Retaining wall cost in Dubuque, IA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (200 sq ft of wall face)
- $7,200 – $13,300
- Per sq ft of wall face
- $35.50 – $64.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- Level
- US $10,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #133
- 1 = most expensive
A retaining wall in Dubuque, IA usually costs $7,200 to $13,300 for 200 sq ft of wall face. That works out to about $35.50 to $64.50 per sq ft of wall face before permits. That is within a few percent of the national midpoint, so there is little local premium or discount. Brickmasons and blockmasons earn a median of $33.38 an hour in the Dubuque area, 12% above the US median of $29.87.
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Estimated cost for 200 sq ft of wall face in Dubuque, IA, standard level
$9,050 to $11,500
About $44.50 to $56 per sq ft of wall face before permits. Labor is about 49% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,050 | $5,900 |
| Labor | $4,850 | $5,300 |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $290 |
| Total | $9,050 | $11,500 |
Cost breakdown for 200 sq ft of wall face in Dubuque, IA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,600 | $4,950 | $7,300 | 48% |
| Labor | $4,500 | $5,050 | $5,600 | 49% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $220 | $390 | 2% |
| Total | $7,200 | $10,200 | $13,300 | 100% |
Why Dubuque prices look the way they do
Labor is 49% 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 Dubuque the blended ratio comes out at 1.08. BLS does not publish this trade for the metro, so we used the Iowa statewide median.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Dubuque is at 93.7 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 87.3: $45 to $390.
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 Dubuque. The wage table below marks each row.
What local crews earn in Dubuque
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 Dubuque the blend is 1.08.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) carry 50% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Dubuque metro, so we used the Iowa statewide median: $33.38 an hour against $29.87 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $25.77 and $36.59 an hour.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 30%) the local median is $23.46 an hour, which is 4% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.37 and $28.85 an hour. BLS counts 500 of them working in the area, 85.5 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 20% of the weighting: a median of $29.93 an hour, 4% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $26.92 and $35.52 an hour. About 160 work in the metro. That is 27.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (brickmasons and blockmasons) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $250 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $600. That is a swing of roughly 5.8% to 2.5% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Dubuque has 58,470 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 292nd 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% | $25.77 | $33.38 | $36.59 | $29.87 | 1.12 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $22.37 | $23.46 | $28.85 | $22.66 | 1.04 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 20% | $26.92 | $29.93 | $35.52 | $28.78 | 1.04 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.08 | |||||
Dubuque against nearby metros and the rest of Iowa
Same job, same size (200 sq ft of wall face), priced for the nearest metros. Madison is the priciest of the group at $11,300. Iowa City is the cheapest at $10,200.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubuque, IAthis page | $7,200 – $13,300 | $10,200 | |
| Cedar Rapids, IA45 miles | $7,200 – $13,300 | $10,300 | level |
| Iowa City, IA75 miles | $7,150 – $13,300 | $10,200 | level |
| Davenport, IA75 miles | $7,400 – $13,600 | $10,500 | +2% |
| Madison, WI80 miles | $8,150 – $14,500 | $11,300 | +11% |
| Waterloo, IA80 miles | $7,700 – $14,000 | $10,800 | +6% |
| Iowa (statewide) | $7,150 – $13,300 | $10,200 | level |
| United States | $7,050 – $13,500 | $10,300 | level |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Dubuque ranks #133 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Dubuque is 0% above the Iowa figure.
Elsewhere in Iowa
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA | 404,130 jobs | $7,450 – $13,600 | $10,500 | +3% |
| Davenport, IA | 180,450 jobs | $7,400 – $13,600 | $10,500 | +2% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 139,260 jobs | $7,200 – $13,300 | $10,300 | level |
| Iowa City, IA | 93,760 jobs | $7,150 – $13,300 | $10,200 | level |
| Waterloo, IA | 84,260 jobs | $7,700 – $14,000 | $10,800 | +6% |
| Sioux City, IA | 75,010 jobs | $7,150 – $13,300 | $10,200 | level |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Dubuque against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altoona, PA | 58,650 jobs | $7,900 – $14,500 | $11,200 | +9% |
| Albany, GA | 58,390 jobs | $6,050 – $12,000 | $9,000 | −12% |
| Kingston, NY | 59,140 jobs | $8,000 – $14,600 | $11,300 | +10% |
| Wheeling, WV | 58,130 jobs | $6,350 – $12,400 | $9,400 | −8% |
Cost by quality level and size in Dubuque
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Dubuque. 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
$7,200 to $9,650
Short block wall, easy access
Standard
$9,050 to $11,500
Standard segmental block wall with drainage
Premium
$10,900 to $13,300
Tall or stone wall, engineered, hard access
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short garden wall (4x25 ft), 100 sq ft of wall face | $3,600 – $4,900 | $4,600 – $5,900 | $5,550 – $6,850 |
| 20 ft x 4 ft (80 sq ft of wall face) | $2,900 – $3,950 | $3,700 – $4,750 | $4,500 – $5,550 |
| 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) | $5,750 – $7,750 | $7,250 – $9,250 | $8,750 – $10,700 |
| 40 ft x 6 ft (240 sq ft of wall face) | $8,600 – $11,500 | $10,800 – $13,700 | $13,000 – $15,900 |
Related projects, priced for Dubuque
Jobs that often go together with retaining wall are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Dubuque wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, paver patio comes out highest (+1%) and sprinkler system lowest (−3%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $600 – $2,100 | level |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,050 – $5,500 | +1% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,600 – $9,200 | level |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,500 – $3,250 | −1% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,900 – $9,750 | −3% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $35,900 – $112,000 | −1% |
Dubuque 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, Dubuque 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 Dubuque 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 144 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Dubuque gets about 38 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 43 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and July (5.2 inches in June). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 3.8 and 2.9 inches. The station averages about 6 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 | 11 | 1.3 | Cold |
| Feb | 31 | 15 | 1.6 | Cold |
| Mar | 44 | 26 | 2.3 | Cold |
| Apr | 58 | 37 | 4.1 | Workable |
| May | 69 | 49 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 79 | 59 | 5.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 82 | 62 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Aug | 80 | 60 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Sep | 73 | 52 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Oct | 60 | 40 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 45 | 28 | 2.2 | Cold |
| Dec | 32 | 17 | 1.8 | Cold |
Retaining wall: what moves the price in Dubuque
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.
Get 3 local quotes
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Retaining wall in Dubuque: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a retaining wall in Dubuque?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, expect $7,200 to $13,300 in the Dubuque area. A standard-spec job lands at $9,050 to $11,500. 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 Dubuque?
About $35.50 to $64.50 per sq ft of wall face for materials and labor, plus $45 to $390 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $35 to $65.
+Is retaining wall cheaper in Dubuque or Cedar Rapids?
Cedar Rapids is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 200 sq ft of wall face there is $10,300, which is 0% more than Dubuque ($10,200). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Dubuque?
About 49% at the midpoint, or $5,050 out of $10,200. Materials are 48% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 46%.
+What would 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) cost in Dubuque?
$5,750 to $10,700. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does retaining wall need a permit in Dubuque?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $45 to $390 for fees in the Dubuque area (our national range of $50 to $450 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Dubuque expensive for retaining wall compared with the rest of Iowa?
Dubuque is 0% above the Iowa statewide estimate ($10,200 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Iowa; see the state page to compare them.
+What do brickmasons and blockmasons earn in Dubuque?
BLS has no published metro figure here, so we use the statewide median of $33.38 an hour, compared with $29.87 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $25.77 to $36.59.
+What do basic and premium retaining wall work cost in Dubuque?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, basic work runs $7,200 to $9,650 and premium work $10,900 to $13,300. 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 Dubuque?
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 Dubuque
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.