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Concrete slab cost in Ohio

Statewide estimate from BLS wages and BEA prices. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.

Statewide range (400 sq ft)
$2,500 – $5,250
Per sq ft
$6.15 – $12
before permit
Versus US midpoint
+1%
US $3,850
Metros covered
8

Across Ohio, a concrete slab costs about $2,500 to $5,250 for 400 sq ft. Statewide, that midpoint is 1% above the US figure of $3,850. Cement masons and concrete finishers earn a median $30.28 an hour in Ohio (US: $27.41).

Inside Ohio, the metros we cover range from $3,750 (Youngstown) to $4,000 (Columbus) at the midpoint. Pick your closest city in the table for a tighter number.

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Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.

Quality level

4-5 inch slab with rebar or heavier mesh and standard base prep

Add-ons

Estimated cost for 400 sq ft in Ohio (statewide), standard level

$3,350 to $4,400

About $7.95 to $10.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 46% of the bill.

Cost breakdown
PartLowHigh
Materials$1,550$2,150
Labor$1,600$1,950
Permits and fees$140$270
Total$3,350$4,400
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Cost breakdown for 400 sq ft in Ohio

Part of the jobLowMidpointHighShare
Materials$1,100$1,850$2,60048%
Labor$1,350$1,800$2,25046%
Permits and fees$45$210$3705%
Total$2,500$3,850$5,250100%

Extras that change the Ohio total

Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Ohio by the average of the local wage index (1.12) and goods index (0.94), a factor of 1.03. 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 prices
Add-onLocal range
Add rebar reinforcement$410 – $1,250
Remove old concrete first$820 – $2,450

How Ohio compares with nearby states

Ohio ranks 18 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. Ohio sits at $3,850. The five states closest by workforce center are listed below.

States near Ohio, same project and size
StateDistanceRangeMidpointvs. here
West Virginia130 miles away$2,300 – $4,850$3,550−8%
Michigan180 miles away$2,450 – $5,150$3,800−2%
Indiana180 miles away$2,500 – $5,250$3,850level
Kentucky210 miles away$2,300 – $4,900$3,600−7%
Illinois280 miles away$2,950 – $6,050$4,500+16%

When Ohio weather lets you pour

Season matters for concrete slab. For each Ohio metro below we took NOAA's 1991-2020 monthly normals from the nearest suitable station and counted comfortable months for pouring concrete.

Columbus has the longest comfortable season of the metros we cover in Ohio at 7 months (April through October); Youngstown has the shortest at 6 (May through October). Rainfall runs from 32 inches a year in Toledo to 43 inches in Cincinnati.

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.

Climate by metro (NOAA 1991-2020 normals)
MetroJan avg low °FJul avg high °FPrecip (in/yr)Comfortable months
Columbus2285427: April through October
Cincinnati2487437: April through October
Cleveland2481337: April through October
Dayton2087427: April through October
Akron2185336: May through October
Toledo2085326: May through October
Canton2084426: May through October
Youngstown1983416: May through October

Related projects, priced for Ohio

The table prices neighboring jobs at their usual sizes using statewide Ohio wages and prices. Against national midpoints, concrete driveway comes out highest (+6%) and detached garage lowest (−1%), because each job leans on different trades.

Related projects with local prices
ProjectSizeRangevs. US
Concrete driveway600 sq ft$3,800 – $9,800+6%
Concrete patio300 sq ft$1,250 – $4,150+3%
Detached garage576 sq ft$28,700 – $57,600−1%
Stamped concrete400 sq ft$3,300 – $8,200+3%
Asphalt driveway600 sq ft$3,050 – $7,550+2%
Gravel driveway1,000 sq ft$2,600 – $10,600+4%

Ohio metro-by-metro prices

3 of the 8 metros sit above the statewide midpoint of $3,850, and the top-to-bottom gap is 7%. 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.

MetroRange (400 sq ft)Midpointvs. state
Columbus, OH$2,600 – $5,400$4,000+3%
Cleveland, OH$2,550 – $5,300$3,950+2%
Akron, OH$2,550 – $5,300$3,900+1%
Cincinnati, OH$2,500 – $5,250$3,850level
Dayton, OH$2,500 – $5,150$3,800−1%
Canton, OH$2,450 – $5,150$3,800−2%
Toledo, OH$2,450 – $5,150$3,800−2%
Youngstown, OH$2,400 – $5,050$3,750−4%

Concrete slab: what moves the price in Ohio

  • 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.

Ohio labor market for concrete slab

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 1.12 for Ohio.

For cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051, weighted 50%) the local median is $30.28 an hour, which is 10% above the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $23.64 and $36.86 an hour. BLS counts 6,060 of them working in the state, 10.9 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 $26.96 an hour, 19% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.09 and $35.76 an hour. About 31,910 work in the state. That is 57.5 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.

For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 10%) the local median is $31.22 an hour, which is 8% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $26.17 and $44.68 an hour. BLS counts 16,920 of them working in the state, 30.5 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 $29.24 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.42 and $36.47 an hour. BLS counts 18,450 of them working in the state, 33.2 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 ($36.86 an hour) would add about $190 to the statewide midpoint; one at the 25th percentile ($23.64) would take off about $190. Use that as a rough guide to how far a bid can sit from our midpoint on wages alone.

BLS counts 5,550,180 jobs across Ohio (May 2025), which is 3.6% of US employment.

Median hourly wages behind the labor line (BLS OEWS, May 2025)
TradeWeight25th pctMedian75th pctUS medianRatioLevel used
Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051)50%$23.64$30.28$36.86$27.411.10state
Construction laborers (47-2061)30%$22.09$26.96$35.76$22.661.19state
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073)10%$26.17$31.22$44.68$28.781.08state
Carpenters (47-2031)10%$23.42$29.24$36.47$29.121.00state
Blended100%1.12

Quality levels and sizes in Ohio

The cited range is cut into three overlapping bands (basic, standard and premium) and scaled to statewide Ohio wages and prices. The grid prices the same bands at 5 common sizes.

Basic

$2,500 to $3,600

4-inch broom-finish slab, light mesh, easy truck access

Standard

$3,350 to $4,400

4-5 inch slab with rebar or heavier mesh and standard base prep

Premium

$4,150 to $5,250

6-inch slab, heavy reinforcement, thick base, pump truck or tight access

Cost by size and quality level
SizeBasicStandardPremium
10x10 pad (100 sq ft)$660 – $1,050$940 – $1,300$1,200 – $1,600
12x12 (144 sq ft)$930 – $1,400$1,300 – $1,750$1,650 – $2,100
20x20 (400 sq ft)$2,500 – $3,600$3,350 – $4,400$4,150 – $5,250
24x24 garage floor (576 sq ft)$3,600 – $5,100$4,750 – $6,250$5,850 – $7,350
30x40 foundation (1,200 sq ft)$7,450 – $10,400$9,700 – $12,700$11,900 – $14,900

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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 $3,350 to $4,400 for Ohio is attached.

Detailed concrete slab report for Ohio, $9

Multi-page report for Ohio: 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 Ohio: your questions

+How much does it cost to pour a concrete slab in Ohio?

$2,500 to $5,250 for 400 sq ft, using statewide wages and prices. Metro areas inside Ohio can sit above or below that.

+Which city in Ohio is cheapest for concrete slab?

Youngstown at about $3,750 (midpoint, 400 sq ft). The priciest is Columbus at $4,000.

+Is concrete slab cheaper in Ohio than the US average?

It is 1% more expensive: $3,850 against $3,850 for 400 sq ft at the midpoint.

+What share of the price is labor in Ohio?

About 46% ($1,800). Materials are 48%. Statewide labor for this job is weighted 1.12x 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 Ohio?

The BLS statewide median is $30.28 an hour, against $27.41 for the US. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.64 to $36.86.

+Where does Ohio rank for concrete slab costs?

18th most expensive of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) at the midpoint, $3,850 for 400 sq ft. Rank 1 is the costliest.

+What do basic and premium concrete slab work cost in Ohio?

For 400 sq ft, basic work runs $2,500 to $3,600 and premium work $4,150 to $5,250. 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 Ohio?

Yes where winters or summers are hard. Of the Ohio metros we cover, Columbus has the most comfortable months (7 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 Ohio?

$410 to $1,250 for 400 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the statewide wage and goods indexes.

Concrete slab by city in Ohio

Concrete slab: all pricesOhio cost hub

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.