Retaining wall cost in Philadelphia, PA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (200 sq ft of wall face)
- $7,750 – $14,200
- Per sq ft of wall face
- $38.50 – $68.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +7%
- US $10,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #81
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to build a retaining wall in Philadelphia, plan on $7,750 to $14,200 for 200 sq ft of wall face, all in. Per sq ft of wall face, that is $38.50 to $68.50 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 7% higher than the national one. Brickmasons and blockmasons earn a median of $36.52 an hour in the Philadelphia area, 22% above the US median of $29.87.
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Estimated cost for 200 sq ft of wall face in Philadelphia, PA, standard level
$9,650 to $12,200
About $47.50 to $59.50 per sq ft of wall face before permits. Labor is about 51% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,150 | $6,100 |
| Labor | $5,350 | $5,800 |
| Permits and fees | $170 | $340 |
| Total | $9,650 | $12,200 |
Cost breakdown for 200 sq ft of wall face in Philadelphia, PA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,700 | $5,150 | $7,550 | 47% |
| Labor | $5,000 | $5,550 | $6,150 | 51% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $260 | $460 | 2% |
| Total | $7,750 | $11,000 | $14,200 | 100% |
Why Philadelphia 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 $36.52 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Philadelphia is 1.19 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 51% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Philadelphia metro is 96.8 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 200 sq ft of wall face comes to $5,150, compared with $5,300 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (102.6) and land at $50 to $460.
Philadelphia labor market for retaining wall
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 3 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Philadelphia is 1.19 times the national level.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021), 50% of the weighting: a median of $36.52 an hour, 22% above the US median of $29.87. The middle half of them earn between $29.34 and $47.31 an hour. About 1,210 work in the metro. That is 4.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 3.4 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 30% of the weighting: a median of $26.50 an hour, 17% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.43 and $34.37 an hour. About 14,580 work in the metro. That is 50.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 20%) the local median is $32.12 an hour, which is 12% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $27.12 and $44.43 an hour. BLS counts 5,620 of them working in the area, 19.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the brickmasons and blockmasons on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($47.31 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $850. At the 25th percentile ($29.34) it shrinks by about $560. The total moves by 7.7% or 5.2%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 2,897,830 jobs in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington area. That makes it the 7th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 1.86% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 50% | $29.34 | $36.52 | $47.31 | $29.87 | 1.22 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $22.43 | $26.50 | $34.37 | $22.66 | 1.17 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 20% | $27.12 | $32.12 | $44.43 | $28.78 | 1.12 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.19 | |||||
Climate in Philadelphia: timing your retaining wall job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Philadelphia Ne Ap (10 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
March through November is the stretch where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Philadelphia (9 of 12 months). January, February and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
In January, February 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 88 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Philadelphia gets about 45 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are July, August and September (4.5 inches in September). Inside the workable window, May and November are the driest, at 3.6 and 3.2 inches. The station averages about 29 days a year at 90°F or above.
Does the season change the price? Probably, but we do not have a sourced seasonal price curve, so the estimator shows a year-round figure and does not adjust by month. When you collect quotes, ask whether scheduling in a slower month gets a better rate.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 42 | 27 | 3.3 | Cold |
| Feb | 45 | 28 | 2.6 | Cold |
| Mar | 53 | 35 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Apr | 65 | 44 | 3.8 | Workable |
| May | 75 | 54 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Jun | 83 | 64 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Jul | 88 | 69 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Aug | 86 | 68 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Sep | 79 | 60 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Oct | 68 | 48 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Nov | 57 | 38 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 47 | 31 | 4.0 | Cold |
Cost by quality level and size in Philadelphia
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Philadelphia wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 4 common sizes.
Basic
$7,750 to $10,300
Short block wall, easy access
Standard
$9,650 to $12,200
Standard segmental block wall with drainage
Premium
$11,600 to $14,200
Tall or stone wall, engineered, hard access
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short garden wall (4x25 ft), 100 sq ft of wall face | $3,900 – $5,250 | $4,900 – $6,300 | $5,950 – $7,300 |
| 20 ft x 4 ft (80 sq ft of wall face) | $3,150 – $4,250 | $3,950 – $5,100 | $4,800 – $5,950 |
| 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) | $6,200 – $8,300 | $7,750 – $9,850 | $9,350 – $11,400 |
| 40 ft x 6 ft (240 sq ft of wall face) | $9,300 – $12,300 | $11,600 – $14,600 | $13,900 – $16,900 |
Planning more than one job in Philadelphia?
Because every project leans on different trades, Philadelphia's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, paver patio runs +9% and sod installation +3%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $640 – $2,250 | +7% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,250 – $5,950 | +9% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,850 – $9,800 | +6% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,550 – $3,400 | +3% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,250 – $10,700 | +7% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $38,700 – $120,500 | +7% |
Specs and site conditions that change a Philadelphia bid
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.
Height
Walls over 4 feet need engineering, deeper excavation and more skilled labor; many cities require permits over 3-4 feet (HomeGuide).
Philadelphia against nearby metros and the rest of Pennsylvania
Of the five closest metros, 2 are cheaper than Philadelphia. Lancaster is the lowest at about $10,400 (midpoint, 200 sq ft of wall face), 50 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PAthis page | $7,750 – $14,200 | $11,000 | |
| Vineland, NJ40 miles | $8,750 – $15,500 | $12,200 | +11% |
| Trenton, NJ40 miles | $8,350 – $15,100 | $11,700 | +7% |
| Reading, PA50 miles | $7,400 – $13,900 | $10,700 | −3% |
| Lancaster, PA50 miles | $7,150 – $13,600 | $10,400 | −5% |
| Atlantic City, NJ50 miles | $8,000 – $14,600 | $11,300 | +3% |
| Pennsylvania (statewide) | $7,350 – $13,800 | $10,600 | −4% |
| United States | $7,050 – $13,500 | $10,300 | −6% |
Across 300 US metros, Philadelphia comes in at #81 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $13,500; the cheapest is El Paso, TX at $8,850 (midpoints, 200 sq ft of wall face). Statewide, Philadelphia is 4% above the Pennsylvania figure.
Other Pennsylvania metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh, PA | 1,114,490 jobs | $7,700 – $14,300 | $11,000 | level |
| Allentown, PA | 377,180 jobs | $7,200 – $13,600 | $10,400 | −5% |
| Harrisburg, PA | 335,010 jobs | $7,450 – $14,000 | $10,700 | −2% |
| Scranton, PA | 255,620 jobs | $7,350 – $13,800 | $10,600 | −3% |
| Lancaster, PA | 252,230 jobs | $7,150 – $13,600 | $10,400 | −5% |
| York, PA | 183,590 jobs | $7,100 – $13,500 | $10,300 | −6% |
Cities with a workforce like Philadelphia's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Philadelphia against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington, DC | 3,136,190 jobs | $7,150 – $13,800 | $10,500 | −4% |
| Atlanta, GA | 2,889,670 jobs | $6,600 – $12,900 | $9,750 | −11% |
| Houston, TX | 3,289,720 jobs | $6,600 – $12,900 | $9,750 | −11% |
| Miami, FL | 2,819,940 jobs | $6,800 – $13,400 | $10,100 | −8% |
Get 3 local quotes
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Retaining wall in Philadelphia: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a retaining wall in Philadelphia?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, expect $7,750 to $14,200 in the Philadelphia area. A standard-spec job lands at $9,650 to $12,200. 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 Philadelphia?
About $38.50 to $68.50 per sq ft of wall face for materials and labor, plus $50 to $460 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $35 to $65.
+Is retaining wall cheaper in Philadelphia or Vineland?
Vineland is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 200 sq ft of wall face there is $12,200, which is 11% more than Philadelphia ($11,000). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Philadelphia?
About 51% at the midpoint, or $5,550 out of $11,000. Materials are 47% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 46%.
+What would 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) cost in Philadelphia?
$6,200 to $11,400. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does retaining wall need a permit in Philadelphia?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $50 to $460 for fees in the Philadelphia area (our national range of $50 to $450 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Philadelphia expensive for retaining wall compared with the rest of Pennsylvania?
Philadelphia is 4% 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 Philadelphia?
The BLS median is $36.52 an hour in the Philadelphia area, compared with $29.87 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $29.34 to $47.31.
+What do basic and premium retaining wall work cost in Philadelphia?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, basic work runs $7,750 to $10,300 and premium work $11,600 to $14,200. 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 Philadelphia?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through November. May 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 Philadelphia
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.