Retaining wall cost in New Orleans, LA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (200 sq ft of wall face)
- $6,500 – $12,400
- Per sq ft of wall face
- $32 – $60
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −8%
- US $10,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #210
- 1 = most expensive
New Orleans homeowners pay roughly $6,500 to $12,400 to build a retaining wall at 200 sq ft of wall face, or $32 to $60 per sq ft of wall face (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, New Orleans is 8% lower. Brickmasons and blockmasons earn a median of $27.62 an hour in the New Orleans area, 8% below the US median of $29.87.
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Estimated cost for 200 sq ft of wall face in New Orleans, LA, standard level
$8,250 to $10,700
About $40.50 to $52 per sq ft of wall face before permits. Labor is about 45% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,050 | $5,900 |
| Labor | $4,100 | $4,450 |
| Permits and fees | $160 | $310 |
| Total | $8,250 | $10,700 |
Cost breakdown for 200 sq ft of wall face in New Orleans, LA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,600 | $4,950 | $7,300 | 52% |
| Labor | $3,800 | $4,250 | $4,700 | 45% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $230 | $420 | 2% |
| Total | $6,500 | $9,450 | $12,400 | 100% |
Why New Orleans prices look the way they do
Labor is 45% 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 New Orleans the blended ratio comes out at 0.91. BLS does not publish this trade for the metro, so we used the Louisiana statewide median.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the New Orleans metro is 93.7 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 200 sq ft of wall face comes to $4,950, compared with $5,300 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (92.6) and land at $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 New Orleans. The wage table below marks each row.
Retaining wall: what moves the price in New Orleans
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.
Drainage
Every wall needs drainage behind it. A French drain adds $10-$85+ per linear foot.
When to schedule retaining wall in New Orleans
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for New Orleans Lakefront Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
September through June is the stretch where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in New Orleans (10 of 12 months). July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
New Orleans gets about 60 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, July and August (6.5 inches in August). Inside the workable window, October and November are the driest, at 3.6 and 3.6 inches. The station averages about 86 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 | 61 | 47 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Feb | 65 | 51 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Mar | 71 | 57 | 4.6 | Workable |
| Apr | 78 | 63 | 5.9 | Workable |
| May | 85 | 71 | 4.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 89 | 76 | 6.0 | Workable |
| Jul | 91 | 78 | 6.3 | Hot |
| Aug | 91 | 79 | 6.5 | Hot |
| Sep | 87 | 76 | 4.6 | Workable |
| Oct | 79 | 67 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Nov | 70 | 56 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Dec | 63 | 50 | 4.6 | Workable |
Pick a size, pick a tier: retaining wall pricing in New Orleans
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for New Orleans 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
$6,500 to $8,850
Short block wall, easy access
Standard
$8,250 to $10,700
Standard segmental block wall with drainage
Premium
$10,100 to $12,400
Tall or stone wall, engineered, hard access
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short garden wall (4x25 ft), 100 sq ft of wall face | $3,250 – $4,550 | $4,200 – $5,500 | $5,150 – $6,450 |
| 20 ft x 4 ft (80 sq ft of wall face) | $2,600 – $3,650 | $3,400 – $4,450 | $4,200 – $5,250 |
| 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) | $5,200 – $7,150 | $6,650 – $8,600 | $8,100 – $10,000 |
| 40 ft x 6 ft (240 sq ft of wall face) | $7,750 – $10,600 | $9,900 – $12,700 | $12,000 – $14,900 |
Local wages behind the labor line
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 New Orleans is 0.91 times the national level.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) carry 50% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the New Orleans metro, so we used the Louisiana statewide median: $27.62 an hour against $29.87 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $23.05 and $29.23 an hour.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 30% of the weighting: a median of $18.98 an hour, 16% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.45 and $23.29 an hour. About 3,620 work in the metro. That is 81.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 20%) the local median is $28.00 an hour, which is in line with the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $22.97 and $32.23 an hour. BLS counts 1,150 of them working in the area, 25.8 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the brickmasons and blockmasons on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($29.23 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $130. At the 25th percentile ($23.05) it shrinks by about $360. The total moves by 1.3% or 3.8%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 445,550 jobs in the New Orleans-Metairie area. That makes it the 57th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.29% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 50% | $23.05 | $27.62 | $29.23 | $29.87 | 0.92 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $17.45 | $18.98 | $23.29 | $22.66 | 0.84 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 20% | $22.97 | $28.00 | $32.23 | $28.78 | 0.97 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.91 | |||||
New Orleans against nearby metros and the rest of Louisiana
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 $9,050 to $9,450 across New Orleans and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans, LAthis page | $6,500 – $12,400 | $9,450 | |
| Houma, LA75 miles | $6,300 – $12,200 | $9,200 | −3% |
| Slidell, LA80 miles | $6,350 – $12,300 | $9,300 | −2% |
| Gulfport, MS90 miles | $6,100 – $12,100 | $9,100 | −4% |
| Baton Rouge, LA125 miles | $6,450 – $12,400 | $9,450 | level |
| Mobile, AL125 miles | $6,050 – $12,000 | $9,050 | −4% |
| Louisiana (statewide) | $6,350 – $12,300 | $9,300 | −2% |
| United States | $7,050 – $13,500 | $10,300 | +8% |
Across 300 US metros, New Orleans comes in at #210 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, New Orleans is 2% above the Louisiana figure.
Other Louisiana metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, LA | 409,690 jobs | $6,450 – $12,400 | $9,450 | level |
| Lafayette, LA | 179,570 jobs | $6,350 – $12,200 | $9,300 | −2% |
| Shreveport, LA | 162,750 jobs | $6,350 – $12,300 | $9,300 | −2% |
| Lake Charles, LA | 101,690 jobs | $6,500 – $12,500 | $9,500 | level |
| Slidell, LA | 98,240 jobs | $6,350 – $12,300 | $9,300 | −2% |
| Monroe, LA | 87,500 jobs | $6,200 – $12,100 | $9,150 | −3% |
Cities with a workforce like New Orleans's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is New Orleans against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu, HI | 446,380 jobs | $9,650 – $17,200 | $13,400 | +42% |
| Greenville, SC | 434,900 jobs | $6,300 – $12,300 | $9,300 | −2% |
| Albany, NY | 449,410 jobs | $8,000 – $14,600 | $11,300 | +20% |
| Knoxville, TN | 424,600 jobs | $6,800 – $13,000 | $9,900 | +5% |
Planning more than one job in New Orleans?
Because every project leans on different trades, New Orleans's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, sprinkler system runs −7% and concrete driveway −12%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $550 – $1,900 | −9% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,700 – $4,900 | −10% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,250 – $8,050 | −12% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,350 – $3,000 | −9% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,700 – $9,300 | −7% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $33,300 – $104,000 | −8% |
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 $8,250 to $10,700 for New Orleans, LA is attached.
Detailed retaining wall report for New Orleans, LA, $9
Multi-page report for New Orleans, LA: 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 New Orleans: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a retaining wall in New Orleans?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, expect $6,500 to $12,400 in the New Orleans area. A standard-spec job lands at $8,250 to $10,700. 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 New Orleans?
About $32 to $60 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 New Orleans or Houma?
Houma is 75 miles away. The midpoint for 200 sq ft of wall face there is $9,200, which is 3% less than New Orleans ($9,450). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in New Orleans?
About 45% at the midpoint, or $4,250 out of $9,450. Materials are 52% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 46%.
+What would 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) cost in New Orleans?
$5,200 to $10,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does retaining wall need a permit in New Orleans?
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 New Orleans area (our national range of $50 to $450 scaled by the local price level).
+Is New Orleans expensive for retaining wall compared with the rest of Louisiana?
New Orleans is 2% above the Louisiana statewide estimate ($9,300 at the midpoint). We cover 9 metros in Louisiana; see the state page to compare them.
+What do brickmasons and blockmasons earn in New Orleans?
BLS has no published metro figure here, so we use the statewide median of $27.62 an hour, compared with $29.87 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.05 to $29.23.
+What do basic and premium retaining wall work cost in New Orleans?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, basic work runs $6,500 to $8,850 and premium work $10,100 to $12,400. 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 New Orleans?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through June. October and November 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 New Orleans
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.