Composite deck cost in Dayton, OH
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $11,700 – $23,500
- Per sq ft
- $39 – $77.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −3%
- US $18,100
- Rank of 300 metros
- #133
- 1 = most expensive
A composite deck in Dayton, OH usually costs $11,700 to $23,500 for 300 sq ft. That works out to about $39 to $77.50 per sq ft before permits. That is within a few percent of the national midpoint, so there is little local premium or discount. Building materials run about 6% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 93.6).
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Dayton, OH, standard level
$15,200 to $19,900
About $50.50 to $66 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 61% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,850 | $7,650 |
| Labor | $9,300 | $12,200 |
| Permits and fees | $75 | $110 |
| Total | $15,200 | $19,900 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Dayton, OH
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,500 | $6,750 | $9,000 | 38% |
| Labor | $7,150 | $10,700 | $14,300 | 61% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $95 | $140 | 1% |
| Total | $11,700 | $17,600 | $23,500 | 100% |
What is behind the Dayton number
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: carpenters at 80%, construction laborers at 20%. Weighted together, Dayton wages are 1.00 times the national level. Labor makes up about 61% of the midpoint estimate (60% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Dayton is at 93.6 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $7,200 nationally becomes $6,750 here (midpoint, 300 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 92.7: $45 to $140.
What nearby projects cost in Dayton
Jobs that often go together with composite deck are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Dayton wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, paver patio comes out highest (+2%) 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 – $4,100 | +1% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,050 – $5,550 | +2% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,300 – $4,150 | −1% |
Dayton against nearby metros and the rest of Ohio
Same job, same size (300 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Columbus is the priciest of the group at $19,100. Lexington is the cheapest at $16,600.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dayton, OHthis page | $11,700 – $23,500 | $17,600 | |
| Cincinnati, OH55 miles | $11,900 – $23,900 | $17,900 | +2% |
| Columbus, OH70 miles | $12,700 – $25,500 | $19,100 | +9% |
| Fort Wayne, IN100 miles | $11,800 – $23,600 | $17,700 | +1% |
| Indianapolis, IN105 miles | $12,300 – $24,700 | $18,500 | +5% |
| Lexington, KY120 miles | $11,000 – $22,100 | $16,600 | −6% |
| Ohio (statewide) | $12,000 – $24,100 | $18,100 | +3% |
| United States | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | +3% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Dayton ranks #133 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Dayton is 3% below the Ohio figure.
Elsewhere in Ohio
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OH | 1,105,580 jobs | $12,700 – $25,500 | $19,100 | +9% |
| Cincinnati, OH | 1,101,030 jobs | $11,900 – $23,900 | $17,900 | +2% |
| Cleveland, OH | 1,031,130 jobs | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | +3% |
| Akron, OH | 319,560 jobs | $12,100 – $24,300 | $18,200 | +4% |
| Toledo, OH | 291,530 jobs | $11,900 – $23,800 | $17,900 | +2% |
| Canton, OH | 163,080 jobs | $11,600 – $23,200 | $17,400 | −1% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Dayton against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown, PA | 377,180 jobs | $12,000 – $24,100 | $18,100 | +3% |
| Greensboro, NC | 365,410 jobs | $10,700 – $21,400 | $16,000 | −9% |
| Tucson, AZ | 389,630 jobs | $10,700 – $21,500 | $16,100 | −8% |
| Little Rock, AR | 358,210 jobs | $10,200 – $20,500 | $15,400 | −12% |
Pick a size, pick a tier: composite deck pricing in Dayton
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Dayton. 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
$11,700 to $16,400
Entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape
Standard
$15,200 to $19,900
Mid-grade capped boards with railing and stairs
Premium
$18,800 to $23,500
Premium capped or PVC boards, multi-level, hidden fasteners
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $4,700 – $6,600 | $6,150 – $8,050 | $7,550 – $9,450 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $5,650 – $7,900 | $7,350 – $9,650 | $9,050 – $11,300 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $12,500 – $17,500 | $16,200 – $21,300 | $20,000 – $25,000 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $15,600 – $21,800 | $20,300 – $26,500 | $25,000 – $31,200 |
Dayton weather and the composite deck calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Dayton Mcd (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 Dayton are March through November: 9 of 12. Outside them, January, February and December have an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January, February 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.
Dayton gets about 42 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 12 inches of snow. The wettest months are April, May and June (4.5 inches in April). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 3.0 and 3.0 inches. The station averages about 39 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 | 36 | 20 | 3.2 | Cold |
| Feb | 40 | 23 | 2.4 | Cold |
| Mar | 51 | 31 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Apr | 64 | 41 | 4.5 | Workable |
| May | 75 | 53 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 84 | 62 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Jul | 87 | 66 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Aug | 86 | 64 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Sep | 79 | 56 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 66 | 44 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Nov | 52 | 33 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Dec | 41 | 26 | 3.1 | Cold |
Composite deck: what moves the price in Dayton
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).
What local crews earn in Dayton
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 Dayton the blend is 1.00.
Carpenters (47-2031), 80% of the weighting: a median of $28.04 an hour, 4% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.03 and $31.60 an hour. About 950 work in the metro. That is 25.5 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 20%) the local median is $25.48 an hour, which is 12% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.00 and $35.00 an hour. BLS counts 1,390 of them working in the area, 37.3 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 $1,050 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $1,500. That is a swing of roughly 8.5% to 6.0% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek has 372,660 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 70th 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% | $23.03 | $28.04 | $31.60 | $29.12 | 0.96 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $22.00 | $25.48 | $35.00 | $22.66 | 1.12 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.00 | |||||
Optional extras in Dayton
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.97 for Dayton, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.00) and goods price index (0.94). 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 |
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 $15,200 to $19,900 for Dayton, OH is attached.
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Multi-page report for Dayton, OH: 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 Dayton: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a composite deck in Dayton?
For 300 sq ft, expect $11,700 to $23,500 in the Dayton area. A standard-spec job lands at $15,200 to $19,900. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for composite deck in Dayton?
About $39 to $77.50 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 Dayton or Cincinnati?
Cincinnati is 55 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $17,900, which is 2% more than Dayton ($17,600). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Dayton?
About 61% at the midpoint, or $10,700 out of $17,600. Materials are 38% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Dayton?
$12,500 to $25,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does composite deck need a permit in Dayton?
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 Dayton area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Dayton expensive for composite deck compared with the rest of Ohio?
Dayton is 3% below the Ohio statewide estimate ($18,100 at the midpoint). We cover 8 metros in Ohio; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Dayton?
The BLS median is $28.04 an hour in the Dayton area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.03 to $31.60.
+What do basic and premium composite deck work cost in Dayton?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $11,700 to $16,400 and premium work $18,800 to $23,500. 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 Dayton?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through November. September 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 Dayton?
$1,750 to $5,200 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Composite deck near Dayton
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