Sod installation cost in Olympia, WA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (1,500 sq ft)
- $1,650 – $3,600
- Per sq ft
- $1.10 – $2.20
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +9%
- US $2,400
- Rank of 300 metros
- #36
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to lay sod in Olympia, plan on $1,650 to $3,600 for 1,500 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $1.10 to $2.20 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 9% higher than the national one. Landscaping and groundskeeping workers earn a median of $21.56 an hour in the Olympia area, 15% above the US median of $18.82.
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Estimated cost for 1,500 sq ft in Olympia, WA, standard level
$2,250 to $3,000
About $1.40 to $1.85 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 49% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,000 | $1,350 |
| Labor | $1,100 | $1,450 |
| Permits and fees | $95 | $220 |
| Total | $2,250 | $3,000 |
Cost breakdown for 1,500 sq ft in Olympia, WA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $790 | $1,200 | $1,600 | 45% |
| Labor | $860 | $1,300 | $1,700 | 49% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $160 | $310 | 6% |
| Total | $1,650 | $2,600 | $3,600 | 100% |
What is behind the Olympia number
Labor is 49% 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 Olympia the blended ratio comes out at 1.14.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Olympia metro is 105.0 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 1,500 sq ft comes to $1,200, compared with $1,150 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (103.7) and land at $0 to $310.
Is Olympia cheap or dear? The local comparison
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 1,500 sq ft range from $2,550 to $2,750 across Olympia and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olympia, WAthis page | $1,650 – $3,600 | $2,600 | |
| Bremerton, WA50 miles | $1,700 – $3,700 | $2,700 | +3% |
| Seattle, WA60 miles | $1,700 – $3,750 | $2,750 | +4% |
| Portland, OR95 miles | $1,650 – $3,650 | $2,650 | +2% |
| Yakima, WA105 miles | $1,600 – $3,450 | $2,550 | −3% |
| Bellingham, WA140 miles | $1,650 – $3,600 | $2,650 | +1% |
| Washington (statewide) | $1,700 – $3,700 | $2,700 | +3% |
| United States | $1,500 – $3,300 | $2,400 | −8% |
Across 300 US metros, Olympia comes in at #36 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, Olympia is 3% below the Washington figure.
Other Washington metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | 2,086,210 jobs | $1,700 – $3,750 | $2,750 | +4% |
| Spokane, WA | 255,820 jobs | $1,650 – $3,550 | $2,600 | −1% |
| Kennewick, WA | 129,490 jobs | $1,650 – $3,600 | $2,650 | level |
| Yakima, WA | 97,010 jobs | $1,600 – $3,450 | $2,550 | −3% |
| Bremerton, WA | 93,740 jobs | $1,700 – $3,700 | $2,700 | +3% |
| Bellingham, WA | 91,390 jobs | $1,650 – $3,600 | $2,650 | +1% |
Cities with a workforce like Olympia's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Olympia against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville, NC | 131,430 jobs | $1,400 – $3,100 | $2,250 | −14% |
| Waco, TX | 129,860 jobs | $1,400 – $3,050 | $2,200 | −16% |
| South Bend, IN | 131,670 jobs | $1,450 – $3,150 | $2,300 | −12% |
| Kennewick, WA | 129,490 jobs | $1,650 – $3,600 | $2,650 | level |
Climate in Olympia: timing your sod lawn job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Olympia Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
March through January is the stretch where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Olympia (11 of 12 months). February has an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
In February the average low is at or below freezing, which means frozen ground and slower digging, compaction and sod or stone placement. NOAA counts about 77 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Olympia gets about 51 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 4 inches of snow. The wettest months are January, November and December (8.2 inches in November). Inside the workable window, July and August are the driest, at 0.5 and 1.0 inches. The station averages about 7 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 | 46 | 33 | 7.8 | Workable |
| Feb | 49 | 32 | 5.1 | Cold |
| Mar | 54 | 35 | 5.7 | Workable |
| Apr | 59 | 38 | 3.7 | Workable |
| May | 66 | 43 | 2.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 71 | 47 | 1.5 | Workable |
| Jul | 78 | 51 | 0.5 | Workable |
| Aug | 78 | 51 | 1.0 | Workable |
| Sep | 72 | 46 | 2.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 60 | 41 | 5.1 | Workable |
| Nov | 51 | 36 | 8.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 45 | 33 | 7.8 | Workable |
Related projects, priced for Olympia
Because every project leans on different trades, Olympia's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, French drain runs +24% and sprinkler system +18%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $740 – $2,600 | +24% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,700 – $11,800 | +18% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $8,650 – $15,700 | +19% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $3,100 – $12,600 | +24% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $43,800 – $136,500 | +21% |
Why two Olympia quotes can differ
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).
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.
Cost by quality level and size in Olympia
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Olympia 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
$1,650 to $2,450
Basic grass on cleared, level ground
Standard
$2,250 to $3,000
Better grass type with some grading
Premium
$2,800 to $3,600
Premium sod, soil work, difficult slopes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small yard (1,000 sq ft) | $1,100 – $1,650 | $1,500 – $2,100 | $1,950 – $2,500 |
| average yard (1,500 sq ft) | $1,650 – $2,450 | $2,250 – $3,000 | $2,800 – $3,600 |
| large yard (4,000 sq ft) | $4,400 – $6,250 | $5,800 – $7,650 | $7,200 – $9,100 |
Olympia 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 Olympia is 1.14 times the national level.
For landscaping and groundskeeping workers (37-3011, weighted 80%) the local median is $21.56 an hour, which is 15% above the national $18.82. The middle half of them earn between $18.78 and $23.34 an hour. BLS counts 760 of them working in the area, 58.3 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 $25.52 an hour, 13% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.90 and $33.85 an hour. About 730 work in the metro. That is 56.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer 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 ($23.34 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $85. At the 25th percentile ($18.78) it shrinks by about $130. The total moves by 3.2% or 5.1%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 130,300 jobs in the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater area. That makes it the 167th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.08% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landscaping and groundskeeping workers (37-3011) | 80% | $18.78 | $21.56 | $23.34 | $18.82 | 1.15 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $21.90 | $25.52 | $33.85 | $22.66 | 1.13 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.14 | |||||
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 $2,250 to $3,000 for Olympia, WA is attached.
Detailed sod installation report for Olympia, WA, $9
Multi-page report for Olympia, WA: 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 Olympia: your questions
+How much does it cost to lay sod in Olympia?
For 1,500 sq ft, expect $1,650 to $3,600 in the Olympia area. A standard-spec job lands at $2,250 to $3,000. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for sod lawn in Olympia?
About $1.10 to $2.20 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $310 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $1 to $2.
+Is sod lawn cheaper in Olympia or Bremerton?
Bremerton is 50 miles away. The midpoint for 1,500 sq ft there is $2,700, which is 3% more than Olympia ($2,600). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Olympia?
About 49% at the midpoint, or $1,300 out of $2,600. Materials are 45% and permits 6%. Nationally, labor is 47%.
+What would average yard (1,500 sq ft) cost in Olympia?
$1,650 to $3,600. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does sod lawn need a permit in Olympia?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $310 for fees in the Olympia area (our national range of $0 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Olympia expensive for sod lawn compared with the rest of Washington?
Olympia is 3% below the Washington statewide estimate ($2,700 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Washington; see the state page to compare them.
+What do landscaping and groundskeeping workers earn in Olympia?
The BLS median is $21.56 an hour in the Olympia area, compared with $18.82 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $18.78 to $23.34.
+What do basic and premium sod lawn work cost in Olympia?
For 1,500 sq ft, basic work runs $1,650 to $2,450 and premium work $2,800 to $3,600. 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 Olympia?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through January. July and August 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 Olympia
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.