Retaining wall cost in Lincoln, NE
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (200 sq ft of wall face)
- $6,650 – $12,700
- Per sq ft of wall face
- $33 – $61.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −6%
- US $10,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #189
- 1 = most expensive
Lincoln homeowners pay roughly $6,650 to $12,700 to build a retaining wall at 200 sq ft of wall face, or $33 to $61.50 per sq ft of wall face (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Lincoln is 6% lower. Building materials run about 6% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 94.1).
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Estimated cost for 200 sq ft of wall face in Lincoln, NE, standard level
$8,500 to $10,900
About $41.50 to $53 per sq ft of wall face before permits. Labor is about 46% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,050 | $5,950 |
| Labor | $4,250 | $4,650 |
| Permits and fees | $160 | $300 |
| Total | $8,500 | $10,900 |
Cost breakdown for 200 sq ft of wall face in Lincoln, NE
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,650 | $5,000 | $7,350 | 52% |
| Labor | $4,000 | $4,450 | $4,950 | 46% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $230 | $410 | 2% |
| Total | $6,650 | $9,700 | $12,700 | 100% |
Where the Lincoln price comes from
Labor is 46% 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 Lincoln the blended ratio comes out at 0.95.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Lincoln metro is 94.1 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 200 sq ft of wall face comes to $5,000, compared with $5,300 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (91.6) and land at $45 to $410.
Specs and site conditions that change a Lincoln bid
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.
Drainage
Every wall needs drainage behind it. A French drain adds $10-$85+ per linear foot.
Lincoln: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Lincoln 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
$6,650 to $9,100
Short block wall, easy access
Standard
$8,500 to $10,900
Standard segmental block wall with drainage
Premium
$10,300 to $12,700
Tall or stone wall, engineered, hard access
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short garden wall (4x25 ft), 100 sq ft of wall face | $3,350 – $4,650 | $4,300 – $5,600 | $5,250 – $6,550 |
| 20 ft x 4 ft (80 sq ft of wall face) | $2,700 – $3,750 | $3,500 – $4,550 | $4,250 – $5,300 |
| 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) | $5,350 – $7,300 | $6,800 – $8,750 | $8,300 – $10,200 |
| 40 ft x 6 ft (240 sq ft of wall face) | $8,000 – $10,900 | $10,100 – $13,000 | $12,300 – $15,100 |
When to schedule retaining wall in Lincoln
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Lincoln Muni Ap (5 miles from the city center). 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 Lincoln (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 143 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Lincoln gets about 29 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 26 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and August (4.9 inches in May). Inside the workable window, April and October are the driest, at 2.7 and 2.1 inches. The station averages about 42 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 | 36 | 14 | 0.7 | Cold |
| Feb | 41 | 18 | 0.9 | Cold |
| Mar | 54 | 29 | 1.6 | Cold |
| Apr | 65 | 39 | 2.7 | Workable |
| May | 75 | 51 | 4.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 85 | 62 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Jul | 89 | 67 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Aug | 87 | 64 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Sep | 80 | 54 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Oct | 67 | 41 | 2.1 | Workable |
| Nov | 52 | 28 | 1.3 | Cold |
| Dec | 39 | 18 | 1.2 | Cold |
Lincoln against nearby metros and the rest of Nebraska
Same job, same size (200 sq ft of wall face), priced for the nearest metros. Des Moines is the priciest of the group at $10,500.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln, NEthis page | $6,650 – $12,700 | $9,700 | |
| Omaha, NE55 miles | $6,950 – $13,100 | $10,000 | +3% |
| Sioux City, IA120 miles | $7,150 – $13,300 | $10,200 | +5% |
| Topeka, KS135 miles | $6,850 – $12,900 | $9,850 | +2% |
| Des Moines, IA170 miles | $7,450 – $13,600 | $10,500 | +9% |
| Kansas City, MO185 miles | $7,400 – $13,600 | $10,500 | +8% |
| Nebraska (statewide) | $6,850 – $12,900 | $9,850 | +2% |
| United States | $7,050 – $13,500 | $10,300 | +6% |
Across 300 US metros, Lincoln comes in at #189 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, Lincoln is 2% below the Nebraska figure.
Other Nebraska metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE | 498,100 jobs | $6,950 – $13,100 | $10,000 | +3% |
Cities with a workforce like Lincoln's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Lincoln against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| York, PA | 183,590 jobs | $7,100 – $13,500 | $10,300 | +6% |
| Asheville, NC | 180,620 jobs | $6,350 – $12,400 | $9,350 | −3% |
| Tallahassee, FL | 186,160 jobs | $6,200 – $12,200 | $9,200 | −5% |
| Davenport, IA | 180,450 jobs | $7,400 – $13,600 | $10,500 | +8% |
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 Lincoln is 0.95 times the national level.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021), 50% of the weighting: a median of $26.85 an hour, 10% below the US median of $29.87. The middle half of them earn between $24.07 and $28.89 an hour. About 60 work in the metro. That is 3.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 3.4 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 30% of the weighting: a median of $22.45 an hour, in line with the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $19.28 and $24.46 an hour. About 1,250 work in the metro. That is 68.4 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 $29.24 an hour, which is in line with the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $24.86 and $30.19 an hour. BLS counts 490 of them working in the area, 26.8 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 ($28.89 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $160. At the 25th percentile ($24.07) it shrinks by about $220. The total moves by 1.7% or 2.3%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 182,620 jobs in the Lincoln area. That makes it the 126th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.12% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 50% | $24.07 | $26.85 | $28.89 | $29.87 | 0.90 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $19.28 | $22.45 | $24.46 | $22.66 | 0.99 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 20% | $24.86 | $29.24 | $30.19 | $28.78 | 1.02 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.95 | |||||
Planning more than one job in Lincoln?
Because every project leans on different trades, Lincoln's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, French drain runs −4% and concrete driveway −7%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $580 – $2,000 | −4% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,850 – $5,200 | −5% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,400 – $8,500 | −7% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,450 – $3,150 | −5% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,850 – $9,600 | −4% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $34,600 – $108,000 | −4% |
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 $8,500 to $10,900 for Lincoln, NE is attached.
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Retaining wall in Lincoln: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a retaining wall in Lincoln?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, expect $6,650 to $12,700 in the Lincoln area. A standard-spec job lands at $8,500 to $10,900. 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 Lincoln?
About $33 to $61.50 per sq ft of wall face for materials and labor, plus $45 to $410 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $35 to $65.
+Is retaining wall cheaper in Lincoln or Omaha?
Omaha is 55 miles away. The midpoint for 200 sq ft of wall face there is $10,000, which is 3% more than Lincoln ($9,700). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Lincoln?
About 46% at the midpoint, or $4,450 out of $9,700. Materials are 52% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 46%.
+What would 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) cost in Lincoln?
$5,350 to $10,200. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does retaining wall need a permit in Lincoln?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $45 to $410 for fees in the Lincoln area (our national range of $50 to $450 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Lincoln expensive for retaining wall compared with the rest of Nebraska?
Lincoln is 2% below the Nebraska statewide estimate ($9,850 at the midpoint). We cover 2 metros in Nebraska; see the state page to compare them.
+What do brickmasons and blockmasons earn in Lincoln?
The BLS median is $26.85 an hour in the Lincoln area, compared with $29.87 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $24.07 to $28.89.
+What do basic and premium retaining wall work cost in Lincoln?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, basic work runs $6,650 to $9,100 and premium work $10,300 to $12,700. 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 Lincoln?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. April 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 Lincoln
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.