, 26% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $17.97 and $25.72 an hour. About 100 work in the metro. That is 10.4 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 $140 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $120. That is a swing of roughly 3.4% to 4.1% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Athens-Clarke County has 95,800 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 209th 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% | $18.28 | $22.23 | $26.98 | $27.41 | 0.81 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $16.56 | $17.85 | $23.50 | $22.66 | 0.79 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10% | $18.67 | $21.30 | $22.31 | $28.78 | 0.74 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 10% | $17.97 | $21.51 | $25.72 | $29.12 | 0.74 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.79 | |||||
The best months for concrete slab in Athens
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Athens Ben Epps 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 Athens are March through June and September through November: 7 of 12. Outside them, January, February and December have an average overnight low of 40°F or below, and July and August 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 and August, crews often start early, wet the base and plan for faster set times.
Athens gets about 49 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, August and December (4.9 inches in June). Inside the workable window, May and October are the driest, at 3.3 and 3.3 inches. The station averages about 62 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 | 55 | 34 | 4.4 | Cold |
| Feb | 59 | 37 | 4.4 | Cold |
| Mar | 67 | 43 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Apr | 75 | 50 | 3.5 | Workable |
| May | 82 | 59 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 89 | 67 | 4.9 | Workable |
| Jul | 92 | 70 | 4.2 | Hot |
| Aug | 90 | 69 | 4.5 | Hot |
| Sep | 85 | 63 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Oct | 75 | 52 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Nov | 65 | 42 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Dec | 57 | 36 | 4.4 | Cold |
Add-ons priced for Athens
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.88 for Athens, which is the average of the area's wage index (0.79) and goods price index (0.96). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add rebar reinforcement | $350 – $1,050 |
| Remove old concrete first | $700 – $2,100 |
How Athens 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 400 sq ft range from $3,400 to $3,600 across Athens and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athens, GAthis page | $2,150 – $4,650 | $3,400 | |
| Gainesville, GA45 miles | $2,150 – $4,700 | $3,450 | +1% |
| Greenville, SC70 miles | $2,250 – $4,850 | $3,550 | +5% |
| Atlanta, GA70 miles | $2,250 – $4,900 | $3,600 | +5% |
| Augusta, GA80 miles | $2,200 – $4,750 | $3,450 | +2% |
| Macon, GA80 miles | $2,150 – $4,600 | $3,400 | −1% |
| Georgia (statewide) | $2,200 – $4,800 | $3,500 | +3% |
| United States | $2,450 – $5,200 | $3,850 | +13% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Athens ranks #265 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Athens is 3% below the Georgia figure.
Elsewhere in Georgia
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta, GA | 2,889,670 jobs | $2,250 – $4,900 | $3,600 | +5% |
| Augusta, GA | 231,930 jobs | $2,200 – $4,750 | $3,450 | +2% |
| Savannah, GA | 198,360 jobs | $2,150 – $4,650 | $3,400 | level |
| Columbus, GA | 116,380 jobs | $2,100 – $4,550 | $3,350 | −2% |
| Gainesville, GA | 103,870 jobs | $2,150 – $4,700 | $3,450 | +1% |
| Macon, GA | 95,030 jobs | $2,150 – $4,600 | $3,400 | −1% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Athens against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yakima, WA | 97,010 jobs | $2,850 – $5,950 | $4,400 | +30% |
| Fort Smith, AR | 95,560 jobs | $2,050 – $4,400 | $3,200 | −6% |
| Binghamton, NY | 97,030 jobs | $2,550 – $5,300 | $3,900 | +15% |
| Macon, GA | 95,030 jobs | $2,150 – $4,600 | $3,400 | −1% |
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Concrete slab in Athens: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour a concrete slab in Athens?
For 400 sq ft, expect $2,150 to $4,650 in the Athens area. A standard-spec job lands at $2,900 to $3,900. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for concrete slab in Athens?
About $5.25 to $10.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $45 to $370 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $6 to $12.
+Is concrete slab cheaper in Athens or Gainesville?
Gainesville is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 400 sq ft there is $3,450, which is 1% more than Athens ($3,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Athens?
About 37% at the midpoint, or $1,250 out of $3,400. Materials are 57% and permits 6%. Nationally, labor is 42%.
+What would 20x20 (400 sq ft) cost in Athens?
$2,150 to $4,650. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does concrete slab need a permit in Athens?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $45 to $370 for fees in the Athens area (our national range of $50 to $400 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Athens expensive for concrete slab compared with the rest of Georgia?
Athens is 3% below the Georgia statewide estimate ($3,500 at the midpoint). We cover 10 metros in Georgia; see the state page to compare them.
+What do cement masons and concrete finishers earn in Athens?
BLS has no published metro figure here, so we use the statewide median of $22.23 an hour, compared with $27.41 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $18.28 to $26.98.
+What do basic and premium concrete slab work cost in Athens?
For 400 sq ft, basic work runs $2,150 to $3,150 and premium work $3,650 to $4,650. 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 Athens?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through June and September through November. May and October 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 Athens?
$350 to $1,050 for 400 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Concrete slab near Athens
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