French drain cost in State College, PA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (60 linear ft)
- $610 – $2,150
- Per linear ft
- $10 – $36
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +2%
- US $1,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #119
- 1 = most expensive
A French drain in State College, PA usually costs $610 to $2,150 for 60 linear ft. That works out to about $10 to $36 per linear ft before permits. That is within a few percent of the national midpoint, so there is little local premium or discount. Construction laborers earn a median of $25.68 an hour in the State College area, 13% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 60 linear ft in State College, PA, standard level
$1,100 to $1,700
About $18 to $28 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 53% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $510 | $800 |
| Labor | $570 | $890 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $1,100 | $1,700 |
Cost breakdown for 60 linear ft in State College, PA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $290 | $650 | $1,000 | 47% |
| Labor | $320 | $730 | $1,150 | 53% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $610 | $1,400 | $2,150 | 100% |
Where the State College 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, State College wages are 1.04 times the national level. Labor makes up about 53% of the midpoint estimate (52% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. State College is at 100.7 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 96.8: $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 State College. The wage table below marks each row.
What local crews earn in State College
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 State College the blend is 1.04.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 50%) the local median is $25.68 an hour, which is 13% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.13 and $30.00 an hour. BLS counts 620 of them working in the area, 90.1 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), 30% of the weighting: a median of $29.11 an hour, in line with the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $24.42 and $37.55 an hour. About 460 work in the metro. That is 66.8 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Pipelayers (47-2151) carry 20% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the State College metro, so we used the Pennsylvania statewide median: $20.00 an hour against $23.56 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $20.00 and $29.44 an hour.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (construction laborers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $65 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $55. That is a swing of roughly 4.0% to 4.8% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
State College has 68,840 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 263rd 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% | $22.13 | $25.68 | $30.00 | $22.66 | 1.13 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $24.42 | $29.11 | $37.55 | $28.78 | 1.01 | metro |
| Pipelayers (47-2151) | 20% | $20.00 | $20.00 | $29.44 | $23.56 | 0.85 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 1.04 | |||||
State College 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, State College (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 State College are April through November: 8 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
In January, February, March and December the average low is at or below freezing, which means frozen ground and slower digging, compaction and sod or stone placement. NOAA counts about 121 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
State College gets about 42 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 44 inches of snow. The wettest months are June, August and September (4.2 inches in August). Inside the workable window, October and November are the driest, at 3.5 and 3.0 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 | 34 | 21 | 2.9 | Cold |
| Feb | 37 | 22 | 2.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 46 | 28 | 3.4 | Cold |
| Apr | 59 | 39 | 3.5 | Workable |
| May | 69 | 50 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Jun | 77 | 59 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Jul | 81 | 63 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Aug | 79 | 62 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Sep | 72 | 54 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 61 | 43 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Nov | 49 | 34 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Dec | 38 | 26 | 3.2 | Cold |
State College against nearby metros and the rest of Pennsylvania
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 $1,300 to $1,400 across State College and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| State College, PAthis page | $610 – $2,150 | $1,400 | |
| Altoona, PA35 miles | $570 – $2,000 | $1,300 | −7% |
| Harrisburg, PA60 miles | $620 – $2,200 | $1,400 | +2% |
| Chambersburg, PA70 miles | $590 – $2,050 | $1,350 | −4% |
| York, PA90 miles | $620 – $2,200 | $1,400 | +2% |
| Hagerstown, MD95 miles | $570 – $2,000 | $1,300 | −7% |
| Pennsylvania (statewide) | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −3% |
| United States | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −2% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, State College ranks #119 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, State College is 3% above the Pennsylvania figure.
Elsewhere in Pennsylvania
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA | 2,897,830 jobs | $640 – $2,250 | $1,450 | +4% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 1,114,490 jobs | $610 – $2,150 | $1,350 | −1% |
| Allentown, PA | 377,180 jobs | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −2% |
| Harrisburg, PA | 335,010 jobs | $620 – $2,200 | $1,400 | +2% |
| Scranton, PA | 255,620 jobs | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −3% |
| Lancaster, PA | 252,230 jobs | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −2% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is State College against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yuma, AZ | 68,880 jobs | $590 – $2,050 | $1,300 | −5% |
| Traverse City, MI | 68,440 jobs | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −2% |
| Wausau, WI | 69,530 jobs | $700 – $2,450 | $1,550 | +13% |
| Dover, DE | 68,080 jobs | $580 – $2,050 | $1,300 | −6% |
State College: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to State College. 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
$610 to $1,250
Shallow yard drain, easy digging
Standard
$1,100 to $1,700
Standard drain with fabric, gravel and a pop-up outlet
Premium
$1,550 to $2,150
Deep or long drain, hard soil, dry well or sump discharge
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short run (30 linear ft) | $310 – $610 | $540 – $840 | $770 – $1,100 |
| side yard (60 linear ft) | $610 – $1,250 | $1,100 – $1,700 | $1,550 – $2,150 |
| long run (120 linear ft) | $1,250 – $2,450 | $2,150 – $3,400 | $3,050 – $4,300 |
What nearby projects cost in State College
Jobs that often go together with French drain are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same State College wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, retaining wall comes out highest (+5%) and sod installation lowest (level); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $7,500 – $14,000 | +5% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,600 – $10,600 | +4% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,500 – $3,300 | level |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,550 – $5,350 | +3% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,050 – $10,100 | +1% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $37,600 – $117,500 | +4% |
Why two State College quotes can differ
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.
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).
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French drain in State College: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a French drain in State College?
For 60 linear ft, expect $610 to $2,150 in the State College area. A standard-spec job lands at $1,100 to $1,700. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for French drain in State College?
About $10 to $36 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 State College or Altoona?
Altoona is 35 miles away. The midpoint for 60 linear ft there is $1,300, which is 7% less than State College ($1,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in State College?
About 53% at the midpoint, or $730 out of $1,400. Materials are 47% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would side yard (60 linear ft) cost in State College?
$610 to $2,150. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does French drain need a permit in State College?
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 State College area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is State College expensive for French drain compared with the rest of Pennsylvania?
State College is 3% above the Pennsylvania statewide estimate ($1,350 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Pennsylvania; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in State College?
The BLS median is $25.68 an hour in the State College area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.13 to $30.00.
+What do basic and premium French drain work cost in State College?
For 60 linear ft, basic work runs $610 to $1,250 and premium work $1,550 to $2,150. 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 State College?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through November. October and November 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 State College
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.