Retaining wall cost in Bremerton, WA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (200 sq ft of wall face)
- $8,350 – $15,300
- Per sq ft of wall face
- $41.50 – $74
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +15%
- US $10,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #23
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to build a retaining wall in Bremerton, plan on $8,350 to $15,300 for 200 sq ft of wall face, all in. Per sq ft of wall face, that is $41.50 to $74 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 15% higher than the national one. Brickmasons and blockmasons earn a median of $40.00 an hour in the Bremerton area, 34% above the US median of $29.87.
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Estimated cost for 200 sq ft of wall face in Bremerton, WA, standard level
$10,400 to $13,200
About $51.50 to $64.50 per sq ft of wall face before permits. Labor is about 51% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,500 | $6,600 |
| Labor | $5,750 | $6,250 |
| Permits and fees | $180 | $350 |
| Total | $10,400 | $13,200 |
Cost breakdown for 200 sq ft of wall face in Bremerton, WA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,950 | $5,550 | $8,200 | 47% |
| Labor | $5,350 | $6,000 | $6,650 | 51% |
| Permits and fees | $55 | $260 | $480 | 2% |
| Total | $8,350 | $11,800 | $15,300 | 100% |
What is behind the Bremerton number
Labor is 51% 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 Bremerton the blended ratio comes out at 1.28. BLS does not publish this trade for the metro, so we used the Washington statewide median.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Bremerton metro is 105.0 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 200 sq ft of wall face comes to $5,550, compared with $5,300 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (105.6) and land at $55 to $480.
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 Bremerton. The wage table below marks each row.
Bremerton 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 Bremerton is 1.28 times the national level.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) carry 50% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Bremerton 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.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 30% of the weighting: a median of $26.30 an hour, 16% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.39 and $31.03 an hour. About 620 work in the metro. That is 66.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 20%) the local median is $37.39 an hour, which is 30% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $30.98 and $44.91 an hour. BLS counts 180 of them working in the area, 19.2 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 ($49.11 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $720. At the 25th percentile ($35.14) it shrinks by about $380. The total moves by 6.1% or 3.2%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 93,740 jobs in the Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard area. That makes it the 216th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.06% of US employment.
| 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% | $22.39 | $26.30 | $31.03 | $22.66 | 1.16 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 20% | $30.98 | $37.39 | $44.91 | $28.78 | 1.30 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.28 | |||||
Retaining wall: what moves the price in Bremerton
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).
Climate in Bremerton: timing your retaining wall job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Bremerton (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
Weather is not a serious constraint for digging, grading and setting material in the ground in Bremerton: 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.
Bremerton gets about 57 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 3 inches of snow. The wettest months are January, November and December (9.9 inches in December). The station averages about 4 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 | 47 | 36 | 9.3 | Workable |
| Feb | 49 | 35 | 5.8 | Workable |
| Mar | 54 | 38 | 6.4 | Workable |
| Apr | 59 | 41 | 3.9 | Workable |
| May | 66 | 47 | 2.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 70 | 51 | 1.6 | Workable |
| Jul | 77 | 55 | 0.8 | Workable |
| Aug | 77 | 55 | 1.1 | Workable |
| Sep | 72 | 51 | 1.8 | Workable |
| Oct | 61 | 45 | 5.1 | Workable |
| Nov | 51 | 39 | 8.8 | Workable |
| Dec | 46 | 35 | 9.9 | Workable |
How Bremerton compares
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 Bremerton and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bremerton, WAthis page | $8,350 – $15,300 | $11,800 | |
| Seattle, WA40 miles | $9,200 – $16,300 | $12,800 | +8% |
| Olympia, WA50 miles | $8,650 – $15,700 | $12,200 | +3% |
| Bellingham, WA90 miles | $8,650 – $15,700 | $12,200 | +3% |
| Yakima, WA120 miles | $8,100 – $15,000 | $11,500 | −2% |
| Portland, OR140 miles | $8,300 – $15,300 | $11,800 | level |
| Washington (statewide) | $8,500 – $15,400 | $12,000 | +1% |
| United States | $7,050 – $13,500 | $10,300 | −13% |
Across 300 US metros, Bremerton comes in at #23 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, Bremerton is 1% below the Washington figure.
Other Washington metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | 2,086,210 jobs | $9,200 – $16,300 | $12,800 | +8% |
| Spokane, WA | 255,820 jobs | $8,050 – $14,900 | $11,500 | −3% |
| Olympia, WA | 130,300 jobs | $8,650 – $15,700 | $12,200 | +3% |
| Kennewick, WA | 129,490 jobs | $8,400 – $15,300 | $11,900 | level |
| Yakima, WA | 97,010 jobs | $8,100 – $15,000 | $11,500 | −2% |
| Bellingham, WA | 91,390 jobs | $8,650 – $15,700 | $12,200 | +3% |
Cities with a workforce like Bremerton's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Bremerton against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $7,850 – $14,100 | $11,000 | −7% |
| Bellingham, WA | 91,390 jobs | $8,650 – $15,700 | $12,200 | +3% |
| Iowa City, IA | 93,760 jobs | $7,150 – $13,300 | $10,200 | −14% |
| Panama City, FL | 90,610 jobs | $6,350 – $12,400 | $9,400 | −21% |
Bremerton: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Bremerton 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
$8,350 to $11,100
Short block wall, easy access
Standard
$10,400 to $13,200
Standard segmental block wall with drainage
Premium
$12,500 to $15,300
Tall or stone wall, engineered, hard access
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short garden wall (4x25 ft), 100 sq ft of wall face | $4,200 – $5,700 | $5,300 – $6,800 | $6,400 – $7,900 |
| 20 ft x 4 ft (80 sq ft of wall face) | $3,400 – $4,600 | $4,300 – $5,500 | $5,200 – $6,400 |
| 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) | $6,700 – $8,950 | $8,400 – $10,700 | $10,100 – $12,300 |
| 40 ft x 6 ft (240 sq ft of wall face) | $10,000 – $13,300 | $12,500 – $15,800 | $15,000 – $18,300 |
What nearby projects cost in Bremerton
Because every project leans on different trades, Bremerton's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, concrete driveway runs +20% and sod installation +13%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $710 – $2,500 | +18% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,450 – $6,300 | +16% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $4,300 – $11,100 | +20% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,700 – $3,700 | +13% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,600 – $11,500 | +15% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $41,700 – $130,500 | +16% |
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 $10,400 to $13,200 for Bremerton, WA is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
The report lays out the retaining wall numbers for Bremerton, WA line by line, with the local wage and price inputs, permit and timing notes, a quote comparison sheet and the full method. 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 Bremerton: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a retaining wall in Bremerton?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, expect $8,350 to $15,300 in the Bremerton area. A standard-spec job lands at $10,400 to $13,200. 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 Bremerton?
About $41.50 to $74 per sq ft of wall face for materials and labor, plus $55 to $480 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $35 to $65.
+Is retaining wall cheaper in Bremerton or Seattle?
Seattle is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 200 sq ft of wall face there is $12,800, which is 8% more than Bremerton ($11,800). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Bremerton?
About 51% at the midpoint, or $6,000 out of $11,800. 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 Bremerton?
$6,700 to $12,300. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does retaining wall need a permit in Bremerton?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $55 to $480 for fees in the Bremerton area (our national range of $50 to $450 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Bremerton expensive for retaining wall compared with the rest of Washington?
Bremerton is 1% below 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 Bremerton?
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 Bremerton?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, basic work runs $8,350 to $11,100 and premium work $12,500 to $15,300. 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 Bremerton?
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 Bremerton
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.