French drain cost in Medford, OR
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (60 linear ft)
- $640 – $2,250
- Per linear ft
- $10.50 – $37.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +7%
- US $1,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #93
- 1 = most expensive
A French drain in Medford, OR usually costs $640 to $2,250 for 60 linear ft. That works out to about $10.50 to $37.50 per linear ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $100 more. Construction laborers earn a median of $23.72 an hour in the Medford area, 5% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 60 linear ft in Medford, OR, standard level
$1,150 to $1,750
About $19 to $29.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 53% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $530 | $830 |
| Labor | $600 | $940 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $1,150 | $1,750 |
Cost breakdown for 60 linear ft in Medford, OR
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $300 | $680 | $1,050 | 47% |
| Labor | $340 | $770 | $1,200 | 53% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $640 | $1,450 | $2,250 | 100% |
Where the Medford price comes from
The wage side of the estimate leans on construction laborers, who do 50% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $23.72 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Medford is 1.09 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 53% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Medford is at 105.3 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $650 nationally becomes $680 here (midpoint, 60 linear ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 101.4: $0 to $0.
Medford 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, Medford Rogue Vly Ap (5 miles from the city center). 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 Medford are September through June: 10 of 12. Outside them, July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Medford gets about 18 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 3 inches of snow. The wettest months are January, November and December (3.5 inches in December). Inside the workable window, June and September are the driest, at 0.7 and 0.5 inches. The station averages about 61 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 | 48 | 33 | 2.7 | Workable |
| Feb | 54 | 34 | 2.0 | Workable |
| Mar | 59 | 37 | 1.8 | Workable |
| Apr | 65 | 41 | 1.5 | Workable |
| May | 74 | 47 | 1.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 82 | 52 | 0.7 | Workable |
| Jul | 92 | 59 | 0.2 | Hot |
| Aug | 91 | 58 | 0.3 | Hot |
| Sep | 84 | 51 | 0.5 | Workable |
| Oct | 70 | 42 | 1.2 | Workable |
| Nov | 54 | 36 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Dec | 46 | 33 | 3.5 | Workable |
What nearby projects cost in Medford
Jobs that often go together with French drain are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Medford wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, retaining wall comes out highest (+10%) and gravel driveway lowest (+5%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $7,900 – $14,700 | +10% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,600 – $10,700 | +5% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,600 – $3,500 | +7% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,600 – $5,450 | +5% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,350 – $10,900 | +9% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $39,100 – $122,000 | +8% |
What local crews earn in Medford
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 Medford the blend is 1.09.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 50%) the local median is $23.72 an hour, which is 5% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.42 and $29.22 an hour. BLS counts 520 of them working in the area, 58.4 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), 30% of the weighting: a median of $30.01 an hour, 4% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $26.77 and $37.14 an hour. About 270 work in the metro. That is 30.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For pipelayers (47-2151, weighted 20%) the local median is $29.98 an hour, which is 27% above the national $23.56. The middle half of them earn between $28.35 and $29.98 an hour. BLS counts 40 of them working in the area, 4.5 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 2.1), so the local bench is deeper than average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (construction laborers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $85 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $35. That is a swing of roughly 2.5% to 5.9% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Medford has 89,060 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 220th 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% | $21.42 | $23.72 | $29.22 | $22.66 | 1.05 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $26.77 | $30.01 | $37.14 | $28.78 | 1.04 | metro |
| Pipelayers (47-2151) | 20% | $28.35 | $29.98 | $29.98 | $23.56 | 1.27 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.09 | |||||
Why two Medford quotes can differ
Exterior versus interior
A shallow exterior French drain is $10-$35 per linear foot; an interior basement drain is $40-$85 per foot, or $4,000-$17,000 installed (HomeGuide).
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.
Cost by quality level and size in Medford
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Medford. 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
$640 to $1,300
Shallow yard drain, easy digging
Standard
$1,150 to $1,750
Standard drain with fabric, gravel and a pop-up outlet
Premium
$1,600 to $2,250
Deep or long drain, hard soil, dry well or sump discharge
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short run (30 linear ft) | $320 – $640 | $560 – $880 | $800 – $1,150 |
| side yard (60 linear ft) | $640 – $1,300 | $1,150 – $1,750 | $1,600 – $2,250 |
| long run (120 linear ft) | $1,300 – $2,550 | $2,250 – $3,550 | $3,200 – $4,500 |
Is Medford cheap or dear? The local comparison
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 60 linear ft range from $1,450 to $1,600 across Medford and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medford, ORthis page | $640 – $2,250 | $1,450 | |
| Eugene, OR105 miles | $640 – $2,250 | $1,450 | level |
| Redding, CA120 miles | $710 – $2,450 | $1,600 | +10% |
| Bend, OR150 miles | $670 – $2,350 | $1,500 | +3% |
| Salem, OR175 miles | $680 – $2,400 | $1,550 | +6% |
| Chico, CA200 miles | $700 – $2,450 | $1,600 | +10% |
| Oregon (statewide) | $670 – $2,350 | $1,500 | +4% |
| United States | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −7% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Medford ranks #93 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Medford is 4% below the Oregon figure.
Elsewhere in Oregon
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland, OR | 1,208,410 jobs | $700 – $2,450 | $1,600 | +9% |
| Salem, OR | 188,620 jobs | $680 – $2,400 | $1,550 | +6% |
| Eugene, OR | 157,710 jobs | $640 – $2,250 | $1,450 | level |
| Bend, OR | 108,240 jobs | $670 – $2,350 | $1,500 | +3% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Medford against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. George, UT | 90,500 jobs | $590 – $2,050 | $1,300 | −9% |
| Florence, SC | 89,060 jobs | $550 – $1,950 | $1,250 | −14% |
| Panama City, FL | 90,610 jobs | $550 – $1,950 | $1,250 | −14% |
| Bloomington, IL | 88,110 jobs | $680 – $2,400 | $1,550 | +6% |
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French drain in Medford: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a French drain in Medford?
For 60 linear ft, expect $640 to $2,250 in the Medford area. A standard-spec job lands at $1,150 to $1,750. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for French drain in Medford?
About $10.50 to $37.50 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 Medford or Eugene?
Eugene is 105 miles away. The midpoint for 60 linear ft there is $1,450, which is 0% more than Medford ($1,450). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Medford?
About 53% at the midpoint, or $770 out of $1,450. Materials are 47% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would side yard (60 linear ft) cost in Medford?
$640 to $2,250. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does French drain need a permit in Medford?
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 Medford area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Medford expensive for French drain compared with the rest of Oregon?
Medford is 4% below the Oregon statewide estimate ($1,500 at the midpoint). We cover 5 metros in Oregon; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Medford?
The BLS median is $23.72 an hour in the Medford area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.42 to $29.22.
+What do basic and premium French drain work cost in Medford?
For 60 linear ft, basic work runs $640 to $1,300 and premium work $1,600 to $2,250. 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 Medford?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through June. June and September 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 Medford
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.