Paver patio cost in Madison, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $3,350 – $6,100
- Per sq ft
- $11 – $19
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +12%
- US $4,250
- Rank of 300 metros
- #48
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a paver patio in the Madison area: $3,350 to $6,100 for 300 sq ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint runs 12% higher than the US figure. Construction laborers earn a median of $27.40 an hour in the Madison area, 21% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Madison, WI, standard level
$4,150 to $5,250
About $13.50 to $16.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 67% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,300 | $1,500 |
| Labor | $2,750 | $3,500 |
| Permits and fees | $100 | $240 |
| Total | $4,150 | $5,250 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Madison, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $1,400 | $1,700 | 30% |
| Labor | $2,200 | $3,150 | $4,050 | 67% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $170 | $340 | 4% |
| Total | $3,350 | $4,700 | $6,100 | 100% |
Why Madison prices look the way they do
The wage side of the estimate leans on construction laborers, who do 50% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $27.40 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Madison is 1.23 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 67% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Madison 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 97.3: $0 to $340.
Optional extras in Madison
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.08 for Madison, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.23) and goods price index (0.94). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Excavation and haul-away | $330 – $1,650 |
Paver patio: what moves the price in Madison
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.
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).
Madison: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Madison. 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
$3,350 to $4,450
Basic concrete pavers, simple pattern, level yard
Standard
$4,150 to $5,250
Mid-grade pavers, a border or curve, some regrading
Premium
$5,000 to $6,100
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 – $4,550 | $4,300 – $5,250 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $4,450 – $5,850 | $5,500 – $6,950 | $6,600 – $8,000 |
| pool deck (800 sq ft) | $8,900 – $11,600 | $10,900 – $13,600 | $13,000 – $15,700 |
Madison against nearby metros and the rest of Wisconsin
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 300 sq ft range from $4,250 to $4,700 across Madison and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison, WIthis page | $3,350 – $6,100 | $4,700 | |
| Janesville, WI40 miles | $3,250 – $5,900 | $4,550 | −3% |
| Rockford, IL60 miles | $3,250 – $5,950 | $4,600 | −2% |
| Dubuque, IA80 miles | $3,050 – $5,500 | $4,250 | −9% |
| Oshkosh, WI85 miles | $3,150 – $5,750 | $4,450 | −6% |
| La Crosse, WI85 miles | $3,300 – $6,000 | $4,650 | −2% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $3,300 – $5,950 | $4,600 | −2% |
| United States | $3,000 – $5,450 | $4,250 | −10% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Madison ranks #48 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Madison is 2% above the Wisconsin figure.
Elsewhere in Wisconsin
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $3,450 – $6,300 | $4,900 | +4% |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $3,150 – $5,700 | $4,400 | −6% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $3,350 – $6,100 | $4,750 | level |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $3,150 – $5,750 | $4,450 | −6% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $3,300 – $6,000 | $4,650 | −1% |
| La Crosse, WI | 84,380 jobs | $3,300 – $6,000 | $4,650 | −2% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Madison against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, LA | 409,690 jobs | $2,700 – $4,900 | $3,800 | −20% |
| Albuquerque, NM | 404,700 jobs | $2,650 – $4,800 | $3,750 | −21% |
| Knoxville, TN | 424,600 jobs | $2,900 – $5,300 | $4,100 | −13% |
| Bridgeport, CT | 404,180 jobs | $3,250 – $5,900 | $4,550 | −3% |
The best months for paver patio in Madison
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Madison Dane Rgnl Ap (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 Madison 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 147 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Madison gets about 37 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 52 inches of snow. The wettest months are June, July and August (5.3 inches in June). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 3.4 and 2.8 inches. The station averages about 9 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 | 27 | 12 | 1.5 | Cold |
| Feb | 31 | 15 | 1.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 44 | 25 | 2.3 | Cold |
| Apr | 57 | 36 | 3.8 | Workable |
| May | 69 | 47 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Jun | 79 | 57 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 82 | 62 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Aug | 80 | 60 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Sep | 73 | 51 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Oct | 60 | 40 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 45 | 29 | 2.2 | Cold |
| Dec | 32 | 18 | 1.6 | Cold |
Who does the work: Madison trade wages
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 Madison the blend is 1.23.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 50%) the local median is $27.40 an hour, which is 21% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.70 and $31.94 an hour. BLS counts 2,370 of them working in the area, 58.1 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 $39.62 an hour, which is 33% above the national $29.87. The middle half of them earn between $29.34 and $46.79 an hour. BLS counts 150 of them working in the area, 3.7 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 3.4), so the local bench is about average.
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers (37-3011), 20% of the weighting: a median of $21.36 an hour, 13% above the US median of $18.82. The middle half of them earn between $18.36 and $23.11 an hour. About 2,330 work in the metro. That is 57.1 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 $260 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $260. That is a swing of roughly 5.6% to 5.4% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Madison has 408,070 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 61st 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% | $22.70 | $27.40 | $31.94 | $22.66 | 1.21 | metro |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 30% | $29.34 | $39.62 | $46.79 | $29.87 | 1.33 | metro |
| Landscaping and groundskeeping workers (37-3011) | 20% | $18.36 | $21.36 | $23.11 | $18.82 | 1.13 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.23 | |||||
Related projects, priced for Madison
Jobs that often go together with paver patio are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Madison wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, concrete driveway comes out highest (+11%) and wood deck lowest (level); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,300 – $4,300 | +7% |
| Stamped concrete | 400 sq ft | $3,400 – $8,500 | +6% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $8,150 – $14,500 | +11% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,550 – $15,200 | level |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,600 – $5,400 | +4% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,950 – $10,300 | +11% |
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 $5,250 for Madison, WI is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
The report lays out the paver patio numbers for Madison, WI 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 Madison: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a paver patio in Madison?
For 300 sq ft, expect $3,350 to $6,100 in the Madison area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,150 to $5,250. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for paver patio in Madison?
About $11 to $19 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 Madison or Janesville?
Janesville is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $4,550, which is 3% less than Madison ($4,700). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Madison?
About 67% at the midpoint, or $3,150 out of $4,700. Materials are 30% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 20x20 (400 sq ft) cost in Madison?
$4,450 to $8,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does paver patio need a permit in Madison?
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 Madison area (our national range of $0 to $350 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Madison expensive for paver patio compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Madison is 2% 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 Madison?
The BLS median is $27.40 an hour in the Madison area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.70 to $31.94.
+What do basic and premium paver patio work cost in Madison?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $3,350 to $4,450 and premium work $5,000 to $6,100. 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 Madison?
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 Madison?
$330 to $1,650 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Paver patio near Madison
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