Stamped concrete cost in Dubuque, IA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (400 sq ft)
- $3,150 – $7,800
- Per sq ft
- $7.80 – $18.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −2%
- US $5,600
- Rank of 300 metros
- #148
- 1 = most expensive
Stamped concrete in Dubuque, IA usually costs $3,150 to $7,800 for 400 sq ft. That works out to about $7.80 to $18.50 per sq ft before permits. That is within a few percent of the national midpoint, so there is little local premium or discount. Building materials run about 6% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 93.7).
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Estimated cost for 400 sq ft in Dubuque, IA, standard level
$4,550 to $6,400
About $11 to $15.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 51% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,200 | $2,850 |
| Labor | $2,250 | $3,300 |
| Permits and fees | $120 | $230 |
| Total | $4,550 | $6,400 |
Cost breakdown for 400 sq ft in Dubuque, IA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,700 | $2,550 | $3,350 | 46% |
| Labor | $1,450 | $2,800 | $4,100 | 51% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $170 | $310 | 3% |
| Total | $3,150 | $5,500 | $7,800 | 100% |
Why Dubuque prices look the way they do
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 Dubuque the blended ratio comes out at 1.03.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Dubuque is at 93.7 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $2,700 nationally becomes $2,550 here (midpoint, 400 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 87.3: $45 to $310.
Extras that change the Dubuque total
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.98 for Dubuque, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.03) and goods price index (0.94). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add a vapor barrier | $200 – $390 |
Related projects, priced for Dubuque
Jobs that often go together with stamped concrete are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Dubuque wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, paver patio comes out highest (+1%) and concrete slab lowest (−3%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,200 – $3,900 | −2% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,600 – $9,200 | level |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,050 – $5,500 | +1% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,400 – $5,050 | −3% |
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,000 – $7,400 | −1% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,450 – $10,000 | −1% |
What local crews earn in Dubuque
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 Dubuque the blend is 1.03.
Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051), 60% of the weighting: a median of $28.08 an hour, in line with the US median of $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $25.83 and $29.82 an hour. About 110 work in the metro. That is 18.8 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 $23.46 an hour, which is 4% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.37 and $28.85 an hour. BLS counts 500 of them working in the area, 85.5 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 $29.93 an hour, 4% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $26.92 and $35.52 an hour. About 160 work in the metro. That is 27.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (cement masons and concrete finishers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $100 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $130. That is a swing of roughly 2.4% to 1.9% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Dubuque has 58,470 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 292nd 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% | $25.83 | $28.08 | $29.82 | $27.41 | 1.02 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $22.37 | $23.46 | $28.85 | $22.66 | 1.04 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10% | $26.92 | $29.93 | $35.52 | $28.78 | 1.04 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.03 | |||||
Specs and site conditions that change a Dubuque bid
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.
Dubuque: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Dubuque. 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
$3,150 to $5,000
Basic pattern, one integral color
Standard
$4,550 to $6,400
Two-tone color release and a border
Premium
$5,950 to $7,800
Multi-color, hand-detailed, sealed to a high finish
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x20 patio (200 sq ft) | $1,600 – $2,600 | $2,350 – $3,300 | $3,050 – $4,050 |
| 20x20 patio (400 sq ft) | $3,150 – $5,000 | $4,550 – $6,400 | $5,950 – $7,800 |
| 2-car driveway (600 sq ft) | $4,750 – $7,450 | $6,800 – $9,500 | $8,800 – $11,500 |
Dubuque 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, Dubuque Rgnl 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 Dubuque are May through September: 5 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March, April, October, November and December have 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.
Dubuque gets about 38 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 43 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and July (5.2 inches in June). Inside the workable window, August and September are the driest, at 4.0 and 3.8 inches. The station averages about 6 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 | 27 | 11 | 1.3 | Cold |
| Feb | 31 | 15 | 1.6 | Cold |
| Mar | 44 | 26 | 2.3 | Cold |
| Apr | 58 | 37 | 4.1 | Cold |
| May | 69 | 49 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 79 | 59 | 5.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 82 | 62 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Aug | 80 | 60 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Sep | 73 | 52 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Oct | 60 | 40 | 2.9 | Cold |
| Nov | 45 | 28 | 2.2 | Cold |
| Dec | 32 | 17 | 1.8 | Cold |
Is Dubuque 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 400 sq ft range from $5,450 to $5,950 across Dubuque and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubuque, IAthis page | $3,150 – $7,800 | $5,500 | |
| Cedar Rapids, IA45 miles | $3,150 – $7,800 | $5,500 | level |
| Iowa City, IA75 miles | $3,150 – $7,750 | $5,450 | level |
| Davenport, IA75 miles | $3,250 – $8,050 | $5,650 | +3% |
| Madison, WI80 miles | $3,400 – $8,500 | $5,950 | +9% |
| Waterloo, IA80 miles | $3,250 – $8,100 | $5,700 | +4% |
| Iowa (statewide) | $3,150 – $7,750 | $5,450 | level |
| United States | $3,250 – $7,950 | $5,600 | +2% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Dubuque ranks #148 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Dubuque is 0% above the Iowa figure.
Elsewhere in Iowa
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA | 404,130 jobs | $3,200 – $7,900 | $5,550 | +1% |
| Davenport, IA | 180,450 jobs | $3,250 – $8,050 | $5,650 | +3% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 139,260 jobs | $3,150 – $7,800 | $5,500 | level |
| Iowa City, IA | 93,760 jobs | $3,150 – $7,750 | $5,450 | level |
| Waterloo, IA | 84,260 jobs | $3,250 – $8,100 | $5,700 | +4% |
| Sioux City, IA | 75,010 jobs | $3,150 – $7,750 | $5,450 | −1% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Dubuque against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altoona, PA | 58,650 jobs | $3,150 – $7,650 | $5,400 | −1% |
| Albany, GA | 58,390 jobs | $2,750 – $6,550 | $4,650 | −15% |
| Kingston, NY | 59,140 jobs | $3,300 – $8,050 | $5,700 | +4% |
| Wheeling, WV | 58,130 jobs | $3,300 – $8,150 | $5,700 | +4% |
Get 3 local quotes
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Detailed stamped concrete report for Dubuque, IA, $9
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Stamped concrete in Dubuque: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour stamped concrete in Dubuque?
For 400 sq ft, expect $3,150 to $7,800 in the Dubuque area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,550 to $6,400. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for stamped concrete in Dubuque?
About $7.80 to $18.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $45 to $310 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $8 to $19.
+Is stamped concrete cheaper in Dubuque or Cedar Rapids?
Cedar Rapids is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 400 sq ft there is $5,500, which is 0% less than Dubuque ($5,500). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Dubuque?
About 51% at the midpoint, or $2,800 out of $5,500. Materials are 46% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 48%.
+What would 20x20 patio (400 sq ft) cost in Dubuque?
$3,150 to $7,800. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does stamped concrete need a permit in Dubuque?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $45 to $310 for fees in the Dubuque area (our national range of $50 to $350 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Dubuque expensive for stamped concrete compared with the rest of Iowa?
Dubuque is 0% above the Iowa statewide estimate ($5,450 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Iowa; see the state page to compare them.
+What do cement masons and concrete finishers earn in Dubuque?
The BLS median is $28.08 an hour in the Dubuque area, compared with $27.41 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $25.83 to $29.82.
+What do basic and premium stamped concrete work cost in Dubuque?
For 400 sq ft, basic work runs $3,150 to $5,000 and premium work $5,950 to $7,800. 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 Dubuque?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are May through September. 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 Dubuque?
$200 to $390 for 400 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Stamped concrete near Dubuque
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.