Composite deck cost in Scranton, PA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $12,100 – $24,200
- Per sq ft
- $40 – $80
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- Level
- US $18,100
- Rank of 300 metros
- #100
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to build a composite deck in Scranton, plan on $12,100 to $24,200 for 300 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $40 to $80 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint lands close to the national one. Building materials run about 1% above the US average here (BEA goods price index 100.7).
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Scranton, PA, standard level
$15,700 to $20,600
About $52 to $68 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 60% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $6,300 | $8,200 |
| Labor | $9,350 | $12,200 |
| Permits and fees | $75 | $110 |
| Total | $15,700 | $20,600 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Scranton, PA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,850 | $7,250 | $9,650 | 40% |
| Labor | $7,200 | $10,800 | $14,400 | 60% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $95 | $140 | 1% |
| Total | $12,100 | $18,100 | $24,200 | 100% |
Why Scranton 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 $28.96 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Scranton is 1.00 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 60% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Scranton 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 (93.6) and land at $45 to $140.
Is Scranton cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (300 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Binghamton is the priciest of the group at $18,400. Reading is the cheapest at $17,400.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scranton, PAthis page | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | |
| Allentown, PA45 miles | $12,000 – $24,100 | $18,100 | level |
| Binghamton, NY60 miles | $12,300 – $24,600 | $18,400 | +2% |
| Reading, PA65 miles | $11,600 – $23,200 | $17,400 | −4% |
| Lancaster, PA90 miles | $11,700 – $23,400 | $17,500 | −3% |
| Harrisburg, PA90 miles | $11,900 – $23,800 | $17,900 | −2% |
| Pennsylvania (statewide) | $12,000 – $24,000 | $18,000 | −1% |
| United States | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | level |
Across 300 US metros, Scranton comes in at #100 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $25,200; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $13,500 (midpoints, 300 sq ft). Statewide, Scranton 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 | +1% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 1,114,490 jobs | $12,200 – $24,500 | $18,400 | +1% |
| Allentown, PA | 377,180 jobs | $12,000 – $24,100 | $18,100 | level |
| Harrisburg, PA | 335,010 jobs | $11,900 – $23,800 | $17,900 | −2% |
| 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 Scranton's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Scranton against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spokane, WA | 255,820 jobs | $12,500 – $25,100 | $18,800 | +4% |
| Lancaster, PA | 252,230 jobs | $11,700 – $23,400 | $17,500 | −3% |
| Lakeland, FL | 265,280 jobs | $10,200 – $20,500 | $15,400 | −15% |
| Palm Bay, FL | 245,170 jobs | $10,600 – $21,200 | $15,900 | −12% |
Climate in Scranton: timing your composite deck job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Wilkes-Barre 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 Scranton (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.
Scranton gets about 39 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 45 inches of snow. The wettest months are June, August and September (4.2 inches in September). Inside the workable window, March and November are the driest, at 2.8 and 2.9 inches. The station averages about 12 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 | 36 | 20 | 2.6 | Cold |
| Feb | 39 | 22 | 2.1 | Cold |
| Mar | 48 | 29 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Apr | 61 | 39 | 3.3 | Workable |
| May | 72 | 50 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 80 | 58 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Jul | 85 | 63 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Aug | 82 | 61 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Sep | 75 | 54 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 63 | 43 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Nov | 51 | 34 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Dec | 40 | 26 | 2.8 | Cold |
Add-ons priced for Scranton
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Scranton 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 |
Composite deck: what moves the price in Scranton
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.
Pick a size, pick a tier: composite deck pricing in Scranton
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Scranton 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
$12,100 to $16,900
Entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape
Standard
$15,700 to $20,600
Mid-grade capped boards with railing and stairs
Premium
$19,400 to $24,200
Premium capped or PVC boards, multi-level, hidden fasteners
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $4,850 – $6,800 | $6,350 – $8,300 | $7,800 – $9,750 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $5,800 – $8,150 | $7,600 – $9,950 | $9,350 – $11,700 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $12,900 – $18,100 | $16,800 – $21,900 | $20,600 – $25,800 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $16,100 – $22,600 | $20,900 – $27,400 | $25,800 – $32,200 |
Scranton labor market for composite deck
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 Scranton is 1.00 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 80%) the local median is $28.96 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.00 and $35.74 an hour. BLS counts 1,070 of them working in the area, 41.9 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 $23.22 an hour, in line with the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $19.53 and $28.89 an hour. About 1,450 work in the metro. That is 56.7 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 ($35.74 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $2,000. At the 25th percentile ($23.00) it shrinks by about $1,750. The total moves by 11.1% or 9.7%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 255,620 jobs in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre area. That makes it the 102nd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.16% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 80% | $23.00 | $28.96 | $35.74 | $29.12 | 0.99 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $19.53 | $23.22 | $28.89 | $22.66 | 1.02 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.00 | |||||
What nearby projects cost in Scranton
Because every project leans on different trades, Scranton's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, paver patio runs +2% and gutters level.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,600 – $15,200 | level |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,250 – $4,000 | level |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,100 – $5,550 | +2% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,300 – $4,200 | level |
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 $20,600 for Scranton, PA is attached.
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Multi-page report for Scranton, 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 Scranton: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a composite deck in Scranton?
For 300 sq ft, expect $12,100 to $24,200 in the Scranton area. A standard-spec job lands at $15,700 to $20,600. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for composite deck in Scranton?
About $40 to $80 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 Scranton or Allentown?
Allentown is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $18,100, which is 0% less than Scranton ($18,100). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Scranton?
About 60% 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 Scranton?
$12,900 to $25,800. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does composite deck need a permit in Scranton?
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 Scranton area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Scranton expensive for composite deck compared with the rest of Pennsylvania?
Scranton 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 Scranton?
The BLS median is $28.96 an hour in the Scranton area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.00 to $35.74.
+What do basic and premium composite deck work cost in Scranton?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $12,100 to $16,900 and premium work $19,400 to $24,200. 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 Scranton?
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 Scranton?
$1,800 to $5,400 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Composite deck near Scranton
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