Chain-link fence cost in Seattle, WA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $1,750 – $7,300
- Per linear ft
- $11.50 – $47.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +18%
- US $3,850
- Rank of 300 metros
- #17
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install a chain-link fence in Seattle, plan on $1,750 to $7,300 for 150 linear ft, all in. Per linear ft, that is $11.50 to $47.50 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 18% higher than the national one. Construction laborers earn a median of $28.72 an hour in the Seattle area, 27% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Seattle, WA, standard level
$3,400 to $5,650
About $22 to $37 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 65% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,250 | $1,700 |
| Labor | $2,050 | $3,800 |
| Permits and fees | $80 | $130 |
| Total | $3,400 | $5,650 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Seattle, WA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $940 | $1,500 | $2,050 | 33% |
| Labor | $760 | $2,950 | $5,100 | 65% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $110 | $170 | 2% |
| Total | $1,750 | $4,550 | $7,300 | 100% |
What is behind the Seattle number
Labor is 65% of the midpoint bill here, against 60% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is construction laborers (60%), carpenters (40%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Seattle the blended ratio comes out at 1.27.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Seattle metro is 104.0 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 150 linear ft comes to $1,500, compared with $1,450 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (111.1) and land at $45 to $170.
Pick a size, pick a tier: chain-link fence pricing in Seattle
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Seattle 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
$1,750 to $3,950
4-ft galvanized, front yard
Standard
$3,400 to $5,650
6-ft galvanized backyard fence
Premium
$5,100 to $7,300
Vinyl-coated, 8 ft, extra gates
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $1,150 – $2,700 | $2,300 – $3,800 | $3,450 – $4,950 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $1,750 – $3,950 | $3,400 – $5,650 | $5,100 – $7,300 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $2,300 – $5,250 | $4,500 – $7,500 | $6,750 – $9,700 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $3,450 – $7,850 | $6,750 – $11,200 | $10,100 – $14,500 |
Optional extras in Seattle
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Seattle by the average of the local wage index (1.27) and goods index (1.04), a factor of 1.15. 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 – $1,150 |
Climate in Seattle: timing your chain-link fence job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Seattle Sand Pt Wsfo (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
Weather is not a serious constraint for exterior installation in Seattle: 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.
Seattle gets about 38 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 November). The station averages about 2 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 | 47 | 37 | 5.1 | Workable |
| Feb | 50 | 37 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Mar | 54 | 39 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Apr | 59 | 43 | 3.0 | Workable |
| May | 65 | 48 | 2.2 | Workable |
| Jun | 70 | 53 | 1.6 | Workable |
| Jul | 77 | 57 | 0.8 | Workable |
| Aug | 77 | 57 | 1.0 | Workable |
| Sep | 71 | 53 | 1.7 | Workable |
| Oct | 61 | 47 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Nov | 52 | 41 | 5.8 | Workable |
| Dec | 47 | 37 | 5.5 | Workable |
Is Seattle cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (150 linear ft), priced for the nearest metros. Seattle is the priciest of the group. Yakima is the cheapest at $4,000.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WAthis page | $1,750 – $7,300 | $4,550 | |
| Bremerton, WA40 miles | $1,650 – $6,750 | $4,200 | −7% |
| Olympia, WA60 miles | $1,650 – $6,650 | $4,150 | −9% |
| Yakima, WA90 miles | $1,600 – $6,400 | $4,000 | −12% |
| Bellingham, WA95 miles | $1,700 – $7,150 | $4,450 | −2% |
| Portland, OR135 miles | $1,700 – $7,000 | $4,350 | −4% |
| Washington (statewide) | $1,700 – $7,150 | $4,450 | −2% |
| United States | $1,550 – $6,150 | $3,850 | −15% |
Across 300 US metros, Seattle comes in at #17 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $5,450; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $3,000 (midpoints, 150 linear ft). Statewide, Seattle is 2% above the Washington figure.
Other Washington metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spokane, WA | 255,820 jobs | $1,600 – $6,500 | $4,050 | −11% |
| Olympia, WA | 130,300 jobs | $1,650 – $6,650 | $4,150 | −9% |
| Kennewick, WA | 129,490 jobs | $1,650 – $6,750 | $4,200 | −7% |
| Yakima, WA | 97,010 jobs | $1,600 – $6,400 | $4,000 | −12% |
| Bremerton, WA | 93,740 jobs | $1,650 – $6,750 | $4,200 | −7% |
| Bellingham, WA | 91,390 jobs | $1,700 – $7,150 | $4,450 | −2% |
Cities with a workforce like Seattle's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Seattle against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $1,950 – $8,400 | $5,150 | +14% |
| Minneapolis, MN | 1,951,650 jobs | $1,750 – $7,350 | $4,550 | level |
| Phoenix, AZ | 2,375,760 jobs | $1,500 – $6,050 | $3,750 | −17% |
| Detroit, MI | 1,904,530 jobs | $1,650 – $6,800 | $4,200 | −7% |
Related projects, priced for Seattle
Because every project leans on different trades, Seattle's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, gravel driveway runs +24% and vinyl fence +9%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence | 150 linear ft | $3,500 – $8,650 | +14% |
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,900 – $10,000 | +9% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $4,450 – $13,100 | +15% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $3,100 – $12,600 | +24% |
Seattle 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 Seattle is 1.27 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 60% of the weighting: a median of $28.72 an hour, 27% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $23.67 and $37.03 an hour. About 13,040 work in the metro. That is 62.5 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 40%) the local median is $36.74 an hour, which is 26% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $30.64 and $47.93 an hour. BLS counts 14,970 of them working in the area, 71.8 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the construction laborers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($37.03 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $510. At the 25th percentile ($23.67) it shrinks by about $310. The total moves by 11.3% or 6.9%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 2,086,210 jobs in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue area. That makes it the 13th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 1.34% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 60% | $23.67 | $28.72 | $37.03 | $22.66 | 1.27 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 40% | $30.64 | $36.74 | $47.93 | $29.12 | 1.26 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.27 | |||||
Why two Seattle 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.
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 $3,400 to $5,650 for Seattle, WA is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
The report lays out the chain-link fence numbers for Seattle, WA 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 Seattle: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a chain-link fence in Seattle?
For 150 linear ft, expect $1,750 to $7,300 in the Seattle area. A standard-spec job lands at $3,400 to $5,650. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for chain-link fence in Seattle?
About $11.50 to $47.50 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $45 to $170 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $10 to $40.
+Is chain-link fence cheaper in Seattle or Bremerton?
Bremerton is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $4,200, which is 7% less than Seattle ($4,550). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Seattle?
About 65% at the midpoint, or $2,950 out of $4,550. Materials are 33% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in Seattle?
$2,300 to $9,700. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does chain-link fence need a permit in Seattle?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $45 to $170 for fees in the Seattle area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Seattle expensive for chain-link fence compared with the rest of Washington?
Seattle is 2% above the Washington statewide estimate ($4,450 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Washington; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Seattle?
The BLS median is $28.72 an hour in the Seattle area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.67 to $37.03.
+What do basic and premium chain-link fence work cost in Seattle?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $1,750 to $3,950 and premium work $5,100 to $7,300. 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 Seattle?
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 Seattle?
$90 to $1,150, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Chain-link fence near Seattle
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).