French drain cost in Johnson City, TN
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (60 linear ft)
- $540 – $1,900
- Per linear ft
- $9 – $31.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −10%
- US $1,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #248
- 1 = most expensive
Johnson City homeowners pay roughly $540 to $1,900 to install a French drain at 60 linear ft, or $9 to $31.50 per linear ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Johnson City is 10% lower. Construction laborers earn a median of $19.79 an hour in the Johnson City area, 13% below the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 60 linear ft in Johnson City, TN, standard level
$950 to $1,500
About $16 to $25 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 49% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $490 | $760 |
| Labor | $460 | $730 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $950 | $1,500 |
Cost breakdown for 60 linear ft in Johnson City, TN
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $280 | $620 | $970 | 51% |
| Labor | $260 | $590 | $920 | 49% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $540 | $1,200 | $1,900 | 100% |
Why Johnson City prices look the way they do
The wage side of the estimate leans on construction laborers, who do 50% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $19.79 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Johnson City is 0.85 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 49% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Johnson City metro is 96.2 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 60 linear ft comes to $620, compared with $650 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (87.9) and land at $0 to $0.
Local wages behind the labor line
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 3 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Johnson City is 0.85 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 50% of the weighting: a median of $19.79 an hour, 13% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.74 and $22.37 an hour. About 580 work in the metro. That is 71.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 30%) the local median is $22.87 an hour, which is 21% below the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $21.37 and $26.76 an hour. BLS counts 200 of them working in the area, 24.5 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Pipelayers (47-2151), 20% of the weighting: a median of $20.10 an hour, 15% below the US median of $23.56. The middle half of them earn between $20.10 and $23.33 an hour. About 60 work in the metro. That is 7.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 2.1 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the construction laborers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($22.37 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $40. At the 25th percentile ($17.74) it shrinks by about $30. The total moves by 3.3% or 2.6%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 81,690 jobs in the Johnson City area. That makes it the 234th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.05% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 50% | $17.74 | $19.79 | $22.37 | $22.66 | 0.87 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $21.37 | $22.87 | $26.76 | $28.78 | 0.79 | metro |
| Pipelayers (47-2151) | 20% | $20.10 | $20.10 | $23.33 | $23.56 | 0.85 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.85 | |||||
Why two Johnson City 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.
Johnson City against nearby metros and the rest of Tennessee
Same job, same size (60 linear ft), priced for the nearest metros. Asheville is the priciest of the group at $1,300.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson City, TNthis page | $540 – $1,900 | $1,200 | |
| Kingsport, TN25 miles | $570 – $2,000 | $1,300 | +5% |
| Asheville, NC45 miles | $570 – $2,000 | $1,300 | +5% |
| Hickory, NC60 miles | $550 – $1,950 | $1,250 | +3% |
| Knoxville, TN100 miles | $560 – $2,000 | $1,250 | +4% |
| Spartanburg, SC105 miles | $550 – $1,950 | $1,250 | +2% |
| Tennessee (statewide) | $570 – $2,000 | $1,250 | +5% |
| United States | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | +11% |
Across 300 US metros, Johnson City comes in at #248 from the top. The priciest is San Francisco, CA at $1,900; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $1,100 (midpoints, 60 linear ft). Statewide, Johnson City is 4% below the Tennessee figure.
Other Tennessee metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville, TN | 1,099,300 jobs | $580 – $2,000 | $1,300 | +7% |
| Memphis, TN | 611,670 jobs | $570 – $2,000 | $1,300 | +5% |
| Knoxville, TN | 424,600 jobs | $560 – $2,000 | $1,250 | +4% |
| Chattanooga, TN | 268,750 jobs | $550 – $1,950 | $1,250 | +3% |
| Kingsport, TN | 119,560 jobs | $570 – $2,000 | $1,300 | +5% |
| Clarksville, TN | 103,220 jobs | $550 – $1,950 | $1,250 | +2% |
Cities with a workforce like Johnson City's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Johnson City against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho Falls, ID | 81,840 jobs | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | +12% |
| Odessa, TX | 80,910 jobs | $540 – $1,900 | $1,200 | −1% |
| Hilton Head, SC | 81,920 jobs | $560 – $2,000 | $1,250 | +4% |
| Greenville, NC | 80,770 jobs | $550 – $1,950 | $1,250 | +2% |
Related projects, priced for Johnson City
Because every project leans on different trades, Johnson City's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, retaining wall runs −5% and sprinkler system −12%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,650 – $12,800 | −5% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,250 – $9,150 | −10% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,400 – $3,050 | −7% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,200 – $4,750 | −9% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,550 – $8,850 | −12% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $33,000 – $103,000 | −9% |
Johnson City: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Johnson City 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 3 common sizes.
Basic
$540 to $1,100
Shallow yard drain, easy digging
Standard
$950 to $1,500
Standard drain with fabric, gravel and a pop-up outlet
Premium
$1,350 to $1,900
Deep or long drain, hard soil, dry well or sump discharge
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short run (30 linear ft) | $270 – $540 | $470 – $740 | $680 – $950 |
| side yard (60 linear ft) | $540 – $1,100 | $950 – $1,500 | $1,350 – $1,900 |
| long run (120 linear ft) | $1,100 – $2,150 | $1,900 – $3,000 | $2,700 – $3,800 |
When to schedule French drain in Johnson City
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Bristol Tri City Ap (10 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
March through November is the stretch where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Johnson City (9 of 12 months). January, February and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
In January, February 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 94 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Johnson City gets about 44 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 9 inches of snow. The wettest months are March, June and July (5.0 inches in July). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 2.8 and 2.5 inches. The station averages about 23 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 | 47 | 26 | 3.6 | Cold |
| Feb | 51 | 29 | 3.8 | Cold |
| Mar | 59 | 35 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Apr | 69 | 43 | 3.8 | Workable |
| May | 77 | 52 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Jun | 84 | 61 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Jul | 86 | 65 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Aug | 86 | 63 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Sep | 81 | 56 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Oct | 70 | 44 | 2.5 | Workable |
| Nov | 59 | 34 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Dec | 50 | 29 | 3.8 | Cold |
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French drain in Johnson City: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a French drain in Johnson City?
For 60 linear ft, expect $540 to $1,900 in the Johnson City area. A standard-spec job lands at $950 to $1,500. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for French drain in Johnson City?
About $9 to $31.50 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 Johnson City or Kingsport?
Kingsport is 25 miles away. The midpoint for 60 linear ft there is $1,300, which is 5% more than Johnson City ($1,200). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Johnson City?
About 49% at the midpoint, or $590 out of $1,200. Materials are 51% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would side yard (60 linear ft) cost in Johnson City?
$540 to $1,900. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does French drain need a permit in Johnson 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 Johnson City area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Johnson City expensive for French drain compared with the rest of Tennessee?
Johnson City is 4% below the Tennessee statewide estimate ($1,250 at the midpoint). We cover 8 metros in Tennessee; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Johnson City?
The BLS median is $19.79 an hour in the Johnson City area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $17.74 to $22.37.
+What do basic and premium French drain work cost in Johnson City?
For 60 linear ft, basic work runs $540 to $1,100 and premium work $1,350 to $1,900. 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 Johnson City?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through November. September and October 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 Johnson 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.