French drain cost in Atlantic City, NJ
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (60 linear ft)
- $690 – $2,400
- Per linear ft
- $11.50 – $40
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +15%
- US $1,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #49
- 1 = most expensive
A French drain in Atlantic City, NJ usually costs $690 to $2,400 for 60 linear ft. That works out to about $11.50 to $40 per linear ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $200 more. Construction laborers earn a median of $26.50 an hour in the Atlantic City area, 17% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 60 linear ft in Atlantic City, NJ, standard level
$1,200 to $1,900
About $20 to $31.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 58% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $500 | $790 |
| Labor | $700 | $1,100 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $1,200 | $1,900 |
Cost breakdown for 60 linear ft in Atlantic City, NJ
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $290 | $650 | $1,000 | 42% |
| Labor | $400 | $900 | $1,400 | 58% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $690 | $1,550 | $2,400 | 100% |
Where the Atlantic City price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 3 trades: construction laborers at 50%, operating engineers and other construction equipment operators at 30%, pipelayers at 20%. Weighted together, Atlantic City wages are 1.29 times the national level. Labor makes up about 58% of the midpoint estimate (52% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Atlantic City is at 99.8 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $650 nationally becomes $650 here (midpoint, 60 linear ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 98.9: $0 to $0.
Data note: 20% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Atlantic City. The wage table below marks each row.
What local crews earn in Atlantic City
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 3 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 Atlantic City the blend is 1.29.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 50%) the local median is $26.50 an hour, which is 17% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $20.00 and $35.67 an hour. BLS counts 1,140 of them working in the area, 67.6 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is about average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 30% of the weighting: a median of $36.65 an hour, 27% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $29.46 and $59.01 an hour. About 320 work in the metro. That is 19.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Pipelayers (47-2151) carry 20% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Atlantic City metro, so we used the New Jersey statewide median: $37.90 an hour against $23.56 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $30.46 and $46.79 an hour.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (construction laborers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $140 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $100. That is a swing of roughly 6.5% to 9.2% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Atlantic City-Hammonton has 168,700 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 139th by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 50% | $20.00 | $26.50 | $35.67 | $22.66 | 1.17 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $29.46 | $36.65 | $59.01 | $28.78 | 1.27 | metro |
| Pipelayers (47-2151) | 20% | $30.46 | $37.90 | $46.79 | $23.56 | 1.61 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 1.29 | |||||
Cost by quality level and size in Atlantic City
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Atlantic City. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from short run (30 linear ft) to long run (120 linear ft).
Basic
$690 to $1,400
Shallow yard drain, easy digging
Standard
$1,200 to $1,900
Standard drain with fabric, gravel and a pop-up outlet
Premium
$1,700 to $2,400
Deep or long drain, hard soil, dry well or sump discharge
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short run (30 linear ft) | $340 – $690 | $600 – $950 | $860 – $1,200 |
| side yard (60 linear ft) | $690 – $1,400 | $1,200 – $1,900 | $1,700 – $2,400 |
| long run (120 linear ft) | $1,400 – $2,750 | $2,400 – $3,800 | $3,450 – $4,850 |
Planning more than one job in Atlantic City?
Jobs that often go together with French drain are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Atlantic City wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, gravel driveway comes out highest (+11%) and sod installation lowest (+1%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $8,000 – $14,600 | +10% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,800 – $11,300 | +11% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,500 – $3,300 | +1% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,600 – $5,450 | +6% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,250 – $10,600 | +6% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $39,800 – $124,500 | +10% |
Why two Atlantic City quotes can differ
Where the water goes
A sump pump adds $500-$1,800 and a dry well $50-$3,000+. Discharging to a storm drain can mean extra permit fees.
Depth and soil
Rocky or clay soil and long trenches raise excavation time.
Crawl space drains
A crawl space French drain is $2,000-$8,000 installed.
Atlantic City weather and the french drain calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Atlantic City (in the city). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For digging, grading and setting material in the ground, the comfortable months in Atlantic City are March through December: 10 of 12. Outside them, January and February have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
In January and February the average low is at or below freezing, which means frozen ground and slower digging, compaction and sod or stone placement. NOAA counts about 56 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Atlantic City gets about 44 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are March, October and December (4.3 inches in March). Inside the workable window, May and June are the driest, at 3.1 and 3.2 inches. The station averages about 6 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 | 42 | 30 | 3.1 | Cold |
| Feb | 43 | 31 | 3.3 | Cold |
| Mar | 48 | 37 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Apr | 57 | 46 | 3.4 | Workable |
| May | 66 | 55 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Jun | 75 | 65 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 80 | 71 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Aug | 79 | 70 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Sep | 74 | 65 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Oct | 65 | 54 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Nov | 55 | 43 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Dec | 47 | 35 | 4.2 | Workable |
Atlantic City against nearby metros and the rest of New Jersey
Same job, same size (60 linear ft), priced for the nearest metros. Vineland is the priciest of the group at $1,750. Dover is the cheapest at $1,300.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City, NJthis page | $690 – $2,400 | $1,550 | |
| Vineland, NJ20 miles | $780 – $2,750 | $1,750 | +14% |
| Dover, DE45 miles | $580 – $2,050 | $1,300 | −16% |
| Philadelphia, PA50 miles | $640 – $2,250 | $1,450 | −7% |
| Trenton, NJ70 miles | $730 – $2,550 | $1,650 | +7% |
| Lancaster, PA95 miles | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −13% |
| New Jersey (statewide) | $760 – $2,650 | $1,700 | +10% |
| United States | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −13% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Atlantic City ranks #49 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Atlantic City is 9% below the New Jersey figure.
Elsewhere in New Jersey
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trenton, NJ | 240,190 jobs | $730 – $2,550 | $1,650 | +7% |
| Vineland, NJ | 62,300 jobs | $780 – $2,750 | $1,750 | +14% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Atlantic City against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Collins, CO | 169,430 jobs | $610 – $2,150 | $1,400 | −11% |
| Lubbock, TX | 166,780 jobs | $520 – $1,850 | $1,200 | −24% |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | 170,820 jobs | $560 – $1,950 | $1,250 | −19% |
| Peoria, IL | 166,020 jobs | $680 – $2,350 | $1,500 | −2% |
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French drain in Atlantic City: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a French drain in Atlantic City?
For 60 linear ft, expect $690 to $2,400 in the Atlantic City area. A standard-spec job lands at $1,200 to $1,900. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for French drain in Atlantic City?
About $11.50 to $40 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $0 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $10 to $35.
+Is French drain cheaper in Atlantic City or Vineland?
Vineland is 20 miles away. The midpoint for 60 linear ft there is $1,750, which is 14% more than Atlantic City ($1,550). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Atlantic City?
About 58% at the midpoint, or $900 out of $1,550. Materials are 42% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would side yard (60 linear ft) cost in Atlantic City?
$690 to $2,400. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does French drain need a permit in Atlantic City?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $0 for fees in the Atlantic City area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Atlantic City expensive for French drain compared with the rest of New Jersey?
Atlantic City is 9% below the New Jersey statewide estimate ($1,700 at the midpoint). We cover 3 metros in New Jersey; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Atlantic City?
The BLS median is $26.50 an hour in the Atlantic City area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $20.00 to $35.67.
+What do basic and premium French drain work cost in Atlantic City?
For 60 linear ft, basic work runs $690 to $1,400 and premium work $1,700 to $2,400. Basic means: shallow yard drain, easy digging. Premium means: deep or long drain, hard soil, dry well or sump discharge.
+When is the best time to install a French drain in Atlantic City?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through December. May and June are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
French drain near Atlantic City
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 French Drain Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- Cost to Renovate: Renovation Labor Report 2026: Where the Money Goes (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
Note on derived figures: Materials = 48% of the installed price, from Cost to Renovate's mid-range 'Outdoor Living' category split (44% labor, 48% materials). It is a category average, not a French-drain figure, so the materials line here is a rough one.