Chain-link fence cost in Salem, OR
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $1,650 – $6,600
- Per linear ft
- $10.50 – $43
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +7%
- US $3,850
- Rank of 300 metros
- #60
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a chain-link fence in the Salem area: $1,650 to $6,600 for 150 linear ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint runs 7% higher than the US figure. Construction laborers earn a median of $26.20 an hour in the Salem area, 16% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Salem, OR, standard level
$3,150 to $5,100
About $20.50 to $33.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 61% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,300 | $1,700 |
| Labor | $1,800 | $3,300 |
| Permits and fees | $75 | $120 |
| Total | $3,150 | $5,100 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Salem, OR
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $950 | $1,500 | $2,050 | 36% |
| Labor | $650 | $2,550 | $4,400 | 61% |
| Permits and fees | $40 | $100 | $160 | 2% |
| Total | $1,650 | $4,150 | $6,600 | 100% |
What is behind the Salem 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 $26.20 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Salem is 1.09 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 61% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Salem is at 105.3 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $1,450 nationally becomes $1,500 here (midpoint, 150 linear ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 103.6: $40 to $160.
Who does the work: Salem trade wages
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 2 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 Salem the blend is 1.09.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 60%) the local median is $26.20 an hour, which is 16% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.67 and $29.27 an hour. BLS counts 1,690 of them working in the area, 89.6 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Carpenters (47-2031), 40% of the weighting: a median of $28.71 an hour, in line with the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.19 and $36.75 an hour. About 1,720 work in the metro. That is 91.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (construction laborers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $190 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $220. That is a swing of roughly 5.3% to 4.6% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Salem has 188,620 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 122nd by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 60% | $22.67 | $26.20 | $29.27 | $22.66 | 1.16 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 40% | $23.19 | $28.71 | $36.75 | $29.12 | 0.99 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.09 | |||||
Pick a size, pick a tier: chain-link fence pricing in Salem
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Salem. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from backyard (100 linear ft) to full lot (300 linear ft).
Basic
$1,650 to $3,650
4-ft galvanized, front yard
Standard
$3,150 to $5,100
6-ft galvanized backyard fence
Premium
$4,650 to $6,600
Vinyl-coated, 8 ft, extra gates
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $1,100 – $2,450 | $2,100 – $3,450 | $3,100 – $4,450 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $1,650 – $3,650 | $3,150 – $5,100 | $4,650 – $6,600 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $2,200 – $4,800 | $4,150 – $6,800 | $6,150 – $8,750 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $3,250 – $7,150 | $6,200 – $10,100 | $9,150 – $13,100 |
Specs and site conditions that change a Salem bid
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.
Height
A 4-ft fence runs $10-$20 per linear foot; 6- to 8-ft backyard fences run $15-$40+ (HomeGuide).
The best months for chain-link fence in Salem
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Salem Mcnary Fld (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 Salem: 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.
Salem gets about 40 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, November and December (7.0 inches in December). The station averages about 18 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 | 6.1 | Workable |
| Feb | 52 | 36 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Mar | 57 | 38 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Apr | 62 | 41 | 3.1 | Workable |
| May | 69 | 46 | 2.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 75 | 51 | 1.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 84 | 55 | 0.3 | Workable |
| Aug | 84 | 55 | 0.4 | Workable |
| Sep | 78 | 51 | 1.5 | Workable |
| Oct | 65 | 44 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Nov | 54 | 39 | 6.0 | Workable |
| Dec | 47 | 35 | 7.0 | Workable |
Planning more than one job in Salem?
Jobs that often go together with chain-link fence are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Salem wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, gravel driveway comes out highest (+12%) and aluminum fence lowest (+5%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence | 150 linear ft | $3,200 – $8,050 | +5% |
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,800 – $9,650 | +6% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $4,000 – $12,000 | +5% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,800 – $11,500 | +12% |
Salem against nearby metros and the rest of Oregon
Of the five closest metros, 3 are cheaper than Salem. Eugene is the lowest at about $3,950 (midpoint, 150 linear ft), 65 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salem, ORthis page | $1,650 – $6,600 | $4,150 | |
| Portland, OR50 miles | $1,700 – $7,000 | $4,350 | +5% |
| Eugene, OR65 miles | $1,600 – $6,350 | $3,950 | −4% |
| Bend, OR110 miles | $1,650 – $6,600 | $4,100 | −1% |
| Olympia, WA140 miles | $1,650 – $6,650 | $4,150 | level |
| Yakima, WA150 miles | $1,600 – $6,400 | $4,000 | −3% |
| Oregon (statewide) | $1,650 – $6,500 | $4,050 | −1% |
| United States | $1,550 – $6,150 | $3,850 | −7% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Salem ranks #60 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Salem is 1% above the Oregon figure.
Elsewhere in Oregon
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland, OR | 1,208,410 jobs | $1,700 – $7,000 | $4,350 | +5% |
| Eugene, OR | 157,710 jobs | $1,600 – $6,350 | $3,950 | −4% |
| Bend, OR | 108,240 jobs | $1,650 – $6,600 | $4,100 | −1% |
| Medford, OR | 89,060 jobs | $1,600 – $6,300 | $3,950 | −4% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Salem against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pensacola, FL | 190,480 jobs | $1,400 – $5,500 | $3,450 | −16% |
| Salinas, CA | 186,430 jobs | $1,750 – $7,200 | $4,450 | +8% |
| Wilmington, NC | 191,280 jobs | $1,450 – $5,750 | $3,600 | −12% |
| Tallahassee, FL | 186,160 jobs | $1,400 – $5,250 | $3,350 | −19% |
Add-ons priced for Salem
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.07 for Salem, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.09) and goods price index (1.05). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add one gate (flat) | $85 – $1,050 |
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 $3,150 to $5,100 for Salem, OR is attached.
Detailed chain-link fence report for Salem, OR, $9
The report lays out the chain-link fence numbers for Salem, OR 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 Salem: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a chain-link fence in Salem?
For 150 linear ft, expect $1,650 to $6,600 in the Salem area. A standard-spec job lands at $3,150 to $5,100. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for chain-link fence in Salem?
About $10.50 to $43 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $40 to $160 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $10 to $40.
+Is chain-link fence cheaper in Salem or Portland?
Portland is 50 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $4,350, which is 5% more than Salem ($4,150). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Salem?
About 61% at the midpoint, or $2,550 out of $4,150. Materials are 36% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in Salem?
$2,200 to $8,750. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does chain-link fence need a permit in Salem?
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 Salem area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Salem expensive for chain-link fence compared with the rest of Oregon?
Salem is 1% above the Oregon statewide estimate ($4,050 at the midpoint). We cover 5 metros in Oregon; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Salem?
The BLS median is $26.20 an hour in the Salem area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.67 to $29.27.
+What do basic and premium chain-link fence work cost in Salem?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $1,650 to $3,650 and premium work $4,650 to $6,600. 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 Salem?
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 Salem?
$85 to $1,050, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Chain-link fence near Salem
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).