Composite deck cost in Worcester, MA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $13,500 – $27,100
- Per sq ft
- $45 – $90
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +12%
- US $18,100
- Rank of 300 metros
- #34
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a composite deck in the Worcester area: $13,500 to $27,100 for 300 sq ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint runs 12% higher than the US figure. Carpenters earn a median of $35.10 an hour in the Worcester area, 21% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Worcester, MA, standard level
$17,600 to $23,000
About $58.50 to $76.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 65% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $6,050 | $7,900 |
| Labor | $11,500 | $15,000 |
| Permits and fees | $80 | $120 |
| Total | $17,600 | $23,000 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Worcester, MA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,650 | $7,000 | $9,300 | 34% |
| Labor | $8,800 | $13,200 | $17,600 | 65% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $100 | $150 | 1% |
| Total | $13,500 | $20,300 | $27,100 | 100% |
Why Worcester prices look the way they do
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: carpenters at 80%, construction laborers at 20%. Weighted together, Worcester wages are 1.22 times the national level. Labor makes up about 65% of the midpoint estimate (60% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Worcester is at 97.0 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $7,200 nationally becomes $7,000 here (midpoint, 300 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 102.5: $50 to $150.
How Worcester compares
Same job, same size (300 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Boston is the priciest of the group at $20,900. Manchester is the cheapest at $18,100.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worcester, MAthis page | $13,500 – $27,100 | $20,300 | |
| Amherst, MA35 miles | $12,800 – $25,700 | $19,300 | −5% |
| Springfield, MA40 miles | $13,800 – $27,700 | $20,700 | +2% |
| Manchester, NH45 miles | $12,000 – $24,100 | $18,100 | −11% |
| Boston, MA50 miles | $13,900 – $27,900 | $20,900 | +3% |
| Hartford, CT55 miles | $12,600 – $25,300 | $18,900 | −7% |
| Massachusetts (statewide) | $13,900 – $27,800 | $20,900 | +3% |
| United States | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | −11% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Worcester ranks #34 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Worcester is 3% below the Massachusetts figure.
Elsewhere in Massachusetts
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston, MA | 2,703,890 jobs | $13,900 – $27,900 | $20,900 | +3% |
| Springfield, MA | 201,240 jobs | $13,800 – $27,700 | $20,700 | +2% |
| Barnstable, MA | 94,110 jobs | $13,300 – $26,600 | $19,900 | −2% |
| Amherst, MA | 65,670 jobs | $12,800 – $25,700 | $19,300 | −5% |
| Pittsfield, MA | 56,810 jobs | $12,300 – $24,600 | $18,500 | −9% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Worcester against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Rock, AR | 358,210 jobs | $10,200 – $20,500 | $15,400 | −24% |
| Durham, NC | 344,020 jobs | $11,000 – $22,100 | $16,500 | −19% |
| Greensboro, NC | 365,410 jobs | $10,700 – $21,400 | $16,000 | −21% |
| North Port, FL | 339,940 jobs | $11,000 – $22,100 | $16,500 | −19% |
Who does the work: Worcester 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 Worcester the blend is 1.22.
Carpenters (47-2031), 80% of the weighting: a median of $35.10 an hour, 21% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $28.63 and $43.40 an hour. About 1,590 work in the metro. That is 45.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 20%) the local median is $29.52 an hour, which is 30% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $23.23 and $43.40 an hour. BLS counts 1,650 of them working in the area, 47.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $2,450 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $1,900. That is a swing of roughly 9.4% to 12.1% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Worcester has 349,880 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 73rd by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 80% | $28.63 | $35.10 | $43.40 | $29.12 | 1.21 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $23.23 | $29.52 | $43.40 | $22.66 | 1.30 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.22 | |||||
Planning more than one job in Worcester?
Jobs that often go together with composite deck are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Worcester wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, gutters comes out highest (+16%) and wood deck lowest (+8%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $8,150 – $16,400 | +8% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,300 – $4,400 | +9% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,450 – $6,300 | +15% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,550 – $4,800 | +16% |
Extras that change the Worcester total
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.10 for Worcester, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.22) and goods price index (0.97). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add a deck railing (approx. 0.3 ft per sq ft) | $2,000 – $5,950 |
The best months for composite deck in Worcester
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Worcester Rgnl Ap (5 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For exterior installation, the comfortable months in Worcester are April through November: 8 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March and December have an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January, February, March 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.
Worcester gets about 48 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 73 inches of snow. The wettest months are September, October and December (4.8 inches in October). Inside the workable window, May and July are the driest, at 3.6 and 3.9 inches. The station averages about 3 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 | 32 | 17 | 3.5 | Cold |
| Feb | 35 | 19 | 3.3 | Cold |
| Mar | 43 | 26 | 4.2 | Cold |
| Apr | 56 | 37 | 4.1 | Workable |
| May | 67 | 47 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Jun | 75 | 56 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 80 | 62 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Aug | 78 | 61 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Sep | 71 | 53 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 59 | 42 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 48 | 33 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Dec | 38 | 23 | 4.3 | Cold |
Composite deck: what moves the price in Worcester
Labor
Labor for composite is $24-$48 per sq ft, higher than wood because the boards need extra parts and more careful assembly.
Drainage
Ground-level decks over poorly draining yards may need $1,000-$4,000 of drainage work first.
Engineering
Large or complex decks may need a structural engineer at $100-$220 an hour to get a permit.
Pick a size, pick a tier: composite deck pricing in Worcester
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Worcester. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from 10x12 (120 sq ft) to 20x20 (400 sq ft).
Basic
$13,500 to $19,000
Entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape
Standard
$17,600 to $23,000
Mid-grade capped boards with railing and stairs
Premium
$21,700 to $27,100
Premium capped or PVC boards, multi-level, hidden fasteners
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $5,450 – $7,650 | $7,100 – $9,300 | $8,750 – $10,900 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $6,500 – $9,150 | $8,500 – $11,100 | $10,500 – $13,100 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $14,400 – $20,200 | $18,800 – $24,600 | $23,100 – $28,900 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $18,000 – $25,200 | $23,400 – $30,700 | $28,900 – $36,100 |
Get 3 local quotes
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Multi-page report for Worcester, MA: 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.
Composite deck in Worcester: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a composite deck in Worcester?
For 300 sq ft, expect $13,500 to $27,100 in the Worcester area. A standard-spec job lands at $17,600 to $23,000. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for composite deck in Worcester?
About $45 to $90 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $50 to $150 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $40 to $80.
+Is composite deck cheaper in Worcester or Amherst?
Amherst is 35 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $19,300, which is 5% less than Worcester ($20,300). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Worcester?
About 65% at the midpoint, or $13,200 out of $20,300. Materials are 34% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Worcester?
$14,400 to $28,900. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does composite deck need a permit in Worcester?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $50 to $150 for fees in the Worcester area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Worcester expensive for composite deck compared with the rest of Massachusetts?
Worcester is 3% below the Massachusetts statewide estimate ($20,900 at the midpoint). We cover 6 metros in Massachusetts; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Worcester?
The BLS median is $35.10 an hour in the Worcester area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.63 to $43.40.
+What do basic and premium composite deck work cost in Worcester?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $13,500 to $19,000 and premium work $21,700 to $27,100. Basic means: entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape. Premium means: premium capped or PVC boards, multi-level, hidden fasteners.
+When is the best time to build a composite deck in Worcester?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through November. May and July 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 a deck railing" add in Worcester?
$2,000 to $5,950 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Composite deck near Worcester
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 Composite Decking Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: 2026 Building Permit Costs | Fees & Cost Calculator (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