Retaining wall cost in Greenville, SC
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
- $31.50 – $59.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −9%
- US $10,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #230
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a retaining wall in the Greenville 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 $23.91 an hour in the Greenville area, 20% below the US median of $29.87.
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Estimated cost for 200 sq ft of wall face in Greenville, SC, standard level
$8,100 to $10,500
About $40 to $51 per sq ft of wall face before permits. Labor is about 43% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,150 | $6,050 |
| Labor | $3,800 | $4,150 |
| Permits and fees | $160 | $310 |
| Total | $8,100 | $10,500 |
Cost breakdown for 200 sq ft of wall face in Greenville, SC
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,700 | $5,100 | $7,500 | 55% |
| Labor | $3,550 | $4,000 | $4,400 | 43% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $230 | $420 | 3% |
| Total | $6,300 | $9,300 | $12,300 | 100% |
Why Greenville 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, Greenville wages are 0.85 times the national level. Labor makes up about 43% of the midpoint estimate (46% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Greenville is at 96.3 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 93.3: $45 to $420.
Greenville against nearby metros and the rest of South Carolina
Same job, same size (200 sq ft of wall face), priced for the nearest metros. Asheville is the priciest of the group at $9,350. Athens is the cheapest at $9,050.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville, SCthis page | $6,300 – $12,300 | $9,300 | |
| Spartanburg, SC35 miles | $6,200 – $12,200 | $9,200 | −1% |
| Asheville, NC65 miles | $6,350 – $12,400 | $9,350 | +1% |
| Athens, GA70 miles | $6,050 – $12,000 | $9,050 | −3% |
| Gainesville, GA85 miles | $6,150 – $12,200 | $9,150 | −2% |
| Augusta, GA90 miles | $6,150 – $12,200 | $9,150 | −2% |
| South Carolina (statewide) | $6,250 – $12,300 | $9,250 | −1% |
| United States | $7,050 – $13,500 | $10,300 | +10% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Greenville ranks #230 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Greenville is 1% above the South Carolina figure.
Elsewhere in South Carolina
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia, SC | 394,200 jobs | $6,200 – $12,200 | $9,200 | −1% |
| Charleston, SC | 394,170 jobs | $6,250 – $12,300 | $9,300 | level |
| Spartanburg, SC | 165,150 jobs | $6,200 – $12,200 | $9,200 | −1% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | 146,260 jobs | $6,000 – $12,000 | $9,000 | −3% |
| Florence, SC | 89,060 jobs | $6,300 – $12,300 | $9,300 | level |
| Hilton Head, SC | 81,920 jobs | $6,350 – $12,400 | $9,350 | +1% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Greenville against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans, LA | 445,550 jobs | $6,500 – $12,400 | $9,450 | +2% |
| Knoxville, TN | 424,600 jobs | $6,800 – $13,000 | $9,900 | +6% |
| Honolulu, HI | 446,380 jobs | $9,650 – $17,200 | $13,400 | +44% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 409,690 jobs | $6,450 – $12,400 | $9,450 | +1% |
The best months for retaining wall in Greenville
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Greenville Dwtn Ap (in the city). 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 Greenville are August through June: 11 of 12. Outside them, July has an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Greenville gets about 47 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are March, July and December (5.2 inches in July). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 3.5 and 3.2 inches. The station averages about 52 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 | 54 | 35 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Feb | 58 | 38 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Mar | 65 | 44 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Apr | 75 | 52 | 3.6 | Workable |
| May | 81 | 61 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 88 | 68 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Jul | 91 | 72 | 5.2 | Hot |
| Aug | 89 | 71 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Sep | 84 | 65 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Oct | 74 | 54 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Nov | 64 | 44 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Dec | 56 | 37 | 4.3 | Workable |
What nearby projects cost in Greenville
Jobs that often go together with retaining wall are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Greenville wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, sod installation comes out highest (−5%) and sprinkler system lowest (−9%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $560 – $1,950 | −7% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,750 – $5,000 | −8% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,350 – $8,350 | −9% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,400 – $3,150 | −5% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,650 – $9,100 | −9% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $32,900 – $102,500 | −9% |
Pick a size, pick a tier: retaining wall pricing in Greenville
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Greenville. 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 |
Who does the work: Greenville 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 Greenville the blend is 0.85.
For brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021, weighted 50%) the local median is $23.91 an hour, which is 20% below the national $29.87. The middle half of them earn between $21.18 and $29.87 an hour. BLS counts 60 of them working in the area, 1.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 3.4), so the local bench is thinner than average.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 30%) the local median is $21.34 an hour, which is 6% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.77 and $23.59 an hour. BLS counts 3,250 of them working in the area, 74.7 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 $23.55 an hour, 18% below the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $22.10 and $27.31 an hour. About 1,130 work in the metro. That is 26.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, so expect fewer 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 $470 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $210. That is a swing of roughly 2.3% to 5.0% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Greenville-Anderson-Greer has 434,900 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 58th 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% | $21.18 | $23.91 | $29.87 | $29.87 | 0.80 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $17.77 | $21.34 | $23.59 | $22.66 | 0.94 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 20% | $22.10 | $23.55 | $27.31 | $28.78 | 0.82 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.85 | |||||
Specs and site conditions that change a Greenville 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.
Get 3 local quotes
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Retaining wall in Greenville: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a retaining wall in Greenville?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, expect $6,300 to $12,300 in the Greenville 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 Greenville?
About $31.50 to $59.50 per sq ft of wall face for materials and labor, plus $45 to $420 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $35 to $65.
+Is retaining wall cheaper in Greenville or Spartanburg?
Spartanburg is 35 miles away. The midpoint for 200 sq ft of wall face there is $9,200, which is 1% less than Greenville ($9,300). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Greenville?
About 43% at the midpoint, or $4,000 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 Greenville?
$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 Greenville?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $45 to $420 for fees in the Greenville area (our national range of $50 to $450 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Greenville expensive for retaining wall compared with the rest of South Carolina?
Greenville is 1% above the South Carolina statewide estimate ($9,250 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in South Carolina; see the state page to compare them.
+What do brickmasons and blockmasons earn in Greenville?
The BLS median is $23.91 an hour in the Greenville area, compared with $29.87 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.18 to $29.87.
+What do basic and premium retaining wall work cost in Greenville?
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 Greenville?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are August through June. September 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 Greenville
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.