Concrete slab cost in Baton Rouge, LA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (400 sq ft)
- $2,350 – $4,950
- Per sq ft
- $5.75 – $11.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −5%
- US $3,850
- Rank of 300 metros
- #173
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to pour a concrete slab in Baton Rouge, plan on $2,350 to $4,950 for 400 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $5.75 to $11.50 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 5% lower than the national one. 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 Baton Rouge, LA, standard level
$3,100 to $4,150
About $7.45 to $9.70 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 43% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,550 | $2,150 |
| Labor | $1,400 | $1,700 |
| Permits and fees | $140 | $270 |
| Total | $3,100 | $4,150 |
Cost breakdown for 400 sq ft in Baton Rouge, LA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,100 | $1,850 | $2,600 | 52% |
| Labor | $1,150 | $1,550 | $1,950 | 43% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $200 | $360 | 6% |
| Total | $2,350 | $3,650 | $4,950 | 100% |
Where the Baton Rouge 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, Baton Rouge wages are 0.97 times the national level. Labor makes up about 43% of the midpoint estimate (42% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Baton Rouge 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 (90.8) and land at $45 to $360.
Baton Rouge labor market for concrete slab
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 Baton Rouge is 0.97 times the national level.
For cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051, weighted 50%) the local median is $29.45 an hour, which is 7% above the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $21.79 and $35.01 an hour. BLS counts 250 of them working in the area, 6.1 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 $18.58 an hour, 18% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $16.59 and $22.72 an hour. About 6,300 work in the metro. That is 153.8 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 $27.99 an hour, which is in line with the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $23.59 and $31.00 an hour. BLS counts 2,260 of them working in the area, 55.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is deeper than average.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 10%) the local median is $26.75 an hour, which is 8% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.20 and $29.27 an hour. BLS counts 3,490 of them working in the area, 85.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the cement masons and concrete finishers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($35.01 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $160. At the 25th percentile ($21.79) it shrinks by about $220. The total moves by 4.5% or 6.2%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 409,690 jobs in the Baton Rouge area. That makes it the 60th 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% | $21.79 | $29.45 | $35.01 | $27.41 | 1.07 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $16.59 | $18.58 | $22.72 | $22.66 | 0.82 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10% | $23.59 | $27.99 | $31.00 | $28.78 | 0.97 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 10% | $23.20 | $26.75 | $29.27 | $29.12 | 0.92 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.97 | |||||
Baton Rouge: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Baton Rouge 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
$2,350 to $3,350
4-inch broom-finish slab, light mesh, easy truck access
Standard
$3,100 to $4,150
4-5 inch slab with rebar or heavier mesh and standard base prep
Premium
$3,900 to $4,950
6-inch slab, heavy reinforcement, thick base, pump truck or tight access
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x10 pad (100 sq ft) | $620 – $970 | $880 – $1,250 | $1,150 – $1,500 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $870 – $1,350 | $1,200 – $1,650 | $1,550 – $2,000 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $2,350 – $3,350 | $3,100 – $4,150 | $3,900 – $4,950 |
| 24x24 garage floor (576 sq ft) | $3,350 – $4,800 | $4,400 – $5,850 | $5,500 – $6,950 |
| 30x40 foundation (1,200 sq ft) | $6,900 – $9,800 | $9,050 – $11,900 | $11,200 – $14,100 |
Planning more than one job in Baton Rouge?
Because every project leans on different trades, Baton Rouge's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, asphalt driveway runs −3% and gravel driveway −8%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,500 – $8,850 | −4% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,200 – $3,800 | −5% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $27,000 – $54,200 | −7% |
| Stamped concrete | 400 sq ft | $3,100 – $7,650 | −4% |
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $2,950 – $7,250 | −3% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,300 – $9,350 | −8% |
Climate in Baton Rouge: timing your concrete slab job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Baton Rouge Ryan Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
September through May is the stretch where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in Baton Rouge (9 of 12 months). 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.
Baton Rouge gets about 62 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, June and August (6.5 inches in June). Inside the workable window, September and November are the driest, at 4.4 and 3.9 inches. The station averages about 96 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 | 62 | 42 | 6.4 | Workable |
| Feb | 67 | 45 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Mar | 73 | 51 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Apr | 79 | 57 | 5.1 | Workable |
| May | 86 | 65 | 5.2 | Workable |
| Jun | 91 | 72 | 6.5 | Hot |
| Jul | 92 | 74 | 5.1 | Hot |
| Aug | 92 | 73 | 6.4 | Hot |
| Sep | 89 | 69 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Oct | 81 | 58 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 71 | 48 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Dec | 64 | 43 | 5.3 | Workable |
Add-ons priced for Baton Rouge
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Baton Rouge by the average of the local wage index (0.97) and goods index (0.94), a factor of 0.95. 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 | $380 – $1,150 |
| Remove old concrete first | $760 – $2,300 |
How Baton Rouge compares
Same job, same size (400 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Baton Rouge is the priciest of the group. Hattiesburg is the cheapest at $3,350.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, LAthis page | $2,350 – $4,950 | $3,650 | |
| Lafayette, LA70 miles | $2,200 – $4,750 | $3,500 | −4% |
| Slidell, LA70 miles | $2,200 – $4,650 | $3,450 | −6% |
| Houma, LA85 miles | $2,150 – $4,600 | $3,400 | −7% |
| Alexandria, LA100 miles | $2,150 – $4,600 | $3,400 | −7% |
| Hattiesburg, MS120 miles | $2,100 – $4,600 | $3,350 | −8% |
| Louisiana (statewide) | $2,200 – $4,650 | $3,400 | −6% |
| United States | $2,450 – $5,200 | $3,850 | +5% |
Across 300 US metros, Baton Rouge comes in at #173 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $5,300; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $3,200 (midpoints, 400 sq ft). Statewide, Baton Rouge is 6% above the Louisiana figure.
Other Louisiana metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans, LA | 445,550 jobs | $2,200 – $4,700 | $3,450 | −5% |
| Lafayette, LA | 179,570 jobs | $2,200 – $4,750 | $3,500 | −4% |
| Shreveport, LA | 162,750 jobs | $2,150 – $4,600 | $3,400 | −7% |
| Lake Charles, LA | 101,690 jobs | $2,200 – $4,700 | $3,450 | −4% |
| Slidell, LA | 98,240 jobs | $2,200 – $4,650 | $3,450 | −6% |
| Monroe, LA | 87,500 jobs | $2,100 – $4,500 | $3,300 | −10% |
Cities with a workforce like Baton Rouge's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Baton Rouge against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knoxville, TN | 424,600 jobs | $2,250 – $4,800 | $3,500 | −3% |
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $2,600 – $5,400 | $4,000 | +10% |
| Greenville, SC | 434,900 jobs | $2,250 – $4,850 | $3,550 | −2% |
| Albuquerque, NM | 404,700 jobs | $2,250 – $4,850 | $3,550 | −2% |
Concrete slab: what moves the price in Baton Rouge
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.
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 $3,100 to $4,150 for Baton Rouge, LA is attached.
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Multi-page report for Baton Rouge, LA: 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 Baton Rouge: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour a concrete slab in Baton Rouge?
For 400 sq ft, expect $2,350 to $4,950 in the Baton Rouge area. A standard-spec job lands at $3,100 to $4,150. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for concrete slab in Baton Rouge?
About $5.75 to $11.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $45 to $360 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $6 to $12.
+Is concrete slab cheaper in Baton Rouge or Lafayette?
Lafayette is 70 miles away. The midpoint for 400 sq ft there is $3,500, which is 4% less than Baton Rouge ($3,650). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Baton Rouge?
About 43% at the midpoint, or $1,550 out of $3,650. Materials are 52% and permits 6%. Nationally, labor is 42%.
+What would 20x20 (400 sq ft) cost in Baton Rouge?
$2,350 to $4,950. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does concrete slab need a permit in Baton Rouge?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $45 to $360 for fees in the Baton Rouge area (our national range of $50 to $400 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Baton Rouge expensive for concrete slab compared with the rest of Louisiana?
Baton Rouge is 6% above the Louisiana statewide estimate ($3,400 at the midpoint). We cover 9 metros in Louisiana; see the state page to compare them.
+What do cement masons and concrete finishers earn in Baton Rouge?
The BLS median is $29.45 an hour in the Baton Rouge area, compared with $27.41 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.79 to $35.01.
+What do basic and premium concrete slab work cost in Baton Rouge?
For 400 sq ft, basic work runs $2,350 to $3,350 and premium work $3,900 to $4,950. 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 Baton Rouge?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through May. September 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 Baton Rouge?
$380 to $1,150 for 400 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Concrete slab near Baton Rouge
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