Concrete slab cost in Charleston, SC
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (400 sq ft)
- $2,300 – $4,900
- Per sq ft
- $5.60 – $11.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −6%
- US $3,850
- Rank of 300 metros
- #177
- 1 = most expensive
A concrete slab in Charleston, SC usually costs $2,300 to $4,900 for 400 sq ft. That works out to about $5.60 to $11.50 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $220 less. Cement masons and concrete finishers earn a median of $25.27 an hour in the Charleston area, 8% below the US median of $27.41.
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Estimated cost for 400 sq ft in Charleston, SC, standard level
$3,100 to $4,150
About $7.30 to $9.60 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 40% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,600 | $2,250 |
| Labor | $1,300 | $1,600 |
| Permits and fees | $160 | $300 |
| Total | $3,100 | $4,150 |
Cost breakdown for 400 sq ft in Charleston, SC
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $1,950 | $2,700 | 53% |
| Labor | $1,100 | $1,450 | $1,800 | 40% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $230 | $400 | 6% |
| Total | $2,300 | $3,600 | $4,900 | 100% |
Where the Charleston price comes from
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 $25.27 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Charleston is 0.91 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 40% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Charleston is at 96.3 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $2,000 nationally becomes $1,950 here (midpoint, 400 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 101.0: $50 to $400.
Add-ons priced for Charleston
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.93 for Charleston, which is the average of the area's wage index (0.91) and goods price index (0.96). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add rebar reinforcement | $370 – $1,100 |
| Remove old concrete first | $750 – $2,250 |
What local crews earn in Charleston
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 Charleston the blend is 0.91.
Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051), 50% of the weighting: a median of $25.27 an hour, 8% below the US median of $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $22.52 and $30.36 an hour. About 300 work in the metro. That is 7.6 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 $20.98 an hour, which is 7% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.00 and $24.49 an hour. BLS counts 3,710 of them working in the area, 94.1 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 $24.35 an hour, 15% below the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $23.39 and $29.69 an hour. About 1,470 work in the metro. That is 37.3 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 $24.22 an hour, 17% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $21.37 and $29.52 an hour. About 1,240 work in the metro. That is 31.5 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so expect fewer 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 $150 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $80. That is a swing of roughly 2.2% to 4.1% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Charleston-North Charleston has 394,170 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 66th 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% | $22.52 | $25.27 | $30.36 | $27.41 | 0.92 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $18.00 | $20.98 | $24.49 | $22.66 | 0.93 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10% | $23.39 | $24.35 | $29.69 | $28.78 | 0.85 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 10% | $21.37 | $24.22 | $29.52 | $29.12 | 0.83 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.91 | |||||
Charleston weather and the concrete slab calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Charleston City (5 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
Weather is not a serious constraint for pouring concrete in Charleston: no month in the averages is cold enough (an average overnight low of 40°F or below) or hot enough (an average daytime high of 90°F or more) to rule it out, so the workable window is all year.
Charleston gets about 44 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are July, August and September (6.1 inches in August). The station averages about 25 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 | 58 | 44 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Feb | 60 | 46 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Mar | 66 | 52 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Apr | 72 | 60 | 3.0 | Workable |
| May | 79 | 68 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Jun | 84 | 74 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Jul | 88 | 77 | 5.1 | Workable |
| Aug | 86 | 77 | 6.1 | Workable |
| Sep | 83 | 73 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Oct | 76 | 63 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Nov | 67 | 53 | 2.3 | Workable |
| Dec | 61 | 47 | 2.9 | Workable |
Specs and site conditions that change a Charleston bid
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.
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).
Cost by quality level and size in Charleston
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Charleston. 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
$2,300 to $3,350
4-inch broom-finish slab, light mesh, easy truck access
Standard
$3,100 to $4,150
4-5 inch slab with rebar or heavier mesh and standard base prep
Premium
$3,850 to $4,900
6-inch slab, heavy reinforcement, thick base, pump truck or tight access
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x10 pad (100 sq ft) | $610 – $980 | $890 – $1,250 | $1,150 – $1,550 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $860 – $1,350 | $1,200 – $1,700 | $1,550 – $2,050 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $2,300 – $3,350 | $3,100 – $4,150 | $3,850 – $4,900 |
| 24x24 garage floor (576 sq ft) | $3,300 – $4,750 | $4,350 – $5,800 | $5,450 – $6,900 |
| 30x40 foundation (1,200 sq ft) | $6,800 – $9,650 | $8,950 – $11,800 | $11,100 – $13,900 |
How Charleston compares
Of the five closest metros, all are cheaper than Charleston. Savannah is the lowest at about $3,400 (midpoint, 400 sq ft), 95 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston, SCthis page | $2,300 – $4,900 | $3,600 | |
| Hilton Head, SC65 miles | $2,250 – $4,850 | $3,550 | −1% |
| Florence, SC80 miles | $2,250 – $4,750 | $3,500 | −3% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC85 miles | $2,150 – $4,700 | $3,400 | −5% |
| Columbia, SC95 miles | $2,250 – $4,800 | $3,550 | −2% |
| Savannah, GA95 miles | $2,150 – $4,650 | $3,400 | −5% |
| South Carolina (statewide) | $2,250 – $4,800 | $3,550 | −2% |
| United States | $2,450 – $5,200 | $3,850 | +6% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Charleston ranks #177 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Charleston is 2% above the South Carolina figure.
Elsewhere in South Carolina
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville, SC | 434,900 jobs | $2,250 – $4,850 | $3,550 | −1% |
| Columbia, SC | 394,200 jobs | $2,250 – $4,800 | $3,550 | −2% |
| Spartanburg, SC | 165,150 jobs | $2,250 – $4,800 | $3,500 | −3% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | 146,260 jobs | $2,150 – $4,700 | $3,400 | −5% |
| Florence, SC | 89,060 jobs | $2,250 – $4,750 | $3,500 | −3% |
| Hilton Head, SC | 81,920 jobs | $2,250 – $4,850 | $3,550 | −1% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Charleston against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia, SC | 394,200 jobs | $2,250 – $4,800 | $3,550 | −2% |
| Boise, ID | 391,790 jobs | $2,400 – $5,050 | $3,700 | +3% |
| Des Moines, IA | 404,130 jobs | $2,450 – $5,100 | $3,750 | +4% |
| Tucson, AZ | 389,630 jobs | $2,350 – $5,000 | $3,700 | +2% |
What nearby projects cost in Charleston
Jobs that often go together with concrete slab are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Charleston wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, stamped concrete comes out highest (−6%) and asphalt driveway lowest (−9%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,400 – $8,500 | −7% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,200 – $3,750 | −6% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $26,700 – $53,500 | −8% |
| Stamped concrete | 400 sq ft | $3,050 – $7,500 | −6% |
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $2,800 – $6,700 | −9% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,300 – $9,450 | −7% |
Get 3 local quotes
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Concrete slab in Charleston: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour a concrete slab in Charleston?
For 400 sq ft, expect $2,300 to $4,900 in the Charleston area. A standard-spec job lands at $3,100 to $4,150. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for concrete slab in Charleston?
About $5.60 to $11.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $50 to $400 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $6 to $12.
+Is concrete slab cheaper in Charleston or Hilton Head?
Hilton Head is 65 miles away. The midpoint for 400 sq ft there is $3,550, which is 1% less than Charleston ($3,600). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Charleston?
About 40% at the midpoint, or $1,450 out of $3,600. Materials are 53% and permits 6%. Nationally, labor is 42%.
+What would 20x20 (400 sq ft) cost in Charleston?
$2,300 to $4,900. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does concrete slab need a permit in Charleston?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $50 to $400 for fees in the Charleston area (our national range of $50 to $400 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Charleston expensive for concrete slab compared with the rest of South Carolina?
Charleston is 2% above the South Carolina statewide estimate ($3,550 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in South Carolina; see the state page to compare them.
+What do cement masons and concrete finishers earn in Charleston?
The BLS median is $25.27 an hour in the Charleston area, compared with $27.41 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.52 to $30.36.
+What do basic and premium concrete slab work cost in Charleston?
For 400 sq ft, basic work runs $2,300 to $3,350 and premium work $3,850 to $4,900. 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.
+Is there a bad season to pour a concrete slab in Charleston?
Not from a temperature point of view. NOAA's 1991-2020 normals show no month with a freezing-level overnight low or a 90°F-plus average high, so timing is mostly about contractor availability and rain.
+What does "add rebar reinforcement" add in Charleston?
$370 to $1,100 for 400 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Concrete slab near Charleston
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