Retaining wall cost in Oshkosh, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (200 sq ft of wall face)
- $7,850 – $14,100
- Per sq ft of wall face
- $39 – $68.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +7%
- US $10,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #79
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a retaining wall in the Oshkosh area: $7,850 to $14,100 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 7% higher than the US figure. Brickmasons and blockmasons earn a median of $38.52 an hour in the Oshkosh area, 29% above the US median of $29.87.
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Estimated cost for 200 sq ft of wall face in Oshkosh, WI, standard level
$9,700 to $12,200
About $48 to $59.50 per sq ft of wall face before permits. Labor is about 53% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,050 | $5,900 |
| Labor | $5,550 | $6,000 |
| Permits and fees | $160 | $310 |
| Total | $9,700 | $12,200 |
Cost breakdown for 200 sq ft of wall face in Oshkosh, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,650 | $4,950 | $7,300 | 45% |
| Labor | $5,150 | $5,750 | $6,400 | 53% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $230 | $420 | 2% |
| Total | $7,850 | $11,000 | $14,100 | 100% |
Why Oshkosh prices look the way they do
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, Oshkosh wages are 1.23 times the national level. Labor makes up about 53% of the midpoint estimate (46% at national prices). BLS does not publish this trade for the metro, so we used the Wisconsin statewide median.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Oshkosh is at 93.8 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $5,300 nationally becomes $4,950 here (midpoint, 200 sq ft of wall face). Permits follow the all-items index of 92.9: $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 Oshkosh. The wage table below marks each row.
Who does the work: Oshkosh 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 Oshkosh the blend is 1.23.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) carry 50% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Oshkosh metro, so we used the Wisconsin statewide median: $38.52 an hour against $29.87 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $29.59 and $46.62 an hour.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 30%) the local median is $24.65 an hour, which is 9% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.00 and $34.81 an hour. BLS counts 560 of them working in the area, 59.7 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 20% of the weighting: a median of $37.03 an hour, 29% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $29.76 and $44.71 an hour. About 150 work in the metro. That is 16.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, so expect fewer 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 $640 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $700. That is a swing of roughly 6.4% to 5.8% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Oshkosh-Neenah has 93,750 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 215th 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% | $29.59 | $38.52 | $46.62 | $29.87 | 1.29 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $21.00 | $24.65 | $34.81 | $22.66 | 1.09 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 20% | $29.76 | $37.03 | $44.71 | $28.78 | 1.29 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.23 | |||||
How Oshkosh compares
Of the five closest metros, 2 are cheaper than Oshkosh. Green Bay is the lowest at about $10,700 (midpoint, 200 sq ft of wall face), 45 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oshkosh, WIthis page | $7,850 – $14,100 | $11,000 | |
| Appleton, WI20 miles | $8,100 – $14,500 | $11,300 | +3% |
| Green Bay, WI45 miles | $7,600 – $13,800 | $10,700 | −3% |
| Sheboygan, WI50 miles | $7,800 – $14,100 | $10,900 | level |
| Wausau, WI80 miles | $8,050 – $14,400 | $11,200 | +2% |
| Madison, WI85 miles | $8,150 – $14,500 | $11,300 | +3% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $7,950 – $14,300 | $11,100 | +1% |
| United States | $7,050 – $13,500 | $10,300 | −7% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Oshkosh ranks #79 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Oshkosh is 1% below the Wisconsin figure.
Elsewhere in Wisconsin
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $8,550 – $15,100 | $11,800 | +8% |
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $8,150 – $14,500 | $11,300 | +3% |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $7,600 – $13,800 | $10,700 | −3% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $8,100 – $14,500 | $11,300 | +3% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $8,050 – $14,400 | $11,200 | +2% |
| La Crosse, WI | 84,380 jobs | $7,950 – $14,300 | $11,100 | +1% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Oshkosh against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IA | 93,760 jobs | $7,150 – $13,300 | $10,200 | −7% |
| Bremerton, WA | 93,740 jobs | $8,350 – $15,300 | $11,800 | +8% |
| Billings, MT | 93,800 jobs | $6,800 – $13,000 | $9,900 | −10% |
| Bellingham, WA | 91,390 jobs | $8,650 – $15,700 | $12,200 | +11% |
Related projects, priced for Oshkosh
Jobs that often go together with retaining wall are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Oshkosh wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, concrete driveway comes out highest (+15%) and sod installation lowest (−3%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $670 – $2,350 | +12% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,150 – $5,750 | +5% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $4,100 – $10,700 | +15% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,450 – $3,200 | −3% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,350 – $10,900 | +9% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $39,100 – $122,000 | +8% |
Oshkosh: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Oshkosh. 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
$7,850 to $10,300
Short block wall, easy access
Standard
$9,700 to $12,200
Standard segmental block wall with drainage
Premium
$11,600 to $14,100
Tall or stone wall, engineered, hard access
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short garden wall (4x25 ft), 100 sq ft of wall face | $3,950 – $5,250 | $4,950 – $6,250 | $5,950 – $7,250 |
| 20 ft x 4 ft (80 sq ft of wall face) | $3,150 – $4,250 | $4,000 – $5,100 | $4,800 – $5,900 |
| 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) | $6,250 – $8,300 | $7,800 – $9,850 | $9,350 – $11,400 |
| 40 ft x 6 ft (240 sq ft of wall face) | $9,400 – $12,400 | $11,600 – $14,600 | $13,900 – $16,900 |
The best months for retaining wall in Oshkosh
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Oshkosh (in the city). 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 Oshkosh 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 143 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Oshkosh gets about 33 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 39 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and July (4.8 inches in June). Inside the workable window, April and October are the driest, at 3.2 and 2.9 inches. The station averages about 8 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 | 26 | 10 | 1.3 | Cold |
| Feb | 30 | 13 | 1.1 | Cold |
| Mar | 41 | 24 | 1.9 | Cold |
| Apr | 54 | 36 | 3.2 | Workable |
| May | 67 | 48 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 77 | 59 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Jul | 82 | 63 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Aug | 80 | 61 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Sep | 73 | 53 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Oct | 59 | 41 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 44 | 29 | 2.0 | Cold |
| Dec | 32 | 18 | 1.6 | Cold |
Why two Oshkosh 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 $9,700 to $12,200 for Oshkosh, WI is attached.
Detailed retaining wall report for Oshkosh, WI, $9
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Retaining wall in Oshkosh: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a retaining wall in Oshkosh?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, expect $7,850 to $14,100 in the Oshkosh area. A standard-spec job lands at $9,700 to $12,200. 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 Oshkosh?
About $39 to $68.50 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 Oshkosh or Appleton?
Appleton is 20 miles away. The midpoint for 200 sq ft of wall face there is $11,300, which is 3% more than Oshkosh ($11,000). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Oshkosh?
About 53% at the midpoint, or $5,750 out of $11,000. Materials are 45% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 46%.
+What would 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) cost in Oshkosh?
$6,250 to $11,400. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does retaining wall need a permit in Oshkosh?
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 Oshkosh area (our national range of $50 to $450 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Oshkosh expensive for retaining wall compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Oshkosh is 1% below 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 Oshkosh?
BLS has no published metro figure here, so we use the statewide median of $38.52 an hour, compared with $29.87 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $29.59 to $46.62.
+What do basic and premium retaining wall work cost in Oshkosh?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, basic work runs $7,850 to $10,300 and premium work $11,600 to $14,100. 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 Oshkosh?
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 Oshkosh
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.