Concrete slab cost in McAllen, TX
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (400 sq ft)
- $2,000 – $4,350
- Per sq ft
- $4.90 – $10
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −17%
- US $3,850
- Rank of 300 metros
- #300
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to pour a concrete slab in McAllen, plan on $2,000 to $4,350 for 400 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $4.90 to $10 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 17% lower than the national one. Cement masons and concrete finishers earn a median of $18.57 an hour in the McAllen area, 32% below the US median of $27.41.
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Estimated cost for 400 sq ft in McAllen, TX, standard level
$2,700 to $3,650
About $6.45 to $8.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 35% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,600 | $2,200 |
| Labor | $1,000 | $1,200 |
| Permits and fees | $130 | $250 |
| Total | $2,700 | $3,650 |
Cost breakdown for 400 sq ft in McAllen, TX
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $1,900 | $2,650 | 59% |
| Labor | $830 | $1,100 | $1,400 | 35% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $190 | $340 | 6% |
| Total | $2,000 | $3,200 | $4,350 | 100% |
Why McAllen prices look the way they do
Labor is 35% of the midpoint bill here, against 42% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is cement masons and concrete finishers (50%), construction laborers (30%), operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (10%), carpenters (10%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In McAllen the blended ratio comes out at 0.69.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the McAllen metro is 93.8 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 400 sq ft comes to $1,900, compared with $2,000 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (85.9) and land at $45 to $340.
Why two McAllen quotes can differ
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.
Pick a size, pick a tier: concrete slab pricing in McAllen
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for McAllen wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 5 common sizes.
Basic
$2,000 to $2,950
4-inch broom-finish slab, light mesh, easy truck access
Standard
$2,700 to $3,650
4-5 inch slab with rebar or heavier mesh and standard base prep
Premium
$3,400 to $4,350
6-inch slab, heavy reinforcement, thick base, pump truck or tight access
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x10 pad (100 sq ft) | $530 – $860 | $780 – $1,100 | $1,000 – $1,350 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $750 – $1,150 | $1,050 – $1,500 | $1,350 – $1,800 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $2,000 – $2,950 | $2,700 – $3,650 | $3,400 – $4,350 |
| 24x24 garage floor (576 sq ft) | $2,850 – $4,150 | $3,850 – $5,150 | $4,800 – $6,100 |
| 30x40 foundation (1,200 sq ft) | $5,900 – $8,500 | $7,850 – $10,400 | $9,800 – $12,400 |
Planning more than one job in McAllen?
Because every project leans on different trades, McAllen's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, asphalt driveway runs −15% and concrete driveway −23%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $2,850 – $7,000 | −23% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,050 – $3,150 | −20% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $23,900 – $48,000 | −17% |
| Stamped concrete | 400 sq ft | $2,700 – $6,450 | −18% |
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $2,650 – $6,250 | −15% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,050 – $8,350 | −18% |
Optional extras in McAllen
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to McAllen by the average of the local wage index (0.69) and goods index (0.94), a factor of 0.81. 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 | $330 – $980 |
| Remove old concrete first | $650 – $1,950 |
McAllen labor market for concrete slab
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 4 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for McAllen is 0.69 times the national level.
For cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051, weighted 50%) the local median is $18.57 an hour, which is 32% below the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $15.25 and $22.03 an hour. BLS counts 390 of them working in the area, 13.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 13.3), so the local bench is about average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 30% of the weighting: a median of $16.57 an hour, 27% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $14.08 and $18.08 an hour. About 1,360 work in the metro. That is 45.8 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 $18.85 an hour, which is 35% below the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $17.66 and $22.19 an hour. BLS counts 1,010 of them working in the area, 34.0 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 $19.97 an hour, which is 31% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $17.40 and $21.94 an hour. BLS counts 310 of them working in the area, 10.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the cement masons and concrete finishers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($22.03 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $100. At the 25th percentile ($15.25) it shrinks by about $95. The total moves by 3.2% or 3.1%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 296,700 jobs in the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission area. That makes it the 86th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.19% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 50% | $15.25 | $18.57 | $22.03 | $27.41 | 0.68 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $14.08 | $16.57 | $18.08 | $22.66 | 0.73 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10% | $17.66 | $18.85 | $22.19 | $28.78 | 0.65 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 10% | $17.40 | $19.97 | $21.94 | $29.12 | 0.69 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.69 | |||||
McAllen against nearby metros and the rest of Texas
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 400 sq ft range from $3,200 to $3,500 across McAllen and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| McAllen, TXthis page | $2,000 – $4,350 | $3,200 | |
| Brownsville, TX50 miles | $2,100 – $4,500 | $3,300 | +4% |
| Corpus Christi, TX115 miles | $2,200 – $4,700 | $3,450 | +9% |
| Laredo, TX120 miles | $2,100 – $4,550 | $3,300 | +4% |
| San Antonio, TX210 miles | $2,150 – $4,650 | $3,400 | +7% |
| Austin, TX270 miles | $2,250 – $4,800 | $3,500 | +10% |
| Texas (statewide) | $2,250 – $4,800 | $3,500 | +11% |
| United States | $2,450 – $5,200 | $3,850 | +20% |
Across 300 US metros, McAllen comes in at #300 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $5,300; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $3,200 (midpoints, 400 sq ft). Statewide, McAllen is 10% below the Texas figure.
Other Texas metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX | 4,049,800 jobs | $2,350 – $5,050 | $3,700 | +16% |
| Houston, TX | 3,289,720 jobs | $2,250 – $4,900 | $3,600 | +13% |
| Austin, TX | 1,293,690 jobs | $2,250 – $4,800 | $3,500 | +10% |
| San Antonio, TX | 1,126,880 jobs | $2,150 – $4,650 | $3,400 | +7% |
| El Paso, TX | 339,120 jobs | $2,050 – $4,450 | $3,250 | +3% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 192,580 jobs | $2,200 – $4,700 | $3,450 | +9% |
Cities with a workforce like McAllen's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is McAllen against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Syracuse, NY | 300,130 jobs | $2,500 – $5,300 | $3,900 | +23% |
| Toledo, OH | 291,530 jobs | $2,450 – $5,150 | $3,800 | +20% |
| Provo, UT | 304,660 jobs | $2,350 – $4,950 | $3,650 | +15% |
| Stockton, CA | 289,660 jobs | $2,650 – $5,600 | $4,100 | +30% |
Climate in McAllen: timing your concrete slab job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Mcallen Miller Intl Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
October through April is the stretch where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in McAllen (7 of 12 months). May, June, July, August and September have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Heat matters for concrete as well. With average highs of 90°F or more in May, June, July, August and September, crews often start early, wet the base and plan for faster set times.
McAllen gets about 22 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, September and October (4.6 inches in September). Inside the workable window, January and February are the driest, at 0.8 and 0.7 inches. The station averages about 177 days a year at 90°F or above.
Does the season change the price? Probably, but we do not have a sourced seasonal price curve, so the estimator shows a year-round figure and does not adjust by month. When you collect quotes, ask whether scheduling in a slower month gets a better rate.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 73 | 53 | 0.8 | Workable |
| Feb | 77 | 57 | 0.7 | Workable |
| Mar | 83 | 63 | 1.4 | Workable |
| Apr | 88 | 68 | 1.4 | Workable |
| May | 93 | 74 | 2.0 | Hot |
| Jun | 97 | 78 | 3.0 | Hot |
| Jul | 99 | 79 | 2.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 100 | 79 | 1.8 | Hot |
| Sep | 94 | 76 | 4.6 | Hot |
| Oct | 89 | 69 | 2.1 | Workable |
| Nov | 80 | 60 | 1.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 74 | 54 | 1.1 | Workable |
Get 3 local quotes
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Detailed concrete slab report for McAllen, TX, $9
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Concrete slab in McAllen: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour a concrete slab in McAllen?
For 400 sq ft, expect $2,000 to $4,350 in the McAllen area. A standard-spec job lands at $2,700 to $3,650. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for concrete slab in McAllen?
About $4.90 to $10 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $45 to $340 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $6 to $12.
+Is concrete slab cheaper in McAllen or Brownsville?
Brownsville is 50 miles away. The midpoint for 400 sq ft there is $3,300, which is 4% more than McAllen ($3,200). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in McAllen?
About 35% at the midpoint, or $1,100 out of $3,200. Materials are 59% and permits 6%. Nationally, labor is 42%.
+What would 20x20 (400 sq ft) cost in McAllen?
$2,000 to $4,350. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does concrete slab need a permit in McAllen?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $45 to $340 for fees in the McAllen area (our national range of $50 to $400 scaled by the local price level).
+Is McAllen expensive for concrete slab compared with the rest of Texas?
McAllen is 10% below the Texas statewide estimate ($3,500 at the midpoint). We cover 21 metros in Texas; see the state page to compare them.
+What do cement masons and concrete finishers earn in McAllen?
The BLS median is $18.57 an hour in the McAllen area, compared with $27.41 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $15.25 to $22.03.
+What do basic and premium concrete slab work cost in McAllen?
For 400 sq ft, basic work runs $2,000 to $2,950 and premium work $3,400 to $4,350. 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 McAllen?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are October through April. January and February 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 McAllen?
$330 to $980 for 400 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Concrete slab near McAllen
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