Composite deck cost in Altoona, PA
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 – $78
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −3%
- US $18,100
- Rank of 300 metros
- #131
- 1 = most expensive
Altoona homeowners pay roughly $11,700 to $23,500 to build a composite deck at 300 sq ft, or $39 to $78 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Altoona is almost level. Carpenters earn a median of $27.58 an hour in the Altoona area, 5% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Altoona, PA, standard level
$15,300 to $20,000
About $50.50 to $66 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 58% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $6,300 | $8,200 |
| Labor | $8,900 | $11,700 |
| Permits and fees | $70 | $110 |
| Total | $15,300 | $20,000 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Altoona, PA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,850 | $7,250 | $9,650 | 41% |
| Labor | $6,850 | $10,300 | $13,700 | 58% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $90 | $130 | 1% |
| Total | $11,700 | $17,600 | $23,500 | 100% |
What is behind the Altoona number
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: carpenters at 80%, construction laborers at 20%. Weighted together, Altoona wages are 0.95 times the national level. Labor makes up about 58% of the midpoint estimate (60% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Altoona metro is 100.7 (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 (89.5) and land at $45 to $130.
How Altoona compares
Same job, same size (300 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Pittsburgh is the priciest of the group at $18,400. Chambersburg is the cheapest at $16,400.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Altoona, PAthis page | $11,700 – $23,500 | $17,600 | |
| State College, PA35 miles | $11,800 – $23,700 | $17,700 | +1% |
| Chambersburg, PA50 miles | $10,900 – $21,900 | $16,400 | −7% |
| Harrisburg, PA65 miles | $11,900 – $23,800 | $17,900 | +1% |
| Hagerstown, MD65 miles | $11,400 – $22,800 | $17,100 | −3% |
| Pittsburgh, PA80 miles | $12,200 – $24,500 | $18,400 | +4% |
| Pennsylvania (statewide) | $12,000 – $24,000 | $18,000 | +2% |
| United States | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | +3% |
Across 300 US metros, Altoona comes in at #131 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $25,200; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $13,500 (midpoints, 300 sq ft). Statewide, Altoona is 2% below the Pennsylvania figure.
Other Pennsylvania metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA | 2,897,830 jobs | $12,300 – $24,600 | $18,400 | +4% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 1,114,490 jobs | $12,200 – $24,500 | $18,400 | +4% |
| Allentown, PA | 377,180 jobs | $12,000 – $24,100 | $18,100 | +3% |
| Harrisburg, PA | 335,010 jobs | $11,900 – $23,800 | $17,900 | +1% |
| Scranton, PA | 255,620 jobs | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | +3% |
| Lancaster, PA | 252,230 jobs | $11,700 – $23,400 | $17,500 | −1% |
Cities with a workforce like Altoona's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Altoona against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingston, NY | 59,140 jobs | $12,200 – $24,400 | $18,300 | +4% |
| Dubuque, IA | 58,470 jobs | $11,700 – $23,500 | $17,600 | level |
| Niles, MI | 59,970 jobs | $11,200 – $22,400 | $16,800 | −5% |
| Albany, GA | 58,390 jobs | $9,400 – $18,900 | $14,100 | −20% |
What nearby projects cost in Altoona
Because every project leans on different trades, Altoona's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, paver patio runs +7% and concrete patio −4%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,400 – $14,900 | −2% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,200 – $3,800 | −4% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,200 – $5,800 | +7% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,250 – $4,050 | −3% |
When to schedule composite deck in Altoona
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Altoona 3 W (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 Altoona (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.
Altoona gets about 45 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 38 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and September (4.4 inches in May). Inside the workable window, March and November are the driest, at 3.5 and 3.6 inches. The station averages about 6 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 | 34 | 19 | 2.9 | Cold |
| Feb | 37 | 20 | 2.6 | Cold |
| Mar | 46 | 28 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Apr | 60 | 39 | 3.8 | Workable |
| May | 70 | 49 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 77 | 57 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 81 | 61 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Aug | 80 | 60 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Sep | 73 | 53 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Oct | 61 | 42 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 49 | 33 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Dec | 38 | 24 | 3.4 | Cold |
Extras that change the Altoona total
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Altoona by the average of the local wage index (0.95) and goods index (1.01), a factor of 0.98. 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) | $1,750 – $5,300 |
Specs and site conditions that change a Altoona bid
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.
Pick a size, pick a tier: composite deck pricing in Altoona
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Altoona 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
$11,700 to $16,400
Entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape
Standard
$15,300 to $20,000
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 – $6,650 | $6,150 – $8,050 | $7,600 – $9,500 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $5,650 – $7,950 | $7,350 – $9,650 | $9,050 – $11,400 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $12,500 – $17,500 | $16,300 – $21,300 | $20,000 – $25,100 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $15,600 – $21,900 | $20,300 – $26,600 | $25,000 – $31,300 |
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 Altoona is 0.95 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 80%) the local median is $27.58 an hour, which is 5% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $22.09 and $36.73 an hour. BLS counts 360 of them working in the area, 61.4 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 $22.03 an hour, in line with the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.45 and $24.02 an hour. About 350 work in the metro. That is 59.7 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 ($36.73 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $2,700. At the 25th percentile ($22.09) it shrinks by about $1,650. The total moves by 15.4% or 9.2%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 58,650 jobs in the Altoona area. That makes it the 291st largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.04% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 80% | $22.09 | $27.58 | $36.73 | $29.12 | 0.95 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $18.45 | $22.03 | $24.02 | $22.66 | 0.97 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.95 | |||||
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Composite deck in Altoona: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a composite deck in Altoona?
For 300 sq ft, expect $11,700 to $23,500 in the Altoona area. A standard-spec job lands at $15,300 to $20,000. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for composite deck in Altoona?
About $39 to $78 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $45 to $130 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $40 to $80.
+Is composite deck cheaper in Altoona or State College?
State College is 35 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $17,700, which is 1% more than Altoona ($17,600). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Altoona?
About 58% at the midpoint, or $10,300 out of $17,600. Materials are 41% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Altoona?
$12,500 to $25,100. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does composite deck need a permit in Altoona?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $45 to $130 for fees in the Altoona area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Altoona expensive for composite deck compared with the rest of Pennsylvania?
Altoona is 2% below 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 Altoona?
The BLS median is $27.58 an hour in the Altoona area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.09 to $36.73.
+What do basic and premium composite deck work cost in Altoona?
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 Altoona?
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 Altoona?
$1,750 to $5,300 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Composite deck near Altoona
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