Retaining wall cost in Bangor, ME
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (200 sq ft of wall face)
- $6,150 – $12,200
- Per sq ft of wall face
- $30.50 – $58.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −11%
- US $10,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #267
- 1 = most expensive
A retaining wall in Bangor, ME usually costs $6,150 to $12,200 for 200 sq ft of wall face. That works out to about $30.50 to $58.50 per sq ft of wall face before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $1,100 less. Brickmasons and blockmasons earn a median of $20.54 an hour in the Bangor area, 31% 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 Bangor, ME, standard level
$7,950 to $10,400
About $39 to $50 per sq ft of wall face before permits. Labor is about 41% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,200 | $6,100 |
| Labor | $3,600 | $3,900 |
| Permits and fees | $160 | $320 |
| Total | $7,950 | $10,400 |
Cost breakdown for 200 sq ft of wall face in Bangor, ME
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,700 | $5,150 | $7,600 | 56% |
| Labor | $3,350 | $3,750 | $4,150 | 41% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $240 | $430 | 3% |
| Total | $6,150 | $9,150 | $12,200 | 100% |
Where the Bangor 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, Bangor wages are 0.80 times the national level. Labor makes up about 41% of the midpoint estimate (46% at national prices). BLS does not publish this trade for the metro, so we used the Maine statewide median.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Bangor is at 97.2 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $5,300 nationally becomes $5,150 here (midpoint, 200 sq ft of wall face). Permits follow the all-items index of 96.5: $50 to $430.
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 Bangor. The wage table below marks each row.
Related projects, priced for Bangor
Jobs that often go together with retaining wall are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Bangor wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, sod installation comes out highest (+2%) and concrete driveway lowest (−11%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $570 – $2,000 | −4% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,800 – $5,050 | −7% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,300 – $8,200 | −11% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,550 – $3,350 | +2% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,800 – $9,500 | −5% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $33,100 – $103,500 | −8% |
Bangor 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, Bangor Intl 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 Bangor are May through October: 6 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March, April, November and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
In January, February, March, April, 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 161 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Bangor gets about 42 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 75 inches of snow. The wettest months are June, October and November (4.6 inches in October). Inside the workable window, July and August are the driest, at 3.2 and 3.1 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 | 28 | 9 | 3.2 | Cold |
| Feb | 31 | 11 | 2.4 | Cold |
| Mar | 40 | 21 | 3.2 | Cold |
| Apr | 53 | 32 | 3.6 | Cold |
| May | 66 | 43 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 75 | 53 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Jul | 80 | 59 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Aug | 79 | 57 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Sep | 71 | 49 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Oct | 58 | 38 | 4.6 | Workable |
| Nov | 46 | 29 | 3.8 | Cold |
| Dec | 35 | 17 | 3.7 | Cold |
What local crews earn in Bangor
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 Bangor the blend is 0.80.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) carry 50% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Bangor metro, so we used the Maine statewide median: $20.54 an hour against $29.87 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $19.31 and $28.53 an hour.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 30%) the local median is $21.35 an hour, which is 6% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.60 and $22.35 an hour. BLS counts 530 of them working in the area, 73.3 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 $25.00 an hour, 13% below the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $22.23 and $28.94 an hour. About 310 work in the metro. That is 42.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, which suggests plenty of 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 $630 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $95. That is a swing of roughly 1.1% to 6.9% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Bangor has 72,270 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 255th 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% | $19.31 | $20.54 | $28.53 | $29.87 | 0.69 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $18.60 | $21.35 | $22.35 | $22.66 | 0.94 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 20% | $22.23 | $25.00 | $28.94 | $28.78 | 0.87 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.80 | |||||
How Bangor compares
Of the five closest metros, none is cheaper than Bangor. Portland comes closest at about $9,400.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor, MEthis page | $6,150 – $12,200 | $9,150 | |
| Portland, ME150 miles | $6,350 – $12,500 | $9,400 | +3% |
| Burlington, VT220 miles | $7,050 – $13,300 | $10,200 | +11% |
| Manchester, NH230 miles | $7,150 – $13,500 | $10,300 | +13% |
| Boston, MA230 miles | $8,900 – $15,800 | $12,300 | +35% |
| Barnstable, MA265 miles | $8,600 – $15,200 | $11,900 | +30% |
| Maine (statewide) | $6,250 – $12,300 | $9,300 | +1% |
| United States | $7,050 – $13,500 | $10,300 | +12% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Bangor ranks #267 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Bangor is 1% below the Maine figure.
Elsewhere in Maine
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland, ME | 288,480 jobs | $6,350 – $12,500 | $9,400 | +3% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Bangor against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | 72,280 jobs | $7,100 – $13,400 | $10,200 | +12% |
| Bozeman, MT | 72,210 jobs | $7,050 – $13,300 | $10,200 | +11% |
| Prescott Valley, AZ | 72,300 jobs | $6,850 – $13,000 | $9,900 | +8% |
| Redding, CA | 71,550 jobs | $7,900 – $14,700 | $11,300 | +24% |
Why two Bangor 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).
Pick a size, pick a tier: retaining wall pricing in Bangor
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Bangor. 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
$6,150 to $8,550
Short block wall, easy access
Standard
$7,950 to $10,400
Standard segmental block wall with drainage
Premium
$9,750 to $12,200
Tall or stone wall, engineered, hard access
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short garden wall (4x25 ft), 100 sq ft of wall face | $3,100 – $4,400 | $4,050 – $5,350 | $5,000 – $6,300 |
| 20 ft x 4 ft (80 sq ft of wall face) | $2,500 – $3,550 | $3,300 – $4,350 | $4,050 – $5,150 |
| 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) | $4,900 – $6,900 | $6,400 – $8,350 | $7,850 – $9,850 |
| 40 ft x 6 ft (240 sq ft of wall face) | $7,350 – $10,200 | $9,500 – $12,400 | $11,700 – $14,500 |
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 $7,950 to $10,400 for Bangor, ME is attached.
Detailed retaining wall report for Bangor, ME, $9
The report lays out the retaining wall numbers for Bangor, ME 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 Bangor: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a retaining wall in Bangor?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, expect $6,150 to $12,200 in the Bangor area. A standard-spec job lands at $7,950 to $10,400. 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 Bangor?
About $30.50 to $58.50 per sq ft of wall face for materials and labor, plus $50 to $430 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $35 to $65.
+Is retaining wall cheaper in Bangor or Portland?
Portland is 150 miles away. The midpoint for 200 sq ft of wall face there is $9,400, which is 3% more than Bangor ($9,150). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Bangor?
About 41% at the midpoint, or $3,750 out of $9,150. Materials are 56% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 46%.
+What would 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) cost in Bangor?
$4,900 to $9,850. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does retaining wall need a permit in Bangor?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $50 to $430 for fees in the Bangor area (our national range of $50 to $450 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Bangor expensive for retaining wall compared with the rest of Maine?
Bangor is 1% below the Maine statewide estimate ($9,300 at the midpoint). We cover 2 metros in Maine; see the state page to compare them.
+What do brickmasons and blockmasons earn in Bangor?
BLS has no published metro figure here, so we use the statewide median of $20.54 an hour, compared with $29.87 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $19.31 to $28.53.
+What do basic and premium retaining wall work cost in Bangor?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, basic work runs $6,150 to $8,550 and premium work $9,750 to $12,200. 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 Bangor?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are May through October. July and August 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 Bangor
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.