Retaining wall cost in Bellingham, WA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (200 sq ft of wall face)
- $8,650 – $15,700
- Per sq ft of wall face
- $43 – $76
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +19%
- US $10,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #11
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a retaining wall in the Bellingham area: $8,650 to $15,700 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 19% higher than the US figure. Brickmasons and blockmasons earn a median of $40.00 an hour in the Bellingham area, 34% above the US median of $29.87.
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Estimated cost for 200 sq ft of wall face in Bellingham, WA, standard level
$10,800 to $13,600
About $53 to $66 per sq ft of wall face before permits. Labor is about 52% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,500 | $6,600 |
| Labor | $6,050 | $6,600 |
| Permits and fees | $180 | $340 |
| Total | $10,800 | $13,600 |
Cost breakdown for 200 sq ft of wall face in Bellingham, WA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,950 | $5,550 | $8,200 | 46% |
| Labor | $5,650 | $6,350 | $7,000 | 52% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $260 | $470 | 2% |
| Total | $8,650 | $12,200 | $15,700 | 100% |
What is behind the Bellingham 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, Bellingham wages are 1.35 times the national level. Labor makes up about 52% of the midpoint estimate (46% at national prices). BLS does not publish this trade for the metro, so we used the Washington statewide median.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Bellingham is at 105.0 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $5,300 nationally becomes $5,550 here (midpoint, 200 sq ft of wall face). Permits follow the all-items index of 103.3: $50 to $470.
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 Bellingham. The wage table below marks each row.
Bellingham against nearby metros and the rest of Washington
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 $11,500 to $12,800 across Bellingham and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham, WAthis page | $8,650 – $15,700 | $12,200 | |
| Bremerton, WA90 miles | $8,350 – $15,300 | $11,800 | −3% |
| Seattle, WA95 miles | $9,200 – $16,300 | $12,800 | +5% |
| Olympia, WA140 miles | $8,650 – $15,700 | $12,200 | level |
| Yakima, WA175 miles | $8,100 – $15,000 | $11,500 | −5% |
| Spokane, WA200 miles | $8,050 – $14,900 | $11,500 | −6% |
| Washington (statewide) | $8,500 – $15,400 | $12,000 | −2% |
| United States | $7,050 – $13,500 | $10,300 | −16% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Bellingham ranks #11 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Bellingham is 2% above the Washington figure.
Elsewhere in Washington
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | 2,086,210 jobs | $9,200 – $16,300 | $12,800 | +5% |
| Spokane, WA | 255,820 jobs | $8,050 – $14,900 | $11,500 | −6% |
| Olympia, WA | 130,300 jobs | $8,650 – $15,700 | $12,200 | level |
| Kennewick, WA | 129,490 jobs | $8,400 – $15,300 | $11,900 | −2% |
| Yakima, WA | 97,010 jobs | $8,100 – $15,000 | $11,500 | −5% |
| Bremerton, WA | 93,740 jobs | $8,350 – $15,300 | $11,800 | −3% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Bellingham against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bremerton, WA | 93,740 jobs | $8,350 – $15,300 | $11,800 | −3% |
| Panama City, FL | 90,610 jobs | $6,350 – $12,400 | $9,400 | −23% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $7,850 – $14,100 | $11,000 | −10% |
| St. George, UT | 90,500 jobs | $6,550 – $12,600 | $9,600 | −21% |
Who does the work: Bellingham 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 Bellingham the blend is 1.35.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) carry 50% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Bellingham metro, so we used the Washington statewide median: $40.00 an hour against $29.87 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $35.14 and $49.11 an hour.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 30%) the local median is $28.06 an hour, which is 24% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.41 and $36.85 an hour. BLS counts 1,030 of them working in the area, 112.7 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 $44.00 an hour, 53% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $37.44 and $55.46 an hour. About 400 work in the metro. That is 43.8 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 $720 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $380. That is a swing of roughly 3.1% to 5.9% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Bellingham has 91,390 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 217th 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% | $35.14 | $40.00 | $49.11 | $29.87 | 1.34 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $22.41 | $28.06 | $36.85 | $22.66 | 1.24 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 20% | $37.44 | $44.00 | $55.46 | $28.78 | 1.53 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.35 | |||||
Cost by quality level and size in Bellingham
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Bellingham. 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
$8,650 to $11,500
Short block wall, easy access
Standard
$10,800 to $13,600
Standard segmental block wall with drainage
Premium
$12,900 to $15,700
Tall or stone wall, engineered, hard access
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short garden wall (4x25 ft), 100 sq ft of wall face | $4,350 – $5,850 | $5,450 – $6,950 | $6,600 – $8,050 |
| 20 ft x 4 ft (80 sq ft of wall face) | $3,500 – $4,700 | $4,400 – $5,650 | $5,300 – $6,550 |
| 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) | $6,950 – $9,200 | $8,650 – $10,900 | $10,300 – $12,600 |
| 40 ft x 6 ft (240 sq ft of wall face) | $10,400 – $13,700 | $12,900 – $16,200 | $15,400 – $18,700 |
The best months for retaining wall in Bellingham
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Bellingham Intl Ap (5 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
Weather is not a serious constraint for digging, grading and setting material in the ground in Bellingham: no month in the averages is cold enough (an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F)) or hot enough (an average daytime high of 90°F or more) to rule it out, so the workable window is all year.
Bellingham gets about 35 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, November and December (5.2 inches in November).
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 | 46 | 34 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Feb | 49 | 35 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Mar | 53 | 38 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Apr | 58 | 42 | 2.8 | Workable |
| May | 64 | 47 | 2.2 | Workable |
| Jun | 68 | 52 | 1.6 | Workable |
| Jul | 73 | 55 | 0.9 | Workable |
| Aug | 73 | 55 | 1.1 | Workable |
| Sep | 68 | 50 | 2.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 59 | 43 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 51 | 38 | 5.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 46 | 34 | 4.3 | Workable |
What nearby projects cost in Bellingham
Jobs that often go together with retaining wall are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Bellingham wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, sprinkler system comes out highest (+26%) and sod installation lowest (+10%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $740 – $2,600 | +24% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,500 – $6,350 | +17% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $4,450 – $11,500 | +24% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,650 – $3,600 | +10% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $5,000 – $12,600 | +26% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $44,200 – $138,000 | +22% |
Why two Bellingham quotes can differ
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
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 $10,800 to $13,600 for Bellingham, WA is attached.
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Retaining wall in Bellingham: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a retaining wall in Bellingham?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, expect $8,650 to $15,700 in the Bellingham area. A standard-spec job lands at $10,800 to $13,600. 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 Bellingham?
About $43 to $76 per sq ft of wall face for materials and labor, plus $50 to $470 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $35 to $65.
+Is retaining wall cheaper in Bellingham or Bremerton?
Bremerton is 90 miles away. The midpoint for 200 sq ft of wall face there is $11,800, which is 3% less than Bellingham ($12,200). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Bellingham?
About 52% at the midpoint, or $6,350 out of $12,200. Materials are 46% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 46%.
+What would 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) cost in Bellingham?
$6,950 to $12,600. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does retaining wall need a permit in Bellingham?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $50 to $470 for fees in the Bellingham area (our national range of $50 to $450 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Bellingham expensive for retaining wall compared with the rest of Washington?
Bellingham is 2% above the Washington statewide estimate ($12,000 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Washington; see the state page to compare them.
+What do brickmasons and blockmasons earn in Bellingham?
BLS has no published metro figure here, so we use the statewide median of $40.00 an hour, compared with $29.87 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $35.14 to $49.11.
+What do basic and premium retaining wall work cost in Bellingham?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, basic work runs $8,650 to $11,500 and premium work $12,900 to $15,700. Basic means: short block wall, easy access. Premium means: tall or stone wall, engineered, hard access.
+Is there a bad season to build a retaining wall in Bellingham?
Not from a temperature point of view. NOAA's 1991-2020 normals show no month with a freezing-level overnight low or a 90°F-plus average high, so timing is mostly about contractor availability and rain.
Retaining wall near Bellingham
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.