Sod installation cost in Lincoln, NE
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (1,500 sq ft)
- $1,450 – $3,150
- Per sq ft
- $0.95 – $1.90
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −5%
- US $2,400
- Rank of 300 metros
- #192
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a new sod lawn in the Lincoln area: $1,450 to $3,150 for 1,500 sq ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint runs 5% lower than the US figure. Building materials run about 6% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 94.1).
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Estimated cost for 1,500 sq ft in Lincoln, NE, standard level
$1,950 to $2,650
About $1.25 to $1.60 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 48% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $920 | $1,200 |
| Labor | $950 | $1,250 |
| Permits and fees | $80 | $190 |
| Total | $1,950 | $2,650 |
Cost breakdown for 1,500 sq ft in Lincoln, NE
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $710 | $1,050 | $1,400 | 46% |
| Labor | $730 | $1,100 | $1,450 | 48% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $140 | $270 | 6% |
| Total | $1,450 | $2,300 | $3,150 | 100% |
What is behind the Lincoln number
Labor is 48% of the midpoint bill here, against 47% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is landscaping and groundskeeping workers (80%), construction laborers (20%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Lincoln the blended ratio comes out at 0.97.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Lincoln is at 94.1 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $1,150 nationally becomes $1,050 here (midpoint, 1,500 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 91.6: $0 to $270.
How Lincoln compares
Of the five closest metros, 1 is cheaper than Lincoln. Topeka is the lowest at about $2,300 (midpoint, 1,500 sq ft), 135 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln, NEthis page | $1,450 – $3,150 | $2,300 | |
| Omaha, NE55 miles | $1,550 – $3,400 | $2,500 | +9% |
| Sioux City, IA120 miles | $1,450 – $3,150 | $2,300 | +1% |
| Topeka, KS135 miles | $1,450 – $3,100 | $2,300 | level |
| Des Moines, IA170 miles | $1,550 – $3,400 | $2,450 | +8% |
| Kansas City, MO185 miles | $1,500 – $3,300 | $2,400 | +5% |
| Nebraska (statewide) | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,300 | +1% |
| United States | $1,500 – $3,300 | $2,400 | +5% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Lincoln ranks #192 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Lincoln is 1% below the Nebraska figure.
Elsewhere in Nebraska
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE | 498,100 jobs | $1,550 – $3,400 | $2,500 | +9% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Lincoln against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| York, PA | 183,590 jobs | $1,500 – $3,300 | $2,400 | +5% |
| Asheville, NC | 180,620 jobs | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,350 | +2% |
| Tallahassee, FL | 186,160 jobs | $1,400 – $3,050 | $2,250 | −3% |
| Davenport, IA | 180,450 jobs | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,350 | +2% |
Specs and site conditions that change a Lincoln bid
Site prep
The cost listed here assumes leveled, cleared ground. Grading and soil amendments are extra.
Permit
Sodding permits cost $40-$300 where required, mostly for large lawns or those next to a public road.
Old grass removal
Removing an old lawn first adds $0.50-$2.00 per sq ft, and a full remove-and-resod runs $1.50-$4.00 per sq ft (HomeGuide).
Planning more than one job in Lincoln?
Jobs that often go together with sod lawn are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Lincoln wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, gravel driveway comes out highest (−3%) and retaining wall lowest (−6%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $580 – $2,000 | −4% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,850 – $9,600 | −4% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,650 – $12,700 | −6% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,450 – $9,900 | −3% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $34,600 – $108,000 | −4% |
The best months for sod lawn in Lincoln
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Lincoln Muni Ap (5 miles from the city center). 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 Lincoln 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.
Lincoln gets about 29 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 26 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and August (4.9 inches in May). Inside the workable window, April and October are the driest, at 2.7 and 2.1 inches. The station averages about 42 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 | 36 | 14 | 0.7 | Cold |
| Feb | 41 | 18 | 0.9 | Cold |
| Mar | 54 | 29 | 1.6 | Cold |
| Apr | 65 | 39 | 2.7 | Workable |
| May | 75 | 51 | 4.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 85 | 62 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Jul | 89 | 67 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Aug | 87 | 64 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Sep | 80 | 54 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Oct | 67 | 41 | 2.1 | Workable |
| Nov | 52 | 28 | 1.3 | Cold |
| Dec | 39 | 18 | 1.2 | Cold |
Who does the work: Lincoln trade wages
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 2 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 Lincoln the blend is 0.97.
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers (37-3011), 80% of the weighting: a median of $18.16 an hour, 4% below the US median of $18.82. The middle half of them earn between $17.45 and $22.45 an hour. About 1,040 work in the metro. That is 56.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 61.3 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 20%) the local median is $22.45 an hour, which is in line with the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $19.28 and $24.46 an hour. BLS counts 1,250 of them working in the area, 68.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is about average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (landscaping and groundskeeping workers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $210 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $35. That is a swing of roughly 1.5% to 9.0% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Lincoln has 182,620 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 126th by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landscaping and groundskeeping workers (37-3011) | 80% | $17.45 | $18.16 | $22.45 | $18.82 | 0.96 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $19.28 | $22.45 | $24.46 | $22.66 | 0.99 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.97 | |||||
Pick a size, pick a tier: sod installation pricing in Lincoln
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Lincoln. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from small yard (1,000 sq ft) to large yard (4,000 sq ft).
Basic
$1,450 to $2,100
Basic grass on cleared, level ground
Standard
$1,950 to $2,650
Better grass type with some grading
Premium
$2,450 to $3,150
Premium sod, soil work, difficult slopes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small yard (1,000 sq ft) | $960 – $1,450 | $1,300 – $1,800 | $1,700 – $2,200 |
| average yard (1,500 sq ft) | $1,450 – $2,100 | $1,950 – $2,650 | $2,450 – $3,150 |
| large yard (4,000 sq ft) | $3,800 – $5,450 | $5,050 – $6,700 | $6,300 – $7,900 |
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Detailed sod installation report for Lincoln, NE, $9
Multi-page report for Lincoln, NE: 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.
Sod installation in Lincoln: your questions
+How much does it cost to lay sod in Lincoln?
For 1,500 sq ft, expect $1,450 to $3,150 in the Lincoln area. A standard-spec job lands at $1,950 to $2,650. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for sod lawn in Lincoln?
About $0.95 to $1.90 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $270 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $1 to $2.
+Is sod lawn cheaper in Lincoln or Omaha?
Omaha is 55 miles away. The midpoint for 1,500 sq ft there is $2,500, which is 9% more than Lincoln ($2,300). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Lincoln?
About 48% at the midpoint, or $1,100 out of $2,300. Materials are 46% and permits 6%. Nationally, labor is 47%.
+What would average yard (1,500 sq ft) cost in Lincoln?
$1,450 to $3,150. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does sod lawn need a permit in Lincoln?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $270 for fees in the Lincoln area (our national range of $0 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Lincoln expensive for sod lawn compared with the rest of Nebraska?
Lincoln is 1% below the Nebraska statewide estimate ($2,300 at the midpoint). We cover 2 metros in Nebraska; see the state page to compare them.
+What do landscaping and groundskeeping workers earn in Lincoln?
The BLS median is $18.16 an hour in the Lincoln area, compared with $18.82 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $17.45 to $22.45.
+What do basic and premium sod lawn work cost in Lincoln?
For 1,500 sq ft, basic work runs $1,450 to $2,100 and premium work $2,450 to $3,150. Basic means: basic grass on cleared, level ground. Premium means: premium sod, soil work, difficult slopes.
+When is the best time to lay sod in Lincoln?
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.
Sod installation near Lincoln
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.