Paver patio cost in Philadelphia, PA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $3,250 – $5,950
- Per sq ft
- $11 – $18.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +9%
- US $4,250
- Rank of 300 metros
- #70
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install a paver patio in Philadelphia, plan on $3,250 to $5,950 for 300 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $11 to $18.50 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 9% higher than the national one. Construction laborers earn a median of $26.50 an hour in the Philadelphia area, 17% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Philadelphia, PA, standard level
$4,050 to $5,150
About $13 to $16.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 65% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,350 | $1,550 |
| Labor | $2,650 | $3,350 |
| Permits and fees | $110 | $250 |
| Total | $4,050 | $5,150 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Philadelphia, PA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $1,450 | $1,750 | 32% |
| Labor | $2,100 | $3,000 | $3,850 | 65% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $180 | $360 | 4% |
| Total | $3,250 | $4,600 | $5,950 | 100% |
Where the Philadelphia price comes from
The wage side of the estimate leans on construction laborers, who do 50% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $26.50 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Philadelphia is 1.17 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 65% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Philadelphia metro is 96.8 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 300 sq ft comes to $1,450, compared with $1,500 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (102.6) and land at $0 to $360.
Philadelphia labor market for paver patio
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 Philadelphia is 1.17 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 50% of the weighting: a median of $26.50 an hour, 17% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.43 and $34.37 an hour. About 14,580 work in the metro. That is 50.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021), 30% of the weighting: a median of $36.52 an hour, 22% above the US median of $29.87. The middle half of them earn between $29.34 and $47.31 an hour. About 1,210 work in the metro. That is 4.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 3.4 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For landscaping and groundskeeping workers (37-3011, weighted 20%) the local median is $20.26 an hour, which is 8% above the national $18.82. The middle half of them earn between $17.87 and $22.61 an hour. BLS counts 17,700 of them working in the area, 61.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 61.3), so the local bench is about average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the construction laborers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($34.37 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $440. At the 25th percentile ($22.43) it shrinks by about $230. The total moves by 9.6% or 5.0%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 2,897,830 jobs in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington area. That makes it the 7th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 1.86% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 50% | $22.43 | $26.50 | $34.37 | $22.66 | 1.17 | metro |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 30% | $29.34 | $36.52 | $47.31 | $29.87 | 1.22 | metro |
| Landscaping and groundskeeping workers (37-3011) | 20% | $17.87 | $20.26 | $22.61 | $18.82 | 1.08 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.17 | |||||
Optional extras in Philadelphia
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Philadelphia by the average of the local wage index (1.17) and goods index (0.97), a factor of 1.07. 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 | $320 – $1,600 |
Philadelphia: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Philadelphia 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
$3,250 to $4,350
Basic concrete pavers, simple pattern, level yard
Standard
$4,050 to $5,150
Mid-grade pavers, a border or curve, some regrading
Premium
$4,900 to $5,950
Natural stone or clay brick, complex pattern, slope or retaining edge
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $1,550 – $2,150 | $2,000 – $2,600 | $2,450 – $3,050 |
| 16x16 (256 sq ft) | $2,800 – $3,700 | $3,500 – $4,450 | $4,200 – $5,150 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $4,350 – $5,750 | $5,400 – $6,800 | $6,450 – $7,800 |
| pool deck (800 sq ft) | $8,700 – $11,300 | $10,700 – $13,300 | $12,600 – $15,300 |
Climate in Philadelphia: timing your paver patio job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Philadelphia Ne 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 Philadelphia (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 88 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Philadelphia gets about 45 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are July, August and September (4.5 inches in September). Inside the workable window, May and November are the driest, at 3.6 and 3.2 inches. The station averages about 29 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 | 42 | 27 | 3.3 | Cold |
| Feb | 45 | 28 | 2.6 | Cold |
| Mar | 53 | 35 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Apr | 65 | 44 | 3.8 | Workable |
| May | 75 | 54 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Jun | 83 | 64 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Jul | 88 | 69 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Aug | 86 | 68 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Sep | 79 | 60 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Oct | 68 | 48 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Nov | 57 | 38 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 47 | 31 | 4.0 | Cold |
Why two Philadelphia 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.
Planning more than one job in Philadelphia?
Because every project leans on different trades, Philadelphia's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, retaining wall runs +7% and wood deck level.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,250 – $4,200 | +4% |
| Stamped concrete | 400 sq ft | $3,350 – $8,250 | +4% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $7,750 – $14,200 | +7% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,600 – $15,200 | level |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,550 – $5,300 | +3% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,850 – $9,800 | +6% |
How Philadelphia compares
Of the five closest metros, 2 are cheaper than Philadelphia. Lancaster is the lowest at about $4,300 (midpoint, 300 sq ft), 50 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PAthis page | $3,250 – $5,950 | $4,600 | |
| Vineland, NJ40 miles | $3,800 – $6,900 | $5,350 | +16% |
| Trenton, NJ40 miles | $3,600 – $6,600 | $5,100 | +11% |
| Reading, PA50 miles | $3,100 – $5,650 | $4,350 | −5% |
| Lancaster, PA50 miles | $3,050 – $5,550 | $4,300 | −7% |
| Atlantic City, NJ50 miles | $3,250 – $5,950 | $4,600 | level |
| Pennsylvania (statewide) | $3,100 – $5,650 | $4,350 | −5% |
| United States | $3,000 – $5,450 | $4,250 | −8% |
Across 300 US metros, Philadelphia comes in at #70 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $5,650; the cheapest is Dothan, AL at $3,500 (midpoints, 300 sq ft). Statewide, Philadelphia is 5% above the Pennsylvania figure.
Other Pennsylvania metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh, PA | 1,114,490 jobs | $3,200 – $5,800 | $4,500 | −3% |
| Allentown, PA | 377,180 jobs | $3,050 – $5,550 | $4,300 | −7% |
| Harrisburg, PA | 335,010 jobs | $3,150 – $5,700 | $4,450 | −4% |
| Scranton, PA | 255,620 jobs | $3,100 – $5,550 | $4,300 | −6% |
| Lancaster, PA | 252,230 jobs | $3,050 – $5,550 | $4,300 | −7% |
| York, PA | 183,590 jobs | $3,050 – $5,500 | $4,250 | −8% |
Cities with a workforce like Philadelphia's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Philadelphia against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington, DC | 3,136,190 jobs | $3,100 – $5,600 | $4,350 | −6% |
| Atlanta, GA | 2,889,670 jobs | $2,850 – $5,200 | $4,000 | −13% |
| Houston, TX | 3,289,720 jobs | $2,800 – $5,100 | $3,950 | −14% |
| Miami, FL | 2,819,940 jobs | $2,950 – $5,400 | $4,150 | −10% |
Get 3 local quotes
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Detailed paver patio report for Philadelphia, PA, $9
The report lays out the paver patio numbers for Philadelphia, PA line by line, with the local wage and price inputs, permit and timing notes, a quote comparison sheet and the full method. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Paver patio in Philadelphia: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a paver patio in Philadelphia?
For 300 sq ft, expect $3,250 to $5,950 in the Philadelphia area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,050 to $5,150. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for paver patio in Philadelphia?
About $11 to $18.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $360 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $10 to $17.
+Is paver patio cheaper in Philadelphia or Vineland?
Vineland is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $5,350, which is 16% more than Philadelphia ($4,600). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Philadelphia?
About 65% at the midpoint, or $3,000 out of $4,600. Materials are 32% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 20x20 (400 sq ft) cost in Philadelphia?
$4,350 to $7,800. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does paver patio need a permit in Philadelphia?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $360 for fees in the Philadelphia area (our national range of $0 to $350 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Philadelphia expensive for paver patio compared with the rest of Pennsylvania?
Philadelphia is 5% above the Pennsylvania statewide estimate ($4,350 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Pennsylvania; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Philadelphia?
The BLS median is $26.50 an hour in the Philadelphia area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.43 to $34.37.
+What do basic and premium paver patio work cost in Philadelphia?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $3,250 to $4,350 and premium work $4,900 to $5,950. 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 Philadelphia?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through November. May 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.
+What does "excavation and haul-away" add in Philadelphia?
$320 to $1,600 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Paver patio near Philadelphia
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