Retaining wall cost in Sheboygan, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (200 sq ft of wall face)
- $7,800 – $14,100
- Per sq ft of wall face
- $38.50 – $68.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +7%
- US $10,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #83
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to build a retaining wall in Sheboygan, plan on $7,800 to $14,100 for 200 sq ft of wall face, all in. Per sq ft of wall face, that is $38.50 to $68.50 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 7% higher than the national one. Brickmasons and blockmasons earn a median of $38.52 an hour in the Sheboygan area, 29% above the US median of $29.87.
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Estimated cost for 200 sq ft of wall face in Sheboygan, WI, standard level
$9,700 to $12,200
About $47.50 to $59.50 per sq ft of wall face before permits. Labor is about 52% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,050 | $5,900 |
| Labor | $5,500 | $5,950 |
| Permits and fees | $160 | $310 |
| Total | $9,700 | $12,200 |
Cost breakdown for 200 sq ft of wall face in Sheboygan, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,650 | $4,950 | $7,300 | 45% |
| Labor | $5,100 | $5,750 | $6,350 | 52% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $240 | $420 | 2% |
| Total | $7,800 | $10,900 | $14,100 | 100% |
Why Sheboygan 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, Sheboygan wages are 1.22 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 Wisconsin statewide median.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Sheboygan 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 (94.0) and land at $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 Sheboygan. The wage table below marks each row.
Retaining wall: what moves the price in Sheboygan
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.
Sheboygan 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 Sheboygan is 1.22 times the national level.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) carry 50% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Sheboygan 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.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 30% of the weighting: a median of $27.14 an hour, 20% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.69 and $31.93 an hour. About 310 work in the metro. That is 51.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 20%) the local median is $30.91 an hour, which is 7% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $30.16 and $41.78 an hour. BLS counts 100 of them working in the area, 16.5 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 ($46.62 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $640. At the 25th percentile ($29.59) it shrinks by about $700. The total moves by 5.8% or 6.4%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 60,630 jobs in the Sheboygan area. That makes it the 285th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.04% 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% | $21.69 | $27.14 | $31.93 | $22.66 | 1.20 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 20% | $30.16 | $30.91 | $41.78 | $28.78 | 1.07 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.22 | |||||
Climate in Sheboygan: timing your retaining wall job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Sheboygan (in the city). 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 Sheboygan (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 133 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Sheboygan gets about 35 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are May, June and August (4.0 inches in August). Inside the workable window, July and September are the driest, at 3.2 and 2.7 inches. The station averages about 9 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 | 30 | 15 | 2.1 | Cold |
| Feb | 33 | 17 | 1.7 | Cold |
| Mar | 42 | 26 | 2.1 | Cold |
| Apr | 52 | 36 | 3.5 | Workable |
| May | 63 | 46 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Jun | 74 | 56 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Jul | 82 | 63 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Aug | 80 | 62 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Sep | 72 | 55 | 2.7 | Workable |
| Oct | 59 | 42 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Nov | 47 | 31 | 2.4 | Cold |
| Dec | 36 | 22 | 2.1 | Cold |
What nearby projects cost in Sheboygan
Because every project leans on different trades, Sheboygan's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, French drain runs +11% and sod installation level.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $670 – $2,350 | +11% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,300 – $5,950 | +9% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,900 – $10,100 | +9% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,500 – $3,300 | level |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,450 – $11,100 | +11% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $38,900 – $121,500 | +8% |
How Sheboygan compares
Of the five closest metros, 1 is cheaper than Sheboygan. Green Bay is the lowest at about $10,700 (midpoint, 200 sq ft of wall face), 50 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheboygan, WIthis page | $7,800 – $14,100 | $10,900 | |
| Appleton, WI50 miles | $8,100 – $14,500 | $11,300 | +3% |
| Oshkosh, WI50 miles | $7,850 – $14,100 | $11,000 | level |
| Green Bay, WI50 miles | $7,600 – $13,800 | $10,700 | −2% |
| Milwaukee, WI55 miles | $8,550 – $15,100 | $11,800 | +8% |
| Racine, WI65 miles | $8,100 – $14,500 | $11,300 | +3% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $7,950 – $14,300 | $11,100 | +2% |
| United States | $7,050 – $13,500 | $10,300 | −6% |
Across 300 US metros, Sheboygan comes in at #83 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, Sheboygan is 2% below the Wisconsin figure.
Other Wisconsin metros
| 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 | +4% |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $7,600 – $13,800 | $10,700 | −2% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $8,100 – $14,500 | $11,300 | +3% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $7,850 – $14,100 | $11,000 | level |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $8,050 – $14,400 | $11,200 | +3% |
Cities with a workforce like Sheboygan's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Sheboygan against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dothan, AL | 60,720 jobs | $5,950 – $11,900 | $8,900 | −19% |
| Jonesboro, AR | 60,620 jobs | $5,950 – $11,800 | $8,900 | −19% |
| Decatur, AL | 61,240 jobs | $6,100 – $12,100 | $9,100 | −17% |
| Chambersburg, PA | 60,280 jobs | $7,300 – $13,800 | $10,500 | −4% |
Cost by quality level and size in Sheboygan
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Sheboygan 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
$7,800 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 | $3,900 – $5,250 | $4,900 – $6,250 | $5,900 – $7,250 |
| 20 ft x 4 ft (80 sq ft of wall face) | $3,150 – $4,250 | $3,950 – $5,050 | $4,800 – $5,900 |
| 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) | $6,250 – $8,300 | $7,750 – $9,800 | $9,300 – $11,300 |
| 40 ft x 6 ft (240 sq ft of wall face) | $9,350 – $12,300 | $11,600 – $14,600 | $13,800 – $16,800 |
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Retaining wall in Sheboygan: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a retaining wall in Sheboygan?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, expect $7,800 to $14,100 in the Sheboygan 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 Sheboygan?
About $38.50 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 Sheboygan or Appleton?
Appleton is 50 miles away. The midpoint for 200 sq ft of wall face there is $11,300, which is 3% more than Sheboygan ($10,900). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Sheboygan?
About 52% at the midpoint, or $5,750 out of $10,900. 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 Sheboygan?
$6,250 to $11,300. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does retaining wall need a permit in Sheboygan?
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 Sheboygan area (our national range of $50 to $450 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Sheboygan expensive for retaining wall compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Sheboygan is 2% 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 Sheboygan?
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 Sheboygan?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, basic work runs $7,800 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 Sheboygan?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. July and September 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 Sheboygan
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.