Chain-link fence cost in Worcester, MA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $1,650 – $7,150
- Per linear ft
- $11 – $46.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +15%
- US $3,850
- Rank of 300 metros
- #28
- 1 = most expensive
Worcester homeowners pay roughly $1,650 to $7,150 to install a chain-link fence at 150 linear ft, or $11 to $46.50 per linear ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Worcester is 15% higher. Construction laborers earn a median of $29.52 an hour in the Worcester area, 30% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Worcester, MA, standard level
$3,300 to $5,500
About $21.50 to $36 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 67% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,200 | $1,600 |
| Labor | $2,050 | $3,800 |
| Permits and fees | $75 | $120 |
| Total | $3,300 | $5,500 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Worcester, MA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $870 | $1,400 | $1,900 | 31% |
| Labor | $760 | $2,950 | $5,100 | 67% |
| Permits and fees | $40 | $95 | $150 | 2% |
| Total | $1,650 | $4,400 | $7,150 | 100% |
What is behind the Worcester number
The wage side of the estimate leans on construction laborers, who do 60% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $29.52 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Worcester is 1.26 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 67% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Worcester metro is 97.0 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 150 linear ft comes to $1,400, compared with $1,450 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (102.5) and land at $40 to $150.
Related projects, priced for Worcester
Because every project leans on different trades, Worcester's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, gravel driveway runs +13% and vinyl fence +3%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence | 150 linear ft | $3,350 – $8,250 | +9% |
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,600 – $9,500 | +3% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $4,100 – $12,100 | +7% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,850 – $11,500 | +13% |
Why two Worcester quotes can differ
Height
A 4-ft fence runs $10-$20 per linear foot; 6- to 8-ft backyard fences run $15-$40+ (HomeGuide).
Coating
Black or green vinyl-coated mesh costs more than galvanized.
Gates
Gates are $80-$1,000+ before installation. Rolling or slide gates are the expensive end.
Optional extras in Worcester
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Worcester by the average of the local wage index (1.26) and goods index (0.97), a factor of 1.12. 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 one gate (flat) | $90 – $1,100 |
Local wages behind the labor line
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 2 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Worcester is 1.26 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 60% of the weighting: a median of $29.52 an hour, 30% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $23.23 and $43.40 an hour. About 1,650 work in the metro. That is 47.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 40%) the local median is $35.10 an hour, which is 21% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $28.63 and $43.40 an hour. BLS counts 1,590 of them working in the area, 45.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is about average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the construction laborers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($43.40 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $850. At the 25th percentile ($23.23) it shrinks by about $390. The total moves by 19.3% or 8.8%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 349,880 jobs in the Worcester area. That makes it the 73rd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.23% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 60% | $23.23 | $29.52 | $43.40 | $22.66 | 1.30 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 40% | $28.63 | $35.10 | $43.40 | $29.12 | 1.21 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.26 | |||||
Worcester: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Worcester wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 4 common sizes.
Basic
$1,650 to $3,850
4-ft galvanized, front yard
Standard
$3,300 to $5,500
6-ft galvanized backyard fence
Premium
$4,950 to $7,150
Vinyl-coated, 8 ft, extra gates
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $1,150 – $2,600 | $2,250 – $3,700 | $3,350 – $4,850 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $1,650 – $3,850 | $3,300 – $5,500 | $4,950 – $7,150 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $2,200 – $5,150 | $4,400 – $7,300 | $6,600 – $9,500 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $3,300 – $7,650 | $6,550 – $10,900 | $9,850 – $14,200 |
When to schedule chain-link fence in Worcester
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Worcester Rgnl Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through November is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Worcester (8 of 12 months). January, February, March and December have an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January, February, March and December the average high stays below 45°F. Sealants, adhesives and some materials, such as vinyl, are harder to install well in the cold, and short daylight cuts the working day.
Worcester gets about 48 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 73 inches of snow. The wettest months are September, October and December (4.8 inches in October). Inside the workable window, May and July are the driest, at 3.6 and 3.9 inches. The station averages about 3 days a year at 90°F or above.
Does the season change the price? Probably, but we do not have a sourced seasonal price curve, so the estimator shows a year-round figure and does not adjust by month. When you collect quotes, ask whether scheduling in a slower month gets a better rate.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 32 | 17 | 3.5 | Cold |
| Feb | 35 | 19 | 3.3 | Cold |
| Mar | 43 | 26 | 4.2 | Cold |
| Apr | 56 | 37 | 4.1 | Workable |
| May | 67 | 47 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Jun | 75 | 56 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 80 | 62 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Aug | 78 | 61 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Sep | 71 | 53 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 59 | 42 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 48 | 33 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Dec | 38 | 23 | 4.3 | Cold |
How Worcester compares
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 $3,850 to $4,550 across Worcester and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worcester, MAthis page | $1,650 – $7,150 | $4,400 | |
| Amherst, MA35 miles | $1,600 – $6,850 | $4,250 | −4% |
| Springfield, MA40 miles | $1,700 – $7,300 | $4,500 | +2% |
| Manchester, NH45 miles | $1,550 – $6,150 | $3,850 | −13% |
| Boston, MA50 miles | $1,700 – $7,400 | $4,550 | +3% |
| Hartford, CT55 miles | $1,600 – $6,700 | $4,150 | −6% |
| Massachusetts (statewide) | $1,700 – $7,350 | $4,550 | +3% |
| United States | $1,550 – $6,150 | $3,850 | −13% |
Across 300 US metros, Worcester comes in at #28 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $5,450; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $3,000 (midpoints, 150 linear ft). Statewide, Worcester is 3% below the Massachusetts figure.
Other Massachusetts metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston, MA | 2,703,890 jobs | $1,700 – $7,400 | $4,550 | +3% |
| Springfield, MA | 201,240 jobs | $1,700 – $7,300 | $4,500 | +2% |
| Barnstable, MA | 94,110 jobs | $1,650 – $7,000 | $4,350 | −2% |
| Amherst, MA | 65,670 jobs | $1,600 – $6,850 | $4,250 | −4% |
| Pittsfield, MA | 56,810 jobs | $1,550 – $6,400 | $4,000 | −10% |
Cities with a workforce like Worcester's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Worcester against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Rock, AR | 358,210 jobs | $1,350 – $5,150 | $3,250 | −26% |
| Durham, NC | 344,020 jobs | $1,450 – $5,800 | $3,650 | −18% |
| Greensboro, NC | 365,410 jobs | $1,400 – $5,450 | $3,400 | −23% |
| North Port, FL | 339,940 jobs | $1,450 – $5,750 | $3,600 | −18% |
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Detailed chain-link fence report for Worcester, MA, $9
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Chain-link fence in Worcester: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a chain-link fence in Worcester?
For 150 linear ft, expect $1,650 to $7,150 in the Worcester area. A standard-spec job lands at $3,300 to $5,500. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for chain-link fence in Worcester?
About $11 to $46.50 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $40 to $150 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $10 to $40.
+Is chain-link fence cheaper in Worcester or Amherst?
Amherst is 35 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $4,250, which is 4% less than Worcester ($4,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Worcester?
About 67% at the midpoint, or $2,950 out of $4,400. Materials are 31% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in Worcester?
$2,200 to $9,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does chain-link fence need a permit in Worcester?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $40 to $150 for fees in the Worcester area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Worcester expensive for chain-link fence compared with the rest of Massachusetts?
Worcester is 3% below the Massachusetts statewide estimate ($4,550 at the midpoint). We cover 6 metros in Massachusetts; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Worcester?
The BLS median is $29.52 an hour in the Worcester area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.23 to $43.40.
+What do basic and premium chain-link fence work cost in Worcester?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $1,650 to $3,850 and premium work $4,950 to $7,150. Basic means: 4-ft galvanized, front yard. Premium means: vinyl-coated, 8 ft, extra gates.
+When is the best time to install a chain-link fence in Worcester?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through November. May and July 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 one gate" add in Worcester?
$90 to $1,100, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Chain-link fence near Worcester
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 a Chain-Link Fence Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- Visual Fence Pro: Chain Link Fence Cost & Pricing Guide for Contractors (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 = Visual Fence Pro's $6-$13 per foot for residential galvanized 4-6 ft fence (taller or vinyl-coated fence costs more).