Paver patio cost in Chico, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $3,300 – $6,000
- Per sq ft
- $11 – $19
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +11%
- US $4,250
- Rank of 300 metros
- #55
- 1 = most expensive
Chico homeowners pay roughly $3,300 to $6,000 to install a paver patio at 300 sq ft, or $11 to $19 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Chico is 11% higher. Construction laborers earn a median of $26.31 an hour in the Chico area, 16% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Chico, CA, standard level
$4,150 to $5,200
About $13.50 to $16.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 62% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,450 | $1,700 |
| Labor | $2,600 | $3,250 |
| Permits and fees | $110 | $250 |
| Total | $4,150 | $5,200 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Chico, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,250 | $1,600 | $1,900 | 34% |
| Labor | $2,050 | $2,900 | $3,800 | 62% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $180 | $350 | 4% |
| Total | $3,300 | $4,650 | $6,000 | 100% |
What is behind the Chico number
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 3 trades: construction laborers at 50%, brickmasons and blockmasons at 30%, landscaping and groundskeeping workers at 20%. Weighted together, Chico wages are 1.14 times the national level. Labor makes up about 62% of the midpoint estimate (60% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Chico metro is 105.2 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 300 sq ft comes to $1,600, compared with $1,500 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (101.2) and land at $0 to $350.
Data note: 30% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Chico. The wage table below marks each row.
How Chico compares
Same job, same size (300 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Santa Rosa is the priciest of the group at $4,900.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chico, CAthis page | $3,300 – $6,000 | $4,650 | |
| Sacramento, CA70 miles | $3,450 – $6,300 | $4,900 | +5% |
| Redding, CA80 miles | $3,350 – $6,050 | $4,700 | +1% |
| Napa, CA90 miles | $3,450 – $6,300 | $4,850 | +4% |
| Vallejo, CA100 miles | $3,450 – $6,350 | $4,900 | +5% |
| Santa Rosa, CA105 miles | $3,500 – $6,350 | $4,900 | +5% |
| California (statewide) | $3,450 – $6,300 | $4,850 | +4% |
| United States | $3,000 – $5,450 | $4,250 | −10% |
Across 300 US metros, Chico comes in at #55 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $5,650; the cheapest is Dothan, AL at $3,500 (midpoints, 300 sq ft). Statewide, Chico is 4% below the California figure.
Other California metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 6,271,560 jobs | $3,350 – $6,150 | $4,750 | +2% |
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $3,800 – $6,950 | $5,350 | +15% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $3,300 – $6,050 | $4,650 | level |
| San Diego, CA | 1,538,060 jobs | $3,350 – $6,100 | $4,750 | +1% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $3,650 – $6,700 | $5,200 | +11% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $3,450 – $6,300 | $4,900 | +5% |
Cities with a workforce like Chico's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Chico against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merced, CA | 79,510 jobs | $3,300 – $5,950 | $4,650 | −1% |
| Napa, CA | 77,860 jobs | $3,450 – $6,300 | $4,850 | +4% |
| Saginaw, MI | 80,000 jobs | $2,950 – $5,350 | $4,150 | −11% |
| Racine, WI | 76,280 jobs | $3,200 – $5,850 | $4,550 | −3% |
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 Chico is 1.14 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 50% of the weighting: a median of $26.31 an hour, 16% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.14 and $34.60 an hour. About 480 work in the metro. That is 61.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) carry 30% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Chico metro, so we used the California statewide median: $33.20 an hour against $29.87 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $28.24 and $38.26 an hour.
For landscaping and groundskeeping workers (37-3011, weighted 20%) the local median is $21.71 an hour, which is 15% above the national $18.82. The middle half of them earn between $18.05 and $23.69 an hour. BLS counts 710 of them working in the area, 90.8 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 61.3), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the construction laborers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($34.60 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $470. At the 25th percentile ($22.14) it shrinks by about $230. The total moves by 10.0% or 5.0%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 78,220 jobs in the Chico area. That makes it the 241st 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% | $22.14 | $26.31 | $34.60 | $22.66 | 1.16 | metro |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 30% | $28.24 | $33.20 | $38.26 | $29.87 | 1.11 | state |
| Landscaping and groundskeeping workers (37-3011) | 20% | $18.05 | $21.71 | $23.69 | $18.82 | 1.15 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.14 | |||||
Why two Chico quotes can differ
Base prep
The base (road base, fabric, edging, bedding and joint sand) is $1.40-$2.20 per sq ft of the materials number.
Excavation and grading
Digging out is $1-$5 per sq ft; regrading a sloped yard is $0.40-$2.00 per sq ft.
Pattern
Herringbone and curves take longer to lay and waste more stone than a running bond.
Related projects, priced for Chico
Because every project leans on different trades, Chico's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, wood deck runs +11% and stamped concrete +8%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,350 – $4,350 | +9% |
| Stamped concrete | 400 sq ft | $3,500 – $8,600 | +8% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $7,900 – $14,700 | +10% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $8,400 – $16,800 | +11% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,650 – $5,600 | +8% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $4,000 – $10,100 | +10% |
Add-ons priced for Chico
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Chico by the average of the local wage index (1.14) and goods index (1.05), a factor of 1.10. Tick any of them in the estimator above to add them to your total. Treat these as planning figures: an add-on touches different trades than the main job, so the scaling is an approximation.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Excavation and haul-away | $330 – $1,650 |
Pick a size, pick a tier: paver patio pricing in Chico
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Chico 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 4 common sizes.
Basic
$3,300 to $4,400
Basic concrete pavers, simple pattern, level yard
Standard
$4,150 to $5,200
Mid-grade pavers, a border or curve, some regrading
Premium
$4,950 to $6,000
Natural stone or clay brick, complex pattern, slope or retaining edge
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $1,600 – $2,200 | $2,050 – $2,650 | $2,500 – $3,100 |
| 16x16 (256 sq ft) | $2,850 – $3,800 | $3,550 – $4,500 | $4,250 – $5,200 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $4,450 – $5,800 | $5,500 – $6,850 | $6,500 – $7,900 |
| pool deck (800 sq ft) | $8,850 – $11,500 | $10,800 – $13,500 | $12,800 – $15,500 |
When to schedule paver patio in Chico
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Chico Univ Farm (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
October through June is the stretch where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Chico (9 of 12 months). July, August and September have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Chico gets about 27 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, February and December (5.1 inches in February). Inside the workable window, May and June are the driest, at 1.4 and 0.6 inches. The station averages about 99 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 | 56 | 36 | 5.1 | Workable |
| Feb | 62 | 38 | 5.1 | Workable |
| Mar | 67 | 42 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Apr | 73 | 45 | 1.9 | Workable |
| May | 81 | 52 | 1.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 89 | 57 | 0.6 | Workable |
| Jul | 95 | 61 | 0.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 94 | 59 | 0.1 | Hot |
| Sep | 91 | 55 | 0.3 | Hot |
| Oct | 80 | 47 | 1.7 | Workable |
| Nov | 65 | 40 | 2.4 | Workable |
| Dec | 57 | 36 | 5.0 | Workable |
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 $4,150 to $5,200 for Chico, CA is attached.
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Paver patio in Chico: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a paver patio in Chico?
For 300 sq ft, expect $3,300 to $6,000 in the Chico area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,150 to $5,200. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for paver patio in Chico?
About $11 to $19 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $350 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $10 to $17.
+Is paver patio cheaper in Chico or Sacramento?
Sacramento is 70 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $4,900, which is 5% more than Chico ($4,650). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Chico?
About 62% at the midpoint, or $2,900 out of $4,650. Materials are 34% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 20x20 (400 sq ft) cost in Chico?
$4,450 to $7,900. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does paver patio need a permit in Chico?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $350 for fees in the Chico area (our national range of $0 to $350 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Chico expensive for paver patio compared with the rest of California?
Chico is 4% below the California statewide estimate ($4,850 at the midpoint). We cover 23 metros in California; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Chico?
The BLS median is $26.31 an hour in the Chico area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.14 to $34.60.
+What do basic and premium paver patio work cost in Chico?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $3,300 to $4,400 and premium work $4,950 to $6,000. Basic means: basic concrete pavers, simple pattern, level yard. Premium means: natural stone or clay brick, complex pattern, slope or retaining edge.
+When is the best time to install a paver patio in Chico?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are October through June. May and June are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
+What does "excavation and haul-away" add in Chico?
$330 to $1,650 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Paver patio near Chico
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: 2026 Paver Patio Cost | Paver Installation Costs (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: How Much Does Stamped Concrete Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: 2026 Building Permit Costs | Fees & Cost Calculator (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