Retaining wall cost in Altoona, PA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (200 sq ft of wall face)
- $7,900 – $14,500
- Per sq ft of wall face
- $39.50 – $70.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +9%
- US $10,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #69
- 1 = most expensive
A retaining wall in Altoona, PA usually costs $7,900 to $14,500 for 200 sq ft of wall face. That works out to about $39.50 to $70.50 per sq ft of wall face before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $960 more. Brickmasons and blockmasons earn a median of $44.24 an hour in the Altoona area, 48% above the US median of $29.87.
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Estimated cost for 200 sq ft of wall face in Altoona, PA, standard level
$9,900 to $12,500
About $48.50 to $61 per sq ft of wall face before permits. Labor is about 50% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,350 | $6,350 |
| Labor | $5,400 | $5,900 |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $300 |
| Total | $9,900 | $12,500 |
Cost breakdown for 200 sq ft of wall face in Altoona, PA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,800 | $5,350 | $7,850 | 48% |
| Labor | $5,050 | $5,650 | $6,250 | 50% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $220 | $400 | 2% |
| Total | $7,900 | $11,200 | $14,500 | 100% |
What is behind the Altoona number
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, Altoona wages are 1.20 times the national level. Labor makes up about 50% of the midpoint estimate (46% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Altoona is at 100.7 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $5,300 nationally becomes $5,350 here (midpoint, 200 sq ft of wall face). Permits follow the all-items index of 89.5: $45 to $400.
What local crews earn in Altoona
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 Altoona the blend is 1.20.
For brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021, weighted 50%) the local median is $44.24 an hour, which is 48% above the national $29.87. The middle half of them earn between $35.79 and $48.57 an hour. BLS counts 70 of them working in the area, 11.9 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 $22.03 an hour, which is in line with the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.45 and $24.02 an hour. BLS counts 350 of them working in the area, 59.7 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 $24.42 an hour, 15% below the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $23.52 and $27.36 an hour. About 230 work in the metro. That is 39.2 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 $340 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $660. That is a swing of roughly 5.9% to 3.0% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Altoona has 58,650 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 291st 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% | $35.79 | $44.24 | $48.57 | $29.87 | 1.48 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $18.45 | $22.03 | $24.02 | $22.66 | 0.97 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 20% | $23.52 | $24.42 | $27.36 | $28.78 | 0.85 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.20 | |||||
Planning more than one job in Altoona?
Jobs that often go together with retaining wall are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Altoona wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, paver patio comes out highest (+7%) and concrete driveway lowest (−4%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $570 – $2,000 | −4% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,200 – $5,800 | +7% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,500 – $8,750 | −4% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,450 – $3,150 | −4% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,900 – $9,750 | −3% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $36,900 – $115,000 | +2% |
Altoona against nearby metros and the rest of Pennsylvania
Of the five closest metros, all are cheaper than Altoona. Hagerstown is the lowest at about $9,550 (midpoint, 200 sq ft of wall face), 65 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Altoona, PAthis page | $7,900 – $14,500 | $11,200 | |
| State College, PA35 miles | $7,500 – $14,000 | $10,800 | −4% |
| Chambersburg, PA50 miles | $7,300 – $13,800 | $10,500 | −6% |
| Harrisburg, PA65 miles | $7,450 – $14,000 | $10,700 | −4% |
| Hagerstown, MD65 miles | $6,500 – $12,600 | $9,550 | −15% |
| Pittsburgh, PA80 miles | $7,700 – $14,300 | $11,000 | −2% |
| Pennsylvania (statewide) | $7,350 – $13,800 | $10,600 | −6% |
| United States | $7,050 – $13,500 | $10,300 | −9% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Altoona ranks #69 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Altoona is 6% above the Pennsylvania figure.
Elsewhere in Pennsylvania
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA | 2,897,830 jobs | $7,750 – $14,200 | $11,000 | −2% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 1,114,490 jobs | $7,700 – $14,300 | $11,000 | −2% |
| Allentown, PA | 377,180 jobs | $7,200 – $13,600 | $10,400 | −7% |
| Harrisburg, PA | 335,010 jobs | $7,450 – $14,000 | $10,700 | −4% |
| Scranton, PA | 255,620 jobs | $7,350 – $13,800 | $10,600 | −6% |
| Lancaster, PA | 252,230 jobs | $7,150 – $13,600 | $10,400 | −7% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Altoona against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingston, NY | 59,140 jobs | $8,000 – $14,600 | $11,300 | +1% |
| Dubuque, IA | 58,470 jobs | $7,200 – $13,300 | $10,200 | −9% |
| Niles, MI | 59,970 jobs | $6,900 – $13,000 | $9,950 | −11% |
| Albany, GA | 58,390 jobs | $6,050 – $12,000 | $9,000 | −19% |
Cost by quality level and size in Altoona
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Altoona. 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
$7,900 to $10,500
Short block wall, easy access
Standard
$9,900 to $12,500
Standard segmental block wall with drainage
Premium
$11,900 to $14,500
Tall or stone wall, engineered, hard access
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short garden wall (4x25 ft), 100 sq ft of wall face | $4,000 – $5,350 | $5,000 – $6,400 | $6,050 – $7,450 |
| 20 ft x 4 ft (80 sq ft of wall face) | $3,200 – $4,350 | $4,050 – $5,200 | $4,900 – $6,050 |
| 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) | $6,350 – $8,500 | $7,950 – $10,100 | $9,550 – $11,700 |
| 40 ft x 6 ft (240 sq ft of wall face) | $9,500 – $12,600 | $11,800 – $15,000 | $14,200 – $17,300 |
Why two Altoona quotes can differ
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.
Altoona 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, Altoona 3 W (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 Altoona are April through November: 8 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
In January, February, March 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 128 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Altoona gets about 45 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 38 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and September (4.4 inches in May). Inside the workable window, April and November are the driest, at 3.8 and 3.6 inches. The station averages about 6 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 | 34 | 19 | 2.9 | Cold |
| Feb | 37 | 20 | 2.6 | Cold |
| Mar | 46 | 28 | 3.5 | Cold |
| Apr | 60 | 39 | 3.8 | Workable |
| May | 70 | 49 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 77 | 57 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 81 | 61 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Aug | 80 | 60 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Sep | 73 | 53 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Oct | 61 | 42 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 49 | 33 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Dec | 38 | 24 | 3.4 | Cold |
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Detailed retaining wall report for Altoona, PA, $9
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Retaining wall in Altoona: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a retaining wall in Altoona?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, expect $7,900 to $14,500 in the Altoona area. A standard-spec job lands at $9,900 to $12,500. 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 Altoona?
About $39.50 to $70.50 per sq ft of wall face for materials and labor, plus $45 to $400 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $35 to $65.
+Is retaining wall cheaper in Altoona or State College?
State College is 35 miles away. The midpoint for 200 sq ft of wall face there is $10,800, which is 4% less than Altoona ($11,200). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Altoona?
About 50% at the midpoint, or $5,650 out of $11,200. Materials are 48% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 46%.
+What would 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) cost in Altoona?
$6,350 to $11,700. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does retaining wall need a permit in Altoona?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $45 to $400 for fees in the Altoona area (our national range of $50 to $450 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Altoona expensive for retaining wall compared with the rest of Pennsylvania?
Altoona is 6% above the Pennsylvania statewide estimate ($10,600 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Pennsylvania; see the state page to compare them.
+What do brickmasons and blockmasons earn in Altoona?
The BLS median is $44.24 an hour in the Altoona area, compared with $29.87 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $35.79 to $48.57.
+What do basic and premium retaining wall work cost in Altoona?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, basic work runs $7,900 to $10,500 and premium work $11,900 to $14,500. 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 Altoona?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through November. April 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 Altoona
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.