Retaining wall cost in Wilmington, 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
- #231
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a retaining wall in the Wilmington 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 $23.17 an hour in the Wilmington area, 22% below the US median of $29.87.
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Estimated cost for 200 sq ft of wall face in Wilmington, NC, standard level
$8,100 to $10,500
About $39.50 to $51 per sq ft of wall face before permits. Labor is about 42% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,150 | $6,100 |
| Labor | $3,800 | $4,100 |
| Permits and fees | $160 | $320 |
| Total | $8,100 | $10,500 |
Cost breakdown for 200 sq ft of wall face in Wilmington, NC
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,700 | $5,100 | $7,550 | 55% |
| Labor | $3,550 | $3,950 | $4,350 | 42% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $240 | $430 | 3% |
| Total | $6,300 | $9,300 | $12,300 | 100% |
Where the Wilmington price comes from
Labor is 42% 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 Wilmington the blended ratio comes out at 0.84.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Wilmington 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 96.4: $50 to $430.
What nearby projects cost in Wilmington
Jobs that often go together with retaining wall are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Wilmington wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, sod installation comes out highest (−4%) and concrete driveway lowest (−12%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $560 – $2,000 | −6% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,800 – $5,100 | −7% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,250 – $8,100 | −12% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,450 – $3,150 | −4% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,750 – $9,350 | −7% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $33,200 – $103,500 | −8% |
Who does the work: Wilmington 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 Wilmington the blend is 0.84.
For brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021, weighted 50%) the local median is $23.17 an hour, which is 22% below the national $29.87. The middle half of them earn between $21.03 and $28.85 an hour. BLS counts 80 of them working in the area, 4.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 3.4), so the local bench is deeper than average.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 30%) the local median is $22.16 an hour, which is in line with the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.02 and $26.94 an hour. BLS counts 1,870 of them working in the area, 97.8 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 20% of the weighting: a median of $23.03 an hour, 20% below the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $21.55 and $27.13 an hour. About 790 work in the metro. That is 41.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (brickmasons and blockmasons) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $450 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $170. That is a swing of roughly 1.8% to 4.8% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Wilmington has 191,280 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 120th 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% | $21.03 | $23.17 | $28.85 | $29.87 | 0.78 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $18.02 | $22.16 | $26.94 | $22.66 | 0.98 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 20% | $21.55 | $23.03 | $27.13 | $28.78 | 0.80 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.84 | |||||
Retaining wall: what moves the price in Wilmington
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.
Wilmington against nearby metros and the rest of North Carolina
Of the five closest metros, 4 are cheaper than Wilmington. Myrtle Beach is the lowest at about $9,000 (midpoint, 200 sq ft of wall face), 60 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington, NCthis page | $6,300 – $12,300 | $9,300 | |
| Myrtle Beach, SC60 miles | $6,000 – $12,000 | $9,000 | −3% |
| Fayetteville, NC75 miles | $6,300 – $12,300 | $9,300 | level |
| Greenville, NC100 miles | $6,050 – $12,000 | $9,050 | −3% |
| Florence, SC100 miles | $6,300 – $12,300 | $9,300 | level |
| Raleigh, NC105 miles | $6,400 – $12,500 | $9,400 | +1% |
| 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, Wilmington ranks #231 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Wilmington 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% |
| Asheville, NC | 180,620 jobs | $6,350 – $12,400 | $9,350 | +1% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Wilmington against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | 192,390 jobs | $7,250 – $13,500 | $10,400 | +11% |
| Pensacola, FL | 190,480 jobs | $6,250 – $12,300 | $9,300 | level |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 192,580 jobs | $6,400 – $12,300 | $9,350 | +1% |
| Salem, OR | 188,620 jobs | $8,600 – $15,600 | $12,100 | +30% |
Pick a size, pick a tier: retaining wall pricing in Wilmington
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Wilmington. 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 |
The best months for retaining wall in Wilmington
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Wilmington Intl 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 Wilmington are August through June: 11 of 12. Outside them, July has an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Wilmington gets about 60 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are July, August and September (8.7 inches in September). Inside the workable window, February and April are the driest, at 3.5 and 3.1 inches. The station averages about 45 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 | 57 | 36 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Feb | 60 | 38 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Mar | 67 | 44 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Apr | 75 | 53 | 3.1 | Workable |
| May | 81 | 61 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Jun | 87 | 69 | 5.7 | Workable |
| Jul | 90 | 73 | 6.9 | Hot |
| Aug | 88 | 72 | 8.2 | Workable |
| Sep | 84 | 67 | 8.7 | Workable |
| Oct | 76 | 56 | 4.7 | Workable |
| Nov | 67 | 45 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Dec | 60 | 39 | 3.7 | Workable |
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 $8,100 to $10,500 for Wilmington, NC is attached.
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Retaining wall in Wilmington: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a retaining wall in Wilmington?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, expect $6,300 to $12,300 in the Wilmington 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 Wilmington?
About $31 to $59.50 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 Wilmington or Myrtle Beach?
Myrtle Beach is 60 miles away. The midpoint for 200 sq ft of wall face there is $9,000, which is 3% less than Wilmington ($9,300). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Wilmington?
About 42% 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 Wilmington?
$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 Wilmington?
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 Wilmington area (our national range of $50 to $450 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Wilmington expensive for retaining wall compared with the rest of North Carolina?
Wilmington 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 Wilmington?
The BLS median is $23.17 an hour in the Wilmington area, compared with $29.87 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.03 to $28.85.
+What do basic and premium retaining wall work cost in Wilmington?
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 Wilmington?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are August through June. February and April 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 Wilmington
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.