Composite deck cost in Pennsylvania
Statewide estimate from BLS wages and BEA prices. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Statewide range (300 sq ft)
- $12,000 – $24,000
- Per sq ft
- $39.50 – $79.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −1%
- US $18,100
- Metros covered
- 12
Pennsylvania prices for composite deck: $12,000 to $24,000 for 300 sq ft, or $39.50 to $79.50 per sq ft without the permit. The state midpoint is 1% below the national one. Local wages for carpenters are $28.54 an hour.
Inside Pennsylvania, the metros we cover range from $16,400 (Chambersburg) to $18,400 (Philadelphia) at the midpoint. Pick your closest city in the table for a tighter number.
Estimate your composite deck cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Pennsylvania (statewide), standard level
$15,600 to $20,400
About $51.50 to $67.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 60% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $6,200 | $8,100 |
| Labor | $9,300 | $12,200 |
| Permits and fees | $80 | $120 |
| Total | $15,600 | $20,400 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Pennsylvania
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,750 | $7,150 | $9,550 | 40% |
| Labor | $7,150 | $10,700 | $14,300 | 60% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $100 | $150 | 1% |
| Total | $12,000 | $18,000 | $24,000 | 100% |
Pennsylvania metro-by-metro prices
5 of the 12 metros sit above the statewide midpoint of $18,000, and the top-to-bottom gap is 12%. Each row prices the default size with that metro's own BLS wages and BEA price levels, so the gap between rows is real local variation rather than a flat markup.
| Metro | Range (300 sq ft) | Midpoint | vs. state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA | $12,300 – $24,600 | $18,400 | +2% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $12,200 – $24,500 | $18,400 | +2% |
| York, PA | $12,200 – $24,500 | $18,300 | +2% |
| Scranton, PA | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | +1% |
| Allentown, PA | $12,000 – $24,100 | $18,100 | +1% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $11,900 – $23,800 | $17,900 | −1% |
| State College, PA | $11,800 – $23,700 | $17,700 | −1% |
| Altoona, PA | $11,700 – $23,500 | $17,600 | −2% |
| Erie, PA | $11,700 – $23,500 | $17,600 | −2% |
| Lancaster, PA | $11,700 – $23,400 | $17,500 | −3% |
| Reading, PA | $11,600 – $23,200 | $17,400 | −3% |
| Chambersburg, PA | $10,900 – $21,900 | $16,400 | −9% |
Composite deck: what moves the price in Pennsylvania
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.
Engineering
Large or complex decks may need a structural engineer at $100-$220 an hour to get a permit.
When Pennsylvania weather lets you build
Season matters for composite deck. For each Pennsylvania metro below we took NOAA's 1991-2020 monthly normals from the nearest suitable station and counted comfortable months for exterior installation.
Philadelphia has the longest comfortable season of the metros we cover in Pennsylvania at 11 months (February through December); Erie has the shortest at 8 (April through November). Rainfall runs from 39 inches a year in Scranton to 47 inches in Allentown.
We do not adjust prices by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. Timing is still worth raising when you collect bids.
| Metro | Jan avg low °F | Jul avg high °F | Precip (in/yr) | Comfortable months |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | 27 | 88 | 45 | 11: February through December |
| Pittsburgh | 22 | 83 | 41 | 9: March through November |
| Allentown | 22 | 86 | 47 | 9: March through November |
| Harrisburg | 22 | 85 | 45 | 9: March through November |
| Scranton | 20 | 85 | 39 | 9: March through November |
| Lancaster | 22 | 87 | 44 | 9: March through November |
| York | 21 | 88 | 46 | 11: February through December |
| Reading | 23 | 87 | 45 | 9: March through November |
| Erie | 21 | 81 | 43 | 8: April through November |
| State College | 21 | 81 | 42 | 9: March through November |
| Chambersburg | 23 | 85 | 44 | 9: March through November |
| Altoona | 19 | 81 | 45 | 9: March through November |
How Pennsylvania compares with nearby states
Pennsylvania ranks 25 of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) for composite deck, where 1 is the most expensive. The costliest is Hawaii at $23,800 and the cheapest Oklahoma at $15,300, both for 300 sq ft at the midpoint. Pennsylvania sits at $18,000. The five states closest by workforce center are listed below.
| State | Distance | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | 70 miles away | $12,400 – $24,800 | $18,600 | +4% |
| Delaware | 100 miles away | $11,700 – $23,400 | $17,600 | −2% |
| New Jersey | 100 miles away | $13,200 – $26,500 | $19,900 | +11% |
| District of Columbia | 110 miles away | $12,600 – $25,200 | $18,900 | +5% |
| New York | 140 miles away | $13,800 – $27,600 | $20,700 | +15% |
Quality levels and sizes in Pennsylvania
The cited range is cut into three overlapping bands (basic, standard and premium) and scaled to statewide Pennsylvania wages and prices. The grid prices the same bands at 4 common sizes.
Basic
$12,000 to $16,800
Entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape
Standard
$15,600 to $20,400
Mid-grade capped boards with railing and stairs
Premium
$19,200 to $24,000
Premium capped or PVC boards, multi-level, hidden fasteners
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $4,800 – $6,750 | $6,300 – $8,250 | $7,750 – $9,700 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $5,750 – $8,100 | $7,500 – $9,850 | $9,250 – $11,600 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $12,800 – $17,900 | $16,600 – $21,700 | $20,500 – $25,600 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $15,900 – $22,300 | $20,700 – $27,100 | $25,500 – $31,900 |
Wages behind the Pennsylvania number
Statewide wages come from BLS's state-level estimates, which blend big cities with small towns and rural areas. 2 trades drive the labor line for this job, and the weighted ratio against the national wage level is 0.99 for Pennsylvania.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 80%) the local median is $28.54 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.01 and $35.92 an hour. BLS counts 30,630 of them working in the state, 50.5 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 $23.75 an hour, 5% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.69 and $29.72 an hour. About 35,920 work in the state. That is 59.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
A crew paid at the 75th percentile for carpenters ($35.92 an hour) would add about $2,200 to the statewide midpoint; one at the 25th percentile ($23.01) would take off about $1,650. Use that as a rough guide to how far a bid can sit from our midpoint on wages alone.
BLS counts 6,064,600 jobs across Pennsylvania (May 2025), which is 3.9% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 80% | $23.01 | $28.54 | $35.92 | $29.12 | 0.98 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $21.69 | $23.75 | $29.72 | $22.66 | 1.05 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 0.99 | |||||
Other Pennsylvania jobs that often go with composite deck
The table prices neighboring jobs at their usual sizes using statewide Pennsylvania wages and prices. Against national midpoints, paver patio comes out highest (+3%) and wood deck lowest (−1%), because each job leans on different trades.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,500 – $15,100 | −1% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,250 – $4,100 | +2% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,100 – $5,650 | +3% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,300 – $4,200 | level |
Add-ons priced for Pennsylvania
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Pennsylvania by the average of the local wage index (0.99) and goods index (0.99), a factor of 0.99. 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) | $1,800 – $5,350 |
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 $15,600 to $20,400 for Pennsylvania is attached.
Take this estimate with you: PDF report, $9
The report lays out the composite deck numbers for Pennsylvania line by line, with the local wage and price inputs, permit and timing notes, a quote comparison sheet and the full method. 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 Pennsylvania: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a composite deck in Pennsylvania?
$12,000 to $24,000 for 300 sq ft, using statewide wages and prices. Metro areas inside Pennsylvania can sit above or below that.
+Which city in Pennsylvania is cheapest for composite deck?
Chambersburg at about $16,400 (midpoint, 300 sq ft). The priciest is Philadelphia at $18,400.
+Is composite deck cheaper in Pennsylvania than the US average?
It is 1% cheaper: $18,000 against $18,100 for 300 sq ft at the midpoint.
+What share of the price is labor in Pennsylvania?
About 60% ($10,700). Materials are 40%. Statewide labor for this job is weighted 0.99x the national wage level.
+What do carpenters earn in Pennsylvania?
The BLS statewide median is $28.54 an hour, against $29.12 for the US. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.01 to $35.92.
+Where does Pennsylvania rank for composite deck costs?
25th most expensive of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) at the midpoint, $18,000 for 300 sq ft. Rank 1 is the costliest.
+What do basic and premium composite deck work cost in Pennsylvania?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $12,000 to $16,800 and premium work $19,200 to $24,000. Basic means: entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape. Premium means: premium capped or PVC boards, multi-level, hidden fasteners.
+Does the season matter for composite deck in Pennsylvania?
Yes where winters or summers are hard. Of the Pennsylvania metros we cover, Philadelphia has the most comfortable months (11 of 12) based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals. Our prices do not change by month, so ask contractors whether they charge more or less in busy and slow seasons.
+What does "add a deck railing" add in Pennsylvania?
$1,800 to $5,350 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the statewide wage and goods indexes.
Composite deck by city in Pennsylvania
- Philadelphia, PA$18,400 midpoint
- Pittsburgh, PA$18,400 midpoint
- York, PA$18,300 midpoint
- Scranton, PA$18,100 midpoint
- Allentown, PA$18,100 midpoint
- Harrisburg, PA$17,900 midpoint
- State College, PA$17,700 midpoint
- Altoona, PA$17,600 midpoint
- Erie, PA$17,600 midpoint
- Lancaster, PA$17,500 midpoint
- Reading, PA$17,400 midpoint
- Chambersburg, PA$16,400 midpoint
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