Concrete slab cost in Rhode Island
Statewide estimate from BLS wages and BEA prices. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Statewide range (400 sq ft)
- $2,550 – $5,400
- Per sq ft
- $6.30 – $12.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +4%
- US $3,850
- Metros covered
- 1
What does it cost to pour a concrete slab in Rhode Island? Plan on $2,550 to $5,400 for 400 sq ft. Wages (1.12x the US blend), materials (price index 97.2) and permit costs (102.3) put the state above the national midpoint by 4%.
Rhode Island has one metro in our dataset, Providence, so the statewide and metro figures are close. The state figure uses BLS statewide wages, which include rural areas.
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Estimated cost for 400 sq ft in Rhode Island (statewide), standard level
$3,400 to $4,550
About $8.10 to $10.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 45% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,650 | $2,250 |
| Labor | $1,600 | $2,000 |
| Permits and fees | $160 | $300 |
| Total | $3,400 | $4,550 |
Cost breakdown for 400 sq ft in Rhode Island
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $1,950 | $2,700 | 49% |
| Labor | $1,350 | $1,800 | $2,250 | 45% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $230 | $410 | 6% |
| Total | $2,550 | $3,950 | $5,400 | 100% |
Other Rhode Island jobs that often go with concrete slab
Each project weights the trades differently, so Rhode Island's wage level does not push every price by the same amount. Compared with the US midpoint, concrete driveway is +8% and detached garage +3%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,900 – $9,950 | +8% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,300 – $4,250 | +5% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $29,800 – $59,900 | +3% |
| Stamped concrete | 400 sq ft | $3,400 – $8,400 | +5% |
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,150 – $7,800 | +5% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,650 – $10,800 | +6% |
Extras that change the Rhode Island total
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.05 for Rhode Island, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.12) and goods price index (0.97). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add rebar reinforcement | $420 – $1,250 |
| Remove old concrete first | $840 – $2,500 |
Which Rhode Island city is cheapest for concrete slab?
Rhode Island has one metro in our dataset, Providence, so the statewide and metro figures are close. The state figure uses BLS statewide wages, which include rural areas. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence, RI | $2,600 – $5,450 | $4,000 | +1% |
Rhode Island against its neighbors
Rhode Island ranks 13 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. Rhode Island sits at $3,950. The five states closest by workforce center are listed below.
| State | Distance | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 50 miles away | $2,700 – $5,600 | $4,150 | +5% |
| Connecticut | 80 miles away | $2,550 – $5,400 | $4,000 | level |
| New Hampshire | 90 miles away | $2,450 – $5,150 | $3,800 | −4% |
| New York | 160 miles away | $2,750 – $5,800 | $4,250 | +7% |
| Maine | 170 miles away | $2,400 – $5,050 | $3,750 | −6% |
When Rhode Island weather lets you pour
Weather decides when pouring concrete can happen, and Rhode Island is not uniform. The table uses NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals from the weather station nearest each metro we cover, and counts the months that are neither cold nor hot enough to complicate the job.
Providence has 6 comfortable months (May through October), with about 48 inches of precipitation a year.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | 22 | 84 | 48 | 6: May through October |
What cement masons and concrete finishers and the other trades earn in Rhode Island
Rhode Island's labor line is priced from 4 trades, each compared with its US median wage. After weighting by each trade's share of the work, the state comes out at 1.12 times the national level.
Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051), 50% of the weighting: a median of $30.26 an hour, 10% above the US median of $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $28.69 and $35.39 an hour. About 250 work in the state. That is 5.0 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 $27.52 an hour, which is 21% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.51 and $37.25 an hour. BLS counts 2,110 of them working in the state, 42.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 10% of the weighting: a median of $30.58 an hour, 6% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $29.65 and $40.30 an hour. About 970 work in the state. That is 19.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Carpenters (47-2031), 10% of the weighting: a median of $29.25 an hour, in line with the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $25.14 and $36.42 an hour. About 2,580 work in the state. That is 51.5 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
A crew paid at the 75th percentile for cement masons and concrete finishers ($35.39 an hour) would add about $150 to the statewide midpoint; one at the 25th percentile ($28.69) would take off about $45. Use that as a rough guide to how far a bid can sit from our midpoint on wages alone.
BLS counts 501,340 jobs across Rhode Island (May 2025), which is 0.3% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 50% | $28.69 | $30.26 | $35.39 | $27.41 | 1.10 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $22.51 | $27.52 | $37.25 | $22.66 | 1.21 | state |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10% | $29.65 | $30.58 | $40.30 | $28.78 | 1.06 | state |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 10% | $25.14 | $29.25 | $36.42 | $29.12 | 1.00 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 1.12 | |||||
Basic, standard or premium: Rhode Island prices
Bands overlap on purpose, since a good standard job can cost as much as a light premium one. Below are the three bands for the default size, then a grid from 10x10 pad (100 sq ft) to 30x40 foundation (1,200 sq ft).
Basic
$2,550 to $3,700
4-inch broom-finish slab, light mesh, easy truck access
Standard
$3,400 to $4,550
4-5 inch slab with rebar or heavier mesh and standard base prep
Premium
$4,250 to $5,400
6-inch slab, heavy reinforcement, thick base, pump truck or tight access
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x10 pad (100 sq ft) | $680 – $1,050 | $970 – $1,350 | $1,250 – $1,650 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $960 – $1,450 | $1,350 – $1,800 | $1,700 – $2,200 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $2,550 – $3,700 | $3,400 – $4,550 | $4,250 – $5,400 |
| 24x24 garage floor (576 sq ft) | $3,650 – $5,250 | $4,850 – $6,400 | $6,000 – $7,550 |
| 30x40 foundation (1,200 sq ft) | $7,600 – $10,700 | $9,900 – $13,000 | $12,200 – $15,300 |
Why two Rhode Island 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.
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.
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Detailed concrete slab report for Rhode Island, $9
The report lays out the concrete slab numbers for Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour a concrete slab in Rhode Island?
$2,550 to $5,400 for 400 sq ft, using statewide wages and prices. Metro areas inside Rhode Island can sit above or below that.
+Which city in Rhode Island is cheapest for concrete slab?
Providence at about $4,000 (midpoint, 400 sq ft).
+Is concrete slab cheaper in Rhode Island than the US average?
It is 4% more expensive: $3,950 against $3,850 for 400 sq ft at the midpoint.
+What share of the price is labor in Rhode Island?
About 45% ($1,800). Materials are 49%. 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 Rhode Island?
The BLS statewide median is $30.26 an hour, against $27.41 for the US. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.69 to $35.39.
+Where does Rhode Island rank for concrete slab costs?
13th most expensive of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) at the midpoint, $3,950 for 400 sq ft. Rank 1 is the costliest.
+What do basic and premium concrete slab work cost in Rhode Island?
For 400 sq ft, basic work runs $2,550 to $3,700 and premium work $4,250 to $5,400. 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 Rhode Island?
Yes where winters or summers are hard. Of the Rhode Island metros we cover, Providence has the most comfortable months (6 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 Rhode Island?
$420 to $1,250 for 400 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the statewide wage and goods indexes.
Concrete slab by city in Rhode Island
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