Sod installation cost in Salt Lake City, UT
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (1,500 sq ft)
- $1,550 – $3,400
- Per sq ft
- $1.05 – $2.05
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +3%
- US $2,400
- Rank of 300 metros
- #82
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to lay sod in Salt Lake City, plan on $1,550 to $3,400 for 1,500 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $1.05 to $2.05 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint lands close to the national one. Landscaping and groundskeeping workers earn a median of $21.10 an hour in the Salt Lake City area, 12% above the US median of $18.82.
Estimate your sod installation cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 1,500 sq ft in Salt Lake City, UT, standard level
$2,100 to $2,850
About $1.35 to $1.75 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 50% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $940 | $1,250 |
| Labor | $1,050 | $1,400 |
| Permits and fees | $90 | $210 |
| Total | $2,100 | $2,850 |
Cost breakdown for 1,500 sq ft in Salt Lake City, UT
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $720 | $1,100 | $1,450 | 44% |
| Labor | $820 | $1,250 | $1,650 | 50% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $150 | $300 | 6% |
| Total | $1,550 | $2,450 | $3,400 | 100% |
Why Salt Lake City prices look the way they do
The wage side of the estimate leans on landscaping and groundskeeping workers, who do 80% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $21.10 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Salt Lake City is 1.10 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 50% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Salt Lake City metro is 96.4 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 1,500 sq ft comes to $1,100, compared with $1,150 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (100.9) and land at $0 to $300.
Climate in Salt Lake City: timing your sod lawn job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Salt Lake City Intl Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
March through June and September through November are the stretches where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Salt Lake City (7 of 12 months). January, February and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F); July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
In January, February 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 112 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Salt Lake City gets about 16 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 52 inches of snow. The wettest months are March, April and May (2.2 inches in April). Inside the workable window, June and September are the driest, at 0.9 and 1.1 inches. The station averages about 62 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 | 39 | 24 | 1.4 | Cold |
| Feb | 45 | 29 | 1.3 | Cold |
| Mar | 55 | 36 | 1.8 | Workable |
| Apr | 62 | 42 | 2.2 | Workable |
| May | 73 | 50 | 1.8 | Workable |
| Jun | 84 | 59 | 0.9 | Workable |
| Jul | 94 | 68 | 0.5 | Hot |
| Aug | 92 | 67 | 0.6 | Hot |
| Sep | 81 | 56 | 1.1 | Workable |
| Oct | 66 | 44 | 1.3 | Workable |
| Nov | 51 | 33 | 1.3 | Workable |
| Dec | 39 | 25 | 1.4 | Cold |
Specs and site conditions that change a Salt Lake City bid
Sod type
Sod alone costs $0.30-$0.80 per sq ft, or $130-$360 per pallet; delivery is $50-$250 per load.
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.
Cost by quality level and size in Salt Lake City
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Salt Lake City 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 3 common sizes.
Basic
$1,550 to $2,300
Basic grass on cleared, level ground
Standard
$2,100 to $2,850
Better grass type with some grading
Premium
$2,650 to $3,400
Premium sod, soil work, difficult slopes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small yard (1,000 sq ft) | $1,050 – $1,550 | $1,450 – $1,950 | $1,850 – $2,350 |
| average yard (1,500 sq ft) | $1,550 – $2,300 | $2,100 – $2,850 | $2,650 – $3,400 |
| large yard (4,000 sq ft) | $4,150 – $5,900 | $5,450 – $7,250 | $6,800 – $8,550 |
Salt Lake City labor market for sod lawn
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 2 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Salt Lake City is 1.10 times the national level.
For landscaping and groundskeeping workers (37-3011, weighted 80%) the local median is $21.10 an hour, which is 12% above the national $18.82. The middle half of them earn between $18.60 and $23.07 an hour. BLS counts 5,090 of them working in the area, 61.6 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 61.3), so the local bench is about average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 20% of the weighting: a median of $22.82 an hour, in line with the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $19.03 and $27.96 an hour. About 7,790 work in the metro. That is 94.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the landscaping and groundskeeping workers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($23.07 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $95. At the 25th percentile ($18.60) it shrinks by about $120. The total moves by 3.8% or 4.8%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 826,210 jobs in the Salt Lake City-Murray area. That makes it the 37th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.53% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landscaping and groundskeeping workers (37-3011) | 80% | $18.60 | $21.10 | $23.07 | $18.82 | 1.12 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $19.03 | $22.82 | $27.96 | $22.66 | 1.01 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.10 | |||||
Salt Lake City against nearby metros and the rest of Utah
Of the five closest metros, all are cheaper than Salt Lake City. Logan is the lowest at about $2,300 (midpoint, 1,500 sq ft), 110 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City, UTthis page | $1,550 – $3,400 | $2,450 | |
| Provo, UT60 miles | $1,450 – $3,250 | $2,350 | −5% |
| Ogden, UT70 miles | $1,500 – $3,250 | $2,350 | −4% |
| Logan, UT110 miles | $1,450 – $3,150 | $2,300 | −7% |
| Idaho Falls, ID210 miles | $1,450 – $3,150 | $2,300 | −7% |
| St. George, UT230 miles | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,300 | −6% |
| Utah (statewide) | $1,500 – $3,300 | $2,400 | −3% |
| United States | $1,500 – $3,300 | $2,400 | −3% |
Across 300 US metros, Salt Lake City comes in at #82 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $2,900; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $2,000 (midpoints, 1,500 sq ft). Statewide, Salt Lake City is 3% above the Utah figure.
Other Utah metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Provo, UT | 304,660 jobs | $1,450 – $3,250 | $2,350 | −5% |
| Ogden, UT | 271,370 jobs | $1,500 – $3,250 | $2,350 | −4% |
| St. George, UT | 90,500 jobs | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,300 | −6% |
| Logan, UT | 66,800 jobs | $1,450 – $3,150 | $2,300 | −7% |
Cities with a workforce like Salt Lake City's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Salt Lake City against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland, OH | 1,031,130 jobs | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,350 | −5% |
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $1,550 – $3,450 | $2,500 | +1% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $1,650 – $3,650 | $2,650 | +8% |
| Jacksonville, FL | 765,930 jobs | $1,450 – $3,150 | $2,300 | −7% |
What nearby projects cost in Salt Lake City
Because every project leans on different trades, Salt Lake City's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, French drain runs level and retaining wall −2%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $600 – $2,100 | level |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,950 – $9,900 | −1% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,950 – $13,200 | −2% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,500 – $10,100 | −1% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $35,700 – $111,500 | −1% |
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 $2,100 to $2,850 for Salt Lake City, UT is attached.
Detailed sod installation report for Salt Lake City, UT, $9
Multi-page report for Salt Lake City, UT: 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 Salt Lake City: your questions
+How much does it cost to lay sod in Salt Lake City?
For 1,500 sq ft, expect $1,550 to $3,400 in the Salt Lake City area. A standard-spec job lands at $2,100 to $2,850. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for sod lawn in Salt Lake City?
About $1.05 to $2.05 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $300 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $1 to $2.
+Is sod lawn cheaper in Salt Lake City or Provo?
Provo is 60 miles away. The midpoint for 1,500 sq ft there is $2,350, which is 5% less than Salt Lake City ($2,450). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Salt Lake City?
About 50% at the midpoint, or $1,250 out of $2,450. Materials are 44% and permits 6%. Nationally, labor is 47%.
+What would average yard (1,500 sq ft) cost in Salt Lake City?
$1,550 to $3,400. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does sod lawn need a permit in Salt Lake City?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $300 for fees in the Salt Lake City area (our national range of $0 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Salt Lake City expensive for sod lawn compared with the rest of Utah?
Salt Lake City is 3% above the Utah statewide estimate ($2,400 at the midpoint). We cover 5 metros in Utah; see the state page to compare them.
+What do landscaping and groundskeeping workers earn in Salt Lake City?
The BLS median is $21.10 an hour in the Salt Lake City area, compared with $18.82 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $18.60 to $23.07.
+What do basic and premium sod lawn work cost in Salt Lake City?
For 1,500 sq ft, basic work runs $1,550 to $2,300 and premium work $2,650 to $3,400. 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 Salt Lake City?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through June and September through November. June 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.
Sod installation near Salt Lake City
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.