Stamped concrete cost in San Luis Obispo, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (400 sq ft)
- $3,550 – $8,800
- Per sq ft
- $8.80 – $21
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +10%
- US $5,600
- Rank of 300 metros
- #37
- 1 = most expensive
Stamped concrete in San Luis Obispo, CA usually costs $3,550 to $8,800 for 400 sq ft. That works out to about $8.80 to $21 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $580 more. Cement masons and concrete finishers earn a median of $29.36 an hour in the San Luis Obispo area, 7% above the US median of $27.41.
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Estimated cost for 400 sq ft in San Luis Obispo, CA, standard level
$5,150 to $7,250
About $12.50 to $17.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 51% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,450 | $3,200 |
| Labor | $2,500 | $3,750 |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $280 |
| Total | $5,150 | $7,250 |
Cost breakdown for 400 sq ft in San Luis Obispo, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,900 | $2,850 | $3,800 | 46% |
| Labor | $1,600 | $3,150 | $4,650 | 51% |
| Permits and fees | $55 | $220 | $380 | 4% |
| Total | $3,550 | $6,200 | $8,800 | 100% |
Where the San Luis Obispo price comes from
Labor is 51% of the midpoint bill here, against 48% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is cement masons and concrete finishers (60%), construction laborers (30%), operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (10%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In San Luis Obispo the blended ratio comes out at 1.16.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. San Luis Obispo is at 105.2 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $2,700 nationally becomes $2,850 here (midpoint, 400 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 108.6: $55 to $380.
Why two San Luis Obispo quotes can differ
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).
Not included
These prices don't include site prep that depends on the project: demolition, grading, or a thicker base.
San Luis Obispo weather and the stamped concrete calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, San Luis Obispo Ap (5 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For pouring concrete, the comfortable months in San Luis Obispo are January through November: 11 of 12. Outside them, December has an average overnight low of 40°F or below.
The 40°F line is a deliberately cautious stand-in. The American Concrete Institute's cold-weather guide (ACI 306R-16) defines cold-weather concreting around an average daily air temperature below 40°F, which is colder than our test of an average overnight low at or below 40°F, so we flag a few extra shoulder months. In cold weather crews may need heated enclosures, insulating blankets or accelerated mixes, and those measures can raise a quote.
San Luis Obispo gets about 18 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, February and December (3.9 inches in January). Inside the workable window, August and September are the driest, at 0.0 and 0.0 inches. The station averages about 15 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 | 65 | 41 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Feb | 65 | 42 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Mar | 67 | 45 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Apr | 69 | 46 | 1.1 | Workable |
| May | 72 | 48 | 0.5 | Workable |
| Jun | 75 | 51 | 0.1 | Workable |
| Jul | 78 | 54 | 0.1 | Workable |
| Aug | 79 | 55 | 0.0 | Workable |
| Sep | 80 | 53 | 0.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 77 | 50 | 0.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 71 | 45 | 1.4 | Workable |
| Dec | 65 | 40 | 3.3 | Cold |
Add-ons priced for San Luis Obispo
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.10 for San Luis Obispo, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.16) and goods price index (1.05). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add a vapor barrier | $220 – $440 |
What nearby projects cost in San Luis Obispo
Jobs that often go together with stamped concrete are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same San Luis Obispo wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, asphalt driveway comes out highest (+20%) and concrete slab lowest (+11%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,350 – $4,500 | +12% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $4,100 – $10,500 | +14% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,450 – $6,250 | +15% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,750 – $5,750 | +11% |
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,550 – $8,950 | +20% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,950 – $12,000 | +18% |
San Luis Obispo against nearby metros and the rest of California
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 400 sq ft range from $5,750 to $6,400 across San Luis Obispo and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Luis Obispo, CAthis page | $3,550 – $8,800 | $6,200 | |
| Santa Maria, CA65 miles | $3,500 – $8,650 | $6,100 | −2% |
| Salinas, CA75 miles | $3,700 – $9,150 | $6,400 | +4% |
| Bakersfield, CA95 miles | $3,500 – $8,550 | $6,000 | −3% |
| Oxnard, CA105 miles | $3,600 – $8,950 | $6,250 | +1% |
| Visalia, CA110 miles | $3,350 – $8,150 | $5,750 | −7% |
| California (statewide) | $3,650 – $8,950 | $6,300 | +2% |
| United States | $3,250 – $7,950 | $5,600 | −9% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, San Luis Obispo ranks #37 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, San Luis Obispo is 2% below 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 | +3% |
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $4,050 – $10,200 | $7,150 | +15% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $3,450 – $8,550 | $6,000 | −3% |
| San Diego, CA | 1,538,060 jobs | $3,700 – $9,100 | $6,400 | +3% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $3,950 – $9,950 | $6,950 | +12% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $3,600 – $8,850 | $6,200 | +1% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is San Luis Obispo against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midland, TX | 122,180 jobs | $2,900 – $7,100 | $5,000 | −19% |
| Kalamazoo, MI | 121,790 jobs | $3,100 – $7,650 | $5,400 | −13% |
| Rochester, MN | 122,980 jobs | $3,550 – $8,850 | $6,200 | level |
| Ocala, FL | 120,980 jobs | $2,900 – $7,050 | $5,000 | −19% |
What local crews earn in San Luis Obispo
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 Luis Obispo the blend is 1.16.
Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051), 60% of the weighting: a median of $29.36 an hour, 7% above the US median of $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $25.17 and $37.69 an hour. About 330 work in the metro. That is 27.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 13.3 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 30%) the local median is $28.92 an hour, which is 28% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $23.31 and $36.80 an hour. BLS counts 1,030 of them working in the area, 84.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 10% of the weighting: a median of $38.14 an hour, 33% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $30.15 and $56.13 an hour. About 530 work in the metro. That is 43.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, which suggests plenty of 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 $490 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $250. That is a swing of roughly 4.0% to 8.0% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles has 122,020 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 178th 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% | $25.17 | $29.36 | $37.69 | $27.41 | 1.07 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $23.31 | $28.92 | $36.80 | $22.66 | 1.28 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10% | $30.15 | $38.14 | $56.13 | $28.78 | 1.33 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.16 | |||||
Cost by quality level and size in San Luis Obispo
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to San Luis Obispo. 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
$3,550 to $5,650
Basic pattern, one integral color
Standard
$5,150 to $7,250
Two-tone color release and a border
Premium
$6,700 to $8,800
Multi-color, hand-detailed, sealed to a high finish
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x20 patio (200 sq ft) | $1,800 – $2,900 | $2,650 – $3,750 | $3,500 – $4,600 |
| 20x20 patio (400 sq ft) | $3,550 – $5,650 | $5,150 – $7,250 | $6,700 – $8,800 |
| 2-car driveway (600 sq ft) | $5,350 – $8,400 | $7,650 – $10,700 | $9,950 – $13,000 |
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Stamped concrete in San Luis Obispo: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour stamped concrete in San Luis Obispo?
For 400 sq ft, expect $3,550 to $8,800 in the San Luis Obispo area. A standard-spec job lands at $5,150 to $7,250. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for stamped concrete in San Luis Obispo?
About $8.80 to $21 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $55 to $380 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $8 to $19.
+Is stamped concrete cheaper in San Luis Obispo or Santa Maria?
Santa Maria is 65 miles away. The midpoint for 400 sq ft there is $6,100, which is 2% less than San Luis Obispo ($6,200). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in San Luis Obispo?
About 51% at the midpoint, or $3,150 out of $6,200. Materials are 46% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 48%.
+What would 20x20 patio (400 sq ft) cost in San Luis Obispo?
$3,550 to $8,800. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does stamped concrete need a permit in San Luis Obispo?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $55 to $380 for fees in the San Luis Obispo area (our national range of $50 to $350 scaled by the local price level).
+Is San Luis Obispo expensive for stamped concrete compared with the rest of California?
San Luis Obispo is 2% below 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 Luis Obispo?
The BLS median is $29.36 an hour in the San Luis Obispo area, compared with $27.41 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $25.17 to $37.69.
+What do basic and premium stamped concrete work cost in San Luis Obispo?
For 400 sq ft, basic work runs $3,550 to $5,650 and premium work $6,700 to $8,800. Basic means: basic pattern, one integral color. Premium means: multi-color, hand-detailed, sealed to a high finish.
+When is the best time to pour stamped concrete in San Luis Obispo?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are January through November. August 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.
+What does "add a vapor barrier" add in San Luis Obispo?
$220 to $440 for 400 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Stamped concrete near San Luis Obispo
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.