Composite deck cost in Allentown, PA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $12,000 – $24,100
- Per sq ft
- $40 – $80
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- Level
- US $18,100
- Rank of 300 metros
- #103
- 1 = most expensive
Allentown homeowners pay roughly $12,000 to $24,100 to build a composite deck at 300 sq ft, or $40 to $80 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Allentown is almost level. Carpenters earn a median of $28.63 an hour in the Allentown area, 2% below the US median of $29.12.
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 Allentown, PA, standard level
$15,700 to $20,500
About $52 to $68 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 59% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $6,300 | $8,200 |
| Labor | $9,300 | $12,200 |
| Permits and fees | $80 | $120 |
| Total | $15,700 | $20,500 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Allentown, PA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,850 | $7,250 | $9,650 | 40% |
| Labor | $7,150 | $10,800 | $14,300 | 59% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $100 | $150 | 1% |
| Total | $12,000 | $18,100 | $24,100 | 100% |
Where the Allentown price comes from
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 80% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $28.63 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Allentown is 1.00 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 59% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Allentown metro is 100.6 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 300 sq ft comes to $7,250, compared with $7,200 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (100.0) and land at $50 to $150.
Related projects, priced for Allentown
Because every project leans on different trades, Allentown's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, concrete patio runs +4% and wood deck level.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,550 – $15,200 | level |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,300 – $4,150 | +4% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,050 – $5,550 | +2% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,300 – $4,300 | +2% |
Allentown against nearby metros and the rest of Pennsylvania
Of the five closest metros, 2 are cheaper than Allentown. Reading is the lowest at about $17,400 (midpoint, 300 sq ft), 40 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown, PAthis page | $12,000 – $24,100 | $18,100 | |
| Reading, PA40 miles | $11,600 – $23,200 | $17,400 | −4% |
| Scranton, PA45 miles | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | level |
| Trenton, NJ50 miles | $13,300 – $26,600 | $20,000 | +10% |
| Philadelphia, PA60 miles | $12,300 – $24,600 | $18,400 | +2% |
| Lancaster, PA70 miles | $11,700 – $23,400 | $17,500 | −3% |
| Pennsylvania (statewide) | $12,000 – $24,000 | $18,000 | −1% |
| United States | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | level |
Across 300 US metros, Allentown comes in at #103 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $25,200; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $13,500 (midpoints, 300 sq ft). Statewide, Allentown is 1% above the Pennsylvania figure.
Other Pennsylvania metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA | 2,897,830 jobs | $12,300 – $24,600 | $18,400 | +2% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 1,114,490 jobs | $12,200 – $24,500 | $18,400 | +2% |
| Harrisburg, PA | 335,010 jobs | $11,900 – $23,800 | $17,900 | −1% |
| Scranton, PA | 255,620 jobs | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | level |
| Lancaster, PA | 252,230 jobs | $11,700 – $23,400 | $17,500 | −3% |
| York, PA | 183,590 jobs | $12,200 – $24,500 | $18,300 | +1% |
Cities with a workforce like Allentown's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Allentown against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tucson, AZ | 389,630 jobs | $10,700 – $21,500 | $16,100 | −11% |
| Dayton, OH | 372,660 jobs | $11,700 – $23,500 | $17,600 | −3% |
| Boise, ID | 391,790 jobs | $11,000 – $22,000 | $16,500 | −9% |
| Greensboro, NC | 365,410 jobs | $10,700 – $21,400 | $16,000 | −12% |
Extras that change the Allentown total
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Allentown by the average of the local wage index (1.00) and goods index (1.01), a factor of 1.00. 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 – $5,400 |
Cost by quality level and size in Allentown
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Allentown 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
$12,000 to $16,900
Entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape
Standard
$15,700 to $20,500
Mid-grade capped boards with railing and stairs
Premium
$19,300 to $24,100
Premium capped or PVC boards, multi-level, hidden fasteners
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $4,850 – $6,800 | $6,300 – $8,300 | $7,800 – $9,750 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $5,800 – $8,150 | $7,550 – $9,900 | $9,300 – $11,700 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $12,800 – $18,000 | $16,700 – $21,900 | $20,600 – $25,700 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $16,000 – $22,500 | $20,900 – $27,300 | $25,700 – $32,100 |
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 Allentown is 1.00 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 80%) the local median is $28.63 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.31 and $32.64 an hour. BLS counts 1,390 of them working in the area, 36.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is about average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 20% of the weighting: a median of $23.70 an hour, 5% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.27 and $30.00 an hour. About 1,670 work in the metro. That is 44.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($32.64 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $1,200. At the 25th percentile ($23.31) it shrinks by about $1,600. The total moves by 6.6% or 8.7%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 377,180 jobs in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton area. That makes it the 69th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.24% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 80% | $23.31 | $28.63 | $32.64 | $29.12 | 0.98 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $22.27 | $23.70 | $30.00 | $22.66 | 1.05 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.00 | |||||
Why two Allentown quotes can differ
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 to schedule composite deck in Allentown
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Allentown Intl Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
March through November is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Allentown (9 of 12 months). 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.
Allentown gets about 47 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 33 inches of snow. The wettest months are July, August and September (5.3 inches in July). Inside the workable window, March and November are the driest, at 3.6 and 3.2 inches. 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 | 38 | 22 | 3.3 | Cold |
| Feb | 42 | 23 | 2.8 | Cold |
| Mar | 51 | 31 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Apr | 63 | 40 | 3.7 | Workable |
| May | 74 | 51 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Jun | 82 | 60 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Jul | 86 | 65 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Aug | 84 | 63 | 4.6 | Workable |
| Sep | 77 | 55 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Oct | 66 | 44 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Nov | 54 | 34 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 43 | 27 | 3.9 | Cold |
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 $15,700 to $20,500 for Allentown, PA is attached.
Take this estimate with you: PDF report, $9
Multi-page report for Allentown, PA: 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 Allentown: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a composite deck in Allentown?
For 300 sq ft, expect $12,000 to $24,100 in the Allentown area. A standard-spec job lands at $15,700 to $20,500. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for composite deck in Allentown?
About $40 to $80 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $50 to $150 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $40 to $80.
+Is composite deck cheaper in Allentown or Reading?
Reading is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $17,400, which is 4% less than Allentown ($18,100). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Allentown?
About 59% at the midpoint, or $10,800 out of $18,100. Materials are 40% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Allentown?
$12,800 to $25,700. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does composite deck need a permit in Allentown?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $50 to $150 for fees in the Allentown area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Allentown expensive for composite deck compared with the rest of Pennsylvania?
Allentown is 1% above the Pennsylvania statewide estimate ($18,000 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Pennsylvania; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Allentown?
The BLS median is $28.63 an hour in the Allentown area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.31 to $32.64.
+What do basic and premium composite deck work cost in Allentown?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $12,000 to $16,900 and premium work $19,300 to $24,100. 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 Allentown?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through November. March and November 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 Allentown?
$1,800 to $5,400 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Composite deck near Allentown
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