Chain-link fence cost in Hickory, NC
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $1,450 – $5,600
- Per linear ft
- $9.35 – $36.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −8%
- US $3,850
- Rank of 300 metros
- #213
- 1 = most expensive
Hickory homeowners pay roughly $1,450 to $5,600 to install a chain-link fence at 150 linear ft, or $9.35 to $36.50 per linear ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Hickory is 8% lower. Construction laborers earn a median of $21.42 an hour in the Hickory area, 5% below the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Hickory, NC, standard level
$2,700 to $4,350
About $17.50 to $28.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 59% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $1,600 |
| Labor | $1,450 | $2,650 |
| Permits and fees | $65 | $100 |
| Total | $2,700 | $4,350 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Hickory, NC
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $870 | $1,400 | $1,900 | 39% |
| Labor | $530 | $2,050 | $3,600 | 59% |
| Permits and fees | $35 | $85 | $130 | 2% |
| Total | $1,450 | $3,500 | $5,600 | 100% |
Where the Hickory price comes from
The wage side of the estimate leans on construction laborers, who do 60% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $21.42 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Hickory is 0.89 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 59% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Hickory metro is 96.6 (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 (88.5) and land at $35 to $130.
Why two Hickory quotes can differ
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.
Survey
A land survey ($300-$900) is worth it before you put a fence near a boundary.
Hickory against nearby metros and the rest of North Carolina
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 $3,400 to $3,650 across Hickory and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hickory, NCthis page | $1,450 – $5,600 | $3,500 | |
| Johnson City, TN60 miles | $1,400 – $5,400 | $3,400 | −3% |
| Charlotte, NC60 miles | $1,450 – $5,750 | $3,600 | +2% |
| Asheville, NC65 miles | $1,450 – $5,850 | $3,650 | +4% |
| Winston, NC65 miles | $1,450 – $5,550 | $3,500 | −1% |
| Spartanburg, SC70 miles | $1,450 – $5,600 | $3,500 | level |
| North Carolina (statewide) | $1,450 – $5,650 | $3,550 | +1% |
| United States | $1,550 – $6,150 | $3,850 | +9% |
Across 300 US metros, Hickory comes in at #213 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $5,450; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $3,000 (midpoints, 150 linear ft). Statewide, Hickory is 1% below the North Carolina figure.
Other North Carolina metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte, NC | 1,358,370 jobs | $1,450 – $5,750 | $3,600 | +2% |
| Raleigh, NC | 743,120 jobs | $1,450 – $5,750 | $3,600 | +2% |
| Greensboro, NC | 365,410 jobs | $1,400 – $5,450 | $3,400 | −3% |
| Durham, NC | 344,020 jobs | $1,450 – $5,800 | $3,650 | +3% |
| Winston, NC | 271,980 jobs | $1,450 – $5,550 | $3,500 | −1% |
| Wilmington, NC | 191,280 jobs | $1,450 – $5,750 | $3,600 | +3% |
Cities with a workforce like Hickory's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Hickory against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brownsville, TX | 157,450 jobs | $1,300 – $4,700 | $3,000 | −15% |
| Roanoke, VA | 153,980 jobs | $1,400 – $5,250 | $3,300 | −6% |
| Eugene, OR | 157,710 jobs | $1,600 – $6,350 | $3,950 | +13% |
| Gainesville, FL | 152,670 jobs | $1,400 – $5,450 | $3,450 | −2% |
Related projects, priced for Hickory
Because every project leans on different trades, Hickory's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, vinyl fence runs −6% and gravel driveway −8%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence | 150 linear ft | $2,750 – $7,050 | −8% |
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,300 – $8,600 | −6% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,500 – $10,600 | −8% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,300 – $9,350 | −8% |
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 Hickory is 0.89 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 60% of the weighting: a median of $21.42 an hour, 5% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.03 and $24.58 an hour. About 800 work in the metro. That is 51.9 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 $23.20 an hour, which is 20% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $20.63 and $27.52 an hour. BLS counts 250 of them working in the area, 16.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the construction laborers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($24.58 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $190. At the 25th percentile ($17.03) it shrinks by about $270. The total moves by 5.5% or 7.7%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 154,090 jobs in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton area. That makes it the 152nd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.10% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 60% | $17.03 | $21.42 | $24.58 | $22.66 | 0.95 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 40% | $20.63 | $23.20 | $27.52 | $29.12 | 0.80 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.89 | |||||
Hickory: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Hickory 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
$1,450 to $3,100
4-ft galvanized, front yard
Standard
$2,700 to $4,350
6-ft galvanized backyard fence
Premium
$3,950 to $5,600
Vinyl-coated, 8 ft, extra gates
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $970 – $2,100 | $1,800 – $2,950 | $2,650 – $3,800 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $1,450 – $3,100 | $2,700 – $4,350 | $3,950 – $5,600 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $1,900 – $4,100 | $3,550 – $5,750 | $5,200 – $7,450 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $2,850 – $6,150 | $5,300 – $8,600 | $7,800 – $11,100 |
Extras that change the Hickory total
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Hickory by the average of the local wage index (0.89) and goods index (0.97), a factor of 0.93. 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) | $75 – $930 |
When to schedule chain-link fence in Hickory
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Hickory Faa Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
Weather is not a serious constraint for exterior installation in Hickory: 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.
Hickory gets about 47 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, July and August (4.6 inches in August). The station averages about 33 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 | 49 | 30 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Feb | 53 | 33 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Mar | 61 | 40 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Apr | 70 | 48 | 4.1 | Workable |
| May | 77 | 56 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 84 | 64 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 87 | 68 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Aug | 86 | 67 | 4.6 | Workable |
| Sep | 80 | 61 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Oct | 70 | 49 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Nov | 60 | 39 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Dec | 52 | 33 | 3.9 | Workable |
Get 3 local quotes
Tell us about the job and we will try to connect you with up to three local contractors for written quotes. It is free and you are under no obligation to hire. Your estimate of $2,700 to $4,350 for Hickory, NC is attached.
Detailed chain-link fence report for Hickory, NC, $9
The report lays out the chain-link fence numbers for Hickory, NC line by line, with the local wage and price inputs, permit and timing notes, a quote comparison sheet and the full method. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Chain-link fence in Hickory: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a chain-link fence in Hickory?
For 150 linear ft, expect $1,450 to $5,600 in the Hickory area. A standard-spec job lands at $2,700 to $4,350. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for chain-link fence in Hickory?
About $9.35 to $36.50 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $35 to $130 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $10 to $40.
+Is chain-link fence cheaper in Hickory or Johnson City?
Johnson City is 60 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $3,400, which is 3% less than Hickory ($3,500). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Hickory?
About 59% at the midpoint, or $2,050 out of $3,500. Materials are 39% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in Hickory?
$1,900 to $7,450. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does chain-link fence need a permit in Hickory?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $35 to $130 for fees in the Hickory area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Hickory expensive for chain-link fence compared with the rest of North Carolina?
Hickory is 1% below the North Carolina statewide estimate ($3,550 at the midpoint). We cover 11 metros in North Carolina; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Hickory?
The BLS median is $21.42 an hour in the Hickory area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $17.03 to $24.58.
+What do basic and premium chain-link fence work cost in Hickory?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $1,450 to $3,100 and premium work $3,950 to $5,600. Basic means: 4-ft galvanized, front yard. Premium means: vinyl-coated, 8 ft, extra gates.
+Is there a bad season to install a chain-link fence in Hickory?
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 Hickory?
$75 to $930, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Chain-link fence near Hickory
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).