French drain cost in Olympia, WA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (60 linear ft)
- $740 – $2,600
- Per linear ft
- $12.50 – $43.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +24%
- US $1,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #11
- 1 = most expensive
Olympia homeowners pay roughly $740 to $2,600 to install a French drain at 60 linear ft, or $12.50 to $43.50 per linear ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Olympia is 24% higher. Construction laborers earn a median of $25.52 an hour in the Olympia area, 13% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 60 linear ft in Olympia, WA, standard level
$1,300 to $2,050
About $21.50 to $34 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 59% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $530 | $830 |
| Labor | $770 | $1,200 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $1,300 | $2,050 |
Cost breakdown for 60 linear ft in Olympia, WA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $300 | $680 | $1,050 | 41% |
| Labor | $440 | $990 | $1,550 | 59% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $740 | $1,650 | $2,600 | 100% |
Where the Olympia price comes from
Labor is 59% 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 Olympia the blended ratio comes out at 1.42.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Olympia metro is 105.0 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 60 linear ft comes to $680, compared with $650 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (103.7) and land at $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 Olympia. The wage table below marks each row.
Specs and site conditions that change a Olympia bid
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).
Related projects, priced for Olympia
Because every project leans on different trades, Olympia's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, gravel driveway runs +24% and sod installation +9%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $8,650 – $15,700 | +19% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $3,100 – $12,600 | +24% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,650 – $3,600 | +9% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,850 – $5,900 | +15% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,700 – $11,800 | +18% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $43,800 – $136,500 | +21% |
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 Olympia is 1.42 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 50% of the weighting: a median of $25.52 an hour, 13% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.90 and $33.85 an hour. About 730 work in the metro. That is 56.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 30%) the local median is $49.55 an hour, which is 72% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $33.47 and $54.71 an hour. BLS counts 260 of them working in the area, 20.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Pipelayers (47-2151) carry 20% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Olympia metro, so we used the Washington statewide median: $39.64 an hour against $23.56 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $33.71 and $45.76 an hour.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the construction laborers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($33.85 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $130. At the 25th percentile ($21.90) it shrinks by about $55. The total moves by 7.7% or 3.3%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 130,300 jobs in the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater area. That makes it the 167th 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% | $21.90 | $25.52 | $33.85 | $22.66 | 1.13 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $33.47 | $49.55 | $54.71 | $28.78 | 1.72 | metro |
| Pipelayers (47-2151) | 20% | $33.71 | $39.64 | $45.76 | $23.56 | 1.68 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 1.42 | |||||
Cost by quality level and size in Olympia
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Olympia 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
$740 to $1,500
Shallow yard drain, easy digging
Standard
$1,300 to $2,050
Standard drain with fabric, gravel and a pop-up outlet
Premium
$1,850 to $2,600
Deep or long drain, hard soil, dry well or sump discharge
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short run (30 linear ft) | $370 – $740 | $650 – $1,000 | $930 – $1,300 |
| side yard (60 linear ft) | $740 – $1,500 | $1,300 – $2,050 | $1,850 – $2,600 |
| long run (120 linear ft) | $1,500 – $3,000 | $2,600 – $4,100 | $3,700 – $5,200 |
When to schedule French drain in Olympia
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Olympia Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
March through January is the stretch where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Olympia (11 of 12 months). February has an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
In 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 77 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Olympia gets about 51 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 4 inches of snow. The wettest months are January, November and December (8.2 inches in November). Inside the workable window, July and August are the driest, at 0.5 and 1.0 inches. The station averages about 7 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 | 46 | 33 | 7.8 | Workable |
| Feb | 49 | 32 | 5.1 | Cold |
| Mar | 54 | 35 | 5.7 | Workable |
| Apr | 59 | 38 | 3.7 | Workable |
| May | 66 | 43 | 2.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 71 | 47 | 1.5 | Workable |
| Jul | 78 | 51 | 0.5 | Workable |
| Aug | 78 | 51 | 1.0 | Workable |
| Sep | 72 | 46 | 2.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 60 | 41 | 5.1 | Workable |
| Nov | 51 | 36 | 8.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 45 | 33 | 7.8 | Workable |
Olympia against nearby metros and the rest of Washington
Same job, same size (60 linear ft), priced for the nearest metros. Seattle is the priciest of the group at $1,700. Yakima is the cheapest at $1,550.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olympia, WAthis page | $740 – $2,600 | $1,650 | |
| Bremerton, WA50 miles | $710 – $2,500 | $1,600 | −5% |
| Seattle, WA60 miles | $750 – $2,650 | $1,700 | +1% |
| Portland, OR95 miles | $700 – $2,450 | $1,600 | −6% |
| Yakima, WA105 miles | $680 – $2,400 | $1,550 | −8% |
| Bellingham, WA140 miles | $740 – $2,600 | $1,650 | level |
| Washington (statewide) | $720 – $2,550 | $1,650 | −3% |
| United States | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −19% |
Across 300 US metros, Olympia comes in at #11 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, Olympia is 3% above the Washington figure.
Other Washington metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | 2,086,210 jobs | $750 – $2,650 | $1,700 | +1% |
| Spokane, WA | 255,820 jobs | $680 – $2,400 | $1,550 | −8% |
| Kennewick, WA | 129,490 jobs | $710 – $2,450 | $1,600 | −5% |
| Yakima, WA | 97,010 jobs | $680 – $2,400 | $1,550 | −8% |
| Bremerton, WA | 93,740 jobs | $710 – $2,500 | $1,600 | −5% |
| Bellingham, WA | 91,390 jobs | $740 – $2,600 | $1,650 | level |
Cities with a workforce like Olympia's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Olympia against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville, NC | 131,430 jobs | $560 – $1,950 | $1,250 | −25% |
| Waco, TX | 129,860 jobs | $530 – $1,850 | $1,200 | −29% |
| South Bend, IN | 131,670 jobs | $680 – $2,400 | $1,550 | −8% |
| Kennewick, WA | 129,490 jobs | $710 – $2,450 | $1,600 | −5% |
Get 3 local quotes
Tell us about the job and we will try to connect you with up to three local contractors for written quotes. It is free and you are under no obligation to hire. Your estimate of $1,300 to $2,050 for Olympia, WA is attached.
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Multi-page report for Olympia, WA: 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 Olympia: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a French drain in Olympia?
For 60 linear ft, expect $740 to $2,600 in the Olympia area. A standard-spec job lands at $1,300 to $2,050. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for French drain in Olympia?
About $12.50 to $43.50 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 Olympia or Bremerton?
Bremerton is 50 miles away. The midpoint for 60 linear ft there is $1,600, which is 5% less than Olympia ($1,650). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Olympia?
About 59% at the midpoint, or $990 out of $1,650. Materials are 41% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would side yard (60 linear ft) cost in Olympia?
$740 to $2,600. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does French drain need a permit in Olympia?
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 Olympia area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Olympia expensive for French drain compared with the rest of Washington?
Olympia is 3% above the Washington statewide estimate ($1,650 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Washington; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Olympia?
The BLS median is $25.52 an hour in the Olympia area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.90 to $33.85.
+What do basic and premium French drain work cost in Olympia?
For 60 linear ft, basic work runs $740 to $1,500 and premium work $1,850 to $2,600. 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 Olympia?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through January. July and August 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 Olympia
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.