Composite deck cost in Missoula, MT
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $11,600 – $23,300
- Per sq ft
- $38.50 – $77
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −4%
- US $18,100
- Rank of 300 metros
- #140
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a composite deck in the Missoula area: $11,600 to $23,300 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% lower than the US figure. Carpenters earn a median of $27.48 an hour in the Missoula area, 6% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Missoula, MT, standard level
$15,100 to $19,800
About $50 to $65.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 60% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $6,000 | $7,850 |
| Labor | $9,050 | $11,800 |
| Permits and fees | $75 | $120 |
| Total | $15,100 | $19,800 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Missoula, MT
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,600 | $6,900 | $9,200 | 40% |
| Labor | $6,950 | $10,400 | $13,900 | 60% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $95 | $140 | 1% |
| Total | $11,600 | $17,500 | $23,300 | 100% |
Where the Missoula price comes from
Labor is 60% 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 Missoula the blended ratio comes out at 0.97.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Missoula is at 96.0 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $7,200 nationally becomes $6,900 here (midpoint, 300 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 96.4: $50 to $140.
Optional extras in Missoula
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.96 for Missoula, which is the average of the area's wage index (0.97) and goods price index (0.96). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add a deck railing (approx. 0.3 ft per sq ft) | $1,750 – $5,200 |
Planning more than one job in Missoula?
Jobs that often go together with composite deck are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Missoula wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, concrete patio comes out highest (+1%) and wood deck lowest (−4%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,250 – $14,600 | −4% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,250 – $4,050 | +1% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,000 – $5,450 | level |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,300 – $4,150 | level |
Pick a size, pick a tier: composite deck pricing in Missoula
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Missoula. 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
$11,600 to $16,300
Entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape
Standard
$15,100 to $19,800
Mid-grade capped boards with railing and stairs
Premium
$18,600 to $23,300
Premium capped or PVC boards, multi-level, hidden fasteners
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $4,700 – $6,550 | $6,100 – $8,000 | $7,500 – $9,400 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $5,600 – $7,850 | $7,300 – $9,550 | $9,000 – $11,300 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $12,400 – $17,400 | $16,100 – $21,100 | $19,900 – $24,800 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $15,500 – $21,700 | $20,100 – $26,300 | $24,800 – $31,000 |
Missoula against nearby metros and the rest of Montana
Of the five closest metros, 2 are cheaper than Missoula. Idaho Falls is the lowest at about $16,600 (midpoint, 300 sq ft), 255 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missoula, MTthis page | $11,600 – $23,300 | $17,500 | |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID120 miles | $11,600 – $23,200 | $17,400 | level |
| Spokane, WA175 miles | $12,500 – $25,100 | $18,800 | +8% |
| Bozeman, MT185 miles | $12,300 – $24,600 | $18,500 | +6% |
| Kennewick, WA240 miles | $12,900 – $25,800 | $19,300 | +11% |
| Idaho Falls, ID255 miles | $11,000 – $22,100 | $16,600 | −5% |
| Montana (statewide) | $11,800 – $23,600 | $17,700 | +1% |
| United States | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | +4% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Missoula ranks #140 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Missoula is 1% below the Montana figure.
Elsewhere in Montana
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT | 93,800 jobs | $11,800 – $23,600 | $17,700 | +1% |
| Bozeman, MT | 72,210 jobs | $12,300 – $24,600 | $18,500 | +6% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Missoula against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Junction, CO | 67,170 jobs | $11,800 – $23,600 | $17,700 | +1% |
| Logan, UT | 66,800 jobs | $10,800 – $21,700 | $16,200 | −7% |
| Morgantown, WV | 67,370 jobs | $10,700 – $21,400 | $16,100 | −8% |
| Flagstaff, AZ | 66,610 jobs | $11,400 – $22,900 | $17,100 | −2% |
Composite deck: what moves the price in Missoula
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.
Board grade
Composite materials run $16-$32 per sq ft and the installed price is $40-$80 per sq ft, including the substructure (HomeGuide).
The best months for composite deck in Missoula
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Missoula Intl 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 Missoula are March through October: 8 of 12. Outside them, January, February, November and December have an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January, February, 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.
Missoula gets about 14 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 43 inches of snow. The wettest months are April, May and June (2.1 inches in June). Inside the workable window, July and August are the driest, at 0.8 and 0.8 inches. The station averages about 27 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 | 18 | 1.0 | Cold |
| Feb | 37 | 21 | 0.9 | Cold |
| Mar | 48 | 27 | 0.9 | Workable |
| Apr | 56 | 32 | 1.4 | Workable |
| May | 66 | 40 | 1.8 | Workable |
| Jun | 73 | 46 | 2.1 | Workable |
| Jul | 85 | 52 | 0.8 | Workable |
| Aug | 84 | 50 | 0.8 | Workable |
| Sep | 73 | 42 | 1.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 56 | 32 | 1.2 | Workable |
| Nov | 40 | 25 | 1.2 | Cold |
| Dec | 31 | 18 | 1.1 | Cold |
Who does the work: Missoula 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 Missoula the blend is 0.97.
Carpenters (47-2031), 80% of the weighting: a median of $27.48 an hour, 6% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.35 and $30.07 an hour. About 400 work in the metro. That is 59.6 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 20%) the local median is $24.00 an hour, which is 6% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.41 and $26.36 an hour. BLS counts 510 of them working in the area, 76.0 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 $770 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $1,250. That is a swing of roughly 7.0% to 4.4% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Missoula has 67,070 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 270th 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% | $23.35 | $27.48 | $30.07 | $29.12 | 0.94 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $21.41 | $24.00 | $26.36 | $22.66 | 1.06 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.97 | |||||
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 $15,100 to $19,800 for Missoula, MT is attached.
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Multi-page report for Missoula, MT: 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 Missoula: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a composite deck in Missoula?
For 300 sq ft, expect $11,600 to $23,300 in the Missoula area. A standard-spec job lands at $15,100 to $19,800. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for composite deck in Missoula?
About $38.50 to $77 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $50 to $140 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $40 to $80.
+Is composite deck cheaper in Missoula or Coeur d'Alene?
Coeur d'Alene is 120 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $17,400, which is 0% less than Missoula ($17,500). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Missoula?
About 60% at the midpoint, or $10,400 out of $17,500. Materials are 40% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Missoula?
$12,400 to $24,800. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does composite deck need a permit in Missoula?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $50 to $140 for fees in the Missoula area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Missoula expensive for composite deck compared with the rest of Montana?
Missoula is 1% below the Montana statewide estimate ($17,700 at the midpoint). We cover 3 metros in Montana; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Missoula?
The BLS median is $27.48 an hour in the Missoula area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.35 to $30.07.
+What do basic and premium composite deck work cost in Missoula?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $11,600 to $16,300 and premium work $18,600 to $23,300. 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 Missoula?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through October. July and August 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 Missoula?
$1,750 to $5,200 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Composite deck near Missoula
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