Retaining wall cost in St. Louis, MO
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (200 sq ft of wall face)
- $8,350 – $15,000
- Per sq ft of wall face
- $41.50 – $73
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +14%
- US $10,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #30
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to build a retaining wall in St. Louis, plan on $8,350 to $15,000 for 200 sq ft of wall face, all in. Per sq ft of wall face, that is $41.50 to $73 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 14% higher than the national one. Brickmasons and blockmasons earn a median of $37.26 an hour in the St. Louis area, 25% above the US median of $29.87.
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Estimated cost for 200 sq ft of wall face in St. Louis, MO, standard level
$10,400 to $13,000
About $51 to $63.50 per sq ft of wall face before permits. Labor is about 53% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,300 | $6,300 |
| Labor | $5,900 | $6,400 |
| Permits and fees | $160 | $310 |
| Total | $10,400 | $13,000 |
Cost breakdown for 200 sq ft of wall face in St. Louis, MO
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,800 | $5,300 | $7,800 | 45% |
| Labor | $5,500 | $6,150 | $6,800 | 53% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $240 | $430 | 2% |
| Total | $8,350 | $11,700 | $15,000 | 100% |
Why St. Louis prices look the way they do
Labor is 53% 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 St. Louis the blended ratio comes out at 1.31.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the St. Louis metro is 100.0 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 200 sq ft of wall face comes to $5,300, compared with $5,300 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (95.1) and land at $50 to $430.
Is St. Louis cheap or dear? The local comparison
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 200 sq ft of wall face range from $10,300 to $11,900 across St. Louis and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MOthis page | $8,350 – $15,000 | $11,700 | |
| Springfield, IL85 miles | $8,700 – $15,200 | $11,900 | +2% |
| Jefferson City, MO95 miles | $7,200 – $13,300 | $10,300 | −12% |
| Columbia, MO120 miles | $7,450 – $13,600 | $10,500 | −10% |
| Bloomington, IL145 miles | $8,700 – $15,200 | $11,900 | +2% |
| Peoria, IL150 miles | $8,600 – $15,100 | $11,800 | +1% |
| Missouri (statewide) | $7,550 – $13,900 | $10,700 | −8% |
| United States | $7,050 – $13,500 | $10,300 | −12% |
Across 300 US metros, St. Louis comes in at #30 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, St. Louis is 9% above the Missouri figure.
Other Missouri metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO | 1,096,110 jobs | $7,400 – $13,600 | $10,500 | −10% |
| Springfield, MO | 223,030 jobs | $6,750 – $12,800 | $9,750 | −16% |
| Columbia, MO | 107,680 jobs | $7,450 – $13,600 | $10,500 | −10% |
| Joplin, MO | 87,190 jobs | $7,200 – $13,300 | $10,300 | −12% |
| Jefferson City, MO | 80,220 jobs | $7,200 – $13,300 | $10,300 | −12% |
Cities with a workforce like St. Louis's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is St. Louis against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore, MD | 1,356,680 jobs | $6,950 – $13,500 | $10,200 | −13% |
| Austin, TX | 1,293,690 jobs | $6,600 – $12,600 | $9,600 | −18% |
| Charlotte, NC | 1,358,370 jobs | $6,450 – $12,600 | $9,500 | −19% |
| Portland, OR | 1,208,410 jobs | $8,300 – $15,300 | $11,800 | +1% |
St. Louis 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 St. Louis is 1.31 times the national level.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021), 50% of the weighting: a median of $37.26 an hour, 25% above the US median of $29.87. The middle half of them earn between $28.55 and $39.48 an hour. About 1,070 work in the metro. That is 8.0 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 $31.01 an hour, 37% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $23.00 and $39.22 an hour. About 8,670 work in the metro. That is 64.6 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 20%) the local median is $39.56 an hour, which is 37% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $28.17 and $45.31 an hour. BLS counts 4,190 of them working in the area, 31.2 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 ($39.48 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $170. At the 25th percentile ($28.55) it shrinks by about $690. The total moves by 1.5% or 5.9%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 1,341,320 jobs in the St. Louis area. That makes it the 23rd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.86% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 50% | $28.55 | $37.26 | $39.48 | $29.87 | 1.25 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $23.00 | $31.01 | $39.22 | $22.66 | 1.37 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 20% | $28.17 | $39.56 | $45.31 | $28.78 | 1.37 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.31 | |||||
Climate in St. Louis: timing your retaining wall job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for St Louis Sci Ctr (in the city). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
March through June and August through November are the stretches where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in St. Louis (8 of 12 months). January, February and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F); July has an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
In January, February 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 79 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
St. Louis gets about 44 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are April, May and June (4.9 inches in May). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 3.4 and 3.2 inches. The station averages about 47 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 | 41 | 25 | 2.7 | Cold |
| Feb | 46 | 28 | 2.3 | Cold |
| Mar | 56 | 38 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Apr | 68 | 48 | 4.8 | Workable |
| May | 77 | 59 | 4.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 86 | 67 | 4.7 | Workable |
| Jul | 90 | 72 | 4.2 | Hot |
| Aug | 89 | 70 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Sep | 82 | 62 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Oct | 70 | 50 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Nov | 56 | 39 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Dec | 45 | 30 | 2.6 | Cold |
Why two St. Louis quotes can differ
Material
Block, poured concrete and natural stone are priced differently; concrete and stone walls run higher than the segmental block default.
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.
Planning more than one job in St. Louis?
Because every project leans on different trades, St. Louis's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, inground pool runs +17% and sod installation +3%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $690 – $2,400 | +15% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,450 – $6,300 | +15% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $4,150 – $10,700 | +16% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,550 – $3,400 | +3% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,650 – $11,600 | +16% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $42,300 – $132,000 | +17% |
Cost by quality level and size in St. Louis
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for St. Louis 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
$8,350 to $11,000
Short block wall, easy access
Standard
$10,400 to $13,000
Standard segmental block wall with drainage
Premium
$12,400 to $15,000
Tall or stone wall, engineered, hard access
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short garden wall (4x25 ft), 100 sq ft of wall face | $4,200 – $5,600 | $5,250 – $6,650 | $6,300 – $7,750 |
| 20 ft x 4 ft (80 sq ft of wall face) | $3,350 – $4,550 | $4,250 – $5,400 | $5,100 – $6,250 |
| 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) | $6,700 – $8,850 | $8,300 – $10,500 | $9,950 – $12,100 |
| 40 ft x 6 ft (240 sq ft of wall face) | $10,000 – $13,200 | $12,400 – $15,600 | $14,800 – $18,000 |
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 $10,400 to $13,000 for St. Louis, MO is attached.
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Multi-page report for St. Louis, MO: 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 St. Louis: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a retaining wall in St. Louis?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, expect $8,350 to $15,000 in the St. Louis area. A standard-spec job lands at $10,400 to $13,000. 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 St. Louis?
About $41.50 to $73 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 St. Louis or Springfield?
Springfield is 85 miles away. The midpoint for 200 sq ft of wall face there is $11,900, which is 2% more than St. Louis ($11,700). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in St. Louis?
About 53% at the midpoint, or $6,150 out of $11,700. 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 St. Louis?
$6,700 to $12,100. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does retaining wall need a permit in St. Louis?
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 St. Louis area (our national range of $50 to $450 scaled by the local price level).
+Is St. Louis expensive for retaining wall compared with the rest of Missouri?
St. Louis is 9% above the Missouri statewide estimate ($10,700 at the midpoint). We cover 6 metros in Missouri; see the state page to compare them.
+What do brickmasons and blockmasons earn in St. Louis?
The BLS median is $37.26 an hour in the St. Louis area, compared with $29.87 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.55 to $39.48.
+What do basic and premium retaining wall work cost in St. Louis?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, basic work runs $8,350 to $11,000 and premium work $12,400 to $15,000. 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 St. Louis?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through June and August through November. September and October 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 St. Louis
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.