Retaining wall cost in Sioux City, IA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (200 sq ft of wall face)
- $7,150 – $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
- #136
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to build a retaining wall in Sioux City, plan on $7,150 to $13,300 for 200 sq ft of wall face, all in. Per sq ft of wall face, that is $35.50 to $64.50 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint lands close to the national one. Building materials run about 6% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 94.0).
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Estimated cost for 200 sq ft of wall face in Sioux City, IA, standard level
$9,000 to $11,400
About $44 to $55.50 per sq ft of wall face before permits. Labor is about 49% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,050 | $5,900 |
| Labor | $4,800 | $5,200 |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $290 |
| Total | $9,000 | $11,400 |
Cost breakdown for 200 sq ft of wall face in Sioux City, IA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,650 | $5,000 | $7,350 | 49% |
| Labor | $4,500 | $5,000 | $5,550 | 49% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $220 | $390 | 2% |
| Total | $7,150 | $10,200 | $13,300 | 100% |
Why Sioux City prices look the way they do
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 $33.38 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Sioux City is 1.07 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 49% of the total. BLS does not publish this trade for the metro, so we used the Iowa statewide median.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Sioux City metro is 94.0 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 200 sq ft of wall face comes to $5,000, compared with $5,300 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (86.5) and land at $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 Sioux City. The wage table below marks each row.
Why two Sioux City quotes can differ
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.
Height
Walls over 4 feet need engineering, deeper excavation and more skilled labor; many cities require permits over 3-4 feet (HomeGuide).
Sioux City labor market for retaining wall
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 3 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Sioux City is 1.07 times the national level.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) carry 50% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Sioux City 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.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 30% of the weighting: a median of $23.38 an hour, 3% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.71 and $28.72 an hour. About 560 work in the metro. That is 74.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 20%) the local median is $28.43 an hour, which is in line with the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $24.63 and $30.32 an hour. BLS counts 200 of them working in the area, 26.7 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is about average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the brickmasons and blockmasons on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($36.59 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $250. At the 25th percentile ($25.77) it shrinks by about $600. The total moves by 2.5% or 5.9%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 75,010 jobs in the Sioux City area. That makes it the 247th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.05% of US employment.
| 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% | $21.71 | $23.38 | $28.72 | $22.66 | 1.03 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 20% | $24.63 | $28.43 | $30.32 | $28.78 | 0.99 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.07 | |||||
Climate in Sioux City: timing your retaining wall job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Sioux City Gateway Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through October is the stretch where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Sioux City (7 of 12 months). 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 154 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Sioux City gets about 29 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 36 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and August (4.3 inches in June). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 2.8 and 2.2 inches. The station averages about 25 days a year at 90°F or above.
Does the season change the price? Probably, but we do not have a sourced seasonal price curve, so the estimator shows a year-round figure and does not adjust by month. When you collect quotes, ask whether scheduling in a slower month gets a better rate.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 30 | 10 | 0.7 | Cold |
| Feb | 34 | 15 | 0.9 | Cold |
| Mar | 48 | 26 | 1.8 | Cold |
| Apr | 61 | 37 | 3.1 | Workable |
| May | 72 | 49 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 82 | 59 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 85 | 63 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Aug | 83 | 61 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Sep | 77 | 51 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Oct | 63 | 38 | 2.2 | Workable |
| Nov | 47 | 25 | 1.3 | Cold |
| Dec | 33 | 15 | 1.0 | Cold |
Sioux City: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Sioux City wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 4 common sizes.
Basic
$7,150 to $9,600
Short block wall, easy access
Standard
$9,000 to $11,400
Standard segmental block wall with drainage
Premium
$10,800 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 | $4,550 – $5,850 | $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 – $7,700 | $7,200 – $9,200 | $8,700 – $10,700 |
| 40 ft x 6 ft (240 sq ft of wall face) | $8,550 – $11,500 | $10,800 – $13,700 | $12,900 – $15,800 |
Sioux City against nearby metros and the rest of Iowa
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 $9,700 to $10,800 across Sioux City and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IAthis page | $7,150 – $13,300 | $10,200 | |
| Sioux Falls, SD75 miles | $6,900 – $13,000 | $9,950 | −2% |
| Omaha, NE85 miles | $6,950 – $13,100 | $10,000 | −2% |
| Lincoln, NE120 miles | $6,650 – $12,700 | $9,700 | −5% |
| Des Moines, IA145 miles | $7,450 – $13,600 | $10,500 | +3% |
| Waterloo, IA195 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 |
Across 300 US metros, Sioux City comes in at #136 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $13,500; the cheapest is El Paso, TX at $8,850 (midpoints, 200 sq ft of wall face). Statewide, Sioux City is 0% below the Iowa figure.
Other Iowa metros
| 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 | +3% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 139,260 jobs | $7,200 – $13,300 | $10,300 | +1% |
| 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% |
| Dubuque, IA | 58,470 jobs | $7,200 – $13,300 | $10,200 | level |
Cities with a workforce like Sioux City's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Sioux City against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene, TX | 75,070 jobs | $6,300 – $12,200 | $9,250 | −9% |
| Blacksburg, VA | 74,070 jobs | $6,400 – $12,500 | $9,450 | −7% |
| Kenosha, WI | 75,450 jobs | $8,100 – $15,000 | $11,600 | +13% |
| Rapid City, SD | 73,820 jobs | $6,850 – $12,900 | $9,900 | −3% |
Planning more than one job in Sioux City?
Because every project leans on different trades, Sioux City's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, paver patio runs level and sod installation −4%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $590 – $2,100 | −1% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,000 – $5,450 | level |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,550 – $9,000 | −2% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,450 – $3,150 | −4% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,850 – $9,650 | −3% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $35,600 – $111,000 | −1% |
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 $9,000 to $11,400 for Sioux City, IA is attached.
Detailed retaining wall report for Sioux City, IA, $9
Multi-page report for Sioux City, IA: 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.
Retaining wall in Sioux City: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a retaining wall in Sioux City?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, expect $7,150 to $13,300 in the Sioux City area. A standard-spec job lands at $9,000 to $11,400. 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 Sioux City?
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 Sioux City or Sioux Falls?
Sioux Falls is 75 miles away. The midpoint for 200 sq ft of wall face there is $9,950, which is 2% less than Sioux City ($10,200). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Sioux City?
About 49% at the midpoint, or $5,000 out of $10,200. Materials are 49% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 46%.
+What would 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) cost in Sioux City?
$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 Sioux City?
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 Sioux City area (our national range of $50 to $450 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Sioux City expensive for retaining wall compared with the rest of Iowa?
Sioux City is 0% below 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 Sioux City?
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 Sioux City?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, basic work runs $7,150 to $9,600 and premium work $10,800 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 Sioux City?
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 Sioux City
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.