Concrete slab cost in Salem, OR
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (400 sq ft)
- $2,700 – $5,700
- Per sq ft
- $6.65 – $13
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +10%
- US $3,850
- Rank of 300 metros
- #30
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a concrete slab in the Salem area: $2,700 to $5,700 for 400 sq ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint runs 10% higher than the US figure. Cement masons and concrete finishers earn a median of $32.69 an hour in the Salem area, 19% above the US median of $27.41.
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Estimated cost for 400 sq ft in Salem, OR, standard level
$3,600 to $4,800
About $8.60 to $11 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 44% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,750 | $2,450 |
| Labor | $1,700 | $2,050 |
| Permits and fees | $160 | $310 |
| Total | $3,600 | $4,800 |
Cost breakdown for 400 sq ft in Salem, OR
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,250 | $2,100 | $2,950 | 50% |
| Labor | $1,400 | $1,850 | $2,350 | 44% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $230 | $410 | 6% |
| Total | $2,700 | $4,200 | $5,700 | 100% |
Why Salem 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 $32.69 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Salem is 1.17 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 44% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Salem is at 105.3 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $2,000 nationally becomes $2,100 here (midpoint, 400 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 103.6: $50 to $410.
The best months for concrete slab in Salem
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Salem Mcnary Fld (5 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 Salem are April through October: 7 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March, 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.
Salem gets about 40 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, November and December (7.0 inches in December). Inside the workable window, July and August are the driest, at 0.3 and 0.4 inches. The station averages about 18 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 | 48 | 36 | 6.1 | Cold |
| Feb | 52 | 36 | 4.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 57 | 38 | 4.3 | Cold |
| Apr | 62 | 41 | 3.1 | Workable |
| May | 69 | 46 | 2.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 75 | 51 | 1.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 84 | 55 | 0.3 | Workable |
| Aug | 84 | 55 | 0.4 | Workable |
| Sep | 78 | 51 | 1.5 | Workable |
| Oct | 65 | 44 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Nov | 54 | 39 | 6.0 | Cold |
| Dec | 47 | 35 | 7.0 | Cold |
Cost by quality level and size in Salem
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Salem. 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
$2,700 to $3,900
4-inch broom-finish slab, light mesh, easy truck access
Standard
$3,600 to $4,800
4-5 inch slab with rebar or heavier mesh and standard base prep
Premium
$4,500 to $5,700
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 – $1,450 | $1,350 – $1,750 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $1,000 – $1,550 | $1,400 – $1,900 | $1,800 – $2,300 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $2,700 – $3,900 | $3,600 – $4,800 | $4,500 – $5,700 |
| 24x24 garage floor (576 sq ft) | $3,900 – $5,550 | $5,100 – $6,800 | $6,350 – $8,000 |
| 30x40 foundation (1,200 sq ft) | $8,050 – $11,300 | $10,500 – $13,800 | $13,000 – $16,300 |
Salem against nearby metros and the rest of Oregon
Of the five closest metros, 2 are cheaper than Salem. Eugene is the lowest at about $4,000 (midpoint, 400 sq ft), 65 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salem, ORthis page | $2,700 – $5,700 | $4,200 | |
| Portland, OR50 miles | $2,800 – $5,900 | $4,350 | +4% |
| Eugene, OR65 miles | $2,600 – $5,450 | $4,000 | −4% |
| Bend, OR110 miles | $2,650 – $5,600 | $4,150 | −1% |
| Olympia, WA140 miles | $2,850 – $5,900 | $4,400 | +4% |
| Yakima, WA150 miles | $2,850 – $5,950 | $4,400 | +5% |
| Oregon (statewide) | $2,700 – $5,650 | $4,200 | −1% |
| United States | $2,450 – $5,200 | $3,850 | −9% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Salem ranks #30 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Salem is 1% above the Oregon figure.
Elsewhere in Oregon
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland, OR | 1,208,410 jobs | $2,800 – $5,900 | $4,350 | +4% |
| Eugene, OR | 157,710 jobs | $2,600 – $5,450 | $4,000 | −4% |
| Bend, OR | 108,240 jobs | $2,650 – $5,600 | $4,150 | −1% |
| Medford, OR | 89,060 jobs | $2,600 – $5,450 | $4,050 | −4% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Salem against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pensacola, FL | 190,480 jobs | $2,200 – $4,800 | $3,500 | −17% |
| Salinas, CA | 186,430 jobs | $2,800 – $5,850 | $4,300 | +3% |
| Wilmington, NC | 191,280 jobs | $2,200 – $4,800 | $3,500 | −17% |
| Tallahassee, FL | 186,160 jobs | $2,150 – $4,650 | $3,400 | −19% |
Optional extras in Salem
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.11 for Salem, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.17) and goods price index (1.05). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add rebar reinforcement | $440 – $1,350 |
| Remove old concrete first | $890 – $2,650 |
Why two Salem quotes can differ
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.
Who does the work: Salem trade wages
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 Salem the blend is 1.17.
Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051), 50% of the weighting: a median of $32.69 an hour, 19% above the US median of $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $27.93 and $36.40 an hour. About 170 work in the metro. That is 9.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 13.3 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 30%) the local median is $26.20 an hour, which is 16% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.67 and $29.27 an hour. BLS counts 1,690 of them working in the area, 89.6 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 $35.71 an hour, 24% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $29.63 and $45.45 an hour. About 750 work in the metro. That is 39.8 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 $28.71 an hour, in line with the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.19 and $36.75 an hour. About 1,720 work in the metro. That is 91.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (cement masons and concrete finishers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $110 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $140. That is a swing of roughly 3.3% to 2.6% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Salem has 188,620 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 122nd 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% | $27.93 | $32.69 | $36.40 | $27.41 | 1.19 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $22.67 | $26.20 | $29.27 | $22.66 | 1.16 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10% | $29.63 | $35.71 | $45.45 | $28.78 | 1.24 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 10% | $23.19 | $28.71 | $36.75 | $29.12 | 0.99 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.17 | |||||
Planning more than one job in Salem?
Jobs that often go together with concrete slab are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Salem wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, concrete driveway comes out highest (+13%) and detached garage lowest (+8%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $4,100 – $10,400 | +13% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,350 – $4,450 | +11% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $31,200 – $62,700 | +8% |
| Stamped concrete | 400 sq ft | $3,600 – $8,900 | +12% |
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,350 – $8,200 | +10% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,800 – $11,500 | +12% |
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 $3,600 to $4,800 for Salem, OR is attached.
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Concrete slab in Salem: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour a concrete slab in Salem?
For 400 sq ft, expect $2,700 to $5,700 in the Salem area. A standard-spec job lands at $3,600 to $4,800. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for concrete slab in Salem?
About $6.65 to $13 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $50 to $410 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $6 to $12.
+Is concrete slab cheaper in Salem or Portland?
Portland is 50 miles away. The midpoint for 400 sq ft there is $4,350, which is 4% more than Salem ($4,200). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Salem?
About 44% at the midpoint, or $1,850 out of $4,200. Materials are 50% and permits 6%. Nationally, labor is 42%.
+What would 20x20 (400 sq ft) cost in Salem?
$2,700 to $5,700. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does concrete slab need a permit in Salem?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $50 to $410 for fees in the Salem area (our national range of $50 to $400 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Salem expensive for concrete slab compared with the rest of Oregon?
Salem is 1% above the Oregon statewide estimate ($4,200 at the midpoint). We cover 5 metros in Oregon; see the state page to compare them.
+What do cement masons and concrete finishers earn in Salem?
The BLS median is $32.69 an hour in the Salem area, compared with $27.41 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $27.93 to $36.40.
+What do basic and premium concrete slab work cost in Salem?
For 400 sq ft, basic work runs $2,700 to $3,900 and premium work $4,500 to $5,700. 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 Salem?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. July and August 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 Salem?
$440 to $1,350 for 400 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Concrete slab near Salem
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