Stamped concrete cost in San Diego, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (400 sq ft)
- $3,700 – $9,100
- Per sq ft
- $9.05 – $22
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +14%
- US $5,600
- Rank of 300 metros
- #21
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for stamped concrete in the San Diego area: $3,700 to $9,100 for 400 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 14% higher than the US figure. Cement masons and concrete finishers earn a median of $31.98 an hour in the San Diego area, 17% above the US median of $27.41.
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Estimated cost for 400 sq ft in San Diego, CA, standard level
$5,300 to $7,450
About $13 to $18 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 51% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,550 | $3,300 |
| Labor | $2,600 | $3,900 |
| Permits and fees | $160 | $290 |
| Total | $5,300 | $7,450 |
Cost breakdown for 400 sq ft in San Diego, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,950 | $2,900 | $3,900 | 46% |
| Labor | $1,700 | $3,250 | $4,800 | 51% |
| Permits and fees | $55 | $220 | $390 | 4% |
| Total | $3,700 | $6,400 | $9,100 | 100% |
Why San Diego prices look the way they do
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 3 trades: cement masons and concrete finishers at 60%, construction laborers at 30%, operating engineers and other construction equipment operators at 10%. Weighted together, San Diego wages are 1.20 times the national level. Labor makes up about 51% of the midpoint estimate (48% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. San Diego is at 108.0 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $2,700 nationally becomes $2,900 here (midpoint, 400 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 111.9: $55 to $390.
Planning more than one job in San Diego?
Jobs that often go together with stamped concrete are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same San Diego wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, gravel driveway comes out highest (+19%) and paver patio lowest (+12%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,400 – $4,600 | +15% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $4,250 – $10,800 | +17% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,350 – $6,100 | +12% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,800 – $5,900 | +14% |
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,500 – $8,600 | +16% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $3,000 – $12,100 | +19% |
Extras that change the San Diego total
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.14 for San Diego, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.20) and goods price index (1.08). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add a vapor barrier | $230 – $460 |
How San Diego compares
Same job, same size (400 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. San Diego is the priciest of the group. Yuma is the cheapest at $5,150.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego, CAthis page | $3,700 – $9,100 | $6,400 | |
| El Centro, CA80 miles | $3,350 – $8,200 | $5,750 | −10% |
| Los Angeles, CA110 miles | $3,650 – $9,050 | $6,350 | −1% |
| Riverside, CA110 miles | $3,450 – $8,550 | $6,000 | −6% |
| Oxnard, CA165 miles | $3,600 – $8,950 | $6,250 | −2% |
| Yuma, AZ165 miles | $3,000 – $7,300 | $5,150 | −19% |
| California (statewide) | $3,650 – $8,950 | $6,300 | −1% |
| United States | $3,250 – $7,950 | $5,600 | −12% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, San Diego ranks #21 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, San Diego is 1% above the California figure.
Elsewhere in California
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 6,271,560 jobs | $3,650 – $9,050 | $6,350 | −1% |
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $4,050 – $10,200 | $7,150 | +12% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $3,450 – $8,550 | $6,000 | −6% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $3,950 – $9,950 | $6,950 | +9% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $3,600 – $8,850 | $6,200 | −3% |
| Fresno, CA | 476,890 jobs | $3,450 – $8,500 | $6,000 | −6% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is San Diego against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver, CO | 1,609,350 jobs | $3,350 – $8,300 | $5,850 | −9% |
| Tampa, FL | 1,447,120 jobs | $3,000 – $7,350 | $5,150 | −19% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $3,450 – $8,550 | $6,000 | −6% |
| Orlando, FL | 1,411,730 jobs | $2,950 – $7,200 | $5,100 | −20% |
Cost by quality level and size in San Diego
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to San Diego. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from 10x20 patio (200 sq ft) to 2-car driveway (600 sq ft).
Basic
$3,700 to $5,850
Basic pattern, one integral color
Standard
$5,300 to $7,450
Two-tone color release and a border
Premium
$6,950 to $9,100
Multi-color, hand-detailed, sealed to a high finish
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x20 patio (200 sq ft) | $1,850 – $3,000 | $2,750 – $3,900 | $3,600 – $4,750 |
| 20x20 patio (400 sq ft) | $3,700 – $5,850 | $5,300 – $7,450 | $6,950 – $9,100 |
| 2-car driveway (600 sq ft) | $5,500 – $8,700 | $7,900 – $11,100 | $10,300 – $13,400 |
The best months for stamped concrete in San Diego
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, San Diego Montgomery Fld (in the city). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
Weather is not a serious constraint for pouring concrete in San Diego: no month in the averages is cold enough (an average overnight low of 40°F or below) or hot enough (an average daytime high of 90°F or more) to rule it out, so the workable window is all year.
San Diego gets about 11 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, February and March (2.6 inches in February). The station averages about 16 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 | 67 | 46 | 2.3 | Workable |
| Feb | 67 | 47 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Mar | 69 | 50 | 1.6 | Workable |
| Apr | 71 | 52 | 0.8 | Workable |
| May | 72 | 57 | 0.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 75 | 60 | 0.1 | Workable |
| Jul | 80 | 64 | 0.1 | Workable |
| Aug | 82 | 65 | 0.0 | Workable |
| Sep | 81 | 64 | 0.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 78 | 58 | 0.5 | Workable |
| Nov | 73 | 50 | 0.9 | Workable |
| Dec | 67 | 45 | 1.6 | Workable |
Who does the work: San Diego trade wages
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 3 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 San Diego the blend is 1.20.
Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051), 60% of the weighting: a median of $31.98 an hour, 17% above the US median of $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $26.35 and $43.78 an hour. About 2,330 work in the metro. That is 15.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 13.3 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 30%) the local median is $27.49 an hour, which is 21% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $23.31 and $34.32 an hour. BLS counts 8,850 of them working in the area, 57.5 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 10% of the weighting: a median of $40.23 an hour, 40% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $33.08 and $60.44 an hour. About 3,130 work in the metro. That is 20.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (cement masons and concrete finishers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $700 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $330. That is a swing of roughly 5.2% to 10.9% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad has 1,538,060 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 18th by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 60% | $26.35 | $31.98 | $43.78 | $27.41 | 1.17 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $23.31 | $27.49 | $34.32 | $22.66 | 1.21 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10% | $33.08 | $40.23 | $60.44 | $28.78 | 1.40 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.20 | |||||
Stamped concrete: what moves the price in San Diego
Not included
These prices don't include site prep that depends on the project: demolition, grading, or a thicker base.
Pattern and color
Basic to average coloring runs $8-$19 per sq ft. A 2-car stamped driveway runs $12-$18 per sq ft (HomeGuide); Estimators.us puts decorative slabs at $15-$30.
Specialist labor
Stamping has to be done before the concrete sets, so crews arrive in larger teams and charge for it.
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 $5,300 to $7,450 for San Diego, CA is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
Multi-page report for San Diego, CA: 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.
Stamped concrete in San Diego: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour stamped concrete in San Diego?
For 400 sq ft, expect $3,700 to $9,100 in the San Diego area. A standard-spec job lands at $5,300 to $7,450. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for stamped concrete in San Diego?
About $9.05 to $22 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $55 to $390 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $8 to $19.
+Is stamped concrete cheaper in San Diego or El Centro?
El Centro is 80 miles away. The midpoint for 400 sq ft there is $5,750, which is 10% less than San Diego ($6,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in San Diego?
About 51% at the midpoint, or $3,250 out of $6,400. Materials are 46% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 48%.
+What would 20x20 patio (400 sq ft) cost in San Diego?
$3,700 to $9,100. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does stamped concrete need a permit in San Diego?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $55 to $390 for fees in the San Diego area (our national range of $50 to $350 scaled by the local price level).
+Is San Diego expensive for stamped concrete compared with the rest of California?
San Diego is 1% above the California statewide estimate ($6,300 at the midpoint). We cover 23 metros in California; see the state page to compare them.
+What do cement masons and concrete finishers earn in San Diego?
The BLS median is $31.98 an hour in the San Diego area, compared with $27.41 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $26.35 to $43.78.
+What do basic and premium stamped concrete work cost in San Diego?
For 400 sq ft, basic work runs $3,700 to $5,850 and premium work $6,950 to $9,100. Basic means: basic pattern, one integral color. Premium means: multi-color, hand-detailed, sealed to a high finish.
+Is there a bad season to pour stamped concrete in San Diego?
Not from a temperature point of view. NOAA's 1991-2020 normals show no month with a freezing-level overnight low or a 90°F-plus average high, so timing is mostly about contractor availability and rain.
+What does "add a vapor barrier" add in San Diego?
$230 to $460 for 400 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Stamped concrete near San Diego
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 Stamped Concrete Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- SimplyWise: Concrete Estimate Template: Free PDF + Excel (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 = SimplyWise's 200 sq ft stamped-patio line ($900-$1,800), divided by 200 sq ft.