Retaining wall cost in Hilton Head, SC
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (200 sq ft of wall face)
- $6,350 – $12,400
- Per sq ft of wall face
- $31.50 – $60
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −9%
- US $10,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #223
- 1 = most expensive
A retaining wall in Hilton Head, SC usually costs $6,350 to $12,400 for 200 sq ft of wall face. That works out to about $31.50 to $60 per sq ft of wall face before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $880 less. Brickmasons and blockmasons earn a median of $23.56 an hour in the Hilton Head area, 21% below the US median of $29.87.
Estimate your retaining wall cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 200 sq ft of wall face in Hilton Head, SC, standard level
$8,150 to $10,600
About $40 to $51.50 per sq ft of wall face before permits. Labor is about 43% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,150 | $6,050 |
| Labor | $3,850 | $4,200 |
| Permits and fees | $170 | $320 |
| Total | $8,150 | $10,600 |
Cost breakdown for 200 sq ft of wall face in Hilton Head, SC
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,700 | $5,100 | $7,500 | 54% |
| Labor | $3,600 | $4,000 | $4,450 | 43% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $250 | $440 | 3% |
| Total | $6,350 | $9,350 | $12,400 | 100% |
Why Hilton Head 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 $23.56 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Hilton Head is 0.85 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 43% of the total. BLS does not publish this trade for the metro, so we used the South Carolina statewide median.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Hilton Head 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 98.0: $50 to $440.
Data note: 50% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Hilton Head. The wage table below marks each row.
What local crews earn in Hilton Head
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 Hilton Head the blend is 0.85.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) carry 50% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Hilton Head metro, so we used the South Carolina statewide median: $23.56 an hour against $29.87 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $21.85 and $29.66 an hour.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 30%) the local median is $21.99 an hour, which is in line with the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.13 and $25.12 an hour. BLS counts 910 of them working in the area, 111.1 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 $24.39 an hour, 15% below the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $23.23 and $28.60 an hour. About 320 work in the metro. That is 39.1 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 $480 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $130. That is a swing of roughly 1.4% to 5.1% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal has 81,920 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 232nd 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% | $21.85 | $23.56 | $29.66 | $29.87 | 0.79 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $18.13 | $21.99 | $25.12 | $22.66 | 0.97 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 20% | $23.23 | $24.39 | $28.60 | $28.78 | 0.85 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.85 | |||||
What nearby projects cost in Hilton Head
Jobs that often go together with retaining wall are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Hilton Head wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, sod installation comes out highest (−3%) and concrete driveway lowest (−9%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $560 – $2,000 | −6% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,800 – $5,100 | −7% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,350 – $8,400 | −9% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,450 – $3,200 | −3% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,750 – $9,300 | −7% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $33,300 – $104,000 | −8% |
Pick a size, pick a tier: retaining wall pricing in Hilton Head
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Hilton Head. 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
$6,350 to $8,750
Short block wall, easy access
Standard
$8,150 to $10,600
Standard segmental block wall with drainage
Premium
$10,000 to $12,400
Tall or stone wall, engineered, hard access
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short garden wall (4x25 ft), 100 sq ft of wall face | $3,200 – $4,500 | $4,150 – $5,450 | $5,150 – $6,400 |
| 20 ft x 4 ft (80 sq ft of wall face) | $2,550 – $3,650 | $3,350 – $4,450 | $4,150 – $5,250 |
| 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) | $5,100 – $7,050 | $6,550 – $8,550 | $8,050 – $10,000 |
| 40 ft x 6 ft (240 sq ft of wall face) | $7,600 – $10,500 | $9,750 – $12,600 | $11,900 – $14,800 |
Is Hilton Head cheap or dear? The local comparison
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 200 sq ft of wall face range from $9,150 to $9,350 across Hilton Head and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hilton Head, SCthis page | $6,350 – $12,400 | $9,350 | |
| Savannah, GA30 miles | $6,150 – $12,200 | $9,150 | −2% |
| Charleston, SC65 miles | $6,250 – $12,300 | $9,300 | −1% |
| Augusta, GA100 miles | $6,150 – $12,200 | $9,150 | −2% |
| Columbia, SC115 miles | $6,200 – $12,200 | $9,200 | −2% |
| Florence, SC135 miles | $6,300 – $12,300 | $9,300 | −1% |
| South Carolina (statewide) | $6,250 – $12,300 | $9,250 | −1% |
| United States | $7,050 – $13,500 | $10,300 | +9% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Hilton Head ranks #223 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Hilton Head is 1% above the South Carolina figure.
Elsewhere in South Carolina
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville, SC | 434,900 jobs | $6,300 – $12,300 | $9,300 | −1% |
| Columbia, SC | 394,200 jobs | $6,200 – $12,200 | $9,200 | −2% |
| Charleston, SC | 394,170 jobs | $6,250 – $12,300 | $9,300 | −1% |
| Spartanburg, SC | 165,150 jobs | $6,200 – $12,200 | $9,200 | −2% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | 146,260 jobs | $6,000 – $12,000 | $9,000 | −4% |
| Florence, SC | 89,060 jobs | $6,300 – $12,300 | $9,300 | −1% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Hilton Head against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green, KY | 82,160 jobs | $6,750 – $12,800 | $9,800 | +4% |
| Idaho Falls, ID | 81,840 jobs | $7,200 – $13,400 | $10,300 | +10% |
| Houma, LA | 83,440 jobs | $6,300 – $12,200 | $9,200 | −2% |
| Johnson City, TN | 81,690 jobs | $6,650 – $12,800 | $9,700 | +4% |
Hilton Head 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, Beaufort Mcas (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 Hilton Head are September through June: 10 of 12. Outside them, July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Hilton Head gets about 45 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, July and August (6.5 inches in August). Inside the workable window, May and November are the driest, at 2.5 and 2.5 inches. The station averages about 73 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 | 60 | 40 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Feb | 64 | 43 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Mar | 70 | 49 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Apr | 77 | 56 | 3.1 | Workable |
| May | 84 | 64 | 2.5 | Workable |
| Jun | 89 | 71 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Jul | 92 | 75 | 5.6 | Hot |
| Aug | 90 | 74 | 6.5 | Hot |
| Sep | 86 | 70 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 78 | 59 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 69 | 48 | 2.5 | Workable |
| Dec | 63 | 43 | 3.2 | Workable |
Retaining wall: what moves the price in Hilton Head
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.
Get 3 local quotes
Tell us about the job and we will try to connect you with up to three local contractors for written quotes. It is free and you are under no obligation to hire. Your estimate of $8,150 to $10,600 for Hilton Head, SC is attached.
Take this estimate with you: PDF report, $9
Multi-page report for Hilton Head, SC: low, typical and high cost, a line-item breakdown of materials and labor by trade, permit notes, the best months to schedule, a quote comparison sheet, red flags, questions for contractors, checklists and every source. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Retaining wall in Hilton Head: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a retaining wall in Hilton Head?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, expect $6,350 to $12,400 in the Hilton Head area. A standard-spec job lands at $8,150 to $10,600. 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 Hilton Head?
About $31.50 to $60 per sq ft of wall face for materials and labor, plus $50 to $440 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $35 to $65.
+Is retaining wall cheaper in Hilton Head or Savannah?
Savannah is 30 miles away. The midpoint for 200 sq ft of wall face there is $9,150, which is 2% less than Hilton Head ($9,350). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Hilton Head?
About 43% at the midpoint, or $4,000 out of $9,350. Materials are 54% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 46%.
+What would 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) cost in Hilton Head?
$5,100 to $10,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does retaining wall need a permit in Hilton Head?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $50 to $440 for fees in the Hilton Head area (our national range of $50 to $450 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Hilton Head expensive for retaining wall compared with the rest of South Carolina?
Hilton Head 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 Hilton Head?
BLS has no published metro figure here, so we use the statewide median of $23.56 an hour, compared with $29.87 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.85 to $29.66.
+What do basic and premium retaining wall work cost in Hilton Head?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, basic work runs $6,350 to $8,750 and premium work $10,000 to $12,400. 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 Hilton Head?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through June. 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 Hilton Head
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.