Retaining wall cost in Fargo, ND
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (200 sq ft of wall face)
- $7,000 – $13,200
- Per sq ft of wall face
- $35 – $64
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −2%
- US $10,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #145
- 1 = most expensive
A retaining wall in Fargo, ND usually costs $7,000 to $13,200 for 200 sq ft of wall face. That works out to about $35 to $64 per sq ft of wall face before permits. That is within a few percent of the national midpoint, so there is little local premium or discount. Building materials run about 4% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 95.7).
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Estimated cost for 200 sq ft of wall face in Fargo, ND, standard level
$8,850 to $11,300
About $43.50 to $55 per sq ft of wall face before permits. Labor is about 48% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,100 | $6,050 |
| Labor | $4,600 | $5,000 |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $300 |
| Total | $8,850 | $11,300 |
Cost breakdown for 200 sq ft of wall face in Fargo, ND
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,700 | $5,050 | $7,450 | 50% |
| Labor | $4,300 | $4,800 | $5,300 | 48% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $230 | $410 | 2% |
| Total | $7,000 | $10,100 | $13,200 | 100% |
Where the Fargo price comes from
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, Fargo wages are 1.02 times the national level. Labor makes up about 48% of the midpoint estimate (46% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Fargo is at 95.7 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $5,300 nationally becomes $5,050 here (midpoint, 200 sq ft of wall face). Permits follow the all-items index of 90.9: $45 to $410.
Cost by quality level and size in Fargo
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Fargo. 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
$7,000 to $9,450
Short block wall, easy access
Standard
$8,850 to $11,300
Standard segmental block wall with drainage
Premium
$10,700 to $13,200
Tall or stone wall, engineered, hard access
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short garden wall (4x25 ft), 100 sq ft of wall face | $3,550 – $4,850 | $4,500 – $5,800 | $5,500 – $6,800 |
| 20 ft x 4 ft (80 sq ft of wall face) | $2,850 – $3,900 | $3,650 – $4,700 | $4,450 – $5,500 |
| 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) | $5,600 – $7,600 | $7,100 – $9,100 | $8,600 – $10,600 |
| 40 ft x 6 ft (240 sq ft of wall face) | $8,400 – $11,300 | $10,600 – $13,500 | $12,800 – $15,700 |
Specs and site conditions that change a Fargo 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.
What local crews earn in Fargo
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 Fargo the blend is 1.02.
For brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021, weighted 50%) the local median is $29.86 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.87. The middle half of them earn between $27.39 and $39.10 an hour. BLS counts 90 of them working in the area, 6.1 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 $23.72 an hour, which is 5% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.29 and $29.85 an hour. BLS counts 1,760 of them working in the area, 118.4 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 $29.66 an hour, 3% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $26.36 and $34.82 an hour. About 960 work in the metro. That is 64.6 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 $730 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $190. That is a swing of roughly 1.9% to 7.2% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Fargo has 148,660 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 156th 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% | $27.39 | $29.86 | $39.10 | $29.87 | 1.00 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $22.29 | $23.72 | $29.85 | $22.66 | 1.05 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 20% | $26.36 | $29.66 | $34.82 | $28.78 | 1.03 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.02 | |||||
Fargo 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, Fargo Hector 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 Fargo are May through October: 6 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March, April, November and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
In January, February, March, April, 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 172 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Fargo gets about 24 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 51 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and July (4.3 inches in June). Inside the workable window, August and October are the driest, at 2.6 and 2.2 inches. The station averages about 11 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 | 18 | 0 | 0.7 | Cold |
| Feb | 23 | 4 | 0.7 | Cold |
| Mar | 36 | 18 | 1.3 | Cold |
| Apr | 54 | 32 | 1.5 | Cold |
| May | 69 | 44 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Jun | 78 | 56 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 82 | 59 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Aug | 81 | 57 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Sep | 72 | 48 | 2.7 | Workable |
| Oct | 56 | 35 | 2.2 | Workable |
| Nov | 38 | 21 | 1.0 | Cold |
| Dec | 24 | 8 | 0.9 | Cold |
Related projects, priced for Fargo
Jobs that often go together with retaining wall are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Fargo wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, sod installation comes out highest (+3%) and sprinkler system lowest (−1%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $600 – $2,100 | −1% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,050 – $5,500 | +1% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,600 – $9,200 | level |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,550 – $3,400 | +3% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,950 – $9,900 | −1% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $35,900 – $112,000 | −1% |
Is Fargo cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, 1 is cheaper than Fargo. Sioux Falls is the lowest at about $9,950 (midpoint, 200 sq ft of wall face), 235 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo, NDthis page | $7,000 – $13,200 | $10,100 | |
| St. Cloud, MN150 miles | $8,250 – $14,700 | $11,500 | +14% |
| Bismarck, ND190 miles | $7,650 – $13,900 | $10,800 | +7% |
| Minneapolis, MN215 miles | $9,100 – $16,100 | $12,600 | +25% |
| Duluth, MN215 miles | $8,150 – $14,500 | $11,300 | +12% |
| Sioux Falls, SD235 miles | $6,900 – $13,000 | $9,950 | −1% |
| North Dakota (statewide) | $7,600 – $13,900 | $10,800 | +7% |
| United States | $7,050 – $13,500 | $10,300 | +2% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Fargo ranks #145 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Fargo is 6% below the North Dakota figure.
Elsewhere in North Dakota
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck, ND | 71,270 jobs | $7,650 – $13,900 | $10,800 | +7% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Fargo against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Killeen, TX | 150,580 jobs | $6,250 – $12,200 | $9,200 | −9% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | 146,260 jobs | $6,000 – $12,000 | $9,000 | −11% |
| Gainesville, FL | 152,670 jobs | $6,300 – $12,400 | $9,350 | −7% |
| Vallejo, CA | 144,130 jobs | $8,350 – $15,300 | $11,800 | +17% |
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Retaining wall in Fargo: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a retaining wall in Fargo?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, expect $7,000 to $13,200 in the Fargo area. A standard-spec job lands at $8,850 to $11,300. 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 Fargo?
About $35 to $64 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 Fargo or St. Cloud?
St. Cloud is 150 miles away. The midpoint for 200 sq ft of wall face there is $11,500, which is 14% more than Fargo ($10,100). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Fargo?
About 48% at the midpoint, or $4,800 out of $10,100. Materials are 50% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 46%.
+What would 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) cost in Fargo?
$5,600 to $10,600. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does retaining wall need a permit in Fargo?
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 Fargo area (our national range of $50 to $450 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Fargo expensive for retaining wall compared with the rest of North Dakota?
Fargo is 6% below the North Dakota statewide estimate ($10,800 at the midpoint). We cover 2 metros in North Dakota; see the state page to compare them.
+What do brickmasons and blockmasons earn in Fargo?
The BLS median is $29.86 an hour in the Fargo area, compared with $29.87 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $27.39 to $39.10.
+What do basic and premium retaining wall work cost in Fargo?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, basic work runs $7,000 to $9,450 and premium work $10,700 to $13,200. 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 Fargo?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are May through October. August 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 Fargo
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.