Retaining wall cost in Blacksburg, VA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (200 sq ft of wall face)
- $6,400 – $12,500
- Per sq ft of wall face
- $32 – $60.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −8%
- US $10,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #211
- 1 = most expensive
A retaining wall in Blacksburg, VA usually costs $6,400 to $12,500 for 200 sq ft of wall face. That works out to about $32 to $60.50 per sq ft of wall face before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $790 less. Brickmasons and blockmasons earn a median of $26.29 an hour in the Blacksburg area, 12% below the US median of $29.87.
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Estimated cost for 200 sq ft of wall face in Blacksburg, VA, standard level
$8,250 to $10,700
About $40.50 to $52 per sq ft of wall face before permits. Labor is about 43% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,150 | $6,100 |
| Labor | $3,950 | $4,250 |
| Permits and fees | $160 | $310 |
| Total | $8,250 | $10,700 |
Cost breakdown for 200 sq ft of wall face in Blacksburg, VA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,700 | $5,150 | $7,550 | 54% |
| Labor | $3,650 | $4,100 | $4,550 | 43% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $230 | $420 | 2% |
| Total | $6,400 | $9,450 | $12,500 | 100% |
Where the Blacksburg price comes from
Labor is 43% of the midpoint bill here, against 46% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is brickmasons and blockmasons (50%), construction laborers (30%), operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (20%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Blacksburg the blended ratio comes out at 0.87. BLS does not publish this trade for the metro, so we used the Virginia statewide median.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Blacksburg is at 96.8 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $5,300 nationally becomes $5,150 here (midpoint, 200 sq ft of wall face). Permits follow the all-items index of 92.7: $45 to $420.
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 Blacksburg. The wage table below marks each row.
Why two Blacksburg quotes can differ
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).
Material
Block, poured concrete and natural stone are priced differently; concrete and stone walls run higher than the segmental block default.
What local crews earn in Blacksburg
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 Blacksburg the blend is 0.87.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) carry 50% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Blacksburg metro, so we used the Virginia statewide median: $26.29 an hour against $29.87 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $22.38 and $29.15 an hour.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 30%) the local median is $20.03 an hour, which is 12% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.47 and $22.13 an hour.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 20% of the weighting: a median of $24.05 an hour, 16% below the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $21.55 and $28.88 an hour.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (brickmasons and blockmasons) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $230 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $310. That is a swing of roughly 3.3% to 2.4% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford has 74,070 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 248th 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% | $22.38 | $26.29 | $29.15 | $29.87 | 0.88 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $17.47 | $20.03 | $22.13 | $22.66 | 0.88 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 20% | $21.55 | $24.05 | $28.88 | $28.78 | 0.84 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.87 | |||||
Blacksburg 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, Blacksburg Nwso (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 Blacksburg are April through October: 7 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March, November and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
In January, February, March, 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 125 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Blacksburg gets about 43 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 25 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and July (4.5 inches in May). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 3.5 and 2.9 inches. The station averages about 5 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 | 42 | 22 | 3.2 | Cold |
| Feb | 45 | 24 | 2.8 | Cold |
| Mar | 53 | 30 | 3.8 | Cold |
| Apr | 64 | 39 | 3.8 | Workable |
| May | 72 | 48 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Jun | 79 | 57 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 82 | 61 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Aug | 81 | 60 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Sep | 76 | 53 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Oct | 66 | 41 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 55 | 31 | 2.9 | Cold |
| Dec | 45 | 25 | 3.3 | Cold |
What nearby projects cost in Blacksburg
Jobs that often go together with retaining wall are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Blacksburg wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, sod installation comes out highest (−7%) and concrete driveway lowest (−13%); 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 | $3,200 – $7,950 | −13% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,400 – $3,050 | −7% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,650 – $9,100 | −9% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $33,000 – $103,000 | −9% |
Cost by quality level and size in Blacksburg
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Blacksburg. 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
$6,400 to $8,850
Short block wall, easy access
Standard
$8,250 to $10,700
Standard segmental block wall with drainage
Premium
$10,100 to $12,500
Tall or stone wall, engineered, hard access
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short garden wall (4x25 ft), 100 sq ft of wall face | $3,250 – $4,500 | $4,200 – $5,500 | $5,150 – $6,450 |
| 20 ft x 4 ft (80 sq ft of wall face) | $2,600 – $3,650 | $3,400 – $4,450 | $4,200 – $5,250 |
| 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) | $5,150 – $7,100 | $6,650 – $8,600 | $8,100 – $10,100 |
| 40 ft x 6 ft (240 sq ft of wall face) | $7,700 – $10,600 | $9,850 – $12,800 | $12,000 – $14,900 |
Is Blacksburg 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 $9,100 to $9,550 across Blacksburg and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg, VAthis page | $6,400 – $12,500 | $9,450 | |
| Roanoke, VA35 miles | $6,100 – $12,100 | $9,100 | −4% |
| Winston, NC75 miles | $6,150 – $12,200 | $9,150 | −3% |
| Lynchburg, VA75 miles | $6,250 – $12,300 | $9,250 | −2% |
| Greensboro, NC85 miles | $6,200 – $12,200 | $9,200 | −3% |
| Charleston, WV95 miles | $6,500 – $12,600 | $9,550 | +1% |
| Virginia (statewide) | $6,700 – $13,000 | $9,850 | +4% |
| United States | $7,050 – $13,500 | $10,300 | +8% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Blacksburg ranks #211 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Blacksburg is 4% below the Virginia figure.
Elsewhere in Virginia
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA | 763,060 jobs | $6,200 – $12,300 | $9,250 | −2% |
| Richmond, VA | 660,350 jobs | $6,400 – $12,500 | $9,450 | level |
| Roanoke, VA | 153,980 jobs | $6,100 – $12,100 | $9,100 | −4% |
| Charlottesville, VA | 114,780 jobs | $6,600 – $12,700 | $9,650 | +2% |
| Lynchburg, VA | 97,190 jobs | $6,250 – $12,300 | $9,250 | −2% |
| Winchester, VA | 67,740 jobs | $6,450 – $12,500 | $9,500 | level |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Blacksburg against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA | 75,010 jobs | $7,150 – $13,300 | $10,200 | +8% |
| Rapid City, SD | 73,820 jobs | $6,850 – $12,900 | $9,900 | +4% |
| Abilene, TX | 75,070 jobs | $6,300 – $12,200 | $9,250 | −2% |
| Kahului, HI | 73,750 jobs | $9,750 – $17,300 | $13,500 | +43% |
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Retaining wall in Blacksburg: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a retaining wall in Blacksburg?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, expect $6,400 to $12,500 in the Blacksburg area. A standard-spec job lands at $8,250 to $10,700. 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 Blacksburg?
About $32 to $60.50 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 Blacksburg or Roanoke?
Roanoke is 35 miles away. The midpoint for 200 sq ft of wall face there is $9,100, which is 4% less than Blacksburg ($9,450). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Blacksburg?
About 43% at the midpoint, or $4,100 out of $9,450. Materials are 54% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 46%.
+What would 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) cost in Blacksburg?
$5,150 to $10,100. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does retaining wall need a permit in Blacksburg?
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 Blacksburg area (our national range of $50 to $450 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Blacksburg expensive for retaining wall compared with the rest of Virginia?
Blacksburg is 4% below the Virginia statewide estimate ($9,850 at the midpoint). We cover 8 metros in Virginia; see the state page to compare them.
+What do brickmasons and blockmasons earn in Blacksburg?
BLS has no published metro figure here, so we use the statewide median of $26.29 an hour, compared with $29.87 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.38 to $29.15.
+What do basic and premium retaining wall work cost in Blacksburg?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, basic work runs $6,400 to $8,850 and premium work $10,100 to $12,500. 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 Blacksburg?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. 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 Blacksburg
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.