Aluminum fence cost in Portland, OR
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $4,200 – $12,600
- Per linear ft
- $28 – $82.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +10%
- US $7,600
- Rank of 300 metros
- #23
- 1 = most expensive
An aluminum fence in Portland, OR usually costs $4,200 to $12,600 for 150 linear ft. That works out to about $28 to $82.50 per linear ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $800 more. Carpenters earn a median of $35.44 an hour in the Portland area, 22% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Portland, OR, standard level
$6,700 to $10,100
About $44.50 to $66.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 38% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,000 | $6,250 |
| Labor | $2,600 | $3,700 |
| Permits and fees | $75 | $120 |
| Total | $6,700 | $10,100 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Portland, OR
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,350 | $5,150 | $7,900 | 61% |
| Labor | $1,800 | $3,150 | $4,500 | 38% |
| Permits and fees | $40 | $100 | $160 | 1% |
| Total | $4,200 | $8,400 | $12,600 | 100% |
What is behind the Portland number
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 40% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $35.44 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Portland is 1.20 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 38% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Portland is at 105.2 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $4,900 nationally becomes $5,150 here (midpoint, 150 linear ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 105.4: $40 to $160.
What local crews earn in Portland
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 Portland the blend is 1.20.
Carpenters (47-2031), 40% of the weighting: a median of $35.44 an hour, 22% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $28.53 and $49.78 an hour. About 9,210 work in the metro. That is 76.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 40%) the local median is $26.08 an hour, which is 15% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.45 and $31.65 an hour. BLS counts 7,950 of them working in the area, 65.8 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is about average.
Sheet metal workers (47-2211), 20% of the weighting: a median of $38.26 an hour, 29% above the US median of $29.71. The middle half of them earn between $30.19 and $53.18 an hour. About 2,280 work in the metro. That is 18.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 7.7 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $520 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $250. That is a swing of roughly 3.0% to 6.2% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro has 1,208,410 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 25th by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 40% | $28.53 | $35.44 | $49.78 | $29.12 | 1.22 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $21.45 | $26.08 | $31.65 | $22.66 | 1.15 | metro |
| Sheet metal workers (47-2211) | 20% | $30.19 | $38.26 | $53.18 | $29.71 | 1.29 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.20 | |||||
Portland weather and the aluminum fence calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Portland Intl Ap (5 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
Weather is not a serious constraint for exterior installation in Portland: no month in the averages is cold enough (an average daytime high under 45°F) or hot enough (an average daytime high of 90°F or more) to rule it out, so the workable window is all year.
Portland gets about 37 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 4 inches of snow. The wettest months are January, November and December (5.8 inches in December). 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 | 48 | 36 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Feb | 52 | 37 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Mar | 57 | 40 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Apr | 62 | 44 | 2.9 | Workable |
| May | 69 | 49 | 2.5 | Workable |
| Jun | 74 | 54 | 1.6 | Workable |
| Jul | 82 | 59 | 0.5 | Workable |
| Aug | 82 | 59 | 0.5 | Workable |
| Sep | 77 | 54 | 1.5 | Workable |
| Oct | 64 | 47 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Nov | 54 | 41 | 5.5 | Workable |
| Dec | 47 | 36 | 5.8 | Workable |
Add-ons priced for Portland
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.13 for Portland, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.20) and goods price index (1.05). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add one gate (flat) | $230 – $1,000 |
What nearby projects cost in Portland
Jobs that often go together with aluminum fence are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Portland wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, inground pool comes out highest (+17%) and vinyl fence lowest (+8%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,900 – $9,900 | +8% |
| Wood fence | 150 linear ft | $3,400 – $8,450 | +11% |
| Chain-link fence | 150 linear ft | $1,700 – $7,000 | +13% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $42,200 – $132,000 | +17% |
Portland: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Portland. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from pool fence (100 linear ft) to 200 ft (200 linear ft).
Basic
$4,200 to $7,550
Standard picket or ornamental, 4 ft
Standard
$6,700 to $10,100
Ornamental pool-code fence, 4-5 ft
Premium
$9,250 to $12,600
Tall privacy slat or custom ornamental
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| pool fence (100 linear ft) | $2,850 – $5,050 | $4,500 – $6,750 | $6,200 – $8,450 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $4,200 – $7,550 | $6,700 – $10,100 | $9,250 – $12,600 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $5,600 – $10,000 | $8,950 – $13,400 | $12,300 – $16,700 |
Is Portland 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 150 linear ft range from $7,900 to $8,400 across Portland and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland, ORthis page | $4,200 – $12,600 | $8,400 | |
| Salem, OR50 miles | $4,000 – $12,000 | $8,000 | −5% |
| Olympia, WA95 miles | $4,200 – $12,500 | $8,350 | level |
| Yakima, WA100 miles | $4,050 – $12,100 | $8,050 | −4% |
| Eugene, OR115 miles | $3,950 – $11,900 | $7,900 | −6% |
| Bend, OR125 miles | $4,000 – $12,000 | $8,000 | −5% |
| Oregon (statewide) | $4,050 – $12,100 | $8,100 | −4% |
| United States | $3,800 – $11,400 | $7,600 | −9% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Portland ranks #23 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Portland is 4% above the Oregon figure.
Elsewhere in Oregon
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salem, OR | 188,620 jobs | $4,000 – $12,000 | $8,000 | −5% |
| Eugene, OR | 157,710 jobs | $3,950 – $11,900 | $7,900 | −6% |
| Bend, OR | 108,240 jobs | $4,000 – $12,000 | $8,000 | −5% |
| Medford, OR | 89,060 jobs | $3,900 – $11,800 | $7,850 | −7% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Portland against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin, TX | 1,293,690 jobs | $3,500 – $10,600 | $7,050 | −16% |
| Las Vegas, NV | 1,136,960 jobs | $3,650 – $11,000 | $7,350 | −13% |
| St. Louis, MO | 1,341,320 jobs | $4,150 – $12,300 | $8,200 | −2% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $4,600 – $13,500 | $9,100 | +8% |
Specs and site conditions that change a Portland bid
Style
Aluminum picket runs $25-$50 per linear foot installed, ornamental fence $40-$75, and privacy designs $75-$130 (HomeGuide).
Soil and slope
Steep slopes and rocky clay can add $15-$20+ per linear foot in labor.
Pool codes
Many codes require a pool barrier with gaps under 4 inches, which influences the style you can buy.
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Aluminum fence in Portland: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an aluminum fence in Portland?
For 150 linear ft, expect $4,200 to $12,600 in the Portland area. A standard-spec job lands at $6,700 to $10,100. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for aluminum fence in Portland?
About $28 to $82.50 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $40 to $160 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $25 to $75.
+Is aluminum fence cheaper in Portland or Salem?
Salem is 50 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $8,000, which is 5% less than Portland ($8,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Portland?
About 38% at the midpoint, or $3,150 out of $8,400. Materials are 61% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 35%.
+What would 150 ft (150 linear ft) cost in Portland?
$4,200 to $12,600. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does aluminum fence need a permit in Portland?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $40 to $160 for fees in the Portland area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Portland expensive for aluminum fence compared with the rest of Oregon?
Portland is 4% above the Oregon statewide estimate ($8,100 at the midpoint). We cover 5 metros in Oregon; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Portland?
The BLS median is $35.44 an hour in the Portland area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.53 to $49.78.
+What do basic and premium aluminum fence work cost in Portland?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $4,200 to $7,550 and premium work $9,250 to $12,600. Basic means: standard picket or ornamental, 4 ft. Premium means: tall privacy slat or custom ornamental.
+Is there a bad season to install an aluminum fence in Portland?
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 one gate" add in Portland?
$230 to $1,000, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Aluminum fence near Portland
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 an Aluminum Fence Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: 2026 Building Permit Costs | Fees & Cost Calculator (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 = installed range minus HomeGuide's $10-$25/ft labor range.