Retaining wall cost in Eau Claire, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (200 sq ft of wall face)
- $8,050 – $14,400
- Per sq ft of wall face
- $40 – $70
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +10%
- US $10,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #66
- 1 = most expensive
Eau Claire homeowners pay roughly $8,050 to $14,400 to build a retaining wall at 200 sq ft of wall face, or $40 to $70 per sq ft of wall face (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Eau Claire is 10% higher. Brickmasons and blockmasons earn a median of $39.35 an hour in the Eau Claire area, 32% above the US median of $29.87.
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Estimated cost for 200 sq ft of wall face in Eau Claire, WI, standard level
$9,950 to $12,500
About $49 to $61 per sq ft of wall face before permits. Labor is about 54% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,050 | $5,900 |
| Labor | $5,750 | $6,300 |
| Permits and fees | $160 | $310 |
| Total | $9,950 | $12,500 |
Cost breakdown for 200 sq ft of wall face in Eau Claire, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,650 | $4,950 | $7,300 | 44% |
| Labor | $5,400 | $6,050 | $6,650 | 54% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $230 | $420 | 2% |
| Total | $8,050 | $11,200 | $14,400 | 100% |
What is behind the Eau Claire number
Labor is 54% 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 Eau Claire the blended ratio comes out at 1.28.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Eau Claire metro is 93.8 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 200 sq ft of wall face comes to $4,950, compared with $5,300 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (92.8) and land at $45 to $420.
Eau Claire against nearby metros and the rest of Wisconsin
Same job, same size (200 sq ft of wall face), priced for the nearest metros. Minneapolis is the priciest of the group at $12,600. Oshkosh is the cheapest at $11,000.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eau Claire, WIthis page | $8,050 – $14,400 | $11,200 | |
| Wausau, WI75 miles | $8,050 – $14,400 | $11,200 | level |
| Rochester, MN85 miles | $8,550 – $15,100 | $11,800 | +5% |
| La Crosse, WI85 miles | $7,950 – $14,300 | $11,100 | −1% |
| Minneapolis, MN100 miles | $9,100 – $16,100 | $12,600 | +12% |
| Oshkosh, WI140 miles | $7,850 – $14,100 | $11,000 | −2% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $7,950 – $14,300 | $11,100 | −1% |
| United States | $7,050 – $13,500 | $10,300 | −9% |
Across 300 US metros, Eau Claire comes in at #66 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, Eau Claire is 1% above the Wisconsin figure.
Other Wisconsin metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $8,550 – $15,100 | $11,800 | +5% |
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $8,150 – $14,500 | $11,300 | +1% |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $7,600 – $13,800 | $10,700 | −5% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $8,100 – $14,500 | $11,300 | +1% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $7,850 – $14,100 | $11,000 | −2% |
| La Crosse, WI | 84,380 jobs | $7,950 – $14,300 | $11,100 | −1% |
Cities with a workforce like Eau Claire's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Eau Claire against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daphne, AL | 87,120 jobs | $6,100 – $12,100 | $9,100 | −19% |
| Jackson, TN | 84,530 jobs | $6,750 – $12,900 | $9,800 | −13% |
| Joplin, MO | 87,190 jobs | $7,200 – $13,300 | $10,300 | −9% |
| La Crosse, WI | 84,380 jobs | $7,950 – $14,300 | $11,100 | −1% |
Planning more than one job in Eau Claire?
Because every project leans on different trades, Eau Claire's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, French drain runs +15% and sod installation −2%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $690 – $2,400 | +15% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,300 – $6,000 | +10% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,850 – $9,900 | +7% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,500 – $3,250 | −2% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,550 – $11,400 | +14% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $40,400 – $126,000 | +12% |
When to schedule retaining wall in Eau Claire
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Eau Claire Rgnl Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through October is the stretch where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Eau Claire (7 of 12 months). 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 163 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Eau Claire gets about 33 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 55 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and August (4.8 inches in June). Inside the workable window, April and October are the driest, at 3.1 and 2.5 inches. The station averages about 10 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 | 23 | 6 | 1.0 | Cold |
| Feb | 28 | 9 | 1.1 | Cold |
| Mar | 41 | 21 | 2.0 | Cold |
| Apr | 57 | 33 | 3.1 | Workable |
| May | 70 | 45 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 79 | 56 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Jul | 83 | 60 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Aug | 80 | 58 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Sep | 72 | 49 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Oct | 58 | 37 | 2.5 | Workable |
| Nov | 42 | 25 | 1.8 | Cold |
| Dec | 29 | 13 | 1.4 | Cold |
Retaining wall: what moves the price in Eau Claire
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.
Eau Claire: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Eau Claire 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
$8,050 to $10,600
Short block wall, easy access
Standard
$9,950 to $12,500
Standard segmental block wall with drainage
Premium
$11,900 to $14,400
Tall or stone wall, engineered, hard access
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short garden wall (4x25 ft), 100 sq ft of wall face | $4,050 – $5,400 | $5,050 – $6,400 | $6,050 – $7,400 |
| 20 ft x 4 ft (80 sq ft of wall face) | $3,250 – $4,350 | $4,100 – $5,200 | $4,900 – $6,000 |
| 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) | $6,450 – $8,500 | $8,000 – $10,100 | $9,550 – $11,600 |
| 40 ft x 6 ft (240 sq ft of wall face) | $9,650 – $12,700 | $11,900 – $14,900 | $14,200 – $17,200 |
Local wages behind the labor line
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 Eau Claire is 1.28 times the national level.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021), 50% of the weighting: a median of $39.35 an hour, 32% above the US median of $29.87. The middle half of them earn between $37.44 and $45.46 an hour. About 40 work in the metro. That is 4.6 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 3.4 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 30% of the weighting: a median of $28.00 an hour, 24% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.33 and $36.35 an hour. About 640 work in the metro. That is 74.4 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 $36.53 an hour, which is 27% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $29.77 and $45.13 an hour. BLS counts 260 of them working in the area, 30.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is about average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the brickmasons and blockmasons on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($45.46 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $480. At the 25th percentile ($37.44) it shrinks by about $150. The total moves by 4.3% or 1.3%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 86,060 jobs in the Eau Claire area. That makes it the 226th 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% | $37.44 | $39.35 | $45.46 | $29.87 | 1.32 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $22.33 | $28.00 | $36.35 | $22.66 | 1.24 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 20% | $29.77 | $36.53 | $45.13 | $28.78 | 1.27 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.28 | |||||
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 $9,950 to $12,500 for Eau Claire, WI is attached.
Detailed retaining wall report for Eau Claire, WI, $9
Multi-page report for Eau Claire, WI: 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 Eau Claire: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a retaining wall in Eau Claire?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, expect $8,050 to $14,400 in the Eau Claire area. A standard-spec job lands at $9,950 to $12,500. 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 Eau Claire?
About $40 to $70 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 Eau Claire or Wausau?
Wausau is 75 miles away. The midpoint for 200 sq ft of wall face there is $11,200, which is 0% more than Eau Claire ($11,200). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Eau Claire?
About 54% at the midpoint, or $6,050 out of $11,200. Materials are 44% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 46%.
+What would 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) cost in Eau Claire?
$6,450 to $11,600. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does retaining wall need a permit in Eau Claire?
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 Eau Claire area (our national range of $50 to $450 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Eau Claire expensive for retaining wall compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Eau Claire is 1% above the Wisconsin statewide estimate ($11,100 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Wisconsin; see the state page to compare them.
+What do brickmasons and blockmasons earn in Eau Claire?
The BLS median is $39.35 an hour in the Eau Claire area, compared with $29.87 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $37.44 to $45.46.
+What do basic and premium retaining wall work cost in Eau Claire?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, basic work runs $8,050 to $10,600 and premium work $11,900 to $14,400. 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 Eau Claire?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. April 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 Eau Claire
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.