Concrete slab cost in Texas
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
- 21
Across Texas, a concrete slab costs about $2,250 to $4,800 for 400 sq ft. Statewide, that midpoint is 8% below the US figure of $3,850. Cement masons and concrete finishers earn a median $22.84 an hour in Texas (US: $27.41).
Inside Texas, the metros we cover range from $3,200 (McAllen) to $3,700 (Dallas) 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 Texas (statewide), standard level
$3,000 to $4,050
About $7.15 to $9.40 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 38% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,650 | $2,300 |
| Labor | $1,200 | $1,500 |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $290 |
| Total | $3,000 | $4,050 |
Cost breakdown for 400 sq ft in Texas
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,200 | $1,950 | $2,750 | 56% |
| Labor | $1,000 | $1,350 | $1,700 | 38% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $220 | $390 | 6% |
| Total | $2,250 | $3,500 | $4,800 | 100% |
Other Texas jobs that often go with concrete slab
The table prices neighboring jobs at their usual sizes using statewide Texas wages and prices. Against national midpoints, asphalt driveway comes out highest (−7%) and concrete driveway lowest (−12%), because each job leans on different trades.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,250 – $8,100 | −12% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,150 – $3,600 | −9% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $26,300 – $52,800 | −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 – $9,350 | −8% |
Quality levels and sizes in Texas
The cited range is cut into three overlapping bands (basic, standard and premium) and scaled to statewide Texas 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
$3,800 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 – $2,000 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $2,250 – $3,250 | $3,000 – $4,050 | $3,800 – $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 – $13,700 |
Texas against its neighbors
Texas ranks 42 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. Texas sits at $3,500. The five states closest by workforce center are listed below.
| State | Distance | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | 330 miles away | $2,150 – $4,600 | $3,350 | −4% |
| Louisiana | 360 miles away | $2,200 – $4,650 | $3,400 | −3% |
| Arkansas | 390 miles away | $2,100 – $4,550 | $3,350 | −5% |
| Mississippi | 450 miles away | $2,150 – $4,600 | $3,400 | −4% |
| Kansas | 490 miles away | $2,300 – $4,850 | $3,550 | +1% |
Weather windows across Texas
Season matters for concrete slab. For each Texas metro below we took NOAA's 1991-2020 monthly normals from the nearest suitable station and counted comfortable months for pouring concrete.
Houston has the longest comfortable season of the metros we cover in Texas at 9 months (September through May); Amarillo has the shortest at 4 (April through May and September through October). Rainfall runs from 9 inches a year in El Paso to 65 inches in Beaumont.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas | 38 | 97 | 38 | 6: February through May and October through November |
| Houston | 46 | 93 | 56 | 9: September through May |
| Austin | 42 | 97 | 36 | 8: October through May |
| San Antonio | 41 | 95 | 32 | 8: October through May |
| El Paso | 35 | 96 | 9 | 6: March through May and September through November |
| McAllen | 53 | 99 | 22 | 7: October through April |
| Corpus Christi | 52 | 92 | 35 | 8: October through May |
| Lubbock | 30 | 93 | 19 | 4: April through May and September through October |
| Beaumont | 43 | 92 | 65 | 9: September through May |
| Brownsville | 53 | 95 | 27 | 7: October through April |
| Killeen | 36 | 96 | 35 | 5: March through May and October through November |
| College Station | 41 | 95 | 42 | 8: October through May |
| Waco | 36 | 97 | 36 | 5: March through May and October through November |
| Amarillo | 25 | 93 | 20 | 4: April through May and September through October |
| Midland | 33 | 96 | 14 | 6: March through May and September through November |
| Longview | 36 | 95 | 51 | 5: March through May and October through November |
| Tyler | 39 | 93 | 48 | 7: February through May and September through November |
| Laredo | 47 | 100 | 20 | 7: October through April |
| Odessa | 32 | 94 | 12 | 6: March through May and September through November |
| Abilene | 34 | 96 | 25 | 6: March through May and September through November |
| Texarkana | 33 | 93 | 52 | 7: March through June and September through November |
Optional extras in Texas
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Texas by the average of the local wage index (0.84) and goods index (0.98), 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 |
Which Texas city is cheapest for concrete slab?
2 of the 21 metros sit above the statewide midpoint of $3,500, and the top-to-bottom gap is 16%. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX | $2,350 – $5,050 | $3,700 | +5% |
| Houston, TX | $2,250 – $4,900 | $3,600 | +1% |
| Beaumont, TX | $2,250 – $4,800 | $3,500 | level |
| Austin, TX | $2,250 – $4,800 | $3,500 | −1% |
| Midland, TX | $2,200 – $4,750 | $3,450 | −1% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $2,200 – $4,700 | $3,450 | −2% |
| Odessa, TX | $2,200 – $4,700 | $3,450 | −3% |
| San Antonio, TX | $2,150 – $4,650 | $3,400 | −3% |
| Killeen, TX | $2,150 – $4,600 | $3,400 | −4% |
| Amarillo, TX | $2,150 – $4,600 | $3,350 | −4% |
| Lubbock, TX | $2,150 – $4,600 | $3,350 | −4% |
| Abilene, TX | $2,150 – $4,600 | $3,350 | −5% |
| Tyler, TX | $2,100 – $4,600 | $3,350 | −5% |
| Longview, TX | $2,100 – $4,550 | $3,350 | −5% |
| Waco, TX | $2,100 – $4,550 | $3,350 | −5% |
| College Station, TX | $2,100 – $4,550 | $3,300 | −6% |
| Laredo, TX | $2,100 – $4,550 | $3,300 | −6% |
| Brownsville, TX | $2,100 – $4,500 | $3,300 | −7% |
| El Paso, TX | $2,050 – $4,450 | $3,250 | −7% |
| Texarkana, TX | $2,050 – $4,450 | $3,250 | −8% |
| McAllen, TX | $2,000 – $4,350 | $3,200 | −10% |
Concrete slab: what moves the price in Texas
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.
Texas 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 0.84 for Texas.
For cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051, weighted 50%) the local median is $22.84 an hour, which is 17% below the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $19.53 and $26.73 an hour. BLS counts 26,430 of them working in the state, 18.8 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 13.3), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 30% of the weighting: a median of $19.53 an hour, 14% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.66 and $22.57 an hour. About 123,250 work in the state. That is 87.6 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 10%) the local median is $24.26 an hour, which is 16% below the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $22.17 and $28.84 an hour. BLS counts 55,540 of them working in the state, 39.5 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is deeper than average.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 10%) the local median is $23.51 an hour, which is 19% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $21.48 and $27.78 an hour. BLS counts 33,540 of them working in the state, 23.8 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 ($26.73 an hour) would add about $110 to the statewide midpoint; one at the 25th percentile ($19.53) would take off about $95. Use that as a rough guide to how far a bid can sit from our midpoint on wages alone.
BLS counts 14,071,160 jobs across Texas (May 2025), which is 9.0% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 50% | $19.53 | $22.84 | $26.73 | $27.41 | 0.83 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $17.66 | $19.53 | $22.57 | $22.66 | 0.86 | state |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10% | $22.17 | $24.26 | $28.84 | $28.78 | 0.84 | state |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 10% | $21.48 | $23.51 | $27.78 | $29.12 | 0.81 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 0.84 | |||||
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Concrete slab in Texas: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour a concrete slab in Texas?
$2,250 to $4,800 for 400 sq ft, using statewide wages and prices. Metro areas inside Texas can sit above or below that.
+Which city in Texas is cheapest for concrete slab?
McAllen at about $3,200 (midpoint, 400 sq ft). The priciest is Dallas at $3,700.
+Is concrete slab cheaper in Texas 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 Texas?
About 38% ($1,350). Materials are 56%. Statewide labor for this job is weighted 0.84x 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 Texas?
The BLS statewide median is $22.84 an hour, against $27.41 for the US. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $19.53 to $26.73.
+Where does Texas rank for concrete slab costs?
42nd 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 Texas?
For 400 sq ft, basic work runs $2,250 to $3,250 and premium work $3,800 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 Texas?
Yes where winters or summers are hard. Of the Texas metros we cover, Houston has the most comfortable months (9 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 Texas?
$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 Texas
- Dallas, TX$3,700 midpoint
- Houston, TX$3,600 midpoint
- Beaumont, TX$3,500 midpoint
- Austin, TX$3,500 midpoint
- Midland, TX$3,450 midpoint
- Corpus Christi, TX$3,450 midpoint
- Odessa, TX$3,450 midpoint
- San Antonio, TX$3,400 midpoint
- Killeen, TX$3,400 midpoint
- Amarillo, TX$3,350 midpoint
- Lubbock, TX$3,350 midpoint
- Abilene, TX$3,350 midpoint
- Tyler, TX$3,350 midpoint
- Longview, TX$3,350 midpoint
- Waco, TX$3,350 midpoint
- College Station, TX$3,300 midpoint
- Laredo, TX$3,300 midpoint
- Brownsville, TX$3,300 midpoint
- El Paso, TX$3,250 midpoint
- Texarkana, TX$3,250 midpoint
- McAllen, TX$3,200 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