Retaining wall cost in Traverse City, MI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (200 sq ft of wall face)
- $7,550 – $13,800
- Per sq ft of wall face
- $37.50 – $66.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +4%
- US $10,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #101
- 1 = most expensive
Traverse City homeowners pay roughly $7,550 to $13,800 to build a retaining wall at 200 sq ft of wall face, or $37.50 to $66.50 per sq ft of wall face (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Traverse City is 4% higher. Brickmasons and blockmasons earn a median of $38.65 an hour in the Traverse City area, 29% above the US median of $29.87.
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Estimated cost for 200 sq ft of wall face in Traverse City, MI, standard level
$9,400 to $11,900
About $46 to $58 per sq ft of wall face before permits. Labor is about 51% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,050 | $5,900 |
| Labor | $5,200 | $5,700 |
| Permits and fees | $160 | $310 |
| Total | $9,400 | $11,900 |
Cost breakdown for 200 sq ft of wall face in Traverse City, MI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,600 | $4,950 | $7,300 | 47% |
| Labor | $4,850 | $5,450 | $6,050 | 51% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $230 | $420 | 2% |
| Total | $7,550 | $10,600 | $13,800 | 100% |
Where the Traverse City price comes from
The wage side of the estimate leans on brickmasons and blockmasons, who do 50% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $38.65 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Traverse City is 1.16 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 51% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Traverse City 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 (93.4) and land at $45 to $420.
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 Traverse City is 1.16 times the national level.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021), 50% of the weighting: a median of $38.65 an hour, 29% above the US median of $29.87. The middle half of them earn between $29.18 and $38.65 an hour.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 30% of the weighting: a median of $23.27 an hour, in line with the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.03 and $28.66 an hour. About 740 work in the metro. That is 108.1 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 $29.42 an hour, which is in line with the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $28.74 and $35.49 an hour. BLS counts 280 of them working in the area, 40.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the brickmasons and blockmasons on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($38.65 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $0. At the 25th percentile ($29.18) it shrinks by about $750. The total moves by 0.0% or 7.0%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 68,440 jobs in the Traverse City area. That makes it the 264th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.04% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 50% | $29.18 | $38.65 | $38.65 | $29.87 | 1.29 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $21.03 | $23.27 | $28.66 | $22.66 | 1.03 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 20% | $28.74 | $29.42 | $35.49 | $28.78 | 1.02 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.16 | |||||
Why two Traverse City quotes can differ
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.
Is Traverse City cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, 2 are cheaper than Traverse City. Muskegon is the lowest at about $9,950 (midpoint, 200 sq ft of wall face), 110 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traverse City, MIthis page | $7,550 – $13,800 | $10,600 | |
| Green Bay, WI110 miles | $7,600 – $13,800 | $10,700 | level |
| Muskegon, MI110 miles | $6,900 – $13,000 | $9,950 | −7% |
| Sheboygan, WI125 miles | $7,800 – $14,100 | $10,900 | +3% |
| Appleton, WI130 miles | $8,100 – $14,500 | $11,300 | +6% |
| Grand Rapids, MI135 miles | $7,100 – $13,200 | $10,100 | −5% |
| Michigan (statewide) | $7,100 – $13,300 | $10,200 | −4% |
| United States | $7,050 – $13,500 | $10,300 | −4% |
Across 300 US metros, Traverse City comes in at #101 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, Traverse City is 4% above the Michigan figure.
Other Michigan metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI | 1,904,530 jobs | $7,450 – $13,900 | $10,700 | level |
| Grand Rapids, MI | 598,260 jobs | $7,100 – $13,200 | $10,100 | −5% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | 219,730 jobs | $7,700 – $14,000 | $10,900 | +2% |
| Lansing, MI | 217,180 jobs | $7,650 – $13,900 | $10,800 | +1% |
| Flint, MI | 135,040 jobs | $7,400 – $13,600 | $10,500 | −1% |
| Kalamazoo, MI | 121,790 jobs | $7,050 – $13,200 | $10,100 | −5% |
Cities with a workforce like Traverse City's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Traverse City against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State College, PA | 68,840 jobs | $7,500 – $14,000 | $10,800 | +1% |
| Dover, DE | 68,080 jobs | $6,900 – $13,100 | $10,000 | −6% |
| Yuma, AZ | 68,880 jobs | $6,650 – $12,800 | $9,700 | −9% |
| Burlington, NC | 67,830 jobs | $6,300 – $12,300 | $9,300 | −12% |
When to schedule retaining wall in Traverse City
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Traverse City Cherry Cptl Ap (in the city). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through October is the stretch where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Traverse City (7 of 12 months). January, February, March, November and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
In January, February, March, 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 149 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Traverse City gets about 29 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are August, September and October (3.6 inches in October). Inside the workable window, June and July are the driest, at 2.6 and 2.7 inches. The station averages about 9 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 | 29 | 17 | 1.7 | Cold |
| Feb | 31 | 16 | 1.0 | Cold |
| Mar | 41 | 23 | 1.6 | Cold |
| Apr | 54 | 33 | 2.8 | Workable |
| May | 67 | 43 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Jun | 77 | 54 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Jul | 81 | 59 | 2.7 | Workable |
| Aug | 80 | 59 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Sep | 72 | 52 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Oct | 59 | 41 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Nov | 46 | 32 | 2.2 | Cold |
| Dec | 35 | 24 | 1.8 | Cold |
Traverse City: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Traverse City 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
$7,550 to $10,000
Short block wall, easy access
Standard
$9,400 to $11,900
Standard segmental block wall with drainage
Premium
$11,300 to $13,800
Tall or stone wall, engineered, hard access
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short garden wall (4x25 ft), 100 sq ft of wall face | $3,800 – $5,100 | $4,800 – $6,100 | $5,750 – $7,100 |
| 20 ft x 4 ft (80 sq ft of wall face) | $3,050 – $4,150 | $3,850 – $4,950 | $4,650 – $5,750 |
| 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) | $6,050 – $8,050 | $7,550 – $9,600 | $9,050 – $11,100 |
| 40 ft x 6 ft (240 sq ft of wall face) | $9,050 – $12,000 | $11,300 – $14,200 | $13,500 – $16,400 |
Planning more than one job in Traverse City?
Because every project leans on different trades, Traverse City's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, paver patio runs +3% and sod installation −4%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $600 – $2,100 | +1% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,100 – $5,650 | +3% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,600 – $9,200 | level |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,450 – $3,150 | −4% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,900 – $9,750 | −2% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $36,400 – $114,000 | +1% |
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 $9,400 to $11,900 for Traverse City, MI is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
Multi-page report for Traverse City, MI: 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 Traverse City: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a retaining wall in Traverse City?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, expect $7,550 to $13,800 in the Traverse City area. A standard-spec job lands at $9,400 to $11,900. 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 Traverse City?
About $37.50 to $66.50 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 Traverse City or Green Bay?
Green Bay is 110 miles away. The midpoint for 200 sq ft of wall face there is $10,700, which is 0% more than Traverse City ($10,600). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Traverse City?
About 51% at the midpoint, or $5,450 out of $10,600. Materials are 47% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 46%.
+What would 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) cost in Traverse City?
$6,050 to $11,100. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does retaining wall need a permit in Traverse City?
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 Traverse City area (our national range of $50 to $450 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Traverse City expensive for retaining wall compared with the rest of Michigan?
Traverse City is 4% above the Michigan statewide estimate ($10,200 at the midpoint). We cover 10 metros in Michigan; see the state page to compare them.
+What do brickmasons and blockmasons earn in Traverse City?
The BLS median is $38.65 an hour in the Traverse City area, compared with $29.87 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $29.18 to $38.65.
+What do basic and premium retaining wall work cost in Traverse City?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, basic work runs $7,550 to $10,000 and premium work $11,300 to $13,800. 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 Traverse City?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. June 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 Traverse City
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.