Concrete slab cost in St. Louis, MO
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (400 sq ft)
- $2,750 – $5,650
- Per sq ft
- $6.70 – $13
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +9%
- US $3,850
- Rank of 300 metros
- #32
- 1 = most expensive
St. Louis homeowners pay roughly $2,750 to $5,650 to pour a concrete slab at 400 sq ft, or $6.70 to $13 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, St. Louis is 9% higher. Cement masons and concrete finishers earn a median of $31.09 an hour in the St. Louis area, 13% above the US median of $27.41.
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Estimated cost for 400 sq ft in St. Louis, MO, standard level
$3,600 to $4,750
About $8.65 to $11 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 47% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,700 | $2,300 |
| Labor | $1,750 | $2,150 |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $280 |
| Total | $3,600 | $4,750 |
Cost breakdown for 400 sq ft in St. Louis, MO
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,200 | $2,000 | $2,800 | 48% |
| Labor | $1,500 | $1,950 | $2,450 | 47% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $210 | $380 | 5% |
| Total | $2,750 | $4,200 | $5,650 | 100% |
Why St. Louis prices look the way they do
Labor is 47% 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 St. Louis the blended ratio comes out at 1.23.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the St. Louis metro is 100.0 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 400 sq ft comes to $2,000, compared with $2,000 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (95.1) and land at $50 to $380.
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 St. Louis is 1.23 times the national level.
For cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051, weighted 50%) the local median is $31.09 an hour, which is 13% above the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $27.37 and $39.47 an hour. BLS counts 2,550 of them working in the area, 19.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 13.3), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 30% of the weighting: a median of $31.01 an hour, 37% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $23.00 and $39.22 an hour. About 8,670 work in the metro. That is 64.6 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 $39.56 an hour, which is 37% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $28.17 and $45.31 an hour. BLS counts 4,190 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 $34.13 an hour, which is 17% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $25.32 and $44.28 an hour. BLS counts 7,210 of them working in the area, 53.8 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 ($39.47 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $240. At the 25th percentile ($27.37) it shrinks by about $110. The total moves by 5.8% or 2.6%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 1,341,320 jobs in the St. Louis area. That makes it the 23rd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.86% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 50% | $27.37 | $31.09 | $39.47 | $27.41 | 1.13 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $23.00 | $31.01 | $39.22 | $22.66 | 1.37 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10% | $28.17 | $39.56 | $45.31 | $28.78 | 1.37 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 10% | $25.32 | $34.13 | $44.28 | $29.12 | 1.17 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.23 | |||||
Concrete slab: what moves the price in St. Louis
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.
What nearby projects cost in St. Louis
Because every project leans on different trades, St. Louis's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, gravel driveway runs +18% and detached garage +10%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $4,150 – $10,700 | +16% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,350 – $4,500 | +12% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $31,800 – $63,800 | +10% |
| Stamped concrete | 400 sq ft | $3,550 – $8,850 | +11% |
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,450 – $8,700 | +16% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $3,000 – $12,000 | +18% |
When to schedule concrete slab in St. Louis
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for St Louis Sci Ctr (in the city). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through June and August through October are the stretches where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in St. Louis (6 of 12 months). January, February, March, November and December have an average overnight low of 40°F or below; July has 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, crews often start early, wet the base and plan for faster set times.
St. Louis gets about 44 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are April, May and June (4.9 inches in May). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 3.4 and 3.2 inches. The station averages about 47 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 | 41 | 25 | 2.7 | Cold |
| Feb | 46 | 28 | 2.3 | Cold |
| Mar | 56 | 38 | 3.6 | Cold |
| Apr | 68 | 48 | 4.8 | Workable |
| May | 77 | 59 | 4.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 86 | 67 | 4.7 | Workable |
| Jul | 90 | 72 | 4.2 | Hot |
| Aug | 89 | 70 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Sep | 82 | 62 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Oct | 70 | 50 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Nov | 56 | 39 | 3.7 | Cold |
| Dec | 45 | 30 | 2.6 | Cold |
How St. Louis compares
Same job, same size (400 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. St. Louis is the priciest of the group. Columbia is the cheapest at $3,800.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MOthis page | $2,750 – $5,650 | $4,200 | |
| Springfield, IL85 miles | $2,650 – $5,450 | $4,050 | −3% |
| Jefferson City, MO95 miles | $2,500 – $5,200 | $3,850 | −8% |
| Columbia, MO120 miles | $2,450 – $5,150 | $3,800 | −9% |
| Bloomington, IL145 miles | $2,600 – $5,400 | $4,000 | −4% |
| Peoria, IL150 miles | $2,750 – $5,600 | $4,150 | level |
| Missouri (statewide) | $2,500 – $5,250 | $3,900 | −7% |
| United States | $2,450 – $5,200 | $3,850 | −9% |
Across 300 US metros, St. Louis comes in at #32 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $5,300; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $3,200 (midpoints, 400 sq ft). Statewide, St. Louis is 8% above the Missouri figure.
Other Missouri metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO | 1,096,110 jobs | $2,450 – $5,150 | $3,800 | −9% |
| Springfield, MO | 223,030 jobs | $2,350 – $5,000 | $3,650 | −12% |
| Columbia, MO | 107,680 jobs | $2,450 – $5,150 | $3,800 | −9% |
| Joplin, MO | 87,190 jobs | $2,350 – $4,950 | $3,650 | −13% |
| Jefferson City, MO | 80,220 jobs | $2,500 – $5,200 | $3,850 | −8% |
Cities with a workforce like St. Louis's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is St. Louis against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore, MD | 1,356,680 jobs | $2,450 – $5,200 | $3,800 | −9% |
| Austin, TX | 1,293,690 jobs | $2,250 – $4,800 | $3,500 | −16% |
| Charlotte, NC | 1,358,370 jobs | $2,250 – $4,850 | $3,550 | −15% |
| Portland, OR | 1,208,410 jobs | $2,800 – $5,900 | $4,350 | +4% |
Cost by quality level and size in St. Louis
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for St. Louis 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
$2,750 to $3,900
4-inch broom-finish slab, light mesh, easy truck access
Standard
$3,600 to $4,750
4-5 inch slab with rebar or heavier mesh and standard base prep
Premium
$4,500 to $5,650
6-inch slab, heavy reinforcement, thick base, pump truck or tight access
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x10 pad (100 sq ft) | $720 – $1,100 | $1,000 – $1,400 | $1,300 – $1,700 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $1,000 – $1,500 | $1,400 – $1,900 | $1,750 – $2,300 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $2,750 – $3,900 | $3,600 – $4,750 | $4,500 – $5,650 |
| 24x24 garage floor (576 sq ft) | $3,900 – $5,550 | $5,100 – $6,750 | $6,350 – $7,950 |
| 30x40 foundation (1,200 sq ft) | $8,100 – $11,300 | $10,500 – $13,700 | $12,900 – $16,200 |
Add-ons priced for St. Louis
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to St. Louis by the average of the local wage index (1.23) and goods index (1.00), a factor of 1.12. 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 | $450 – $1,350 |
| Remove old concrete first | $890 – $2,700 |
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Concrete slab in St. Louis: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour a concrete slab in St. Louis?
For 400 sq ft, expect $2,750 to $5,650 in the St. Louis area. A standard-spec job lands at $3,600 to $4,750. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for concrete slab in St. Louis?
About $6.70 to $13 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $50 to $380 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $6 to $12.
+Is concrete slab cheaper in St. Louis or Springfield?
Springfield is 85 miles away. The midpoint for 400 sq ft there is $4,050, which is 3% less than St. Louis ($4,200). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in St. Louis?
About 47% at the midpoint, or $1,950 out of $4,200. Materials are 48% and permits 5%. Nationally, labor is 42%.
+What would 20x20 (400 sq ft) cost in St. Louis?
$2,750 to $5,650. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does concrete slab need a permit in St. Louis?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $50 to $380 for fees in the St. Louis area (our national range of $50 to $400 scaled by the local price level).
+Is St. Louis expensive for concrete slab compared with the rest of Missouri?
St. Louis is 8% above the Missouri statewide estimate ($3,900 at the midpoint). We cover 6 metros in Missouri; see the state page to compare them.
+What do cement masons and concrete finishers earn in St. Louis?
The BLS median is $31.09 an hour in the St. Louis area, compared with $27.41 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $27.37 to $39.47.
+What do basic and premium concrete slab work cost in St. Louis?
For 400 sq ft, basic work runs $2,750 to $3,900 and premium work $4,500 to $5,650. 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 St. Louis?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through June and August 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 St. Louis?
$450 to $1,350 for 400 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Concrete slab near St. Louis
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