Paver patio cost in Reading, PA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $3,100 – $5,650
- Per sq ft
- $10.50 – $17.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +3%
- US $4,250
- Rank of 300 metros
- #108
- 1 = most expensive
A paver patio in Reading, PA usually costs $3,100 to $5,650 for 300 sq ft. That works out to about $10.50 to $17.50 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $140 more. Construction laborers earn a median of $23.46 an hour in the Reading area, 4% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Reading, PA, standard level
$3,850 to $4,850
About $12.50 to $15.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 62% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,400 | $1,650 |
| Labor | $2,350 | $3,000 |
| Permits and fees | $100 | $240 |
| Total | $3,850 | $4,850 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Reading, PA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,200 | $1,500 | $1,800 | 35% |
| Labor | $1,900 | $2,700 | $3,500 | 62% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $170 | $340 | 4% |
| Total | $3,100 | $4,350 | $5,650 | 100% |
What is behind the Reading number
Labor is 62% of the midpoint bill here, against 60% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is construction laborers (50%), brickmasons and blockmasons (30%), landscaping and groundskeeping workers (20%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Reading the blended ratio comes out at 1.05.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Reading is at 100.7 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $1,500 nationally becomes $1,500 here (midpoint, 300 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 97.1: $0 to $340.
Reading weather and the paver patio calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Reading Spaatz Fld (5 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For digging, grading and setting material in the ground, the comfortable months in Reading are April through November: 8 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
In January, February, March 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 107 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Reading gets about 45 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, July and September (4.9 inches in September). Inside the workable window, April and November are the driest, at 3.4 and 3.0 inches. The station averages about 24 days a year at 90°F or above.
We do not adjust the estimate by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. It is still worth asking contractors whether an off-peak start date changes their bid.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 39 | 23 | 3.0 | Cold |
| Feb | 42 | 24 | 2.6 | Cold |
| Mar | 51 | 32 | 3.5 | Cold |
| Apr | 63 | 42 | 3.4 | Workable |
| May | 74 | 52 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Jun | 82 | 61 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Jul | 87 | 66 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Aug | 84 | 64 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Sep | 77 | 57 | 4.9 | Workable |
| Oct | 65 | 45 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 54 | 35 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Dec | 43 | 28 | 3.5 | Cold |
Planning more than one job in Reading?
Jobs that often go together with paver patio are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Reading wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, retaining wall comes out highest (+4%) and wood deck lowest (−3%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,250 – $4,050 | +2% |
| Stamped concrete | 400 sq ft | $3,300 – $8,150 | +2% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $7,400 – $13,900 | +4% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,350 – $14,800 | −3% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,500 – $5,250 | +1% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,700 – $9,400 | +2% |
Paver patio: what moves the price in Reading
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.
Permit
At-grade patios often need no permit; add a retaining wall, a cover, or a connection to the house and that changes.
Reading: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Reading. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from 12x12 (144 sq ft) to pool deck (800 sq ft).
Basic
$3,100 to $4,100
Basic concrete pavers, simple pattern, level yard
Standard
$3,850 to $4,850
Mid-grade pavers, a border or curve, some regrading
Premium
$4,600 to $5,650
Natural stone or clay brick, complex pattern, slope or retaining edge
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $1,500 – $2,050 | $1,900 – $2,450 | $2,300 – $2,900 |
| 16x16 (256 sq ft) | $2,650 – $3,550 | $3,300 – $4,200 | $3,950 – $4,850 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $4,150 – $5,450 | $5,100 – $6,400 | $6,100 – $7,400 |
| pool deck (800 sq ft) | $8,300 – $10,700 | $10,100 – $12,600 | $12,000 – $14,400 |
What local crews earn in Reading
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 3 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For Reading the blend is 1.05.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 50%) the local median is $23.46 an hour, which is 4% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.78 and $29.13 an hour. BLS counts 990 of them working in the area, 56.7 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
For brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021, weighted 30%) the local median is $33.65 an hour, which is 13% above the national $29.87. The middle half of them earn between $29.21 and $39.81 an hour. BLS counts 90 of them working in the area, 5.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 3.4), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers (37-3011), 20% of the weighting: a median of $18.64 an hour, in line with the US median of $18.82. The middle half of them earn between $17.51 and $22.08 an hour. About 1,200 work in the metro. That is 68.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 61.3 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (construction laborers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $320 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $95. That is a swing of roughly 2.2% to 7.3% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Reading has 174,670 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 132nd by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 50% | $21.78 | $23.46 | $29.13 | $22.66 | 1.04 | metro |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 30% | $29.21 | $33.65 | $39.81 | $29.87 | 1.13 | metro |
| Landscaping and groundskeeping workers (37-3011) | 20% | $17.51 | $18.64 | $22.08 | $18.82 | 0.99 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.05 | |||||
Add-ons priced for Reading
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.03 for Reading, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.05) and goods price index (1.01). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Excavation and haul-away | $310 – $1,550 |
Is Reading cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (300 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Philadelphia is the priciest of the group at $4,600. York is the cheapest at $4,250.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading, PAthis page | $3,100 – $5,650 | $4,350 | |
| Lancaster, PA30 miles | $3,050 – $5,550 | $4,300 | −2% |
| Allentown, PA40 miles | $3,050 – $5,550 | $4,300 | −2% |
| Philadelphia, PA50 miles | $3,250 – $5,950 | $4,600 | +6% |
| York, PA55 miles | $3,050 – $5,500 | $4,250 | −3% |
| Harrisburg, PA60 miles | $3,150 – $5,700 | $4,450 | +1% |
| Pennsylvania (statewide) | $3,100 – $5,650 | $4,350 | level |
| United States | $3,000 – $5,450 | $4,250 | −3% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Reading ranks #108 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Reading is 0% below the Pennsylvania figure.
Elsewhere in Pennsylvania
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA | 2,897,830 jobs | $3,250 – $5,950 | $4,600 | +6% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 1,114,490 jobs | $3,200 – $5,800 | $4,500 | +3% |
| Allentown, PA | 377,180 jobs | $3,050 – $5,550 | $4,300 | −2% |
| Harrisburg, PA | 335,010 jobs | $3,150 – $5,700 | $4,450 | +1% |
| Scranton, PA | 255,620 jobs | $3,100 – $5,550 | $4,300 | −1% |
| Lancaster, PA | 252,230 jobs | $3,050 – $5,550 | $4,300 | −2% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Reading against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage, AK | 177,050 jobs | $3,350 – $6,050 | $4,700 | +8% |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $3,150 – $5,700 | $4,400 | +1% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | 178,590 jobs | $2,900 – $5,300 | $4,100 | −6% |
| Naples, FL | 173,880 jobs | $2,900 – $5,300 | $4,100 | −6% |
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Paver patio in Reading: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a paver patio in Reading?
For 300 sq ft, expect $3,100 to $5,650 in the Reading area. A standard-spec job lands at $3,850 to $4,850. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for paver patio in Reading?
About $10.50 to $17.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $340 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $10 to $17.
+Is paver patio cheaper in Reading or Lancaster?
Lancaster is 30 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $4,300, which is 2% less than Reading ($4,350). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Reading?
About 62% at the midpoint, or $2,700 out of $4,350. Materials are 35% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 20x20 (400 sq ft) cost in Reading?
$4,150 to $7,400. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does paver patio need a permit in Reading?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $340 for fees in the Reading area (our national range of $0 to $350 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Reading expensive for paver patio compared with the rest of Pennsylvania?
Reading is 0% below 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 Reading?
The BLS median is $23.46 an hour in the Reading area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.78 to $29.13.
+What do basic and premium paver patio work cost in Reading?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $3,100 to $4,100 and premium work $4,600 to $5,650. 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 Reading?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through November. April 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 Reading?
$310 to $1,550 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Paver patio near Reading
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