Composite deck cost in Salem, OR
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $12,400 – $24,900
- Per sq ft
- $41.50 – $82.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +3%
- US $18,100
- Rank of 300 metros
- #63
- 1 = most expensive
Salem homeowners pay roughly $12,400 to $24,900 to build a composite deck at 300 sq ft, or $41.50 to $82.50 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Salem is 3% higher. Building materials run about 5% above the US average here (BEA goods price index 105.3).
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Salem, OR, standard level
$16,200 to $21,200
About $53.50 to $70 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 59% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $6,550 | $8,600 |
| Labor | $9,550 | $12,500 |
| Permits and fees | $85 | $120 |
| Total | $16,200 | $21,200 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Salem, OR
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,050 | $7,600 | $10,100 | 41% |
| Labor | $7,350 | $11,000 | $14,700 | 59% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $100 | $160 | 1% |
| Total | $12,400 | $18,700 | $24,900 | 100% |
Why Salem prices look the way they do
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 80% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $28.71 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Salem is 1.02 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 59% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Salem metro is 105.3 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 300 sq ft comes to $7,600, compared with $7,200 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (103.6) and land at $50 to $160.
When to schedule composite deck in Salem
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Salem Mcnary Fld (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
Weather is not a serious constraint for exterior installation in Salem: no month in the averages is cold enough (an average daytime high under 45°F) or hot enough (an average daytime high of 90°F or more) to rule it out, so the workable window is all year.
Salem gets about 40 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, November and December (7.0 inches in December). The station averages about 18 days a year at 90°F or above.
Does the season change the price? Probably, but we do not have a sourced seasonal price curve, so the estimator shows a year-round figure and does not adjust by month. When you collect quotes, ask whether scheduling in a slower month gets a better rate.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 48 | 36 | 6.1 | Workable |
| Feb | 52 | 36 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Mar | 57 | 38 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Apr | 62 | 41 | 3.1 | Workable |
| May | 69 | 46 | 2.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 75 | 51 | 1.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 84 | 55 | 0.3 | Workable |
| Aug | 84 | 55 | 0.4 | Workable |
| Sep | 78 | 51 | 1.5 | Workable |
| Oct | 65 | 44 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Nov | 54 | 39 | 6.0 | Workable |
| Dec | 47 | 35 | 7.0 | Workable |
How Salem compares
Of the five closest metros, none is cheaper than Salem. Eugene comes closest at about $18,800.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salem, ORthis page | $12,400 – $24,900 | $18,700 | |
| Portland, OR50 miles | $13,800 – $27,600 | $20,700 | +11% |
| Eugene, OR65 miles | $12,500 – $25,100 | $18,800 | level |
| Bend, OR110 miles | $12,600 – $25,200 | $18,900 | +1% |
| Olympia, WA140 miles | $12,700 – $25,500 | $19,100 | +2% |
| Yakima, WA150 miles | $12,600 – $25,200 | $18,900 | +1% |
| Oregon (statewide) | $12,600 – $25,300 | $19,000 | +2% |
| United States | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | −3% |
Across 300 US metros, Salem comes in at #63 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $25,200; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $13,500 (midpoints, 300 sq ft). Statewide, Salem is 1% below the Oregon figure.
Other Oregon metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland, OR | 1,208,410 jobs | $13,800 – $27,600 | $20,700 | +11% |
| Eugene, OR | 157,710 jobs | $12,500 – $25,100 | $18,800 | level |
| Bend, OR | 108,240 jobs | $12,600 – $25,200 | $18,900 | +1% |
| Medford, OR | 89,060 jobs | $12,100 – $24,300 | $18,200 | −3% |
Cities with a workforce like Salem's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Salem against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pensacola, FL | 190,480 jobs | $10,500 – $21,100 | $15,800 | −15% |
| Salinas, CA | 186,430 jobs | $13,400 – $26,900 | $20,100 | +8% |
| Wilmington, NC | 191,280 jobs | $10,900 – $21,900 | $16,400 | −12% |
| Tallahassee, FL | 186,160 jobs | $10,300 – $20,700 | $15,500 | −17% |
Salem: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Salem wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 4 common sizes.
Basic
$12,400 to $17,400
Entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape
Standard
$16,200 to $21,200
Mid-grade capped boards with railing and stairs
Premium
$19,900 to $24,900
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 – $8,400 | $7,800 – $10,200 | $9,650 – $12,100 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $13,300 – $18,600 | $17,300 – $22,600 | $21,300 – $26,600 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $16,600 – $23,200 | $21,600 – $28,200 | $26,600 – $33,200 |
Local wages behind the labor line
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 2 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Salem is 1.02 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 80%) the local median is $28.71 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.19 and $36.75 an hour. BLS counts 1,720 of them working in the area, 91.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 20% of the weighting: a median of $26.20 an hour, 16% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.67 and $29.27 an hour. About 1,690 work in the metro. That is 89.6 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($36.75 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $2,400. At the 25th percentile ($23.19) it shrinks by about $1,650. The total moves by 12.8% or 8.8%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 188,620 jobs in the Salem area. That makes it the 122nd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.12% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 80% | $23.19 | $28.71 | $36.75 | $29.12 | 0.99 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $22.67 | $26.20 | $29.27 | $22.66 | 1.16 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.02 | |||||
Optional extras in Salem
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Salem by the average of the local wage index (1.02) and goods index (1.05), a factor of 1.04. 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 a deck railing (approx. 0.3 ft per sq ft) | $1,850 – $5,600 |
Specs and site conditions that change a Salem bid
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).
Labor
Labor for composite is $24-$48 per sq ft, higher than wood because the boards need extra parts and more careful assembly.
Planning more than one job in Salem?
Because every project leans on different trades, Salem's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, paver patio runs +17% and wood deck +4%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,850 – $15,700 | +4% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,350 – $4,450 | +11% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,500 – $6,400 | +17% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,350 – $4,400 | +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 $21,200 for Salem, OR is attached.
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Multi-page report for Salem, OR: 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 Salem: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a composite deck in Salem?
For 300 sq ft, expect $12,400 to $24,900 in the Salem area. A standard-spec job lands at $16,200 to $21,200. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for composite deck in Salem?
About $41.50 to $82.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $50 to $160 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $40 to $80.
+Is composite deck cheaper in Salem or Portland?
Portland is 50 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $20,700, which is 11% more than Salem ($18,700). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Salem?
About 59% at the midpoint, or $11,000 out of $18,700. Materials are 41% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Salem?
$13,300 to $26,600. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does composite deck need a permit in Salem?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $50 to $160 for fees in the Salem area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Salem expensive for composite deck compared with the rest of Oregon?
Salem is 1% below the Oregon statewide estimate ($19,000 at the midpoint). We cover 5 metros in Oregon; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Salem?
The BLS median is $28.71 an hour in the Salem area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.19 to $36.75.
+What do basic and premium composite deck work cost in Salem?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $12,400 to $17,400 and premium work $19,900 to $24,900. Basic means: entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape. Premium means: premium capped or PVC boards, multi-level, hidden fasteners.
+Is there a bad season to build a composite deck in Salem?
Not from a temperature point of view. NOAA's 1991-2020 normals show no month with a freezing-level overnight low or a 90°F-plus average high, so timing is mostly about contractor availability and rain.
+What does "add a deck railing" add in Salem?
$1,850 to $5,600 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Composite deck near Salem
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