Chain-link fence cost in Wisconsin
Statewide estimate from BLS wages and BEA prices. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Statewide range (150 linear ft)
- $1,550 – $6,500
- Per linear ft
- $10 – $42.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +5%
- US $3,850
- Metros covered
- 12
Across Wisconsin, a chain-link fence costs about $1,550 to $6,500 for 150 linear ft. Statewide, that midpoint is 5% above the US figure of $3,850. Construction laborers earn a median $26.97 an hour in Wisconsin (US: $22.66).
Inside Wisconsin, the metros we cover range from $3,750 (Wausau) to $4,250 (Oshkosh) at the midpoint. Pick your closest city in the table for a tighter number.
Estimate your chain-link fence cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Wisconsin (statewide), standard level
$3,050 to $5,050
About $20 to $33 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 65% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $1,550 |
| Labor | $1,850 | $3,400 |
| Permits and fees | $70 | $110 |
| Total | $3,050 | $5,050 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Wisconsin
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $850 | $1,350 | $1,850 | 33% |
| Labor | $670 | $2,600 | $4,550 | 65% |
| Permits and fees | $40 | $90 | $140 | 2% |
| Total | $1,550 | $4,050 | $6,500 | 100% |
Chain-link fence: what moves the price in Wisconsin
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.
Survey
A land survey ($300-$900) is worth it before you put a fence near a boundary.
How Wisconsin compares with nearby states
Wisconsin ranks 15 of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) for chain-link fence, where 1 is the most expensive. The costliest is Hawaii at $5,300 and the cheapest Arkansas at $3,250, both for 150 linear ft at the midpoint. Wisconsin sits at $4,050. The five states closest by workforce center are listed below.
| State | Distance | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 120 miles away | $1,750 – $7,400 | $4,600 | +13% |
| Iowa | 230 miles away | $1,500 – $6,000 | $3,750 | −7% |
| Michigan | 230 miles away | $1,550 – $6,200 | $3,850 | −4% |
| Minnesota | 260 miles away | $1,650 – $6,950 | $4,300 | +7% |
| Indiana | 260 miles away | $1,550 – $6,250 | $3,900 | −4% |
Chain-link fence cost by metro in Wisconsin
6 of the 12 metros sit above the statewide midpoint of $4,050, and the top-to-bottom gap is 13%. Each row prices the default size with that metro's own BLS wages and BEA price levels, so the gap between rows is real local variation rather than a flat markup.
| Metro | Range (150 linear ft) | Midpoint | vs. state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oshkosh, WI | $1,600 – $6,850 | $4,250 | +5% |
| Janesville, WI | $1,600 – $6,850 | $4,250 | +5% |
| Appleton, WI | $1,600 – $6,700 | $4,150 | +2% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $1,550 – $6,650 | $4,100 | +2% |
| Madison, WI | $1,550 – $6,600 | $4,100 | +1% |
| La Crosse, WI | $1,550 – $6,600 | $4,050 | +1% |
| Sheboygan, WI | $1,550 – $6,550 | $4,050 | level |
| Eau Claire, WI | $1,550 – $6,550 | $4,050 | level |
| Kenosha, WI | $1,600 – $6,400 | $4,000 | −1% |
| Green Bay, WI | $1,550 – $6,400 | $4,000 | −2% |
| Racine, WI | $1,550 – $6,400 | $3,950 | −2% |
| Wausau, WI | $1,500 – $6,000 | $3,750 | −7% |
Wisconsin seasons and chain-link fence
Season matters for chain-link fence. For each Wisconsin metro below we took NOAA's 1991-2020 monthly normals from the nearest suitable station and counted comfortable months for exterior installation.
Kenosha has the longest comfortable season of the metros we cover in Wisconsin at 9 months (March through November); Wausau has the shortest at 7 (April through October). Rainfall runs from 32 inches a year in Green Bay to 37 inches in La Crosse.
We do not adjust prices by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. Timing is still worth raising when you collect bids.
| Metro | Jan avg low °F | Jul avg high °F | Precip (in/yr) | Comfortable months |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee | 14 | 83 | 34 | 8: April through November |
| Madison | 12 | 82 | 37 | 8: April through November |
| Green Bay | 11 | 81 | 32 | 7: April through October |
| Appleton | 10 | 82 | 33 | 7: April through October |
| Oshkosh | 10 | 82 | 33 | 7: April through October |
| Eau Claire | 6 | 83 | 33 | 7: April through October |
| La Crosse | 8 | 80 | 37 | 7: April through October |
| Racine | 16 | 81 | 32 | 8: April through November |
| Kenosha | 16 | 84 | 32 | 9: March through November |
| Janesville | 12 | 83 | 37 | 9: March through November |
| Wausau | 7 | 80 | 34 | 7: April through October |
| Sheboygan | 15 | 82 | 35 | 8: April through November |
Quality levels and sizes in Wisconsin
The cited range is cut into three overlapping bands (basic, standard and premium) and scaled to statewide Wisconsin wages and prices. The grid prices the same bands at 4 common sizes.
Basic
$1,550 to $3,550
4-ft galvanized, front yard
Standard
$3,050 to $5,050
6-ft galvanized backyard fence
Premium
$4,550 to $6,500
Vinyl-coated, 8 ft, extra gates
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $1,050 – $2,400 | $2,050 – $3,400 | $3,050 – $4,400 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $1,550 – $3,550 | $3,050 – $5,050 | $4,550 – $6,500 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $2,050 – $4,700 | $4,050 – $6,650 | $6,000 – $8,650 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $3,100 – $7,000 | $6,050 – $9,950 | $8,950 – $12,900 |
Other Wisconsin jobs that often go with chain-link fence
The table prices neighboring jobs at their usual sizes using statewide Wisconsin wages and prices. Against national midpoints, gravel driveway comes out highest (+8%) and vinyl fence lowest (−2%), because each job leans on different trades.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence | 150 linear ft | $3,100 – $7,650 | level |
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,400 – $9,000 | −2% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,850 – $11,500 | +1% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,700 – $11,000 | +8% |
Add-ons priced for Wisconsin
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Wisconsin by the average of the local wage index (1.12) and goods index (0.94), a factor of 1.03. 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) | $85 – $1,050 |
Wisconsin labor market for chain-link fence
Statewide wages come from BLS's state-level estimates, which blend big cities with small towns and rural areas. 2 trades drive the labor line for this job, and the weighted ratio against the national wage level is 1.12 for Wisconsin.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 60% of the weighting: a median of $26.97 an hour, 19% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.14 and $34.68 an hour. About 20,330 work in the state. That is 69.1 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 $29.65 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.92 and $38.13 an hour. BLS counts 13,880 of them working in the state, 47.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is about average.
A crew paid at the 75th percentile for construction laborers ($34.68 an hour) would add about $470 to the statewide midpoint; one at the 25th percentile ($22.14) would take off about $300. Use that as a rough guide to how far a bid can sit from our midpoint on wages alone.
BLS counts 2,941,540 jobs across Wisconsin (May 2025), which is 1.9% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 60% | $22.14 | $26.97 | $34.68 | $22.66 | 1.19 | state |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 40% | $23.92 | $29.65 | $38.13 | $29.12 | 1.02 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 1.12 | |||||
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 $3,050 to $5,050 for Wisconsin is attached.
Detailed chain-link fence report for Wisconsin, $9
Multi-page report for Wisconsin: low, typical and high cost, a line-item breakdown of materials and labor by trade, permit notes, the best months to schedule, a quote comparison sheet, red flags, questions for contractors, checklists and every source. 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 Wisconsin: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a chain-link fence in Wisconsin?
$1,550 to $6,500 for 150 linear ft, using statewide wages and prices. Metro areas inside Wisconsin can sit above or below that.
+Which city in Wisconsin is cheapest for chain-link fence?
Wausau at about $3,750 (midpoint, 150 linear ft). The priciest is Oshkosh at $4,250.
+Is chain-link fence cheaper in Wisconsin than the US average?
It is 5% more expensive: $4,050 against $3,850 for 150 linear ft at the midpoint.
+What share of the price is labor in Wisconsin?
About 65% ($2,600). Materials are 33%. Statewide labor for this job is weighted 1.12x the national wage level.
+What do construction laborers earn in Wisconsin?
The BLS statewide median is $26.97 an hour, against $22.66 for the US. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.14 to $34.68.
+Where does Wisconsin rank for chain-link fence costs?
15th most expensive of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) at the midpoint, $4,050 for 150 linear ft. Rank 1 is the costliest.
+What do basic and premium chain-link fence work cost in Wisconsin?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $1,550 to $3,550 and premium work $4,550 to $6,500. Basic means: 4-ft galvanized, front yard. Premium means: vinyl-coated, 8 ft, extra gates.
+Does the season matter for chain-link fence in Wisconsin?
Yes where winters or summers are hard. Of the Wisconsin metros we cover, Kenosha has the most comfortable months (9 of 12) based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals. Our prices do not change by month, so ask contractors whether they charge more or less in busy and slow seasons.
+What does "add one gate" add in Wisconsin?
$85 to $1,050, from a national range scaled by the statewide wage and goods indexes.
Chain-link fence by city in Wisconsin
- Oshkosh, WI$4,250 midpoint
- Janesville, WI$4,250 midpoint
- Appleton, WI$4,150 midpoint
- Milwaukee, WI$4,100 midpoint
- Madison, WI$4,100 midpoint
- La Crosse, WI$4,050 midpoint
- Sheboygan, WI$4,050 midpoint
- Eau Claire, WI$4,050 midpoint
- Kenosha, WI$4,000 midpoint
- Green Bay, WI$4,000 midpoint
- Racine, WI$3,950 midpoint
- Wausau, WI$3,750 midpoint
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).