Sod installation cost in Oshkosh, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (1,500 sq ft)
- $1,450 – $3,200
- Per sq ft
- $0.95 – $1.95
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −3%
- US $2,400
- Rank of 300 metros
- #149
- 1 = most expensive
Oshkosh homeowners pay roughly $1,450 to $3,200 to lay sod at 1,500 sq ft, or $0.95 to $1.95 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Oshkosh is 3% lower. Building materials run about 6% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 93.8).
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Estimated cost for 1,500 sq ft in Oshkosh, WI, standard level
$2,000 to $2,650
About $1.25 to $1.65 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 49% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $910 | $1,200 |
| Labor | $980 | $1,300 |
| Permits and fees | $85 | $200 |
| Total | $2,000 | $2,650 |
Cost breakdown for 1,500 sq ft in Oshkosh, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $700 | $1,050 | $1,400 | 45% |
| Labor | $750 | $1,150 | $1,500 | 49% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $140 | $280 | 6% |
| Total | $1,450 | $2,350 | $3,200 | 100% |
What is behind the Oshkosh number
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 $18.53 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Oshkosh is 1.01 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 49% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Oshkosh metro is 93.8 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 1,500 sq ft comes to $1,050, compared with $1,150 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (92.9) and land at $0 to $280.
Local wages behind the labor line
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 Oshkosh is 1.01 times the national level.
For landscaping and groundskeeping workers (37-3011, weighted 80%) the local median is $18.53 an hour, which is in line with the national $18.82. The middle half of them earn between $17.00 and $22.15 an hour. BLS counts 460 of them working in the area, 49.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 61.3), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 20% of the weighting: a median of $24.65 an hour, 9% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.00 and $34.81 an hour. About 560 work in the metro. That is 59.7 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 ($22.15 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $170. At the 25th percentile ($17.00) it shrinks by about $75. The total moves by 7.4% or 3.1%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 93,750 jobs in the Oshkosh-Neenah area. That makes it the 215th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.06% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landscaping and groundskeeping workers (37-3011) | 80% | $17.00 | $18.53 | $22.15 | $18.82 | 0.98 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $21.00 | $24.65 | $34.81 | $22.66 | 1.09 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.01 | |||||
Related projects, priced for Oshkosh
Because every project leans on different trades, Oshkosh's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, French drain runs +12% and gravel driveway +6%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $670 – $2,350 | +12% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,350 – $10,900 | +9% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $7,850 – $14,100 | +7% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,650 – $10,800 | +6% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $39,100 – $122,000 | +8% |
When to schedule sod lawn in Oshkosh
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Oshkosh (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 Oshkosh (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 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.
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 | 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 |
Cost by quality level and size in Oshkosh
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Oshkosh 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
$1,450 to $2,150
Basic grass on cleared, level ground
Standard
$2,000 to $2,650
Better grass type with some grading
Premium
$2,500 to $3,200
Premium sod, soil work, difficult slopes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small yard (1,000 sq ft) | $970 – $1,450 | $1,350 – $1,850 | $1,700 – $2,200 |
| average yard (1,500 sq ft) | $1,450 – $2,150 | $2,000 – $2,650 | $2,500 – $3,200 |
| large yard (4,000 sq ft) | $3,900 – $5,550 | $5,150 – $6,800 | $6,400 – $8,050 |
Oshkosh against nearby metros and the rest of Wisconsin
Same job, same size (1,500 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Appleton is the priciest of the group at $2,500. Wausau is the cheapest at $2,300.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oshkosh, WIthis page | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,350 | |
| Appleton, WI20 miles | $1,550 – $3,400 | $2,500 | +7% |
| Green Bay, WI45 miles | $1,450 – $3,250 | $2,350 | +1% |
| Sheboygan, WI50 miles | $1,500 – $3,300 | $2,400 | +4% |
| Wausau, WI80 miles | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,300 | level |
| Madison, WI85 miles | $1,550 – $3,400 | $2,500 | +7% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $1,500 – $3,300 | $2,400 | +4% |
| United States | $1,500 – $3,300 | $2,400 | +3% |
Across 300 US metros, Oshkosh comes in at #149 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, Oshkosh is 4% below the Wisconsin figure.
Other Wisconsin metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $1,550 – $3,450 | $2,500 | +7% |
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $1,550 – $3,400 | $2,500 | +7% |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $1,450 – $3,250 | $2,350 | +1% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $1,550 – $3,400 | $2,500 | +7% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $1,500 – $3,250 | $2,350 | +1% |
| La Crosse, WI | 84,380 jobs | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,350 | +1% |
Cities with a workforce like Oshkosh's
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 | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,350 | level |
| Bremerton, WA | 93,740 jobs | $1,700 – $3,700 | $2,700 | +16% |
| Billings, MT | 93,800 jobs | $1,550 – $3,400 | $2,450 | +6% |
| Bellingham, WA | 91,390 jobs | $1,650 – $3,600 | $2,650 | +13% |
Sod installation: what moves the price in Oshkosh
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).
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 $2,000 to $2,650 for Oshkosh, WI is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
Multi-page report for Oshkosh, WI: 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 Oshkosh: your questions
+How much does it cost to lay sod in Oshkosh?
For 1,500 sq ft, expect $1,450 to $3,200 in the Oshkosh area. A standard-spec job lands at $2,000 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 Oshkosh?
About $0.95 to $1.95 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $280 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $1 to $2.
+Is sod lawn cheaper in Oshkosh or Appleton?
Appleton is 20 miles away. The midpoint for 1,500 sq ft there is $2,500, which is 7% more than Oshkosh ($2,350). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Oshkosh?
About 49% at the midpoint, or $1,150 out of $2,350. Materials are 45% and permits 6%. Nationally, labor is 47%.
+What would average yard (1,500 sq ft) cost in Oshkosh?
$1,450 to $3,200. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does sod lawn need a permit in Oshkosh?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $280 for fees in the Oshkosh area (our national range of $0 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Oshkosh expensive for sod lawn compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Oshkosh is 4% below the Wisconsin statewide estimate ($2,400 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Wisconsin; see the state page to compare them.
+What do landscaping and groundskeeping workers earn in Oshkosh?
The BLS median is $18.53 an hour in the Oshkosh area, compared with $18.82 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $17.00 to $22.15.
+What do basic and premium sod lawn work cost in Oshkosh?
For 1,500 sq ft, basic work runs $1,450 to $2,150 and premium work $2,500 to $3,200. 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 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.
Sod installation 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.