Retaining wall cost in Burlington, NC
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (200 sq ft of wall face)
- $6,300 – $12,300
- Per sq ft of wall face
- $31 – $59.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −9%
- US $10,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #229
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a retaining wall in the Burlington area: $6,300 to $12,300 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 9% lower than the US figure. Brickmasons and blockmasons earn a median of $24.01 an hour in the Burlington area, 20% below the US median of $29.87.
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Estimated cost for 200 sq ft of wall face in Burlington, NC, standard level
$8,100 to $10,500
About $40 to $51 per sq ft of wall face before permits. Labor is about 43% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,150 | $6,100 |
| Labor | $3,800 | $4,150 |
| Permits and fees | $160 | $310 |
| Total | $8,100 | $10,500 |
Cost breakdown for 200 sq ft of wall face in Burlington, NC
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,700 | $5,100 | $7,550 | 55% |
| Labor | $3,550 | $3,950 | $4,400 | 43% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $230 | $420 | 3% |
| Total | $6,300 | $9,300 | $12,300 | 100% |
Why Burlington prices look the way they do
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 $24.01 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Burlington is 0.84 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 43% of the total. BLS does not publish this trade for the metro, so we used the North Carolina statewide median.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Burlington is at 96.6 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $5,300 nationally becomes $5,100 here (midpoint, 200 sq ft of wall face). Permits follow the all-items index of 93.2: $45 to $420.
Data note: 50% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Burlington. The wage table below marks each row.
The best months for retaining wall in Burlington
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Burlington Alamance 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 Burlington are February through June and August through December: 10 of 12. Outside them, January has an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F), and July has an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
In January the average low is at or below freezing, which means frozen ground and slower digging, compaction and sod or stone placement. NOAA counts about 78 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Burlington gets about 43 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, July and September (4.7 inches in July). Inside the workable window, February and October are the driest, at 2.8 and 3.1 inches. The station averages about 48 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 | 52 | 30 | 3.1 | Cold |
| Feb | 56 | 33 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Mar | 64 | 39 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Apr | 74 | 48 | 3.8 | Workable |
| May | 80 | 57 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 88 | 65 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 91 | 70 | 4.7 | Hot |
| Aug | 89 | 68 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Sep | 83 | 62 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Oct | 73 | 49 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Nov | 63 | 38 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Dec | 55 | 33 | 3.1 | Workable |
Related projects, priced for Burlington
Jobs that often go together with retaining wall are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Burlington wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, sod installation comes out highest (−5%) and concrete driveway lowest (−13%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $560 – $1,950 | −7% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,750 – $4,950 | −9% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,250 – $8,000 | −13% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,450 – $3,150 | −5% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,700 – $9,250 | −7% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $33,000 – $103,000 | −9% |
Who does the work: Burlington 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 Burlington the blend is 0.84.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) carry 50% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Burlington metro, so we used the North Carolina statewide median: $24.01 an hour against $29.87 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $21.78 and $27.70 an hour.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 30%) the local median is $20.35 an hour, which is 10% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.66 and $22.91 an hour. BLS counts 400 of them working in the area, 59.0 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 $24.79 an hour, 14% below the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $22.20 and $26.13 an hour. About 200 work in the metro. That is 29.5 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (brickmasons and blockmasons) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $290 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $180. That is a swing of roughly 1.9% to 3.1% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Burlington has 67,830 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 266th 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% | $21.78 | $24.01 | $27.70 | $29.87 | 0.80 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $17.66 | $20.35 | $22.91 | $22.66 | 0.90 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 20% | $22.20 | $24.79 | $26.13 | $28.78 | 0.86 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.84 | |||||
Burlington against nearby metros and the rest of North Carolina
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 $9,150 to $9,450 across Burlington and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington, NCthis page | $6,300 – $12,300 | $9,300 | |
| Durham, NC15 miles | $6,400 – $12,500 | $9,450 | +1% |
| Greensboro, NC20 miles | $6,200 – $12,200 | $9,200 | −1% |
| Winston, NC55 miles | $6,150 – $12,200 | $9,150 | −2% |
| Raleigh, NC55 miles | $6,400 – $12,500 | $9,400 | +1% |
| Fayetteville, NC75 miles | $6,300 – $12,300 | $9,300 | level |
| North Carolina (statewide) | $6,350 – $12,400 | $9,350 | level |
| United States | $7,050 – $13,500 | $10,300 | +10% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Burlington ranks #229 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Burlington is 0% below the North Carolina figure.
Elsewhere in North Carolina
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte, NC | 1,358,370 jobs | $6,450 – $12,600 | $9,500 | +2% |
| Raleigh, NC | 743,120 jobs | $6,400 – $12,500 | $9,400 | +1% |
| Greensboro, NC | 365,410 jobs | $6,200 – $12,200 | $9,200 | −1% |
| Durham, NC | 344,020 jobs | $6,400 – $12,500 | $9,450 | +1% |
| Winston, NC | 271,980 jobs | $6,150 – $12,200 | $9,150 | −2% |
| Wilmington, NC | 191,280 jobs | $6,300 – $12,300 | $9,300 | level |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Burlington against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dover, DE | 68,080 jobs | $6,900 – $13,100 | $10,000 | +7% |
| Winchester, VA | 67,740 jobs | $6,450 – $12,500 | $9,500 | +2% |
| Traverse City, MI | 68,440 jobs | $7,550 – $13,800 | $10,600 | +14% |
| Morgantown, WV | 67,370 jobs | $6,250 – $12,300 | $9,250 | −1% |
Why two Burlington 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.
Pick a size, pick a tier: retaining wall pricing in Burlington
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Burlington. 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
$6,300 to $8,700
Short block wall, easy access
Standard
$8,100 to $10,500
Standard segmental block wall with drainage
Premium
$9,900 to $12,300
Tall or stone wall, engineered, hard access
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short garden wall (4x25 ft), 100 sq ft of wall face | $3,150 – $4,450 | $4,150 – $5,400 | $5,100 – $6,400 |
| 20 ft x 4 ft (80 sq ft of wall face) | $2,550 – $3,600 | $3,350 – $4,400 | $4,150 – $5,200 |
| 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) | $5,050 – $7,000 | $6,500 – $8,500 | $8,000 – $9,950 |
| 40 ft x 6 ft (240 sq ft of wall face) | $7,550 – $10,400 | $9,700 – $12,600 | $11,900 – $14,700 |
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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 $8,100 to $10,500 for Burlington, NC is attached.
Detailed retaining wall report for Burlington, NC, $9
The report lays out the retaining wall numbers for Burlington, NC 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 Burlington: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a retaining wall in Burlington?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, expect $6,300 to $12,300 in the Burlington area. A standard-spec job lands at $8,100 to $10,500. 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 Burlington?
About $31 to $59.50 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 Burlington or Durham?
Durham is 15 miles away. The midpoint for 200 sq ft of wall face there is $9,450, which is 1% more than Burlington ($9,300). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Burlington?
About 43% at the midpoint, or $3,950 out of $9,300. Materials are 55% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 46%.
+What would 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) cost in Burlington?
$5,050 to $9,950. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does retaining wall need a permit in Burlington?
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 Burlington area (our national range of $50 to $450 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Burlington expensive for retaining wall compared with the rest of North Carolina?
Burlington is 0% below the North Carolina statewide estimate ($9,350 at the midpoint). We cover 11 metros in North Carolina; see the state page to compare them.
+What do brickmasons and blockmasons earn in Burlington?
BLS has no published metro figure here, so we use the statewide median of $24.01 an hour, compared with $29.87 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.78 to $27.70.
+What do basic and premium retaining wall work cost in Burlington?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, basic work runs $6,300 to $8,700 and premium work $9,900 to $12,300. 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 Burlington?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are February through June and August through December. February 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 Burlington
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.