Retaining wall cost in Athens, GA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (200 sq ft of wall face)
- $6,050 – $12,000
- Per sq ft of wall face
- $30 – $58
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −12%
- US $10,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #278
- 1 = most expensive
A retaining wall in Athens, GA usually costs $6,050 to $12,000 for 200 sq ft of wall face. That works out to about $30 to $58 per sq ft of wall face before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $1,200 less. Brickmasons and blockmasons earn a median of $24.35 an hour in the Athens area, 18% below the US median of $29.87.
Estimate your retaining wall cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 200 sq ft of wall face in Athens, GA, standard level
$7,850 to $10,300
About $38.50 to $49.50 per sq ft of wall face before permits. Labor is about 41% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,150 | $6,050 |
| Labor | $3,550 | $3,900 |
| Permits and fees | $160 | $310 |
| Total | $7,850 | $10,300 |
Cost breakdown for 200 sq ft of wall face in Athens, GA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,700 | $5,100 | $7,500 | 56% |
| Labor | $3,350 | $3,700 | $4,100 | 41% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $230 | $420 | 3% |
| Total | $6,050 | $9,050 | $12,000 | 100% |
Where the Athens price comes from
Labor is 41% of the midpoint bill here, against 46% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is brickmasons and blockmasons (50%), construction laborers (30%), operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (20%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Athens the blended ratio comes out at 0.79. BLS does not publish this trade for the metro, so we used the Georgia statewide median.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Athens is at 96.3 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $5,300 nationally becomes $5,100 here (midpoint, 200 sq ft of wall face). Permits follow the all-items index of 93.3: $45 to $420.
Data note: 50% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Athens. The wage table below marks each row.
Cost by quality level and size in Athens
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Athens. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from short garden wall (4x25 ft), 100 sq ft of wall face to 40 ft x 6 ft (240 sq ft of wall face).
Basic
$6,050 to $8,450
Short block wall, easy access
Standard
$7,850 to $10,300
Standard segmental block wall with drainage
Premium
$9,650 to $12,000
Tall or stone wall, engineered, hard access
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short garden wall (4x25 ft), 100 sq ft of wall face | $3,050 – $4,350 | $4,000 – $5,300 | $4,950 – $6,250 |
| 20 ft x 4 ft (80 sq ft of wall face) | $2,450 – $3,500 | $3,250 – $4,300 | $4,000 – $5,050 |
| 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) | $4,850 – $6,800 | $6,300 – $8,250 | $7,800 – $9,700 |
| 40 ft x 6 ft (240 sq ft of wall face) | $7,250 – $10,100 | $9,400 – $12,200 | $11,500 – $14,400 |
What local crews earn in Athens
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 Athens the blend is 0.79.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) carry 50% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Athens metro, so we used the Georgia statewide median: $24.35 an hour against $29.87 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $18.00 and $32.90 an hour.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 30%) the local median is $17.85 an hour, which is 21% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $16.56 and $23.50 an hour. BLS counts 420 of them working in the area, 43.8 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 20% of the weighting: a median of $21.30 an hour, 26% below the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $18.67 and $22.31 an hour. About 230 work in the metro. That is 24.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (brickmasons and blockmasons) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $670 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $500. That is a swing of roughly 5.5% to 7.4% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Athens-Clarke County has 95,800 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 209th by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 50% | $18.00 | $24.35 | $32.90 | $29.87 | 0.82 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $16.56 | $17.85 | $23.50 | $22.66 | 0.79 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 20% | $18.67 | $21.30 | $22.31 | $28.78 | 0.74 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.79 | |||||
Athens weather and the retaining wall calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Athens Ben Epps 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 Athens are September through June: 10 of 12. Outside them, July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Athens gets about 49 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, August and December (4.9 inches in June). Inside the workable window, May and October are the driest, at 3.3 and 3.3 inches. The station averages about 62 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 | 55 | 34 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Feb | 59 | 37 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Mar | 67 | 43 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Apr | 75 | 50 | 3.5 | Workable |
| May | 82 | 59 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 89 | 67 | 4.9 | Workable |
| Jul | 92 | 70 | 4.2 | Hot |
| Aug | 90 | 69 | 4.5 | Hot |
| Sep | 85 | 63 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Oct | 75 | 52 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Nov | 65 | 42 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Dec | 57 | 36 | 4.4 | Workable |
How Athens compares
Same job, same size (200 sq ft of wall face), priced for the nearest metros. Atlanta is the priciest of the group at $9,750.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athens, GAthis page | $6,050 – $12,000 | $9,050 | |
| Gainesville, GA45 miles | $6,150 – $12,200 | $9,150 | +1% |
| Greenville, SC70 miles | $6,300 – $12,300 | $9,300 | +3% |
| Atlanta, GA70 miles | $6,600 – $12,900 | $9,750 | +8% |
| Augusta, GA80 miles | $6,150 – $12,200 | $9,150 | +1% |
| Macon, GA80 miles | $6,150 – $12,200 | $9,150 | +1% |
| Georgia (statewide) | $6,250 – $12,400 | $9,300 | +3% |
| United States | $7,050 – $13,500 | $10,300 | +13% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Athens ranks #278 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Athens is 3% below the Georgia figure.
Elsewhere in Georgia
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta, GA | 2,889,670 jobs | $6,600 – $12,900 | $9,750 | +8% |
| Augusta, GA | 231,930 jobs | $6,150 – $12,200 | $9,150 | +1% |
| Savannah, GA | 198,360 jobs | $6,150 – $12,200 | $9,150 | +1% |
| Columbus, GA | 116,380 jobs | $6,050 – $12,000 | $9,050 | level |
| Gainesville, GA | 103,870 jobs | $6,150 – $12,200 | $9,150 | +1% |
| Macon, GA | 95,030 jobs | $6,150 – $12,200 | $9,150 | +1% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Athens against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yakima, WA | 97,010 jobs | $8,100 – $15,000 | $11,500 | +27% |
| Fort Smith, AR | 95,560 jobs | $6,100 – $11,900 | $9,000 | level |
| Binghamton, NY | 97,030 jobs | $7,900 – $14,500 | $11,200 | +23% |
| Macon, GA | 95,030 jobs | $6,150 – $12,200 | $9,150 | +1% |
Retaining wall: what moves the price in Athens
Permit
Permits cost $50-$450 depending on location and wall size.
Height
Walls over 4 feet need engineering, deeper excavation and more skilled labor; many cities require permits over 3-4 feet (HomeGuide).
Material
Block, poured concrete and natural stone are priced differently; concrete and stone walls run higher than the segmental block default.
What nearby projects cost in Athens
Jobs that often go together with retaining wall are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Athens wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, sod installation comes out highest (−7%) and concrete driveway lowest (−16%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $530 – $1,850 | −12% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,650 – $4,750 | −12% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,150 – $7,700 | −16% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,400 – $3,050 | −7% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,550 – $8,900 | −11% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $31,500 – $98,500 | −13% |
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 $7,850 to $10,300 for Athens, GA is attached.
Take this estimate with you: PDF report, $9
The report lays out the retaining wall numbers for Athens, GA 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.
Retaining wall in Athens: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a retaining wall in Athens?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, expect $6,050 to $12,000 in the Athens area. A standard-spec job lands at $7,850 to $10,300. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft of wall face and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft of wall face for retaining wall in Athens?
About $30 to $58 per sq ft of wall face for materials and labor, plus $45 to $420 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $35 to $65.
+Is retaining wall cheaper in Athens or Gainesville?
Gainesville is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 200 sq ft of wall face there is $9,150, which is 1% more than Athens ($9,050). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Athens?
About 41% at the midpoint, or $3,700 out of $9,050. Materials are 56% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 46%.
+What would 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) cost in Athens?
$4,850 to $9,700. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does retaining wall need a permit in Athens?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $45 to $420 for fees in the Athens area (our national range of $50 to $450 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Athens expensive for retaining wall compared with the rest of Georgia?
Athens is 3% below the Georgia statewide estimate ($9,300 at the midpoint). We cover 10 metros in Georgia; see the state page to compare them.
+What do brickmasons and blockmasons earn in Athens?
BLS has no published metro figure here, so we use the statewide median of $24.35 an hour, compared with $29.87 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $18.00 to $32.90.
+What do basic and premium retaining wall work cost in Athens?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, basic work runs $6,050 to $8,450 and premium work $9,650 to $12,000. Basic means: short block wall, easy access. Premium means: tall or stone wall, engineered, hard access.
+When is the best time to build a retaining wall in Athens?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through June. May 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.
Retaining wall near Athens
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: How Much Does a Retaining Wall Cost? (2026) (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
Note on derived figures: Materials = 40% of the low installed price and 60% of the high one, since HomeGuide says labor is 40-60% of the total project cost.