Retaining wall cost in Wisconsin
Statewide estimate from BLS wages and BEA prices. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Statewide range (200 sq ft of wall face)
- $7,950 – $14,300
- Per sq ft of wall face
- $39.50 – $69.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +9%
- US $10,300
- Metros covered
- 12
Wisconsin prices for retaining wall: $7,950 to $14,300 for 200 sq ft of wall face, or $39.50 to $69.50 per sq ft of wall face without the permit. The state midpoint is 9% above the national one. Local wages for brickmasons and blockmasons are $38.52 an hour.
Inside Wisconsin, the metros we cover range from $10,700 (Green Bay) to $11,800 (Milwaukee) at the midpoint. Pick your closest city in the table for a tighter number.
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Estimated cost for 200 sq ft of wall face in Wisconsin (statewide), standard level
$9,850 to $12,400
About $48.50 to $60.50 per sq ft of wall face before permits. Labor is about 53% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,050 | $5,950 |
| Labor | $5,650 | $6,150 |
| Permits and fees | $160 | $310 |
| Total | $9,850 | $12,400 |
Cost breakdown for 200 sq ft of wall face in Wisconsin
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,650 | $5,000 | $7,350 | 45% |
| Labor | $5,250 | $5,900 | $6,500 | 53% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $240 | $420 | 2% |
| Total | $7,950 | $11,100 | $14,300 | 100% |
Wisconsin labor market for retaining wall
Statewide wages come from BLS's state-level estimates, which blend big cities with small towns and rural areas. 3 trades drive the labor line for this job, and the weighted ratio against the national wage level is 1.25 for Wisconsin.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021), 50% of the weighting: a median of $38.52 an hour, 29% above the US median of $29.87. The middle half of them earn between $29.59 and $46.62 an hour. About 1,050 work in the state. That is 3.6 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 3.4 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 30% of the weighting: a median of $26.97 an hour, 19% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.14 and $34.68 an hour. About 20,330 work in the state. That is 69.1 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 $36.19 an hour, which is 26% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $29.58 and $45.49 an hour. BLS counts 8,140 of them working in the state, 27.7 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is about average.
A crew paid at the 75th percentile for brickmasons and blockmasons ($46.62 an hour) would add about $640 to the statewide midpoint; one at the 25th percentile ($29.59) would take off about $700. Use that as a rough guide to how far a bid can sit from our midpoint on wages alone.
BLS counts 2,941,540 jobs across Wisconsin (May 2025), which is 1.9% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 50% | $29.59 | $38.52 | $46.62 | $29.87 | 1.29 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $22.14 | $26.97 | $34.68 | $22.66 | 1.19 | state |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 20% | $29.58 | $36.19 | $45.49 | $28.78 | 1.26 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 1.25 | |||||
How Wisconsin compares with nearby states
Wisconsin ranks 11 of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) for retaining wall, where 1 is the most expensive. The costliest is Hawaii at $13,300 and the cheapest New Mexico at $9,000, both for 200 sq ft of wall face at the midpoint. Wisconsin sits at $11,100. The five states closest by workforce center are listed below.
| State | Distance | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 120 miles away | $9,000 – $16,000 | $12,500 | +12% |
| Iowa | 230 miles away | $7,150 – $13,300 | $10,200 | −8% |
| Michigan | 230 miles away | $7,100 – $13,300 | $10,200 | −8% |
| Minnesota | 260 miles away | $8,800 – $15,600 | $12,200 | +10% |
| Indiana | 260 miles away | $7,650 – $14,000 | $10,800 | −3% |
Wisconsin metro-by-metro prices
7 of the 12 metros sit above the statewide midpoint of $11,100, and the top-to-bottom gap is 10%. Each row prices the default size with that metro's own BLS wages and BEA price levels, so the gap between rows is real local variation rather than a flat markup.
| Metro | Range (200 sq ft of wall face) | Midpoint | vs. state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | $8,550 – $15,100 | $11,800 | +6% |
| Kenosha, WI | $8,100 – $15,000 | $11,600 | +4% |
| Madison, WI | $8,150 – $14,500 | $11,300 | +2% |
| Appleton, WI | $8,100 – $14,500 | $11,300 | +2% |
| Racine, WI | $8,100 – $14,500 | $11,300 | +1% |
| Wausau, WI | $8,050 – $14,400 | $11,200 | +1% |
| Eau Claire, WI | $8,050 – $14,400 | $11,200 | +1% |
| La Crosse, WI | $7,950 – $14,300 | $11,100 | level |
| Oshkosh, WI | $7,850 – $14,100 | $11,000 | −1% |
| Janesville, WI | $7,800 – $14,100 | $10,900 | −2% |
| Sheboygan, WI | $7,800 – $14,100 | $10,900 | −2% |
| Green Bay, WI | $7,600 – $13,800 | $10,700 | −4% |
Weather windows across Wisconsin
Season matters for retaining wall. For each Wisconsin metro below we took NOAA's 1991-2020 monthly normals from the nearest suitable station and counted comfortable months for digging and ground work.
Milwaukee has the longest comfortable season of the metros we cover in Wisconsin at 7 months (April through October); Wausau has the shortest at 6 (May through October). Rainfall runs from 32 inches a year in Green Bay to 37 inches in La Crosse.
We do not adjust prices by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. Timing is still worth raising when you collect bids.
| Metro | Jan avg low °F | Jul avg high °F | Precip (in/yr) | Comfortable months |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee | 14 | 83 | 34 | 7: April through October |
| Madison | 12 | 82 | 37 | 7: April through October |
| Green Bay | 11 | 81 | 32 | 7: April through October |
| Appleton | 10 | 82 | 33 | 7: April through October |
| Oshkosh | 10 | 82 | 33 | 7: April through October |
| Eau Claire | 6 | 83 | 33 | 7: April through October |
| La Crosse | 8 | 80 | 37 | 7: April through October |
| Racine | 16 | 81 | 32 | 7: April through October |
| Kenosha | 16 | 84 | 32 | 7: April through October |
| Janesville | 12 | 83 | 37 | 7: April through October |
| Wausau | 7 | 80 | 34 | 6: May through October |
| Sheboygan | 15 | 82 | 35 | 7: April through October |
Retaining wall: what moves the price in Wisconsin
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.
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.
Quality levels and sizes in Wisconsin
The cited range is cut into three overlapping bands (basic, standard and premium) and scaled to statewide Wisconsin wages and prices. The grid prices the same bands at 4 common sizes.
Basic
$7,950 to $10,500
Short block wall, easy access
Standard
$9,850 to $12,400
Standard segmental block wall with drainage
Premium
$11,800 to $14,300
Tall or stone wall, engineered, hard access
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short garden wall (4x25 ft), 100 sq ft of wall face | $4,000 – $5,350 | $5,000 – $6,350 | $6,000 – $7,350 |
| 20 ft x 4 ft (80 sq ft of wall face) | $3,200 – $4,300 | $4,050 – $5,150 | $4,850 – $5,950 |
| 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) | $6,350 – $8,450 | $7,900 – $10,000 | $9,450 – $11,500 |
| 40 ft x 6 ft (240 sq ft of wall face) | $9,550 – $12,500 | $11,800 – $14,800 | $14,100 – $17,100 |
If you are planning more than one job in Wisconsin
The table prices neighboring jobs at their usual sizes using statewide Wisconsin wages and prices. Against national midpoints, French drain comes out highest (+14%) and sod installation lowest (+1%), because each job leans on different trades.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $690 – $2,400 | +14% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,300 – $5,950 | +9% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,900 – $10,000 | +8% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,500 – $3,300 | +1% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,400 – $11,000 | +10% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $39,600 – $123,500 | +10% |
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Retaining wall in Wisconsin: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a retaining wall in Wisconsin?
$7,950 to $14,300 for 200 sq ft of wall face, using statewide wages and prices. Metro areas inside Wisconsin can sit above or below that.
+Which city in Wisconsin is cheapest for retaining wall?
Green Bay at about $10,700 (midpoint, 200 sq ft of wall face). The priciest is Milwaukee at $11,800.
+Is retaining wall cheaper in Wisconsin than the US average?
It is 9% more expensive: $11,100 against $10,300 for 200 sq ft of wall face at the midpoint.
+What share of the price is labor in Wisconsin?
About 53% ($5,900). Materials are 45%. Statewide labor for this job is weighted 1.25x the national wage level.
+What do brickmasons and blockmasons earn in Wisconsin?
The BLS statewide median is $38.52 an hour, against $29.87 for the US. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $29.59 to $46.62.
+Where does Wisconsin rank for retaining wall costs?
11th most expensive of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) at the midpoint, $11,100 for 200 sq ft of wall face. Rank 1 is the costliest.
+What do basic and premium retaining wall work cost in Wisconsin?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, basic work runs $7,950 to $10,500 and premium work $11,800 to $14,300. Basic means: short block wall, easy access. Premium means: tall or stone wall, engineered, hard access.
+Does the season matter for retaining wall in Wisconsin?
Yes where winters or summers are hard. Of the Wisconsin metros we cover, Milwaukee has the most comfortable months (7 of 12) based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals. Our prices do not change by month, so ask contractors whether they charge more or less in busy and slow seasons.
Retaining wall by city in Wisconsin
- Milwaukee, WI$11,800 midpoint
- Kenosha, WI$11,600 midpoint
- Madison, WI$11,300 midpoint
- Appleton, WI$11,300 midpoint
- Racine, WI$11,300 midpoint
- Wausau, WI$11,200 midpoint
- Eau Claire, WI$11,200 midpoint
- La Crosse, WI$11,100 midpoint
- Oshkosh, WI$11,000 midpoint
- Janesville, WI$10,900 midpoint
- Sheboygan, WI$10,900 midpoint
- Green Bay, WI$10,700 midpoint
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.