Retaining wall cost in Slidell, LA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (200 sq ft of wall face)
- $6,350 – $12,300
- Per sq ft of wall face
- $31.50 – $59.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −9%
- US $10,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #232
- 1 = most expensive
Slidell homeowners pay roughly $6,350 to $12,300 to build a retaining wall at 200 sq ft of wall face, or $31.50 to $59.50 per sq ft of wall face (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Slidell is 9% lower. Brickmasons and blockmasons earn a median of $27.62 an hour in the Slidell area, 8% 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 Slidell, LA, standard level
$8,100 to $10,500
About $40 to $51 per sq ft of wall face before permits. Labor is about 44% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,050 | $5,900 |
| Labor | $3,950 | $4,300 |
| Permits and fees | $160 | $310 |
| Total | $8,100 | $10,500 |
Cost breakdown for 200 sq ft of wall face in Slidell, LA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,600 | $4,950 | $7,300 | 53% |
| Labor | $3,700 | $4,100 | $4,550 | 44% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $230 | $420 | 2% |
| Total | $6,350 | $9,300 | $12,300 | 100% |
Where the Slidell price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 3 trades: brickmasons and blockmasons at 50%, construction laborers at 30%, operating engineers and other construction equipment operators at 20%. Weighted together, Slidell wages are 0.88 times the national level. Labor makes up about 44% of the midpoint estimate (46% at national prices). 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 Slidell 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 (92.7) 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 Slidell. The wage table below marks each row.
Retaining wall: what moves the price in Slidell
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.
Slidell against nearby metros and the rest of Louisiana
Same job, same size (200 sq ft of wall face), priced for the nearest metros. New Orleans is the priciest of the group at $9,450. Hattiesburg is the cheapest at $8,950.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slidell, LAthis page | $6,350 – $12,300 | $9,300 | |
| Gulfport, MS55 miles | $6,100 – $12,100 | $9,100 | −2% |
| Hattiesburg, MS70 miles | $6,000 – $11,900 | $8,950 | −4% |
| Baton Rouge, LA70 miles | $6,450 – $12,400 | $9,450 | +1% |
| New Orleans, LA80 miles | $6,500 – $12,400 | $9,450 | +2% |
| Houma, LA90 miles | $6,300 – $12,200 | $9,200 | −1% |
| Louisiana (statewide) | $6,350 – $12,300 | $9,300 | level |
| United States | $7,050 – $13,500 | $10,300 | +10% |
Across 300 US metros, Slidell comes in at #232 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, Slidell is 0% below the Louisiana figure.
Other Louisiana metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans, LA | 445,550 jobs | $6,500 – $12,400 | $9,450 | +2% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 409,690 jobs | $6,450 – $12,400 | $9,450 | +1% |
| Lafayette, LA | 179,570 jobs | $6,350 – $12,200 | $9,300 | level |
| Shreveport, LA | 162,750 jobs | $6,350 – $12,300 | $9,300 | level |
| Lake Charles, LA | 101,690 jobs | $6,500 – $12,500 | $9,500 | +2% |
| Monroe, LA | 87,500 jobs | $6,200 – $12,100 | $9,150 | −2% |
Cities with a workforce like Slidell's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Slidell against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz, CA | 98,500 jobs | $7,950 – $14,800 | $11,400 | +22% |
| Lynchburg, VA | 97,190 jobs | $6,250 – $12,300 | $9,250 | level |
| Springfield, IL | 100,810 jobs | $8,700 – $15,200 | $11,900 | +28% |
| Binghamton, NY | 97,030 jobs | $7,900 – $14,500 | $11,200 | +20% |
Planning more than one job in Slidell?
Because every project leans on different trades, Slidell's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, sod installation runs −8% and concrete driveway −13%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $530 – $1,850 | −11% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,700 – $4,850 | −11% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,200 – $7,950 | −13% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,400 – $3,050 | −8% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,600 – $9,000 | −10% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $32,300 – $101,000 | −11% |
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 Slidell is 0.88 times the national level.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) carry 50% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Slidell 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 $18.41 an hour, 19% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $16.79 and $22.69 an hour. About 860 work in the metro. That is 87.5 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 $24.32 an hour, which is 15% below the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $22.64 and $31.88 an hour. BLS counts 250 of them working in the area, 25.4 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 1.4% or 3.9%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 98,240 jobs in the Slidell-Mandeville-Covington area. That makes it the 205th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.06% 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% | $16.79 | $18.41 | $22.69 | $22.66 | 0.81 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 20% | $22.64 | $24.32 | $31.88 | $28.78 | 0.85 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.88 | |||||
Pick a size, pick a tier: retaining wall pricing in Slidell
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Slidell 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
$6,350 to $8,700
Short block wall, easy access
Standard
$8,100 to $10,500
Standard segmental block wall with drainage
Premium
$9,900 to $12,300
Tall or stone wall, engineered, hard access
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short garden wall (4x25 ft), 100 sq ft of wall face | $3,200 – $4,450 | $4,150 – $5,400 | $5,100 – $6,350 |
| 20 ft x 4 ft (80 sq ft of wall face) | $2,550 – $3,600 | $3,350 – $4,400 | $4,100 – $5,150 |
| 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) | $5,100 – $7,000 | $6,550 – $8,450 | $8,000 – $9,900 |
| 40 ft x 6 ft (240 sq ft of wall face) | $7,600 – $10,400 | $9,700 – $12,500 | $11,800 – $14,600 |
When to schedule retaining wall in Slidell
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Slidell (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 Slidell (10 of 12 months). July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Slidell gets about 66 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, July and August (7.7 inches in July). Inside the workable window, October and November are the driest, at 4.2 and 4.2 inches. The station averages about 64 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 | 42 | 5.9 | Workable |
| Feb | 64 | 45 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Mar | 70 | 52 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Apr | 76 | 58 | 5.5 | Workable |
| May | 83 | 66 | 5.8 | Workable |
| Jun | 88 | 72 | 5.8 | Workable |
| Jul | 90 | 74 | 7.7 | Hot |
| Aug | 90 | 74 | 7.6 | Hot |
| Sep | 87 | 70 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 79 | 59 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Nov | 70 | 49 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 63 | 44 | 5.0 | Workable |
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 $8,100 to $10,500 for Slidell, LA is attached.
Detailed retaining wall report for Slidell, LA, $9
The report lays out the retaining wall numbers for Slidell, LA 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 Slidell: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a retaining wall in Slidell?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, expect $6,350 to $12,300 in the Slidell area. A standard-spec job lands at $8,100 to $10,500. 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 Slidell?
About $31.50 to $59.50 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 Slidell or Gulfport?
Gulfport is 55 miles away. The midpoint for 200 sq ft of wall face there is $9,100, which is 2% less than Slidell ($9,300). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Slidell?
About 44% at the midpoint, or $4,100 out of $9,300. Materials are 53% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 46%.
+What would 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) cost in Slidell?
$5,100 to $9,900. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does retaining wall need a permit in Slidell?
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 Slidell area (our national range of $50 to $450 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Slidell expensive for retaining wall compared with the rest of Louisiana?
Slidell is 0% below 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 Slidell?
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 Slidell?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, basic work runs $6,350 to $8,700 and premium work $9,900 to $12,300. 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 Slidell?
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 Slidell
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.