Chain-link fence cost in Harrisburg, PA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $1,550 – $6,200
- Per linear ft
- $10 – $40.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +1%
- US $3,850
- Rank of 300 metros
- #111
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install a chain-link fence in Harrisburg, plan on $1,550 to $6,200 for 150 linear ft, all in. Per linear ft, that is $10 to $40.50 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint lands close to the national one. Construction laborers earn a median of $23.88 an hour in the Harrisburg area, 5% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Harrisburg, PA, standard level
$2,950 to $4,800
About $19 to $31.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 61% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,200 | $1,650 |
| Labor | $1,650 | $3,050 |
| Permits and fees | $70 | $120 |
| Total | $2,950 | $4,800 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Harrisburg, PA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $910 | $1,450 | $1,950 | 37% |
| Labor | $610 | $2,350 | $4,100 | 61% |
| Permits and fees | $40 | $95 | $150 | 2% |
| Total | $1,550 | $3,900 | $6,200 | 100% |
Why Harrisburg prices look the way they do
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: construction laborers at 60%, carpenters at 40%. Weighted together, Harrisburg wages are 1.01 times the national level. Labor makes up about 61% of the midpoint estimate (60% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Harrisburg metro is 100.7 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 150 linear ft comes to $1,450, compared with $1,450 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (98.7) and land at $40 to $150.
Harrisburg against nearby metros and the rest of Pennsylvania
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 $3,650 to $3,950 across Harrisburg and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harrisburg, PAthis page | $1,550 – $6,200 | $3,900 | |
| York, PA35 miles | $1,550 – $6,300 | $3,950 | +1% |
| Chambersburg, PA45 miles | $1,500 – $5,800 | $3,650 | −6% |
| Lancaster, PA45 miles | $1,550 – $6,100 | $3,800 | −2% |
| State College, PA60 miles | $1,550 – $6,350 | $3,950 | +2% |
| Reading, PA60 miles | $1,550 – $6,100 | $3,800 | −2% |
| Pennsylvania (statewide) | $1,550 – $6,200 | $3,900 | level |
| United States | $1,550 – $6,150 | $3,850 | −1% |
Across 300 US metros, Harrisburg comes in at #111 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $5,450; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $3,000 (midpoints, 150 linear ft). Statewide, Harrisburg is 0% above the Pennsylvania figure.
Other Pennsylvania metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA | 2,897,830 jobs | $1,600 – $6,550 | $4,050 | +4% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 1,114,490 jobs | $1,550 – $6,350 | $3,950 | +2% |
| Allentown, PA | 377,180 jobs | $1,550 – $6,250 | $3,900 | level |
| Scranton, PA | 255,620 jobs | $1,550 – $6,200 | $3,900 | level |
| Lancaster, PA | 252,230 jobs | $1,550 – $6,100 | $3,800 | −2% |
| York, PA | 183,590 jobs | $1,550 – $6,300 | $3,950 | +1% |
Cities with a workforce like Harrisburg's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Harrisburg against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield, CA | 338,230 jobs | $1,700 – $6,850 | $4,250 | +10% |
| Oxnard, CA | 323,890 jobs | $1,750 – $7,250 | $4,500 | +15% |
| El Paso, TX | 339,120 jobs | $1,300 – $4,950 | $3,150 | −19% |
| Akron, OH | 319,560 jobs | $1,550 – $6,650 | $4,100 | +6% |
Optional extras in Harrisburg
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Harrisburg by the average of the local wage index (1.01) and goods index (1.01), a factor of 1.01. 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) | $80 – $1,000 |
Harrisburg labor market for chain-link fence
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 Harrisburg is 1.01 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 60% of the weighting: a median of $23.88 an hour, 5% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.00 and $27.94 an hour. About 1,370 work in the metro. That is 40.9 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 $27.74 an hour, which is 5% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.14 and $34.00 an hour. BLS counts 1,320 of them working in the area, 39.4 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 ($27.94 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $250. At the 25th percentile ($22.00) it shrinks by about $120. The total moves by 6.4% or 3.0%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 335,010 jobs in the Harrisburg-Carlisle area. That makes it the 78th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.22% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 60% | $22.00 | $23.88 | $27.94 | $22.66 | 1.05 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 40% | $23.14 | $27.74 | $34.00 | $29.12 | 0.95 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.01 | |||||
Climate in Harrisburg: timing your chain-link fence job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Harrisburg 1 Ne (in the city). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
March through November is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Harrisburg (9 of 12 months). January, February and December have an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January, February 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.
Harrisburg gets about 45 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 24 inches of snow. The wettest months are July, August and September (4.8 inches in July). Inside the workable window, October and November are the driest, at 3.8 and 2.9 inches. The station averages about 18 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 | 37 | 22 | 2.9 | Cold |
| Feb | 40 | 23 | 2.8 | Cold |
| Mar | 48 | 30 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Apr | 61 | 40 | 3.9 | Workable |
| May | 72 | 51 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Jun | 81 | 60 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Jul | 85 | 65 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Aug | 83 | 62 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Sep | 75 | 55 | 4.6 | Workable |
| Oct | 63 | 43 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 51 | 34 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Dec | 41 | 27 | 3.4 | Cold |
Why two Harrisburg quotes can differ
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).
Coating
Black or green vinyl-coated mesh costs more than galvanized.
Cost by quality level and size in Harrisburg
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Harrisburg 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
$1,550 to $3,400
4-ft galvanized, front yard
Standard
$2,950 to $4,800
6-ft galvanized backyard fence
Premium
$4,350 to $6,200
Vinyl-coated, 8 ft, extra gates
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $1,050 – $2,300 | $2,000 – $3,250 | $2,950 – $4,200 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $1,550 – $3,400 | $2,950 – $4,800 | $4,350 – $6,200 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $2,050 – $4,550 | $3,900 – $6,400 | $5,750 – $8,250 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $3,050 – $6,750 | $5,850 – $9,500 | $8,600 – $12,300 |
Planning more than one job in Harrisburg?
Because every project leans on different trades, Harrisburg's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, gravel driveway runs +1% and wood fence level.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence | 150 linear ft | $3,050 – $7,650 | level |
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,550 – $9,200 | +1% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,800 – $11,500 | +1% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,550 – $10,300 | +1% |
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 $2,950 to $4,800 for Harrisburg, PA is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
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Chain-link fence in Harrisburg: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a chain-link fence in Harrisburg?
For 150 linear ft, expect $1,550 to $6,200 in the Harrisburg area. A standard-spec job lands at $2,950 to $4,800. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for chain-link fence in Harrisburg?
About $10 to $40.50 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 Harrisburg or York?
York is 35 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $3,950, which is 1% more than Harrisburg ($3,900). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Harrisburg?
About 61% at the midpoint, or $2,350 out of $3,900. Materials are 37% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in Harrisburg?
$2,050 to $8,250. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does chain-link fence need a permit in Harrisburg?
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 Harrisburg area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Harrisburg expensive for chain-link fence compared with the rest of Pennsylvania?
Harrisburg is 0% above the Pennsylvania statewide estimate ($3,900 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Pennsylvania; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Harrisburg?
The BLS median is $23.88 an hour in the Harrisburg area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.00 to $27.94.
+What do basic and premium chain-link fence work cost in Harrisburg?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $1,550 to $3,400 and premium work $4,350 to $6,200. 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 Harrisburg?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through November. October and November 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 Harrisburg?
$80 to $1,000, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Chain-link fence near Harrisburg
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).