Concrete slab cost in Houma, LA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (400 sq ft)
- $2,150 – $4,600
- Per sq ft
- $5.30 – $10.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −11%
- US $3,850
- Rank of 300 metros
- #268
- 1 = most expensive
A concrete slab in Houma, LA usually costs $2,150 to $4,600 for 400 sq ft. That works out to about $5.30 to $10.50 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $440 less. Cement masons and concrete finishers earn a median of $23.64 an hour in the Houma area, 14% below the US median of $27.41.
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Estimated cost for 400 sq ft in Houma, LA, standard level
$2,900 to $3,900
About $6.90 to $9.10 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 39% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,550 | $2,150 |
| Labor | $1,200 | $1,450 |
| Permits and fees | $130 | $250 |
| Total | $2,900 | $3,900 |
Cost breakdown for 400 sq ft in Houma, LA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,100 | $1,850 | $2,600 | 55% |
| Labor | $990 | $1,300 | $1,650 | 39% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $190 | $340 | 6% |
| Total | $2,150 | $3,400 | $4,600 | 100% |
Where the Houma price comes from
The wage side of the estimate leans on cement masons and concrete finishers, who do 50% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $23.64 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Houma is 0.83 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 39% of the total. BLS does not publish this trade for the metro, so we used the Louisiana statewide median.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Houma is at 93.7 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $2,000 nationally becomes $1,850 here (midpoint, 400 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 85.1: $45 to $340.
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 Houma. The wage table below marks each row.
What local crews earn in Houma
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 Houma the blend is 0.83.
Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) carry 50% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Houma metro, so we used the Louisiana statewide median: $23.64 an hour against $27.41 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $19.54 and $30.00 an hour.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 30%) the local median is $17.74 an hour, which is 22% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $16.80 and $21.44 an hour. BLS counts 880 of them working in the area, 105.5 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 10% of the weighting: a median of $23.55 an hour, 18% below the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $22.25 and $28.47 an hour. About 710 work in the metro. That is 85.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Carpenters (47-2031), 10% of the weighting: a median of $23.18 an hour, 20% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $21.76 and $28.31 an hour. About 400 work in the metro. That is 47.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (cement masons and concrete finishers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $190 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $120. That is a swing of roughly 3.5% to 5.5% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux has 83,440 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 230th 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% | $19.54 | $23.64 | $30.00 | $27.41 | 0.86 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $16.80 | $17.74 | $21.44 | $22.66 | 0.78 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10% | $22.25 | $23.55 | $28.47 | $28.78 | 0.82 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 10% | $21.76 | $23.18 | $28.31 | $29.12 | 0.80 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.83 | |||||
Houma 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, Houma (10 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 Houma 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.
Houma gets about 65 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, July and August (9.1 inches in July). Inside the workable window, April and December are the driest, at 4.0 and 4.2 inches. The station averages about 76 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 | 64 | 44 | 5.6 | Workable |
| Feb | 67 | 48 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Mar | 73 | 54 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Apr | 78 | 60 | 4.0 | Workable |
| May | 85 | 67 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 90 | 73 | 8.4 | Hot |
| Jul | 91 | 74 | 9.1 | Hot |
| Aug | 91 | 75 | 6.5 | Hot |
| Sep | 89 | 71 | 5.8 | Workable |
| Oct | 82 | 61 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Nov | 72 | 52 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Dec | 66 | 46 | 4.2 | Workable |
Optional extras in Houma
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.88 for Houma, which is the average of the area's wage index (0.83) and goods price index (0.94). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add rebar reinforcement | $350 – $1,050 |
| Remove old concrete first | $710 – $2,100 |
Pick a size, pick a tier: concrete slab pricing in Houma
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Houma. 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 $4,600
6-inch slab, heavy reinforcement, thick base, pump truck or tight access
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x10 pad (100 sq ft) | $570 – $910 | $820 – $1,150 | $1,050 – $1,400 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $800 – $1,250 | $1,150 – $1,550 | $1,450 – $1,900 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $2,150 – $3,150 | $2,900 – $3,900 | $3,650 – $4,600 |
| 24x24 garage floor (576 sq ft) | $3,100 – $4,450 | $4,100 – $5,500 | $5,150 – $6,500 |
| 30x40 foundation (1,200 sq ft) | $6,400 – $9,100 | $8,450 – $11,100 | $10,500 – $13,200 |
Is Houma cheap or dear? The local comparison
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 $3,300 to $3,650 across Houma and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houma, LAthis page | $2,150 – $4,600 | $3,400 | |
| New Orleans, LA75 miles | $2,200 – $4,700 | $3,450 | +2% |
| Baton Rouge, LA85 miles | $2,350 – $4,950 | $3,650 | +7% |
| Lafayette, LA90 miles | $2,200 – $4,750 | $3,500 | +3% |
| Slidell, LA90 miles | $2,200 – $4,650 | $3,450 | +1% |
| Gulfport, MS135 miles | $2,100 – $4,550 | $3,300 | −2% |
| Louisiana (statewide) | $2,200 – $4,650 | $3,400 | +1% |
| United States | $2,450 – $5,200 | $3,850 | +13% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Houma ranks #268 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Houma is 1% below the Louisiana figure.
Elsewhere in Louisiana
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans, LA | 445,550 jobs | $2,200 – $4,700 | $3,450 | +2% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 409,690 jobs | $2,350 – $4,950 | $3,650 | +7% |
| Lafayette, LA | 179,570 jobs | $2,200 – $4,750 | $3,500 | +3% |
| Shreveport, LA | 162,750 jobs | $2,150 – $4,600 | $3,400 | level |
| Lake Charles, LA | 101,690 jobs | $2,200 – $4,700 | $3,450 | +2% |
| Slidell, LA | 98,240 jobs | $2,200 – $4,650 | $3,450 | +1% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Houma against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterloo, IA | 84,260 jobs | $2,500 – $5,150 | $3,800 | +13% |
| Bowling Green, KY | 82,160 jobs | $2,250 – $4,850 | $3,550 | +5% |
| La Crosse, WI | 84,380 jobs | $2,500 – $5,250 | $3,900 | +15% |
| Hilton Head, SC | 81,920 jobs | $2,250 – $4,850 | $3,550 | +5% |
Related projects, priced for Houma
Jobs that often go together with concrete slab are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Houma wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, asphalt driveway comes out highest (−10%) and concrete driveway lowest (−14%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,150 – $7,900 | −14% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,100 – $3,450 | −13% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $25,500 – $51,100 | −12% |
| 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 – $8,850 | −13% |
Concrete slab: what moves the price in Houma
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.
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 $2,900 to $3,900 for Houma, LA is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
The report lays out the concrete slab numbers for Houma, LA line by line, with the local wage and price inputs, permit and timing notes, a quote comparison sheet and the full method. 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 Houma: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour a concrete slab in Houma?
For 400 sq ft, expect $2,150 to $4,600 in the Houma 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 Houma?
About $5.30 to $10.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $45 to $340 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $6 to $12.
+Is concrete slab cheaper in Houma or New Orleans?
New Orleans is 75 miles away. The midpoint for 400 sq ft there is $3,450, which is 2% more than Houma ($3,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Houma?
About 39% at the midpoint, or $1,300 out of $3,400. Materials are 55% and permits 6%. Nationally, labor is 42%.
+What would 20x20 (400 sq ft) cost in Houma?
$2,150 to $4,600. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does concrete slab need a permit in Houma?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $45 to $340 for fees in the Houma area (our national range of $50 to $400 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Houma expensive for concrete slab compared with the rest of Louisiana?
Houma is 1% below 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 Houma?
BLS has no published metro figure here, so we use the statewide median of $23.64 an hour, compared with $27.41 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $19.54 to $30.00.
+What do basic and premium concrete slab work cost in Houma?
For 400 sq ft, basic work runs $2,150 to $3,150 and premium work $3,650 to $4,600. 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.
+When is the best time to pour a concrete slab in Houma?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through May. April and December 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 Houma?
$350 to $1,050 for 400 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Concrete slab near Houma
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