Retaining wall cost in Boston, MA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (200 sq ft of wall face)
- $8,900 – $15,800
- Per sq ft of wall face
- $44 – $76.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +20%
- US $10,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #9
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a retaining wall in the Boston area: $8,900 to $15,800 for 200 sq ft of wall face. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint runs 20% higher than the US figure. Brickmasons and blockmasons earn a median of $46.62 an hour in the Boston area, 56% above 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 Boston, MA, standard level
$11,000 to $13,700
About $54 to $66.50 per sq ft of wall face before permits. Labor is about 55% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,300 | $6,300 |
| Labor | $6,500 | $7,050 |
| Permits and fees | $180 | $360 |
| Total | $11,000 | $13,700 |
Cost breakdown for 200 sq ft of wall face in Boston, MA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,800 | $5,300 | $7,750 | 43% |
| Labor | $6,050 | $6,750 | $7,500 | 55% |
| Permits and fees | $55 | $270 | $490 | 2% |
| Total | $8,900 | $12,300 | $15,800 | 100% |
Where the Boston 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, Boston wages are 1.44 times the national level. Labor makes up about 55% of the midpoint estimate (46% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Boston is at 99.7 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $5,300 nationally becomes $5,300 here (midpoint, 200 sq ft of wall face). Permits follow the all-items index of 108.3: $55 to $490.
Who does the work: Boston trade wages
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 Boston the blend is 1.44.
For brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021, weighted 50%) the local median is $46.62 an hour, which is 56% above the national $29.87. The middle half of them earn between $37.16 and $65.44 an hour. BLS counts 1,060 of them working in the area, 3.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 3.4), so the local bench is deeper than average.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 30%) the local median is $30.49 an hour, which is 35% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $26.22 and $45.11 an hour. BLS counts 11,580 of them working in the area, 42.8 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 20% of the weighting: a median of $36.99 an hour, 29% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $30.11 and $55.00 an hour. About 6,370 work in the metro. That is 23.6 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, so expect fewer 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 $1,500 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $740. That is a swing of roughly 6.0% to 12.0% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Boston-Cambridge-Newton has 2,703,890 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 10th 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% | $37.16 | $46.62 | $65.44 | $29.87 | 1.56 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $26.22 | $30.49 | $45.11 | $22.66 | 1.35 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 20% | $30.11 | $36.99 | $55.00 | $28.78 | 1.29 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.44 | |||||
Related projects, priced for Boston
Jobs that often go together with retaining wall are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Boston wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, paver patio comes out highest (+24%) and sod installation lowest (+13%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $710 – $2,500 | +18% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,700 – $6,750 | +24% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $4,100 – $10,600 | +14% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,700 – $3,750 | +13% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,850 – $12,100 | +21% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $43,400 – $135,500 | +20% |
Specs and site conditions that change a Boston bid
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.
How Boston compares
Of the five closest metros, all are cheaper than Boston. Portland is the lowest at about $9,400 (midpoint, 200 sq ft of wall face), 85 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston, MAthis page | $8,900 – $15,800 | $12,300 | |
| Manchester, NH45 miles | $7,150 – $13,500 | $10,300 | −16% |
| Worcester, MA50 miles | $8,100 – $14,600 | $11,400 | −8% |
| Providence, RI60 miles | $8,300 – $14,800 | $11,600 | −6% |
| Barnstable, MA70 miles | $8,600 – $15,200 | $11,900 | −3% |
| Portland, ME85 miles | $6,350 – $12,500 | $9,400 | −24% |
| Massachusetts (statewide) | $8,800 – $15,600 | $12,200 | −1% |
| United States | $7,050 – $13,500 | $10,300 | −17% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Boston ranks #9 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Boston is 1% above the Massachusetts figure.
Elsewhere in Massachusetts
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worcester, MA | 349,880 jobs | $8,100 – $14,600 | $11,400 | −8% |
| Springfield, MA | 201,240 jobs | $8,650 – $15,300 | $12,000 | −3% |
| Barnstable, MA | 94,110 jobs | $8,600 – $15,200 | $11,900 | −3% |
| Amherst, MA | 65,670 jobs | $8,450 – $15,100 | $11,800 | −4% |
| Pittsfield, MA | 56,810 jobs | $8,050 – $14,500 | $11,300 | −9% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Boston against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami, FL | 2,819,940 jobs | $6,800 – $13,400 | $10,100 | −18% |
| Phoenix, AZ | 2,375,760 jobs | $6,850 – $13,000 | $9,950 | −19% |
| Atlanta, GA | 2,889,670 jobs | $6,600 – $12,900 | $9,750 | −21% |
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $9,400 – $16,800 | $13,100 | +6% |
Cost by quality level and size in Boston
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Boston. 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
$8,900 to $11,600
Short block wall, easy access
Standard
$11,000 to $13,700
Standard segmental block wall with drainage
Premium
$13,000 to $15,800
Tall or stone wall, engineered, hard access
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short garden wall (4x25 ft), 100 sq ft of wall face | $4,500 – $5,950 | $5,550 – $7,050 | $6,650 – $8,100 |
| 20 ft x 4 ft (80 sq ft of wall face) | $3,600 – $4,800 | $4,500 – $5,700 | $5,400 – $6,600 |
| 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) | $7,150 – $9,350 | $8,800 – $11,000 | $10,500 – $12,700 |
| 40 ft x 6 ft (240 sq ft of wall face) | $10,700 – $13,900 | $13,100 – $16,400 | $15,600 – $18,800 |
The best months for retaining wall in Boston
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Boston Logan 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 Boston are April through November: 8 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
In January, February, March 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 92 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Boston gets about 44 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 49 inches of snow. The wettest months are March, October and December (4.3 inches in December). Inside the workable window, May and August are the driest, at 3.3 and 3.2 inches. The station averages about 14 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 | 37 | 23 | 3.4 | Cold |
| Feb | 39 | 25 | 3.2 | Cold |
| Mar | 46 | 31 | 4.2 | Cold |
| Apr | 56 | 41 | 3.6 | Workable |
| May | 67 | 50 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 76 | 60 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Jul | 82 | 66 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Aug | 80 | 65 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Sep | 73 | 58 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Oct | 62 | 48 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Nov | 52 | 38 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Dec | 42 | 29 | 4.3 | Cold |
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 $11,000 to $13,700 for Boston, MA is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
The report lays out the retaining wall numbers for Boston, MA 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 Boston: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a retaining wall in Boston?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, expect $8,900 to $15,800 in the Boston area. A standard-spec job lands at $11,000 to $13,700. 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 Boston?
About $44 to $76.50 per sq ft of wall face for materials and labor, plus $55 to $490 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $35 to $65.
+Is retaining wall cheaper in Boston or Manchester?
Manchester is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 200 sq ft of wall face there is $10,300, which is 16% less than Boston ($12,300). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Boston?
About 55% at the midpoint, or $6,750 out of $12,300. Materials are 43% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 46%.
+What would 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) cost in Boston?
$7,150 to $12,700. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does retaining wall need a permit in Boston?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $55 to $490 for fees in the Boston area (our national range of $50 to $450 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Boston expensive for retaining wall compared with the rest of Massachusetts?
Boston is 1% above the Massachusetts statewide estimate ($12,200 at the midpoint). We cover 6 metros in Massachusetts; see the state page to compare them.
+What do brickmasons and blockmasons earn in Boston?
The BLS median is $46.62 an hour in the Boston area, compared with $29.87 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $37.16 to $65.44.
+What do basic and premium retaining wall work cost in Boston?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, basic work runs $8,900 to $11,600 and premium work $13,000 to $15,800. 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 Boston?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through November. May 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 Boston
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.