Retaining wall cost in Winston, NC
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (200 sq ft of wall face)
- $6,150 – $12,200
- Per sq ft of wall face
- $30.50 – $59
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −11%
- US $10,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #262
- 1 = most expensive
A retaining wall in Winston, NC usually costs $6,150 to $12,200 for 200 sq ft of wall face. That works out to about $30.50 to $59 per sq ft of wall face before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $1,100 less. Brickmasons and blockmasons earn a median of $23.03 an hour in the Winston area, 23% below the US median of $29.87.
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Estimated cost for 200 sq ft of wall face in Winston, NC, standard level
$7,950 to $10,400
About $39 to $50.50 per sq ft of wall face before permits. Labor is about 42% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,150 | $6,100 |
| Labor | $3,650 | $4,000 |
| Permits and fees | $160 | $300 |
| Total | $7,950 | $10,400 |
Cost breakdown for 200 sq ft of wall face in Winston, NC
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,700 | $5,100 | $7,550 | 56% |
| Labor | $3,400 | $3,800 | $4,250 | 42% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $230 | $410 | 3% |
| Total | $6,150 | $9,150 | $12,200 | 100% |
Why Winston prices look the way they do
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 3 trades: brickmasons and blockmasons at 50%, construction laborers at 30%, operating engineers and other construction equipment operators at 20%. Weighted together, Winston wages are 0.81 times the national level. Labor makes up about 42% of the midpoint estimate (46% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Winston 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 92.0: $45 to $410.
Is Winston cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (200 sq ft of wall face), priced for the nearest metros. Charlotte is the priciest of the group at $9,500.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winston, NCthis page | $6,150 – $12,200 | $9,150 | |
| Greensboro, NC30 miles | $6,200 – $12,200 | $9,200 | level |
| Burlington, NC55 miles | $6,300 – $12,300 | $9,300 | +2% |
| Hickory, NC65 miles | $6,300 – $12,300 | $9,300 | +1% |
| Charlotte, NC70 miles | $6,450 – $12,600 | $9,500 | +4% |
| Durham, NC70 miles | $6,400 – $12,500 | $9,450 | +3% |
| North Carolina (statewide) | $6,350 – $12,400 | $9,350 | +2% |
| United States | $7,050 – $13,500 | $10,300 | +12% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Winston ranks #262 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Winston is 2% 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 | +4% |
| Raleigh, NC | 743,120 jobs | $6,400 – $12,500 | $9,400 | +3% |
| Greensboro, NC | 365,410 jobs | $6,200 – $12,200 | $9,200 | level |
| Durham, NC | 344,020 jobs | $6,400 – $12,500 | $9,450 | +3% |
| Wilmington, NC | 191,280 jobs | $6,300 – $12,300 | $9,300 | +2% |
| Asheville, NC | 180,620 jobs | $6,350 – $12,400 | $9,350 | +2% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Winston against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville, AR | 275,180 jobs | $6,450 – $12,400 | $9,400 | +3% |
| Ogden, UT | 271,370 jobs | $6,900 – $13,100 | $10,000 | +9% |
| Reno, NV | 275,680 jobs | $7,200 – $13,500 | $10,300 | +13% |
| Jackson, MS | 270,730 jobs | $6,050 – $12,000 | $9,050 | −1% |
Winston: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Winston. 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
$6,150 to $8,550
Short block wall, easy access
Standard
$7,950 to $10,400
Standard segmental block wall with drainage
Premium
$9,750 to $12,200
Tall or stone wall, engineered, hard access
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short garden wall (4x25 ft), 100 sq ft of wall face | $3,100 – $4,400 | $4,050 – $5,350 | $5,000 – $6,300 |
| 20 ft x 4 ft (80 sq ft of wall face) | $2,500 – $3,550 | $3,300 – $4,350 | $4,050 – $5,100 |
| 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) | $4,950 – $6,900 | $6,400 – $8,350 | $7,850 – $9,850 |
| 40 ft x 6 ft (240 sq ft of wall face) | $7,400 – $10,200 | $9,550 – $12,400 | $11,700 – $14,500 |
What local crews earn in Winston
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 Winston the blend is 0.81.
For brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021, weighted 50%) the local median is $23.03 an hour, which is 23% below the national $29.87. The middle half of them earn between $21.91 and $27.46 an hour. BLS counts 140 of them working in the area, 5.1 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 $20.29 an hour, which is 10% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.01 and $22.76 an hour. BLS counts 2,000 of them working in the area, 73.5 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is about average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 20% of the weighting: a median of $22.88 an hour, 21% below the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $21.65 and $24.80 an hour. About 770 work in the metro. That is 28.3 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 $350 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $90. That is a swing of roughly 1.0% to 3.8% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Winston-Salem has 271,980 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 94th 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% | $21.91 | $23.03 | $27.46 | $29.87 | 0.77 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $18.01 | $20.29 | $22.76 | $22.66 | 0.90 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 20% | $21.65 | $22.88 | $24.80 | $28.78 | 0.79 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.81 | |||||
Retaining wall: what moves the price in Winston
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.
Winston weather and the retaining wall calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Winston Salem Rynlds Ap (10 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 Winston are February through December: 11 of 12. Outside them, January has an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
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 64 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Winston gets about 43 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are July, August and September (4.5 inches in August). Inside the workable window, February and November are the driest, at 2.9 and 3.1 inches. The station averages about 33 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 | 49 | 31 | 3.4 | Cold |
| Feb | 53 | 33 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Mar | 61 | 40 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Apr | 71 | 48 | 3.7 | Workable |
| May | 78 | 57 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Jun | 85 | 65 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Jul | 88 | 69 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Aug | 86 | 68 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Sep | 80 | 61 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Oct | 71 | 49 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Nov | 60 | 39 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Dec | 52 | 34 | 3.3 | Workable |
What nearby projects cost in Winston
Jobs that often go together with retaining wall are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Winston 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 | $550 – $1,950 | −8% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,750 – $4,950 | −9% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,200 – $7,950 | −13% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,450 – $3,150 | −5% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,550 – $8,950 | −11% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $32,300 – $101,000 | −11% |
Get 3 local quotes
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Retaining wall in Winston: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a retaining wall in Winston?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, expect $6,150 to $12,200 in the Winston area. A standard-spec job lands at $7,950 to $10,400. 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 Winston?
About $30.50 to $59 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 Winston or Greensboro?
Greensboro is 30 miles away. The midpoint for 200 sq ft of wall face there is $9,200, which is 0% more than Winston ($9,150). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Winston?
About 42% at the midpoint, or $3,800 out of $9,150. Materials are 56% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 46%.
+What would 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) cost in Winston?
$4,950 to $9,850. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does retaining wall need a permit in Winston?
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 Winston area (our national range of $50 to $450 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Winston expensive for retaining wall compared with the rest of North Carolina?
Winston is 2% 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 Winston?
The BLS median is $23.03 an hour in the Winston area, compared with $29.87 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.91 to $27.46.
+What do basic and premium retaining wall work cost in Winston?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, basic work runs $6,150 to $8,550 and premium work $9,750 to $12,200. 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 Winston?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are February through December. February and November 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 Winston
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.