Average Excavation Cost Per Hour: 2026 Pricing Guide
This report provides a comprehensive analysis of excavation cost per hour in 2026, aggregating data from national cost databases, contractor pricing surveys, labor statistics, and regional project data. The goal is to establish reliable hourly pricing benchmarks for excavation services across the United States, with specific emphasis on Texas and the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area, where soil conditions, labor demand, and development activity continue to push costs above national averages.
All pricing ranges reflect real-world market conditions, including equipment ownership and operating costs, operator labor, fuel, insurance, and utilization assumptions commonly used by professional excavation contractors.
1. Average Excavation Cost Per Hour: National Overview
Across the United States, excavation services priced by the hour typically range from $110 to $325 per hour, including equipment and a qualified operator. Rates trend higher when projects involve larger machines, challenging subsurface conditions, restricted access, or accelerated schedules.
Hourly pricing is most commonly used for:
- Utility trenching and repair
- Foundation and basement excavation
- Remedial or exploratory excavation
- Projects with evolving scope or uncertain quantities
Compared to per-cubic-yard pricing, hourly rates provide greater transparency when productivity
is affected by access constraints, soil variability, or coordination with other trades.
1. Average Excavation Cost Per Hour: National Overview 2026
| Cost Tier | Typical Hourly Range | Common Applications | Cost Drivers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light Residential | $110 – $150/hr | Mini excavators, shallow trenching, landscaping | Easy access, minimal haul |
| Standard Excavation | $160 – $260/hr | Foundations, utilities, site prep | Most common nationwide |
| Heavy / Commercial | $275 – $400/hr | Large excavators, deep excavation | Equipment size, trucking |
| Specialty / Difficult | $400+/hr | Rock, caliche, urban congestion | Premium labor, low productivity |
2. Excavation Cost Per Hour by Project Type
Different excavation scopes require varying equipment, crew coordination, and risk exposure, directly affecting hourly pricing.
| Project Type | Equipment Typically Used | Avg. Hourly Rate | Typical Duration | Total Cost Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Foundation | Standard excavator, backhoe | $160 – $260 | 8–24 hrs | $1,600 – $6,500 |
| Basement Excavation | Large excavator + trucks | $220 – $350 | 16–40 hrs | $5,500 – $18,000 |
| Pool Excavation | Mini–standard excavator | $130 – $240 | 4–12 hrs | $1,200 – $5,500 |
| Driveway / Patio | Skid steer, mini excavator | $110 – $190 | 4–8 hrs | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Utility Trenching | Backhoe, trencher | $130 – $220 | 4–16 hrs | $600 – $3,500 |
| Land Grading & Leveling | Dozer, grader | $170 – $325 | 8–24 hrs | $1,500 – $8,000 |
| Commercial Site Prep | Multiple machines | $225 – $450+ | 40–200+ hrs | $12,000 – $90,000+ |
Insight: Commercial and utility work often carries higher hourly rates due to safety requirements, coordination overhead, and downtime risk, even when productivity per hour is high.
3. Excavation Cost Per Hour by Equipment Type
Hourly excavation pricing varies significantly by machine size and capability. The table below compares national averages with Texas and Dallas–Fort Worth pricing, where demand and soil complexity increase operating costs.
| Equipment Type | National Avg | Texas Avg | DFW Avg | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mini Excavator | $110 – $155 | $120 – $175 | $130 – $165 | Trenching, residential |
| Standard Excavator | $160 – $260 | $185 – $300 | $210 – $280 | Foundations, site work |
| Large Excavator | $220 – $375 | $260 – $425 | $290 – $395 | Commercial, deep digs |
| Backhoe | $110 – $210 | $130 – $235 | $145 – $215 | Utilities, backfill |
| Bulldozer | $160 – $325 | $185 – $375 | $215 – $350 | Grading, clearing |
| Skid Steer | $85 – $155 | $100 – $175 | $110 – $165 | Confined spaces |
Why Texas runs higher: expansive clay, caliche layers, strong year-round construction demand, and reduced idle capacity.
4. Excavation Labor Costs: Operator Wages and Crew Rates
Labor is a major component of excavation pricing, particularly in competitive metro areas where experienced operators are in short supply.
| Role | National Wage | Texas Wage | DFW Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excavator Operator (Entry-Level) | $21 – $28 | $23 – $30 | $25 – $33 |
| Excavator Operator (Experienced) | $28 – $38 | $30 – $42 | $32 – $46 |
| Backhoe Operator | $23 – $32 | $26 – $35 | $28 – $38 |
| Dozer Operator | $24 – $34 | $27 – $37 | $29 – $40 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $22 – $36 | $25 – $39 | $27 – $42 |
| Excavation Laborer | $19 – $26 | $21 – $30 | $23 – $33 |
Labor trend: Contractors increasingly price senior operators at a premium because higher skill reduces rework, utility strikes, and schedule overruns, often lowering total project cost despite higher hourly wages.
5. Excavation Hourly Rates: Regional Comparison
| Region | Typical Hourly Rate | vs. National Avg | Key Cost Factors |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Average | $110 – $325 | Baseline | Mixed conditions |
| Texas | $180 – $425 | +15–30% | Clay, caliche, demand |
| California | $220 – $475 | +30–45% | Labor & regulation |
| Florida | $130 – $300 | +5–10% | Water table, limestone |
| New York | $190 – $390 | +20–30% | Urban density |
| Colorado | $150 – $330 | +10–15% | Rock, seasonality |
| Georgia | $115 – $280 | +5–10% | Red clay |
| Illinois | $135 – $300 | +8–12% | Frost depth |
| Arizona | $130 – $310 | +8–12% | Hardpan, heat |
| North Carolina | $120 – $285 | +5–10% | Growth-driven demand |
6. Maximizing Value: Reducing Excavation Costs
Even in higher-cost regions, disciplined planning can materially reduce excavation spend.
Cost-Control Strategies
- Obtain 3+ detailed bids with clear scope definitions
- Schedule work during lower-demand periods when possible
- Complete site prep and utility marking in advance
- Bundle excavation tasks to reduce mobilization costs
- Conduct soil testing before final pricing
- Match equipment size to scope—avoid over-machining
- Reuse clean fill onsite where feasible
- Lock scope early to prevent hourly overruns
Ready to Start Your Dallas-Fort Worth Excavation Project?
Kitching Co. brings over a decade of excavation and underground utility expertise to residential and commercial projects throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Our experienced operators and modern equipment fleet ensure efficient, accurate excavation services delivered on schedule and within budget.
Whether you need residential foundation excavation, commercial site preparation, utility trenching, or precision grading for drainage and underground utilities, our team understands the unique challenges of North Texas excavation—from navigating caliche hardpan to working safely around complex underground utility infrastructure.
We provide transparent hourly pricing, detailed project estimates, and the professional expertise that turns excavation from a stressful uncertainty into a smoothly executed foundation for your project’s success.
Contact Kitching Co. today for a detailed excavation estimate tailored to your specific project requirements, site conditions, and timeline.
Excavation Services in Dallas–Fort Worth
Kitching Co. provides excavation and underground utility services across the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, supporting residential, commercial, and municipal projects. With experienced operators, a modern equipment fleet, and transparent hourly pricing, the company delivers excavation work that balances efficiency, accuracy, and cost control—even in challenging North Texas soil conditions.
Whether the project involves foundations, utility trenching, grading, or large-scale site preparation, Kitching Co. applies disciplined planning and execution to keep excavation predictable and efficient.
Contact Kitching Co. for a detailed excavation estimate tailored to your site conditions, schedule, and scope.
References
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2.HomeGuide. (2025 ). “2025 Excavation Costs — Calculator & Prices By Project & Hour.” Retrieved from: https://homeguide.com/costs/excavation-cost
3.ProMatcher. (2025 ). “Texas Excavation Costs & Prices – Cost Report.” Retrieved from: https://excavation.promatcher.com/cost/texas.aspx
4.TH-Mach. (2025 ). “How Much Does an Excavator Cost: A Complete 2025 Pricing Guide.” Retrieved from: https://www.th-mach.com/How-Much-Does-an-Excavator-Cost
5.ZipRecruiter. (2025 ). “Excavation Laborer Salary: Hourly Rate November 2025.” Retrieved from: https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Excavation-Laborer-Salary
6.Salary.com. (2025 ). “Excavation Laborer Salary in the United States.” Retrieved from: https://www.salary.com/research/salary/hiring/excavation-laborer-salary
7.PayScale. (2025 ). “Heavy Equipment Operator Hourly Pay.” Retrieved from: https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Heavy_Equipment_Operator/Hourly_Rate
8.SitePrep.com. (2025 ). “Foundation Excavation Cost Guide 2025.” Retrieved from: https://www.siteprep.com/articles/how-much-does-a-foundation-excavation-cost/
9.HomeGuide. (2025 ). “Regional Excavation Cost Variations.” Retrieved from: https://homeguide.com/costs/excavation-cost
10.ProMatcher. (2025 ). “Dallas Excavation Costs & Prices.” Retrieved from: https://excavation.promatcher.com/cost/dallas-tx-excavation-costs-prices.aspx
11.Kitching Co. (2025 ). “Average Excavation Cost Per Yard by Region: 2025 Report.” Retrieved from: https://kitchingco.com/uncategorized/average-excavation-cost-per-yard-by-region-2025-report/
12.Kitching Co. Internal Project Data. (2024-2025 ). Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area excavation projects.
13.FJDynamics. (2025). “Excavator Rental Costs Compared Across Sizes and Models.” Retrieved from: https://www.fjdynamics.com/blog/industry-insights-65/excavator-rental-cost-537
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