Retaining wall cost in Worcester, MA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (200 sq ft of wall face)
- $8,100 – $14,600
- Per sq ft of wall face
- $40 – $71
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +11%
- US $10,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #47
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to build a retaining wall in Worcester, plan on $8,100 to $14,600 for 200 sq ft of wall face, all in. Per sq ft of wall face, that is $40 to $71 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 11% higher than the national one. Brickmasons and blockmasons earn a median of $36.99 an hour in the Worcester area, 24% above the US median of $29.87.
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Estimated cost for 200 sq ft of wall face in Worcester, MA, standard level
$10,000 to $12,700
About $49.50 to $61.50 per sq ft of wall face before permits. Labor is about 52% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,150 | $6,100 |
| Labor | $5,700 | $6,200 |
| Permits and fees | $170 | $340 |
| Total | $10,000 | $12,700 |
Cost breakdown for 200 sq ft of wall face in Worcester, MA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,700 | $5,150 | $7,550 | 45% |
| Labor | $5,300 | $5,950 | $6,600 | 52% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $260 | $460 | 2% |
| Total | $8,100 | $11,400 | $14,600 | 100% |
Why Worcester prices look the way they do
Labor is 52% 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 Worcester the blended ratio comes out at 1.27.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Worcester metro is 97.0 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 200 sq ft of wall face comes to $5,150, compared with $5,300 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (102.5) and land at $50 to $460.
Worcester 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 Worcester is 1.27 times the national level.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021), 50% of the weighting: a median of $36.99 an hour, 24% above the US median of $29.87. The middle half of them earn between $30.82 and $57.12 an hour. About 140 work in the metro. That is 4.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 3.4 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 30% of the weighting: a median of $29.52 an hour, 30% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $23.23 and $43.40 an hour. About 1,650 work in the metro. That is 47.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 20%) the local median is $37.05 an hour, which is 29% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $29.12 and $54.24 an hour. BLS counts 1,230 of them working in the area, 35.2 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 ($57.12 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $1,600. At the 25th percentile ($30.82) it shrinks by about $490. The total moves by 13.9% or 4.3%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 349,880 jobs in the Worcester area. That makes it the 73rd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.23% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 50% | $30.82 | $36.99 | $57.12 | $29.87 | 1.24 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $23.23 | $29.52 | $43.40 | $22.66 | 1.30 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 20% | $29.12 | $37.05 | $54.24 | $28.78 | 1.29 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.27 | |||||
Climate in Worcester: timing your retaining wall job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Worcester Rgnl Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through November is the stretch where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Worcester (8 of 12 months). 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 130 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Worcester gets about 48 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 73 inches of snow. The wettest months are September, October and December (4.8 inches in October). Inside the workable window, May and July are the driest, at 3.6 and 3.9 inches. The station averages about 3 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 | 32 | 17 | 3.5 | Cold |
| Feb | 35 | 19 | 3.3 | Cold |
| Mar | 43 | 26 | 4.2 | Cold |
| Apr | 56 | 37 | 4.1 | Workable |
| May | 67 | 47 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Jun | 75 | 56 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 80 | 62 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Aug | 78 | 61 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Sep | 71 | 53 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 59 | 42 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 48 | 33 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Dec | 38 | 23 | 4.3 | Cold |
Specs and site conditions that change a Worcester bid
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.
Cost by quality level and size in Worcester
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Worcester 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
$8,100 to $10,700
Short block wall, easy access
Standard
$10,000 to $12,700
Standard segmental block wall with drainage
Premium
$12,000 to $14,600
Tall or stone wall, engineered, hard access
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short garden wall (4x25 ft), 100 sq ft of wall face | $4,050 – $5,450 | $5,100 – $6,500 | $6,150 – $7,550 |
| 20 ft x 4 ft (80 sq ft of wall face) | $3,250 – $4,400 | $4,100 – $5,250 | $5,000 – $6,100 |
| 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) | $6,500 – $8,600 | $8,050 – $10,200 | $9,650 – $11,800 |
| 40 ft x 6 ft (240 sq ft of wall face) | $9,700 – $12,800 | $12,000 – $15,100 | $14,400 – $17,500 |
Worcester against nearby metros and the rest of Massachusetts
Same job, same size (200 sq ft of wall face), priced for the nearest metros. Boston is the priciest of the group at $12,300. Manchester is the cheapest at $10,300.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worcester, MAthis page | $8,100 – $14,600 | $11,400 | |
| Amherst, MA35 miles | $8,450 – $15,100 | $11,800 | +4% |
| Springfield, MA40 miles | $8,650 – $15,300 | $12,000 | +6% |
| Manchester, NH45 miles | $7,150 – $13,500 | $10,300 | −9% |
| Boston, MA50 miles | $8,900 – $15,800 | $12,300 | +9% |
| Hartford, CT55 miles | $8,300 – $14,900 | $11,600 | +2% |
| Massachusetts (statewide) | $8,800 – $15,600 | $12,200 | +7% |
| United States | $7,050 – $13,500 | $10,300 | −10% |
Across 300 US metros, Worcester comes in at #47 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, Worcester is 7% below the Massachusetts figure.
Other Massachusetts metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston, MA | 2,703,890 jobs | $8,900 – $15,800 | $12,300 | +9% |
| Springfield, MA | 201,240 jobs | $8,650 – $15,300 | $12,000 | +6% |
| Barnstable, MA | 94,110 jobs | $8,600 – $15,200 | $11,900 | +5% |
| Amherst, MA | 65,670 jobs | $8,450 – $15,100 | $11,800 | +4% |
| Pittsfield, MA | 56,810 jobs | $8,050 – $14,500 | $11,300 | −1% |
Cities with a workforce like Worcester's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Worcester against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Rock, AR | 358,210 jobs | $6,300 – $12,200 | $9,250 | −19% |
| Durham, NC | 344,020 jobs | $6,400 – $12,500 | $9,450 | −17% |
| Greensboro, NC | 365,410 jobs | $6,200 – $12,200 | $9,200 | −19% |
| North Port, FL | 339,940 jobs | $6,450 – $12,500 | $9,500 | −16% |
Related projects, priced for Worcester
Because every project leans on different trades, Worcester's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, French drain runs +16% and sod installation +10%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $700 – $2,450 | +16% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,450 – $6,300 | +15% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $4,050 – $10,500 | +13% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,650 – $3,600 | +10% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,550 – $11,400 | +14% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $41,000 – $128,000 | +13% |
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 $10,000 to $12,700 for Worcester, MA is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
The report lays out the retaining wall numbers for Worcester, 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 Worcester: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a retaining wall in Worcester?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, expect $8,100 to $14,600 in the Worcester area. A standard-spec job lands at $10,000 to $12,700. 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 Worcester?
About $40 to $71 per sq ft of wall face for materials and labor, plus $50 to $460 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $35 to $65.
+Is retaining wall cheaper in Worcester or Amherst?
Amherst is 35 miles away. The midpoint for 200 sq ft of wall face there is $11,800, which is 4% more than Worcester ($11,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Worcester?
About 52% at the midpoint, or $5,950 out of $11,400. Materials are 45% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 46%.
+What would 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) cost in Worcester?
$6,500 to $11,800. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does retaining wall need a permit in Worcester?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $50 to $460 for fees in the Worcester area (our national range of $50 to $450 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Worcester expensive for retaining wall compared with the rest of Massachusetts?
Worcester is 7% below 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 Worcester?
The BLS median is $36.99 an hour in the Worcester area, compared with $29.87 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $30.82 to $57.12.
+What do basic and premium retaining wall work cost in Worcester?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, basic work runs $8,100 to $10,700 and premium work $12,000 to $14,600. 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 Worcester?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through November. May and July 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 Worcester
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.