Stamped concrete cost in North Carolina
Statewide estimate from BLS wages and BEA prices. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Statewide range (400 sq ft)
- $3,000 – $7,250
- Per sq ft
- $7.35 – $17.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −9%
- US $5,600
- Metros covered
- 11
What does it cost to pour stamped concrete in North Carolina? Plan on $3,000 to $7,250 for 400 sq ft. Wages (0.86x the US blend), materials (price index 96.6) and permit costs (94.3) put the state below the national midpoint by 9%.
Inside North Carolina, the metros we cover range from $4,850 (Fayetteville) to $5,200 (Charlotte) at the midpoint. Pick your closest city in the table for a tighter number.
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Estimated cost for 400 sq ft in North Carolina (statewide), standard level
$4,250 to $5,950
About $10.50 to $14.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 45% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,250 | $2,950 |
| Labor | $1,850 | $2,750 |
| Permits and fees | $130 | $250 |
| Total | $4,250 | $5,950 |
Cost breakdown for 400 sq ft in North Carolina
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,750 | $2,600 | $3,500 | 51% |
| Labor | $1,200 | $2,300 | $3,450 | 45% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $190 | $330 | 4% |
| Total | $3,000 | $5,100 | $7,250 | 100% |
North Carolina metro-by-metro prices
2 of the 11 metros sit above the statewide midpoint of $5,100, and the top-to-bottom gap is 7%. Each row prices the default size with that metro's own BLS wages and BEA price levels, so the gap between rows is real local variation rather than a flat markup.
| Metro | Range (400 sq ft) | Midpoint | vs. state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte, NC | $3,000 – $7,350 | $5,200 | +1% |
| Raleigh, NC | $3,000 – $7,300 | $5,150 | +1% |
| Asheville, NC | $3,000 – $7,250 | $5,100 | level |
| Durham, NC | $3,000 – $7,200 | $5,100 | level |
| Wilmington, NC | $2,950 – $7,150 | $5,050 | −1% |
| Burlington, NC | $2,950 – $7,150 | $5,050 | −2% |
| Hickory, NC | $2,950 – $7,100 | $5,050 | −2% |
| Greensboro, NC | $2,950 – $7,100 | $5,000 | −2% |
| Winston, NC | $2,950 – $7,050 | $5,000 | −2% |
| Greenville, NC | $2,850 – $6,850 | $4,850 | −5% |
| Fayetteville, NC | $2,850 – $6,800 | $4,850 | −6% |
North Carolina labor market for stamped concrete
Statewide wages come from BLS's state-level estimates, which blend big cities with small towns and rural areas. 3 trades drive the labor line for this job, and the weighted ratio against the national wage level is 0.86 for North Carolina.
For cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051, weighted 60%) the local median is $22.49 an hour, which is 18% below the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $18.96 and $24.81 an hour. BLS counts 4,610 of them working in the state, 9.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 13.3), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 30% of the weighting: a median of $21.50 an hour, 5% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.97 and $23.59 an hour. About 35,620 work in the state. That is 72.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 10%) the local median is $23.71 an hour, which is 18% below the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $21.97 and $27.82 an hour. BLS counts 16,580 of them working in the state, 33.6 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is about average.
A crew paid at the 75th percentile for cement masons and concrete finishers ($24.81 an hour) would add about $140 to the statewide midpoint; one at the 25th percentile ($18.96) would take off about $210. Use that as a rough guide to how far a bid can sit from our midpoint on wages alone.
BLS counts 4,941,820 jobs across North Carolina (May 2025), which is 3.2% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 60% | $18.96 | $22.49 | $24.81 | $27.41 | 0.82 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $17.97 | $21.50 | $23.59 | $22.66 | 0.95 | state |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10% | $21.97 | $23.71 | $27.82 | $28.78 | 0.82 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 0.86 | |||||
North Carolina versus the states around it
North Carolina ranks 44 of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) for stamped concrete, where 1 is the most expensive. The costliest is Hawaii at $7,800 and the cheapest Arkansas at $4,850, both for 400 sq ft at the midpoint. North Carolina sits at $5,100. The five states closest by workforce center are listed below.
| State | Distance | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | 120 miles away | $3,000 – $7,300 | $5,150 | +1% |
| Virginia | 180 miles away | $3,150 – $7,600 | $5,350 | +5% |
| West Virginia | 240 miles away | $3,050 – $7,400 | $5,250 | +2% |
| District of Columbia | 260 miles away | $3,500 – $8,600 | $6,050 | +18% |
| Georgia | 270 miles away | $2,950 – $7,150 | $5,050 | −1% |
If you are planning more than one job in North Carolina
The table prices neighboring jobs at their usual sizes using statewide North Carolina wages and prices. Against national midpoints, asphalt driveway comes out highest (−7%) and concrete driveway lowest (−11%), because each job leans on different trades.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,150 – $3,600 | −9% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,300 – $8,150 | −11% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,800 – $5,050 | −7% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,250 – $4,800 | −8% |
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $2,850 – $6,900 | −7% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,300 – $9,450 | −7% |
Add-ons priced for North Carolina
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to North Carolina by the average of the local wage index (0.86) and goods index (0.97), a factor of 0.91. 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 | $180 – $370 |
Weather windows across North Carolina
Season matters for stamped concrete. For each North Carolina metro below we took NOAA's 1991-2020 monthly normals from the nearest suitable station and counted comfortable months for pouring concrete.
Wilmington has the longest comfortable season of the metros we cover in North Carolina at 8 months (March through June and August through November); Burlington has the shortest at 6 (April through June and August through October). Rainfall runs from 41 inches a year in Asheville to 60 inches in Wilmington.
We do not adjust prices by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. Timing is still worth raising when you collect bids.
| Metro | Jan avg low °F | Jul avg high °F | Precip (in/yr) | Comfortable months |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | 32 | 90 | 44 | 7: March through June and August through October |
| Raleigh | 32 | 91 | 46 | 6: April through June and August through October |
| Greensboro | 30 | 89 | 46 | 7: April through October |
| Durham | 32 | 91 | 46 | 6: April through June and August through October |
| Winston | 31 | 88 | 43 | 7: April through October |
| Wilmington | 36 | 90 | 60 | 8: March through June and August through November |
| Asheville | 29 | 86 | 41 | 7: April through October |
| Hickory | 30 | 87 | 47 | 7: April through October |
| Fayetteville | 34 | 91 | 45 | 8: March through June and August through November |
| Greenville | 33 | 90 | 53 | 8: March through June and August through November |
| Burlington | 30 | 91 | 43 | 6: April through June and August through October |
Quality levels and sizes in North Carolina
The cited range is cut into three overlapping bands (basic, standard and premium) and scaled to statewide North Carolina wages and prices. The grid prices the same bands at 3 common sizes.
Basic
$3,000 to $4,700
Basic pattern, one integral color
Standard
$4,250 to $5,950
Two-tone color release and a border
Premium
$5,550 to $7,250
Multi-color, hand-detailed, sealed to a high finish
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x20 patio (200 sq ft) | $1,500 – $2,450 | $2,200 – $3,100 | $2,900 – $3,800 |
| 20x20 patio (400 sq ft) | $3,000 – $4,700 | $4,250 – $5,950 | $5,550 – $7,250 |
| 2-car driveway (600 sq ft) | $4,450 – $6,950 | $6,350 – $8,850 | $8,200 – $10,700 |
Stamped concrete: what moves the price in North Carolina
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).
Not included
These prices don't include site prep that depends on the project: demolition, grading, or a thicker base.
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Stamped concrete in North Carolina: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour stamped concrete in North Carolina?
$3,000 to $7,250 for 400 sq ft, using statewide wages and prices. Metro areas inside North Carolina can sit above or below that.
+Which city in North Carolina is cheapest for stamped concrete?
Fayetteville at about $4,850 (midpoint, 400 sq ft). The priciest is Charlotte at $5,200.
+Is stamped concrete cheaper in North Carolina than the US average?
It is 9% cheaper: $5,100 against $5,600 for 400 sq ft at the midpoint.
+What share of the price is labor in North Carolina?
About 45% ($2,300). Materials are 51%. Statewide labor for this job is weighted 0.86x the national wage level.
+What do cement masons and concrete finishers earn in North Carolina?
The BLS statewide median is $22.49 an hour, against $27.41 for the US. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $18.96 to $24.81.
+Where does North Carolina rank for stamped concrete costs?
44th most expensive of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) at the midpoint, $5,100 for 400 sq ft. Rank 1 is the costliest.
+What do basic and premium stamped concrete work cost in North Carolina?
For 400 sq ft, basic work runs $3,000 to $4,700 and premium work $5,550 to $7,250. Basic means: basic pattern, one integral color. Premium means: multi-color, hand-detailed, sealed to a high finish.
+Does the season matter for stamped concrete in North Carolina?
Yes where winters or summers are hard. Of the North Carolina metros we cover, Wilmington has the most comfortable months (8 of 12) based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals. Our prices do not change by month, so ask contractors whether they charge more or less in busy and slow seasons.
+What does "add a vapor barrier" add in North Carolina?
$180 to $370 for 400 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the statewide wage and goods indexes.
Stamped concrete by city in North Carolina
- Charlotte, NC$5,200 midpoint
- Raleigh, NC$5,150 midpoint
- Asheville, NC$5,100 midpoint
- Durham, NC$5,100 midpoint
- Wilmington, NC$5,050 midpoint
- Burlington, NC$5,050 midpoint
- Hickory, NC$5,050 midpoint
- Greensboro, NC$5,000 midpoint
- Winston, NC$5,000 midpoint
- Greenville, NC$4,850 midpoint
- Fayetteville, NC$4,850 midpoint
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.