French drain cost in Midland, TX
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (60 linear ft)
- $550 – $1,900
- Per linear ft
- $9.15 – $32
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −8%
- US $1,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #238
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install a French drain in Midland, plan on $550 to $1,900 for 60 linear ft, all in. Per linear ft, that is $9.15 to $32 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 8% lower than the national one. Construction laborers earn a median of $18.99 an hour in the Midland area, 16% below the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 60 linear ft in Midland, TX, standard level
$960 to $1,500
About $16 to $25 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 51% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $470 | $740 |
| Labor | $490 | $770 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $960 | $1,500 |
Cost breakdown for 60 linear ft in Midland, TX
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $270 | $610 | $950 | 49% |
| Labor | $280 | $630 | $980 | 51% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $550 | $1,250 | $1,900 | 100% |
Why Midland prices look the way they do
Labor is 51% of the midpoint bill here, against 52% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is construction laborers (50%), operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (30%), pipelayers (20%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Midland the blended ratio comes out at 0.89.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Midland metro is 93.8 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 60 linear ft comes to $610, compared with $650 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (95.8) and land at $0 to $0.
Midland labor market for French drain
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 Midland is 0.89 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 50% of the weighting: a median of $18.99 an hour, 16% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.56 and $22.28 an hour. About 1,970 work in the metro. That is 161.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 30%) the local median is $27.84 an hour, which is 3% below the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $23.91 and $30.10 an hour. BLS counts 1,150 of them working in the area, 94.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Pipelayers (47-2151), 20% of the weighting: a median of $21.85 an hour, 7% below the US median of $23.56. The middle half of them earn between $20.63 and $24.63 an hour. About 100 work in the metro. That is 8.2 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 ($22.28 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $50. At the 25th percentile ($17.56) it shrinks by about $20. The total moves by 4.1% or 1.8%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 122,180 jobs in the Midland area. That makes it the 177th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.08% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 50% | $17.56 | $18.99 | $22.28 | $22.66 | 0.84 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $23.91 | $27.84 | $30.10 | $28.78 | 0.97 | metro |
| Pipelayers (47-2151) | 20% | $20.63 | $21.85 | $24.63 | $23.56 | 0.93 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.89 | |||||
Climate in Midland: timing your French drain job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Midland Odessa (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
September through May is the stretch where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Midland (9 of 12 months). June, July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Midland gets about 14 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 4 inches of snow. The wettest months are June, August and September (1.8 inches in June). Inside the workable window, February and December are the driest, at 0.6 and 0.6 inches. The station averages about 115 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 | 59 | 33 | 0.7 | Workable |
| Feb | 64 | 37 | 0.6 | Workable |
| Mar | 72 | 44 | 0.7 | Workable |
| Apr | 81 | 52 | 0.7 | Workable |
| May | 89 | 62 | 1.6 | Workable |
| Jun | 95 | 70 | 1.8 | Hot |
| Jul | 96 | 73 | 1.6 | Hot |
| Aug | 95 | 72 | 1.7 | Hot |
| Sep | 88 | 65 | 1.7 | Workable |
| Oct | 79 | 54 | 1.2 | Workable |
| Nov | 67 | 42 | 0.7 | Workable |
| Dec | 59 | 34 | 0.6 | Workable |
Midland against nearby metros and the rest of Texas
Of the five closest metros, all are cheaper than Midland. El Paso is the lowest at about $1,150 (midpoint, 60 linear ft), 210 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midland, TXthis page | $550 – $1,900 | $1,250 | |
| Odessa, TX35 miles | $540 – $1,900 | $1,200 | −2% |
| Lubbock, TX95 miles | $520 – $1,850 | $1,200 | −5% |
| Abilene, TX135 miles | $530 – $1,850 | $1,200 | −3% |
| El Paso, TX210 miles | $510 – $1,800 | $1,150 | −7% |
| Amarillo, TX220 miles | $530 – $1,850 | $1,200 | −3% |
| Texas (statewide) | $550 – $1,950 | $1,250 | +1% |
| United States | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | +9% |
Across 300 US metros, Midland comes in at #238 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, Midland is 1% below the Texas figure.
Other Texas metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX | 4,049,800 jobs | $580 – $2,050 | $1,300 | +6% |
| Houston, TX | 3,289,720 jobs | $560 – $1,950 | $1,250 | +3% |
| Austin, TX | 1,293,690 jobs | $560 – $1,950 | $1,250 | +1% |
| San Antonio, TX | 1,126,880 jobs | $530 – $1,850 | $1,200 | −3% |
| El Paso, TX | 339,120 jobs | $510 – $1,800 | $1,150 | −7% |
| McAllen, TX | 296,700 jobs | $490 – $1,750 | $1,100 | −10% |
Cities with a workforce like Midland's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Midland against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester, MN | 122,980 jobs | $700 – $2,450 | $1,600 | +28% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | 122,020 jobs | $720 – $2,550 | $1,650 | +32% |
| Amarillo, TX | 123,930 jobs | $530 – $1,850 | $1,200 | −3% |
| Kalamazoo, MI | 121,790 jobs | $610 – $2,150 | $1,400 | +12% |
French drain: what moves the price in Midland
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.
Midland: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Midland 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
$550 to $1,100
Shallow yard drain, easy digging
Standard
$960 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 – $550 | $480 – $760 | $690 – $960 |
| side yard (60 linear ft) | $550 – $1,100 | $960 – $1,500 | $1,350 – $1,900 |
| long run (120 linear ft) | $1,100 – $2,200 | $1,900 – $3,000 | $2,750 – $3,850 |
Related projects, priced for Midland
Because every project leans on different trades, Midland's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, sod installation runs −6% and concrete slab −9%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,450 – $12,400 | −8% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,300 – $9,400 | −8% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,400 – $3,100 | −6% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,200 – $4,750 | −9% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,700 – $9,250 | −8% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $33,200 – $103,500 | −8% |
Get 3 local quotes
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Detailed french drain report for Midland, TX, $9
Multi-page report for Midland, TX: low, typical and high cost, a line-item breakdown of materials and labor by trade, permit notes, the best months to schedule, a quote comparison sheet, red flags, questions for contractors, checklists and every source. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
French drain in Midland: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a French drain in Midland?
For 60 linear ft, expect $550 to $1,900 in the Midland area. A standard-spec job lands at $960 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 Midland?
About $9.15 to $32 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 Midland or Odessa?
Odessa is 35 miles away. The midpoint for 60 linear ft there is $1,200, which is 2% less than Midland ($1,250). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Midland?
About 51% at the midpoint, or $630 out of $1,250. Materials are 49% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would side yard (60 linear ft) cost in Midland?
$550 to $1,900. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does French drain need a permit in Midland?
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 Midland area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Midland expensive for French drain compared with the rest of Texas?
Midland is 1% below the Texas statewide estimate ($1,250 at the midpoint). We cover 21 metros in Texas; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Midland?
The BLS median is $18.99 an hour in the Midland area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $17.56 to $22.28.
+What do basic and premium French drain work cost in Midland?
For 60 linear ft, basic work runs $550 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 Midland?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through May. February and December 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 Midland
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.