Concrete slab cost in Des Moines, IA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (400 sq ft)
- $2,450 – $5,100
- Per sq ft
- $5.95 – $12
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −2%
- US $3,850
- Rank of 300 metros
- #139
- 1 = most expensive
Des Moines homeowners pay roughly $2,450 to $5,100 to pour a concrete slab at 400 sq ft, or $5.95 to $12 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Des Moines is almost level. Building materials run about 6% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 93.7).
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Estimated cost for 400 sq ft in Des Moines, IA, standard level
$3,250 to $4,300
About $7.70 to $10 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 45% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,550 | $2,150 |
| Labor | $1,500 | $1,850 |
| Permits and fees | $140 | $270 |
| Total | $3,250 | $4,300 |
Cost breakdown for 400 sq ft in Des Moines, IA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,100 | $1,850 | $2,600 | 50% |
| Labor | $1,250 | $1,700 | $2,100 | 45% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $210 | $370 | 5% |
| Total | $2,450 | $3,750 | $5,100 | 100% |
Where the Des Moines price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 4 trades: cement masons and concrete finishers at 50%, construction laborers at 30%, operating engineers and other construction equipment operators at 10%, carpenters at 10%. Weighted together, Des Moines wages are 1.05 times the national level. Labor makes up about 45% of the midpoint estimate (42% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Des Moines metro is 93.7 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 400 sq ft comes to $1,850, compared with $2,000 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (91.7) and land at $45 to $370.
Des Moines: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Des Moines 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
$2,450 to $3,500
4-inch broom-finish slab, light mesh, easy truck access
Standard
$3,250 to $4,300
4-5 inch slab with rebar or heavier mesh and standard base prep
Premium
$4,000 to $5,100
6-inch slab, heavy reinforcement, thick base, pump truck or tight access
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x10 pad (100 sq ft) | $640 – $1,000 | $910 – $1,300 | $1,200 – $1,550 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $900 – $1,350 | $1,250 – $1,700 | $1,600 – $2,050 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $2,450 – $3,500 | $3,250 – $4,300 | $4,000 – $5,100 |
| 24x24 garage floor (576 sq ft) | $3,500 – $4,950 | $4,600 – $6,050 | $5,700 – $7,150 |
| 30x40 foundation (1,200 sq ft) | $7,200 – $10,100 | $9,400 – $12,300 | $11,600 – $14,500 |
When to schedule concrete slab in Des Moines
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Des Moines Intl Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through October is the stretch where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in Des Moines (7 of 12 months). January, February, March, November and December have an average overnight low of 40°F or below.
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.
Des Moines gets about 37 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 37 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and August (5.3 inches in June). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 3.2 and 2.8 inches. The station averages about 22 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 | 31 | 14 | 1.1 | Cold |
| Feb | 36 | 18 | 1.3 | Cold |
| Mar | 49 | 30 | 2.2 | Cold |
| Apr | 62 | 41 | 4.0 | Workable |
| May | 72 | 52 | 5.2 | Workable |
| Jun | 82 | 62 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 86 | 66 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Aug | 84 | 64 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Sep | 77 | 55 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 63 | 43 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 48 | 30 | 1.9 | Cold |
| Dec | 36 | 20 | 1.6 | Cold |
Local wages behind the labor line
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 Des Moines is 1.05 times the national level.
For cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051, weighted 50%) the local median is $28.70 an hour, which is 5% above the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $23.89 and $33.56 an hour. BLS counts 530 of them working in the area, 13.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 13.3), so the local bench is about average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 30% of the weighting: a median of $24.03 an hour, 6% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.67 and $28.91 an hour. About 3,510 work in the metro. That is 86.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 10%) the local median is $30.10 an hour, which is 5% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $28.03 and $37.62 an hour. BLS counts 1,260 of them working in the area, 31.2 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 $29.50 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $24.03 and $35.68 an hour. BLS counts 1,810 of them working in the area, 44.8 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is about average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the cement masons and concrete finishers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($33.56 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $140. At the 25th percentile ($23.89) it shrinks by about $140. The total moves by 3.8% or 3.7%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 404,130 jobs in the Des Moines-West Des Moines area. That makes it the 64th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.26% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 50% | $23.89 | $28.70 | $33.56 | $27.41 | 1.05 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $22.67 | $24.03 | $28.91 | $22.66 | 1.06 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10% | $28.03 | $30.10 | $37.62 | $28.78 | 1.05 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 10% | $24.03 | $29.50 | $35.68 | $29.12 | 1.01 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.05 | |||||
Extras that change the Des Moines total
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Des Moines by the average of the local wage index (1.05) and goods index (0.94), a factor of 0.99. 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 | $400 – $1,200 |
| Remove old concrete first | $790 – $2,400 |
Why two Des Moines 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.
Related projects, priced for Des Moines
Because every project leans on different trades, Des Moines's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, concrete driveway runs +1% and detached garage −2%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,650 – $9,350 | +1% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,200 – $4,000 | −1% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $28,200 – $56,600 | −2% |
| Stamped concrete | 400 sq ft | $3,200 – $7,900 | −1% |
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,000 – $7,450 | level |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,500 – $10,100 | −1% |
How Des Moines compares
Same job, same size (400 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Waterloo is the priciest of the group at $3,800. Omaha is the cheapest at $3,600.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IAthis page | $2,450 – $5,100 | $3,750 | |
| Waterloo, IA95 miles | $2,500 – $5,150 | $3,800 | +2% |
| Iowa City, IA110 miles | $2,350 – $5,000 | $3,700 | −2% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA115 miles | $2,400 – $5,050 | $3,700 | −1% |
| Omaha, NE120 miles | $2,300 – $4,850 | $3,600 | −5% |
| Sioux City, IA145 miles | $2,350 – $4,950 | $3,650 | −2% |
| Iowa (statewide) | $2,400 – $5,000 | $3,700 | −2% |
| United States | $2,450 – $5,200 | $3,850 | +2% |
Across 300 US metros, Des Moines comes in at #139 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $5,300; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $3,200 (midpoints, 400 sq ft). Statewide, Des Moines is 2% above the Iowa figure.
Other Iowa metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Davenport, IA | 180,450 jobs | $2,500 – $5,150 | $3,800 | +2% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 139,260 jobs | $2,400 – $5,050 | $3,700 | −1% |
| Iowa City, IA | 93,760 jobs | $2,350 – $5,000 | $3,700 | −2% |
| Waterloo, IA | 84,260 jobs | $2,500 – $5,150 | $3,800 | +2% |
| Sioux City, IA | 75,010 jobs | $2,350 – $4,950 | $3,650 | −2% |
| Dubuque, IA | 58,470 jobs | $2,400 – $5,050 | $3,700 | −1% |
Cities with a workforce like Des Moines's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Des Moines against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport, CT | 404,180 jobs | $2,600 – $5,450 | $4,000 | +7% |
| Columbia, SC | 394,200 jobs | $2,250 – $4,800 | $3,550 | −6% |
| Albuquerque, NM | 404,700 jobs | $2,250 – $4,850 | $3,550 | −5% |
| Charleston, SC | 394,170 jobs | $2,300 – $4,900 | $3,600 | −4% |
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Concrete slab in Des Moines: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour a concrete slab in Des Moines?
For 400 sq ft, expect $2,450 to $5,100 in the Des Moines area. A standard-spec job lands at $3,250 to $4,300. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for concrete slab in Des Moines?
About $5.95 to $12 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 Des Moines or Waterloo?
Waterloo is 95 miles away. The midpoint for 400 sq ft there is $3,800, which is 2% more than Des Moines ($3,750). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Des Moines?
About 45% at the midpoint, or $1,700 out of $3,750. Materials are 50% and permits 5%. Nationally, labor is 42%.
+What would 20x20 (400 sq ft) cost in Des Moines?
$2,450 to $5,100. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does concrete slab need a permit in Des Moines?
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 Des Moines area (our national range of $50 to $400 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Des Moines expensive for concrete slab compared with the rest of Iowa?
Des Moines is 2% above the Iowa statewide estimate ($3,700 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Iowa; see the state page to compare them.
+What do cement masons and concrete finishers earn in Des Moines?
The BLS median is $28.70 an hour in the Des Moines area, compared with $27.41 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.89 to $33.56.
+What do basic and premium concrete slab work cost in Des Moines?
For 400 sq ft, basic work runs $2,450 to $3,500 and premium work $4,000 to $5,100. 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 Des Moines?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. September 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 Des Moines?
$400 to $1,200 for 400 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Concrete slab near Des Moines
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