Concrete slab cost in Rochester, MN
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (400 sq ft)
- $2,700 – $5,550
- Per sq ft
- $6.60 – $13
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +8%
- US $3,850
- Rank of 300 metros
- #43
- 1 = most expensive
Rochester homeowners pay roughly $2,700 to $5,550 to pour a concrete slab at 400 sq ft, or $6.60 to $13 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Rochester is 8% higher. Cement masons and concrete finishers earn a median of $34.75 an hour in the Rochester area, 27% above the US median of $27.41.
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Estimated cost for 400 sq ft in Rochester, MN, standard level
$3,550 to $4,700
About $8.50 to $11 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 49% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,600 | $2,200 |
| Labor | $1,800 | $2,200 |
| Permits and fees | $140 | $270 |
| Total | $3,550 | $4,700 |
Cost breakdown for 400 sq ft in Rochester, MN
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $1,900 | $2,650 | 46% |
| Labor | $1,500 | $2,000 | $2,500 | 49% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $200 | $360 | 5% |
| Total | $2,700 | $4,100 | $5,550 | 100% |
Why Rochester prices look the way they do
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 $34.75 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Rochester is 1.25 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 49% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Rochester metro is 95.4 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 400 sq ft comes to $1,900, 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.
Is Rochester 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 $3,700 to $4,350 across Rochester and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester, MNthis page | $2,700 – $5,550 | $4,100 | |
| La Crosse, WI65 miles | $2,500 – $5,250 | $3,900 | −6% |
| Eau Claire, WI85 miles | $2,550 – $5,250 | $3,900 | −5% |
| Minneapolis, MN90 miles | $2,850 – $5,900 | $4,350 | +6% |
| Waterloo, IA100 miles | $2,500 – $5,150 | $3,800 | −7% |
| Dubuque, IA125 miles | $2,400 – $5,050 | $3,700 | −10% |
| Minnesota (statewide) | $2,700 – $5,650 | $4,150 | +1% |
| United States | $2,450 – $5,200 | $3,850 | −7% |
Across 300 US metros, Rochester comes in at #43 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $5,300; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $3,200 (midpoints, 400 sq ft). Statewide, Rochester is 1% below the Minnesota figure.
Other Minnesota metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis, MN | 1,951,650 jobs | $2,850 – $5,900 | $4,350 | +6% |
| Duluth, MN | 124,710 jobs | $2,650 – $5,500 | $4,100 | −1% |
| St. Cloud, MN | 103,920 jobs | $2,550 – $5,300 | $3,900 | −5% |
Cities with a workforce like Rochester's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Rochester against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amarillo, TX | 123,930 jobs | $2,150 – $4,600 | $3,350 | −18% |
| Midland, TX | 122,180 jobs | $2,200 – $4,750 | $3,450 | −16% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $2,650 – $5,450 | $4,050 | −2% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | 122,020 jobs | $2,750 – $5,750 | $4,250 | +3% |
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 Rochester is 1.25 times the national level.
For cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051, weighted 50%) the local median is $34.75 an hour, which is 27% above the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $30.09 and $40.93 an hour. BLS counts 110 of them working in the area, 8.9 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 $28.55 an hour, 26% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.36 and $43.11 an hour. About 990 work in the metro. That is 80.5 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 10%) the local median is $38.26 an hour, which is 33% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $31.12 and $45.54 an hour. BLS counts 290 of them working in the area, 23.6 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 10%) the local median is $30.58 an hour, which is 5% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.59 and $38.84 an hour. BLS counts 460 of them working in the area, 37.4 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 ($40.93 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $180. At the 25th percentile ($30.09) it shrinks by about $140. The total moves by 4.4% or 3.3%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 122,980 jobs in the Rochester area. That makes it the 176th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.08% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 50% | $30.09 | $34.75 | $40.93 | $27.41 | 1.27 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $22.36 | $28.55 | $43.11 | $22.66 | 1.26 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10% | $31.12 | $38.26 | $45.54 | $28.78 | 1.33 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 10% | $23.59 | $30.58 | $38.84 | $29.12 | 1.05 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.25 | |||||
Cost by quality level and size in Rochester
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Rochester 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
$2,700 to $3,850
4-inch broom-finish slab, light mesh, easy truck access
Standard
$3,550 to $4,700
4-5 inch slab with rebar or heavier mesh and standard base prep
Premium
$4,400 to $5,550
6-inch slab, heavy reinforcement, thick base, pump truck or tight access
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x10 pad (100 sq ft) | $710 – $1,100 | $990 – $1,350 | $1,300 – $1,650 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $1,000 – $1,500 | $1,350 – $1,850 | $1,750 – $2,250 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $2,700 – $3,850 | $3,550 – $4,700 | $4,400 – $5,550 |
| 24x24 garage floor (576 sq ft) | $3,850 – $5,450 | $5,050 – $6,600 | $6,250 – $7,800 |
| 30x40 foundation (1,200 sq ft) | $8,000 – $11,100 | $10,300 – $13,500 | $12,700 – $15,900 |
What nearby projects cost in Rochester
Because every project leans on different trades, Rochester's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, concrete driveway runs +16% and detached garage +5%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $4,150 – $10,700 | +16% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,300 – $4,450 | +10% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $30,500 – $61,100 | +5% |
| Stamped concrete | 400 sq ft | $3,550 – $8,850 | +11% |
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,350 – $8,500 | +13% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,850 – $11,400 | +12% |
Extras that change the Rochester total
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Rochester by the average of the local wage index (1.25) and goods index (0.95), a factor of 1.10. 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 | $440 – $1,300 |
| Remove old concrete first | $880 – $2,650 |
When to schedule concrete slab in Rochester
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Rochester Intl Ap (10 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
May through September is the stretch where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in Rochester (5 of 12 months). January, February, March, April, October, 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.
Rochester gets about 35 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 53 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and July (5.3 inches in June). Inside the workable window, August and September are the driest, at 4.1 and 3.6 inches. The station averages about 5 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 | 23 | 7 | 1.0 | Cold |
| Feb | 27 | 11 | 1.0 | Cold |
| Mar | 40 | 23 | 2.0 | Cold |
| Apr | 55 | 35 | 3.5 | Cold |
| May | 68 | 47 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 78 | 58 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 80 | 61 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Aug | 78 | 58 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Sep | 72 | 50 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Oct | 58 | 38 | 2.4 | Cold |
| Nov | 42 | 26 | 1.8 | Cold |
| Dec | 28 | 14 | 1.3 | Cold |
Concrete slab: what moves the price in Rochester
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 $3,550 to $4,700 for Rochester, MN is attached.
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Concrete slab in Rochester: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour a concrete slab in Rochester?
For 400 sq ft, expect $2,700 to $5,550 in the Rochester area. A standard-spec job lands at $3,550 to $4,700. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for concrete slab in Rochester?
About $6.60 to $13 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 Rochester or La Crosse?
La Crosse is 65 miles away. The midpoint for 400 sq ft there is $3,900, which is 6% less than Rochester ($4,100). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Rochester?
About 49% at the midpoint, or $2,000 out of $4,100. Materials are 46% and permits 5%. Nationally, labor is 42%.
+What would 20x20 (400 sq ft) cost in Rochester?
$2,700 to $5,550. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does concrete slab need a permit in Rochester?
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 Rochester area (our national range of $50 to $400 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Rochester expensive for concrete slab compared with the rest of Minnesota?
Rochester is 1% below the Minnesota statewide estimate ($4,150 at the midpoint). We cover 4 metros in Minnesota; see the state page to compare them.
+What do cement masons and concrete finishers earn in Rochester?
The BLS median is $34.75 an hour in the Rochester area, compared with $27.41 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $30.09 to $40.93.
+What do basic and premium concrete slab work cost in Rochester?
For 400 sq ft, basic work runs $2,700 to $3,850 and premium work $4,400 to $5,550. 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 Rochester?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are May through September. August and September 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 Rochester?
$440 to $1,300 for 400 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Concrete slab near Rochester
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