Concrete slab cost in North Carolina
Statewide estimate from BLS wages and BEA prices. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Statewide range (400 sq ft)
- $2,250 – $4,800
- Per sq ft
- $5.45 – $11
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −8%
- US $3,850
- Metros covered
- 11
North Carolina prices for concrete slab: $2,250 to $4,800 for 400 sq ft, or $5.45 to $11 per sq ft without the permit. The state midpoint is 8% below the national one. Local wages for cement masons and concrete finishers are $22.49 an hour.
Inside North Carolina, the metros we cover range from $3,350 (Fayetteville) to $3,550 (Charlotte) at the midpoint. Pick your closest city in the table for a tighter number.
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Estimated cost for 400 sq ft in North Carolina (statewide), standard level
$3,000 to $4,050
About $7.15 to $9.40 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 39% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,600 | $2,250 |
| Labor | $1,250 | $1,500 |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $280 |
| Total | $3,000 | $4,050 |
Cost breakdown for 400 sq ft in North Carolina
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $1,950 | $2,700 | 55% |
| Labor | $1,050 | $1,350 | $1,700 | 39% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $210 | $380 | 6% |
| Total | $2,250 | $3,500 | $4,800 | 100% |
Optional extras in North Carolina
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to North Carolina by the average of the local wage index (0.86) and goods index (0.97), a factor of 0.91. 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 | $360 – $1,100 |
| Remove old concrete first | $730 – $2,200 |
What cement masons and concrete finishers and the other trades earn in North Carolina
Statewide wages come from BLS's state-level estimates, which blend big cities with small towns and rural areas. 4 trades drive the labor line for this job, and the weighted ratio against the national wage level is 0.86 for North Carolina.
For cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051, weighted 50%) the local median is $22.49 an hour, which is 18% below the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $18.96 and $24.81 an hour. BLS counts 4,610 of them working in the state, 9.3 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 $21.50 an hour, 5% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.97 and $23.59 an hour. About 35,620 work in the state. That is 72.1 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 $23.71 an hour, which is 18% below the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $21.97 and $27.82 an hour. BLS counts 16,580 of them working in the state, 33.6 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 $23.61 an hour, which is 19% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $20.27 and $28.27 an hour. BLS counts 13,480 of them working in the state, 27.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is thinner than average.
A crew paid at the 75th percentile for cement masons and concrete finishers ($24.81 an hour) would add about $70 to the statewide midpoint; one at the 25th percentile ($18.96) would take off about $100. Use that as a rough guide to how far a bid can sit from our midpoint on wages alone.
BLS counts 4,941,820 jobs across North Carolina (May 2025), which is 3.2% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 50% | $18.96 | $22.49 | $24.81 | $27.41 | 0.82 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $17.97 | $21.50 | $23.59 | $22.66 | 0.95 | state |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10% | $21.97 | $23.71 | $27.82 | $28.78 | 0.82 | state |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 10% | $20.27 | $23.61 | $28.27 | $29.12 | 0.81 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 0.86 | |||||
Related projects, priced for North Carolina
The table prices neighboring jobs at their usual sizes using statewide North Carolina wages and prices. Against national midpoints, asphalt driveway comes out highest (−7%) and concrete driveway lowest (−11%), because each job leans on different trades.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,300 – $8,150 | −11% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,150 – $3,600 | −9% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $26,400 – $53,000 | −9% |
| Stamped concrete | 400 sq ft | $3,000 – $7,250 | −9% |
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $2,850 – $6,900 | −7% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,300 – $9,450 | −7% |
Weather windows across North Carolina
Season matters for concrete slab. For each North Carolina metro below we took NOAA's 1991-2020 monthly normals from the nearest suitable station and counted comfortable months for pouring concrete.
Wilmington has the longest comfortable season of the metros we cover in North Carolina at 8 months (March through June and August through November); Burlington has the shortest at 6 (April through June and August through October). Rainfall runs from 41 inches a year in Asheville to 60 inches in Wilmington.
We do not adjust prices by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. Timing is still worth raising when you collect bids.
| Metro | Jan avg low °F | Jul avg high °F | Precip (in/yr) | Comfortable months |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | 32 | 90 | 44 | 7: March through June and August through October |
| Raleigh | 32 | 91 | 46 | 6: April through June and August through October |
| Greensboro | 30 | 89 | 46 | 7: April through October |
| Durham | 32 | 91 | 46 | 6: April through June and August through October |
| Winston | 31 | 88 | 43 | 7: April through October |
| Wilmington | 36 | 90 | 60 | 8: March through June and August through November |
| Asheville | 29 | 86 | 41 | 7: April through October |
| Hickory | 30 | 87 | 47 | 7: April through October |
| Fayetteville | 34 | 91 | 45 | 8: March through June and August through November |
| Greenville | 33 | 90 | 53 | 8: March through June and August through November |
| Burlington | 30 | 91 | 43 | 6: April through June and August through October |
Concrete slab: what moves the price in North Carolina
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.
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.
Quality levels and sizes in North Carolina
The cited range is cut into three overlapping bands (basic, standard and premium) and scaled to statewide North Carolina wages and prices. The grid prices the same bands at 5 common sizes.
Basic
$2,250 to $3,250
4-inch broom-finish slab, light mesh, easy truck access
Standard
$3,000 to $4,050
4-5 inch slab with rebar or heavier mesh and standard base prep
Premium
$3,750 to $4,800
6-inch slab, heavy reinforcement, thick base, pump truck or tight access
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x10 pad (100 sq ft) | $590 – $950 | $860 – $1,200 | $1,150 – $1,500 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $840 – $1,300 | $1,200 – $1,650 | $1,500 – $1,950 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $2,250 – $3,250 | $3,000 – $4,050 | $3,750 – $4,800 |
| 24x24 garage floor (576 sq ft) | $3,200 – $4,600 | $4,250 – $5,700 | $5,350 – $6,750 |
| 30x40 foundation (1,200 sq ft) | $6,600 – $9,450 | $8,700 – $11,500 | $10,800 – $13,600 |
Which North Carolina city is cheapest for concrete slab?
2 of the 11 metros sit above the statewide midpoint of $3,500, and the top-to-bottom gap is 6%. Each row prices the default size with that metro's own BLS wages and BEA price levels, so the gap between rows is real local variation rather than a flat markup.
| Metro | Range (400 sq ft) | Midpoint | vs. state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte, NC | $2,250 – $4,850 | $3,550 | +1% |
| Raleigh, NC | $2,250 – $4,850 | $3,550 | +1% |
| Asheville, NC | $2,250 – $4,800 | $3,550 | level |
| Durham, NC | $2,250 – $4,800 | $3,500 | level |
| Wilmington, NC | $2,200 – $4,800 | $3,500 | −1% |
| Burlington, NC | $2,200 – $4,750 | $3,500 | −1% |
| Hickory, NC | $2,200 – $4,750 | $3,450 | −2% |
| Greensboro, NC | $2,200 – $4,700 | $3,450 | −2% |
| Winston, NC | $2,200 – $4,700 | $3,450 | −2% |
| Greenville, NC | $2,150 – $4,600 | $3,350 | −4% |
| Fayetteville, NC | $2,150 – $4,600 | $3,350 | −4% |
How North Carolina compares with nearby states
North Carolina ranks 44 of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) for concrete slab, where 1 is the most expensive. The costliest is Hawaii at $5,150 and the cheapest Arkansas at $3,350, both for 400 sq ft at the midpoint. North Carolina sits at $3,500. The five states closest by workforce center are listed below.
| State | Distance | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | 120 miles away | $2,250 – $4,800 | $3,550 | level |
| Virginia | 180 miles away | $2,350 – $5,050 | $3,700 | +5% |
| West Virginia | 240 miles away | $2,300 – $4,850 | $3,550 | +1% |
| District of Columbia | 260 miles away | $2,650 – $5,600 | $4,100 | +17% |
| Georgia | 270 miles away | $2,200 – $4,800 | $3,500 | −1% |
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Detailed concrete slab report for North Carolina, $9
The report lays out the concrete slab numbers for North Carolina 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 North Carolina: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour a concrete slab in North Carolina?
$2,250 to $4,800 for 400 sq ft, using statewide wages and prices. Metro areas inside North Carolina can sit above or below that.
+Which city in North Carolina is cheapest for concrete slab?
Fayetteville at about $3,350 (midpoint, 400 sq ft). The priciest is Charlotte at $3,550.
+Is concrete slab cheaper in North Carolina than the US average?
It is 8% cheaper: $3,500 against $3,850 for 400 sq ft at the midpoint.
+What share of the price is labor in North Carolina?
About 39% ($1,350). Materials are 55%. Statewide labor for this job is weighted 0.86x the national wage level.
+Does a concrete slab need a permit?
Often yes if it's structural (a garage floor or foundation) and often no for a small at-grade pad. Permit fees run $50-$400 depending on the city (HomeGuide).
+What do cement masons and concrete finishers earn in North Carolina?
The BLS statewide median is $22.49 an hour, against $27.41 for the US. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $18.96 to $24.81.
+Where does North Carolina rank for concrete slab costs?
44th most expensive of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) at the midpoint, $3,500 for 400 sq ft. Rank 1 is the costliest.
+What do basic and premium concrete slab work cost in North Carolina?
For 400 sq ft, basic work runs $2,250 to $3,250 and premium work $3,750 to $4,800. 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.
+Does the season matter for concrete slab in North Carolina?
Yes where winters or summers are hard. Of the North Carolina metros we cover, Wilmington has the most comfortable months (8 of 12) based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals. Our prices do not change by month, so ask contractors whether they charge more or less in busy and slow seasons.
+What does "add rebar reinforcement" add in North Carolina?
$360 to $1,100 for 400 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the statewide wage and goods indexes.
Concrete slab by city in North Carolina
- Charlotte, NC$3,550 midpoint
- Raleigh, NC$3,550 midpoint
- Asheville, NC$3,550 midpoint
- Durham, NC$3,500 midpoint
- Wilmington, NC$3,500 midpoint
- Burlington, NC$3,500 midpoint
- Hickory, NC$3,450 midpoint
- Greensboro, NC$3,450 midpoint
- Winston, NC$3,450 midpoint
- Greenville, NC$3,350 midpoint
- Fayetteville, NC$3,350 midpoint
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