Paver patio cost in La Crosse, WI
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
- +10%
- US $4,250
- Rank of 300 metros
- #60
- 1 = most expensive
A paver patio in La Crosse, WI usually costs $3,300 to $6,000 for 300 sq ft. That works out to about $11 to $19 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $420 more. Construction laborers earn a median of $28.32 an hour in the La Crosse area, 25% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in La Crosse, WI, standard level
$4,100 to $5,200
About $13.50 to $16.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 66% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,300 | $1,500 |
| Labor | $2,700 | $3,450 |
| Permits and fees | $95 | $220 |
| Total | $4,100 | $5,200 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in La Crosse, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $1,400 | $1,700 | 30% |
| Labor | $2,150 | $3,050 | $4,000 | 66% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $160 | $320 | 3% |
| Total | $3,300 | $4,650 | $6,000 | 100% |
Where the La Crosse price comes from
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, La Crosse wages are 1.20 times the national level. Labor makes up about 66% of the midpoint estimate (60% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. La Crosse is at 93.8 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $1,500 nationally becomes $1,400 here (midpoint, 300 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 91.8: $0 to $320.
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 La Crosse. The wage table below marks each row.
La Crosse 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, La Crosse Wfo (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 La Crosse are April through October: 7 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March, November and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
In January, February, March, November 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 148 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
La Crosse gets about 37 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 54 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and August (5.3 inches in June). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 4.0 and 2.9 inches. The station averages about 3 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 | 24 | 8 | 1.1 | Cold |
| Feb | 29 | 13 | 1.1 | Cold |
| Mar | 41 | 24 | 1.9 | Cold |
| Apr | 55 | 36 | 4.0 | Workable |
| May | 67 | 48 | 4.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 76 | 58 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 80 | 62 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Aug | 78 | 60 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Sep | 71 | 52 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 58 | 40 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 42 | 28 | 1.9 | Cold |
| Dec | 29 | 15 | 1.5 | Cold |
Pick a size, pick a tier: paver patio pricing in La Crosse
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to La Crosse. 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
$3,300 to $4,350
Basic concrete pavers, simple pattern, level yard
Standard
$4,100 to $5,200
Mid-grade pavers, a border or curve, some regrading
Premium
$4,900 to $6,000
Natural stone or clay brick, complex pattern, slope or retaining edge
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $1,600 – $2,150 | $2,000 – $2,600 | $2,450 – $3,050 |
| 16x16 (256 sq ft) | $2,800 – $3,750 | $3,500 – $4,450 | $4,200 – $5,150 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $4,400 – $5,800 | $5,450 – $6,850 | $6,500 – $7,850 |
| pool deck (800 sq ft) | $8,800 – $11,400 | $10,800 – $13,400 | $12,800 – $15,400 |
Paver patio: what moves the price in La Crosse
Permit
At-grade patios often need no permit; add a retaining wall, a cover, or a connection to the house and that changes.
Paver material
Pavers alone average $2-$4 per sq ft but the full range is $1-$15 depending on concrete, brick, or natural stone (HomeGuide).
Base prep
The base (road base, fabric, edging, bedding and joint sand) is $1.40-$2.20 per sq ft of the materials number.
Add-ons priced for La Crosse
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.07 for La Crosse, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.20) and goods price index (0.94). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Excavation and haul-away | $320 – $1,600 |
What local crews earn in La Crosse
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 La Crosse the blend is 1.20.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 50%) the local median is $28.32 an hour, which is 25% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.49 and $35.41 an hour. BLS counts 610 of them working in the area, 72.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is about average.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) carry 30% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the La Crosse metro, so we used the Wisconsin statewide median: $38.52 an hour against $29.87 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $29.59 and $46.62 an hour.
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers (37-3011), 20% of the weighting: a median of $18.18 an hour, 3% below the US median of $18.82. The middle half of them earn between $16.67 and $21.66 an hour. About 510 work in the metro. That is 60.4 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 $400 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $330. That is a swing of roughly 7.1% to 8.6% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
La Crosse-Onalaska has 84,380 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 228th 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% | $22.49 | $28.32 | $35.41 | $22.66 | 1.25 | metro |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 30% | $29.59 | $38.52 | $46.62 | $29.87 | 1.29 | state |
| Landscaping and groundskeeping workers (37-3011) | 20% | $16.67 | $18.18 | $21.66 | $18.82 | 0.97 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.20 | |||||
Is La Crosse cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (300 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Rochester is the priciest of the group at $4,950. Waterloo is the cheapest at $4,250.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Crosse, WIthis page | $3,300 – $6,000 | $4,650 | |
| Rochester, MN65 miles | $3,500 – $6,350 | $4,950 | +6% |
| Dubuque, IA85 miles | $3,050 – $5,500 | $4,250 | −8% |
| Eau Claire, WI85 miles | $3,300 – $6,000 | $4,650 | level |
| Madison, WI85 miles | $3,350 – $6,100 | $4,700 | +2% |
| Waterloo, IA105 miles | $3,050 – $5,500 | $4,250 | −8% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $3,300 – $5,950 | $4,600 | level |
| United States | $3,000 – $5,450 | $4,250 | −9% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, La Crosse ranks #60 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, La Crosse is 0% above the Wisconsin figure.
Elsewhere in Wisconsin
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $3,450 – $6,300 | $4,900 | +5% |
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $3,350 – $6,100 | $4,700 | +2% |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $3,150 – $5,700 | $4,400 | −5% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $3,350 – $6,100 | $4,750 | +2% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $3,150 – $5,750 | $4,450 | −4% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $3,300 – $6,000 | $4,650 | level |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is La Crosse against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson, TN | 84,530 jobs | $2,900 – $5,200 | $4,050 | −13% |
| Waterloo, IA | 84,260 jobs | $3,050 – $5,500 | $4,250 | −8% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $3,300 – $6,000 | $4,650 | level |
| Houma, LA | 83,440 jobs | $2,650 – $4,750 | $3,700 | −20% |
What nearby projects cost in La Crosse
Jobs that often go together with paver patio are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same La Crosse wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, retaining wall comes out highest (+8%) and wood deck lowest (−2%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,250 – $4,150 | +3% |
| Stamped concrete | 400 sq ft | $3,300 – $8,250 | +3% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $7,950 – $14,300 | +8% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,400 – $14,800 | −2% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,500 – $5,250 | +2% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,850 – $9,850 | +7% |
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 $4,100 to $5,200 for La Crosse, WI is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
Multi-page report for La Crosse, WI: 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.
Paver patio in La Crosse: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a paver patio in La Crosse?
For 300 sq ft, expect $3,300 to $6,000 in the La Crosse area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,100 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 La Crosse?
About $11 to $19 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $320 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $10 to $17.
+Is paver patio cheaper in La Crosse or Rochester?
Rochester is 65 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $4,950, which is 6% more than La Crosse ($4,650). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in La Crosse?
About 66% at the midpoint, or $3,050 out of $4,650. Materials are 30% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 20x20 (400 sq ft) cost in La Crosse?
$4,400 to $7,850. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does paver patio need a permit in La Crosse?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $320 for fees in the La Crosse area (our national range of $0 to $350 scaled by the local price level).
+Is La Crosse expensive for paver patio compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
La Crosse is 0% above the Wisconsin statewide estimate ($4,600 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Wisconsin; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in La Crosse?
The BLS median is $28.32 an hour in the La Crosse area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.49 to $35.41.
+What do basic and premium paver patio work cost in La Crosse?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $3,300 to $4,350 and premium work $4,900 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 La Crosse?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. September and October 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 La Crosse?
$320 to $1,600 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Paver patio near La Crosse
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