Retaining wall cost in Rockford, IL
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (200 sq ft of wall face)
- $8,250 – $14,600
- Per sq ft of wall face
- $41 – $71
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +11%
- US $10,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #44
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a retaining wall in the Rockford area: $8,250 to $14,600 for 200 sq ft of wall face. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint runs 11% higher than the US figure. Brickmasons and blockmasons earn a median of $37.54 an hour in the Rockford area, 26% above the US median of $29.87.
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Estimated cost for 200 sq ft of wall face in Rockford, IL, standard level
$10,100 to $12,700
About $50 to $62 per sq ft of wall face before permits. Labor is about 55% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,050 | $5,900 |
| Labor | $5,950 | $6,500 |
| Permits and fees | $160 | $300 |
| Total | $10,100 | $12,700 |
Cost breakdown for 200 sq ft of wall face in Rockford, IL
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,600 | $4,950 | $7,300 | 43% |
| Labor | $5,550 | $6,250 | $6,900 | 55% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $230 | $410 | 2% |
| Total | $8,250 | $11,400 | $14,600 | 100% |
What is behind the Rockford number
The wage side of the estimate leans on brickmasons and blockmasons, who do 50% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $37.54 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Rockford is 1.32 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 55% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Rockford is at 93.6 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $5,300 nationally becomes $4,950 here (midpoint, 200 sq ft of wall face). Permits follow the all-items index of 92.2: $45 to $410.
The best months for retaining wall in Rockford
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Rockford Gtr Rockford 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 Rockford 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 136 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Rockford gets about 37 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 37 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and August (5.2 inches in June). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 3.6 and 2.6 inches. The station averages about 15 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 | 29 | 15 | 1.6 | Cold |
| Feb | 33 | 18 | 1.6 | Cold |
| Mar | 47 | 28 | 2.4 | Cold |
| Apr | 60 | 39 | 3.8 | Workable |
| May | 71 | 50 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Jun | 81 | 60 | 5.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 84 | 64 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Aug | 82 | 62 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Sep | 75 | 54 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Oct | 62 | 42 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Nov | 47 | 31 | 2.3 | Cold |
| Dec | 34 | 20 | 1.9 | Cold |
Retaining wall: what moves the price in Rockford
Drainage
Every wall needs drainage behind it. A French drain adds $10-$85+ per linear foot.
Rebuilding
Replacing an old wall adds $15-$30 per linear foot for demolition plus disposal.
Permit
Permits cost $50-$450 depending on location and wall size.
Who does the work: Rockford 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 Rockford the blend is 1.32.
For brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021, weighted 50%) the local median is $37.54 an hour, which is 26% above the national $29.87. The middle half of them earn between $25.09 and $48.68 an hour. BLS counts 40 of them working in the area, 2.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 3.4), so the local bench is about average.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 30%) the local median is $28.07 an hour, which is 24% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.55 and $38.91 an hour. BLS counts 830 of them working in the area, 60.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is about average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 20% of the weighting: a median of $46.75 an hour, 62% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $33.52 and $48.97 an hour. About 260 work in the metro. That is 18.9 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 $880 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $980. That is a swing of roughly 8.6% to 7.7% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Rockford has 137,650 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 161st 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% | $25.09 | $37.54 | $48.68 | $29.87 | 1.26 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $22.55 | $28.07 | $38.91 | $22.66 | 1.24 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 20% | $33.52 | $46.75 | $48.97 | $28.78 | 1.62 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.32 | |||||
Cost by quality level and size in Rockford
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Rockford. 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
$8,250 to $10,800
Short block wall, easy access
Standard
$10,100 to $12,700
Standard segmental block wall with drainage
Premium
$12,100 to $14,600
Tall or stone wall, engineered, hard access
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short garden wall (4x25 ft), 100 sq ft of wall face | $4,150 – $5,500 | $5,150 – $6,500 | $6,150 – $7,500 |
| 20 ft x 4 ft (80 sq ft of wall face) | $3,300 – $4,450 | $4,150 – $5,250 | $5,000 – $6,100 |
| 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) | $6,600 – $8,650 | $8,150 – $10,200 | $9,700 – $11,800 |
| 40 ft x 6 ft (240 sq ft of wall face) | $9,850 – $12,900 | $12,100 – $15,200 | $14,400 – $17,400 |
Is Rockford cheap or dear? The local comparison
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 200 sq ft of wall face range from $10,900 to $11,800 across Rockford and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rockford, ILthis page | $8,250 – $14,600 | $11,400 | |
| Janesville, WI25 miles | $7,800 – $14,100 | $10,900 | −4% |
| Madison, WI60 miles | $8,150 – $14,500 | $11,300 | −1% |
| Kenosha, WI60 miles | $8,100 – $15,000 | $11,600 | +1% |
| Racine, WI70 miles | $8,100 – $14,500 | $11,300 | −1% |
| Milwaukee, WI70 miles | $8,550 – $15,100 | $11,800 | +3% |
| Illinois (statewide) | $9,000 – $16,000 | $12,500 | +10% |
| United States | $7,050 – $13,500 | $10,300 | −10% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Rockford ranks #44 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Rockford is 9% below the Illinois figure.
Elsewhere in Illinois
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL | 4,513,280 jobs | $9,150 – $16,400 | $12,800 | +12% |
| Peoria, IL | 166,020 jobs | $8,600 – $15,100 | $11,800 | +4% |
| Champaign, IL | 105,500 jobs | $8,400 – $14,800 | $11,600 | +1% |
| Springfield, IL | 100,810 jobs | $8,700 – $15,200 | $11,900 | +4% |
| Bloomington, IL | 88,110 jobs | $8,700 – $15,200 | $11,900 | +4% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Rockford against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 139,260 jobs | $7,200 – $13,300 | $10,300 | −10% |
| Evansville, IN | 135,250 jobs | $7,450 – $13,700 | $10,600 | −8% |
| Huntington, WV | 140,740 jobs | $6,300 – $12,300 | $9,300 | −18% |
| Flint, MI | 135,040 jobs | $7,400 – $13,600 | $10,500 | −8% |
Planning more than one job in Rockford?
Jobs that often go together with retaining wall are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Rockford wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, concrete driveway comes out highest (+20%) and sod installation lowest (−3%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $680 – $2,350 | +13% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,250 – $5,950 | +9% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $4,250 – $11,100 | +20% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,450 – $3,200 | −3% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,750 – $11,800 | +18% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $42,200 – $131,500 | +17% |
Get 3 local quotes
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Retaining wall in Rockford: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a retaining wall in Rockford?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, expect $8,250 to $14,600 in the Rockford area. A standard-spec job lands at $10,100 to $12,700. 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 Rockford?
About $41 to $71 per sq ft of wall face for materials and labor, plus $45 to $410 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $35 to $65.
+Is retaining wall cheaper in Rockford or Janesville?
Janesville is 25 miles away. The midpoint for 200 sq ft of wall face there is $10,900, which is 4% less than Rockford ($11,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Rockford?
About 55% at the midpoint, or $6,250 out of $11,400. Materials are 43% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 46%.
+What would 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) cost in Rockford?
$6,600 to $11,800. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does retaining wall need a permit in Rockford?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $45 to $410 for fees in the Rockford area (our national range of $50 to $450 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Rockford expensive for retaining wall compared with the rest of Illinois?
Rockford is 9% below the Illinois statewide estimate ($12,500 at the midpoint). We cover 6 metros in Illinois; see the state page to compare them.
+What do brickmasons and blockmasons earn in Rockford?
The BLS median is $37.54 an hour in the Rockford area, compared with $29.87 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $25.09 to $48.68.
+What do basic and premium retaining wall work cost in Rockford?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, basic work runs $8,250 to $10,800 and premium work $12,100 to $14,600. 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 Rockford?
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.
Retaining wall near Rockford
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.