Composite deck cost in Rochester, MN
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $12,500 – $25,000
- Per sq ft
- $41.50 – $83
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +4%
- US $18,100
- Rank of 300 metros
- #62
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a composite deck in the Rochester area: $12,500 to $25,000 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 4% higher than the US figure. Carpenters earn a median of $30.58 an hour in the Rochester area, 5% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Rochester, MN, standard level
$16,200 to $21,300
About $54 to $70.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 63% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,950 | $7,800 |
| Labor | $10,200 | $13,400 |
| Permits and fees | $75 | $110 |
| Total | $16,200 | $21,300 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Rochester, MN
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,600 | $6,850 | $9,150 | 37% |
| Labor | $7,850 | $11,800 | $15,700 | 63% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $90 | $140 | 0% |
| Total | $12,500 | $18,800 | $25,000 | 100% |
What is behind the Rochester number
Labor is 63% of the midpoint bill here, against 60% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is carpenters (80%), construction laborers (20%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Rochester the blended ratio comes out at 1.09.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Rochester is at 95.4 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $7,200 nationally becomes $6,850 here (midpoint, 300 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 90.8: $45 to $140.
Rochester against nearby metros and the rest of Minnesota
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 300 sq ft range from $17,100 to $20,900 across Rochester and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester, MNthis page | $12,500 – $25,000 | $18,800 | |
| La Crosse, WI65 miles | $12,000 – $24,000 | $18,000 | −4% |
| Eau Claire, WI85 miles | $11,900 – $23,900 | $17,900 | −4% |
| Minneapolis, MN90 miles | $13,900 – $27,900 | $20,900 | +12% |
| Waterloo, IA100 miles | $11,400 – $22,800 | $17,100 | −9% |
| Dubuque, IA125 miles | $11,700 – $23,500 | $17,600 | −6% |
| Minnesota (statewide) | $12,900 – $25,800 | $19,400 | +3% |
| United States | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | −4% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Rochester ranks #62 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Rochester is 3% below the Minnesota figure.
Elsewhere in Minnesota
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis, MN | 1,951,650 jobs | $13,900 – $27,900 | $20,900 | +12% |
| Duluth, MN | 124,710 jobs | $12,200 – $24,500 | $18,400 | −2% |
| St. Cloud, MN | 103,920 jobs | $12,200 – $24,400 | $18,300 | −3% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Rochester against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amarillo, TX | 123,930 jobs | $10,300 – $20,600 | $15,400 | −18% |
| Midland, TX | 122,180 jobs | $11,500 – $23,100 | $17,300 | −8% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $12,300 – $24,600 | $18,500 | −2% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | 122,020 jobs | $14,300 – $28,600 | $21,500 | +14% |
Add-ons priced for Rochester
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.02 for Rochester, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.09) and goods price index (0.95). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add a deck railing (approx. 0.3 ft per sq ft) | $1,850 – $5,550 |
The best months for composite deck in Rochester
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Rochester Intl Ap (10 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 Rochester are April through October: 7 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March, November and December have an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January, February, March, November 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.
Rochester gets about 35 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 53 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and July (5.3 inches in June). Inside the workable window, April and October are the driest, at 3.5 and 2.4 inches. The station averages about 5 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 | 23 | 7 | 1.0 | Cold |
| Feb | 27 | 11 | 1.0 | Cold |
| Mar | 40 | 23 | 2.0 | Cold |
| Apr | 55 | 35 | 3.5 | Workable |
| May | 68 | 47 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 78 | 58 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 80 | 61 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Aug | 78 | 58 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Sep | 72 | 50 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Oct | 58 | 38 | 2.4 | Workable |
| Nov | 42 | 26 | 1.8 | Cold |
| Dec | 28 | 14 | 1.3 | Cold |
Who does the work: Rochester 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 Rochester the blend is 1.09.
Carpenters (47-2031), 80% of the weighting: a median of $30.58 an hour, 5% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.59 and $38.84 an hour. About 460 work in the metro. That is 37.4 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 $28.55 an hour, which is 26% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.36 and $43.11 an hour. BLS counts 990 of them working in the area, 80.5 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is about 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 $2,050. That is a swing of roughly 11.1% to 13.1% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Rochester has 122,980 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 176th 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% | $23.59 | $30.58 | $38.84 | $29.12 | 1.05 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $22.36 | $28.55 | $43.11 | $22.66 | 1.26 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.09 | |||||
Cost by quality level and size in Rochester
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Rochester. 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
$12,500 to $17,500
Entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape
Standard
$16,200 to $21,300
Mid-grade capped boards with railing and stairs
Premium
$20,000 to $25,000
Premium capped or PVC boards, multi-level, hidden fasteners
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $5,000 – $7,050 | $6,550 – $8,550 | $8,050 – $10,100 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $6,000 – $8,450 | $7,850 – $10,300 | $9,650 – $12,100 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $13,300 – $18,700 | $17,300 – $22,700 | $21,300 – $26,700 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $16,600 – $23,300 | $21,600 – $28,300 | $26,600 – $33,300 |
Why two Rochester quotes can differ
Board grade
Composite materials run $16-$32 per sq ft and the installed price is $40-$80 per sq ft, including the substructure (HomeGuide).
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.
Related projects, priced for Rochester
Jobs that often go together with composite deck are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Rochester wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, paver patio comes out highest (+17%) and wood deck lowest (+1%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,650 – $15,400 | +1% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,300 – $4,450 | +10% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,500 – $6,350 | +17% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,350 – $4,350 | +4% |
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 $16,200 to $21,300 for Rochester, MN is attached.
Take this estimate with you: PDF report, $9
Multi-page report for Rochester, MN: 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 Rochester: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a composite deck in Rochester?
For 300 sq ft, expect $12,500 to $25,000 in the Rochester area. A standard-spec job lands at $16,200 to $21,300. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for composite deck in Rochester?
About $41.50 to $83 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $45 to $140 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $40 to $80.
+Is composite deck cheaper in Rochester or La Crosse?
La Crosse is 65 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $18,000, which is 4% less than Rochester ($18,800). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Rochester?
About 63% at the midpoint, or $11,800 out of $18,800. Materials are 37% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Rochester?
$13,300 to $26,700. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does composite deck need a permit in Rochester?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $45 to $140 for fees in the Rochester area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Rochester expensive for composite deck compared with the rest of Minnesota?
Rochester is 3% below the Minnesota statewide estimate ($19,400 at the midpoint). We cover 4 metros in Minnesota; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Rochester?
The BLS median is $30.58 an hour in the Rochester area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.59 to $38.84.
+What do basic and premium composite deck work cost in Rochester?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $12,500 to $17,500 and premium work $20,000 to $25,000. 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 Rochester?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. April and October 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 Rochester?
$1,850 to $5,550 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Composite deck near Rochester
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