Stamped concrete cost in San Jose, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (400 sq ft)
- $3,950 – $9,950
- Per sq ft
- $9.75 – $24
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +24%
- US $5,600
- Rank of 300 metros
- #5
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to pour stamped concrete in San Jose, plan on $3,950 to $9,950 for 400 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $9.75 to $24 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 24% higher than the national one. Cement masons and concrete finishers earn a median of $36.31 an hour in the San Jose area, 32% above the US median of $27.41.
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Estimated cost for 400 sq ft in San Jose, CA, standard level
$5,750 to $8,150
About $14 to $19.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 56% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,450 | $3,200 |
| Labor | $3,150 | $4,650 |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $290 |
| Total | $5,750 | $8,150 |
Cost breakdown for 400 sq ft in San Jose, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,900 | $2,850 | $3,800 | 41% |
| Labor | $2,000 | $3,900 | $5,750 | 56% |
| Permits and fees | $55 | $220 | $390 | 3% |
| Total | $3,950 | $6,950 | $9,950 | 100% |
What is behind the San Jose number
The wage side of the estimate leans on cement masons and concrete finishers, who do 60% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $36.31 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for San Jose is 1.44 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 56% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the San Jose metro is 105.2 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 400 sq ft comes to $2,850, compared with $2,700 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (110.4) and land at $55 to $390.
Optional extras in San Jose
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to San Jose by the average of the local wage index (1.44) and goods index (1.05), a factor of 1.25. Tick any of them in the estimator above to add them to your total. Treat these as planning figures: an add-on touches different trades than the main job, so the scaling is an approximation.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add a vapor barrier | $250 – $500 |
Related projects, priced for San Jose
Because every project leans on different trades, San Jose's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, gravel driveway runs +41% and concrete slab +22%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,500 – $5,100 | +26% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $4,700 – $12,200 | +32% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,650 – $6,700 | +23% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $3,050 – $6,250 | +22% |
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,850 – $9,850 | +31% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $3,550 – $14,300 | +41% |
Cost by quality level and size in San Jose
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for San Jose 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
$3,950 to $6,350
Basic pattern, one integral color
Standard
$5,750 to $8,150
Two-tone color release and a border
Premium
$7,550 to $9,950
Multi-color, hand-detailed, sealed to a high finish
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x20 patio (200 sq ft) | $2,000 – $3,250 | $2,950 – $4,200 | $3,900 – $5,150 |
| 20x20 patio (400 sq ft) | $3,950 – $6,350 | $5,750 – $8,150 | $7,550 – $9,950 |
| 2-car driveway (600 sq ft) | $5,900 – $9,450 | $8,550 – $12,100 | $11,200 – $14,700 |
How San Jose compares
Same job, same size (400 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. San Jose is the priciest of the group. Merced is the cheapest at $5,800.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CAthis page | $3,950 – $9,950 | $6,950 | |
| Santa Cruz, CA35 miles | $3,550 – $8,700 | $6,100 | −12% |
| Merced, CA40 miles | $3,400 – $8,250 | $5,800 | −16% |
| Salinas, CA45 miles | $3,700 – $9,150 | $6,400 | −8% |
| Modesto, CA50 miles | $3,800 – $9,500 | $6,650 | −4% |
| Stockton, CA70 miles | $3,500 – $8,550 | $6,000 | −14% |
| California (statewide) | $3,650 – $8,950 | $6,300 | −9% |
| United States | $3,250 – $7,950 | $5,600 | −19% |
Across 300 US metros, San Jose comes in at #5 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $8,150; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $4,550 (midpoints, 400 sq ft). Statewide, San Jose is 10% above the California figure.
Other California metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 6,271,560 jobs | $3,650 – $9,050 | $6,350 | −9% |
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $4,050 – $10,200 | $7,150 | +3% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $3,450 – $8,550 | $6,000 | −13% |
| San Diego, CA | 1,538,060 jobs | $3,700 – $9,100 | $6,400 | −8% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $3,600 – $8,850 | $6,200 | −10% |
| Fresno, CA | 476,890 jobs | $3,450 – $8,500 | $6,000 | −14% |
Cities with a workforce like San Jose's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is San Jose against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas, NV | 1,136,960 jobs | $3,250 – $8,050 | $5,650 | −19% |
| San Antonio, TX | 1,126,880 jobs | $2,900 – $7,000 | $4,950 | −29% |
| Portland, OR | 1,208,410 jobs | $3,700 – $9,250 | $6,450 | −7% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 1,114,490 jobs | $3,400 – $8,350 | $5,850 | −16% |
Climate in San Jose: timing your stamped concrete job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for San Jose (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
Weather is not a serious constraint for pouring concrete in San Jose: 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 Jose gets about 13 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, February and December (2.8 inches in January). The station averages about 16 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 | 60 | 42 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Feb | 62 | 44 | 2.7 | Workable |
| Mar | 66 | 46 | 2.1 | Workable |
| Apr | 69 | 48 | 1.1 | Workable |
| May | 74 | 52 | 0.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 79 | 56 | 0.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 81 | 58 | 0.0 | Workable |
| Aug | 81 | 59 | 0.1 | Workable |
| Sep | 81 | 57 | 0.1 | Workable |
| Oct | 76 | 53 | 0.5 | Workable |
| Nov | 66 | 46 | 1.3 | Workable |
| Dec | 60 | 42 | 2.3 | Workable |
San Jose labor market for stamped concrete
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 3 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for San Jose is 1.44 times the national level.
For cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051, weighted 60%) the local median is $36.31 an hour, which is 32% above the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $28.55 and $48.06 an hour. BLS counts 1,500 of them working in the area, 13.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 13.3), so the local bench is about average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 30% of the weighting: a median of $32.92 an hour, 45% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $27.33 and $38.90 an hour. About 4,420 work in the metro. That is 38.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 10%) the local median is $59.78 an hour, which is 108% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $38.21 and $62.57 an hour. BLS counts 1,360 of them working in the area, 12.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the cement masons and concrete finishers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($48.06 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $690. At the 25th percentile ($28.55) it shrinks by about $460. The total moves by 10.0% or 6.6%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 1,134,970 jobs in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara area. That makes it the 27th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.73% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 60% | $28.55 | $36.31 | $48.06 | $27.41 | 1.32 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $27.33 | $32.92 | $38.90 | $22.66 | 1.45 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10% | $38.21 | $59.78 | $62.57 | $28.78 | 2.08 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.44 | |||||
Why two San Jose quotes can differ
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.
Sealing and vapor barrier
Sealer is usually quoted separately; vapor barrier material is $0.20-$1.50 per sq ft depending on thickness (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 $5,750 to $8,150 for San Jose, CA is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
Multi-page report for San Jose, 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 Jose: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour stamped concrete in San Jose?
For 400 sq ft, expect $3,950 to $9,950 in the San Jose area. A standard-spec job lands at $5,750 to $8,150. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for stamped concrete in San Jose?
About $9.75 to $24 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 Jose or Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz is 35 miles away. The midpoint for 400 sq ft there is $6,100, which is 12% less than San Jose ($6,950). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in San Jose?
About 56% at the midpoint, or $3,900 out of $6,950. Materials are 41% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 48%.
+What would 20x20 patio (400 sq ft) cost in San Jose?
$3,950 to $9,950. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does stamped concrete need a permit in San Jose?
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 Jose area (our national range of $50 to $350 scaled by the local price level).
+Is San Jose expensive for stamped concrete compared with the rest of California?
San Jose is 10% 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 Jose?
The BLS median is $36.31 an hour in the San Jose area, compared with $27.41 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.55 to $48.06.
+What do basic and premium stamped concrete work cost in San Jose?
For 400 sq ft, basic work runs $3,950 to $6,350 and premium work $7,550 to $9,950. 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 Jose?
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 Jose?
$250 to $500 for 400 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Stamped concrete near San Jose
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.