Composite deck cost in State College, PA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $11,800 – $23,700
- Per sq ft
- $39 – $78.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −2%
- US $18,100
- Rank of 300 metros
- #123
- 1 = most expensive
A composite deck in State College, PA usually costs $11,800 to $23,700 for 300 sq ft. That works out to about $39 to $78.50 per sq ft before permits. That is within a few percent of the national midpoint, so there is little local premium or discount. Carpenters earn a median of $26.77 an hour in the State College area, 8% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in State College, PA, standard level
$15,400 to $20,100
About $51 to $66.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 59% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $6,300 | $8,200 |
| Labor | $9,000 | $11,800 |
| Permits and fees | $75 | $120 |
| Total | $15,400 | $20,100 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in State College, PA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,850 | $7,250 | $9,650 | 41% |
| Labor | $6,950 | $10,400 | $13,900 | 59% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $95 | $150 | 1% |
| Total | $11,800 | $17,700 | $23,700 | 100% |
Where the State College 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 $26.77 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for State College is 0.96 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 59% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. State College is at 100.7 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $7,200 nationally becomes $7,250 here (midpoint, 300 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 96.8: $50 to $150.
Pick a size, pick a tier: composite deck pricing in State College
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to State College. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from 10x12 (120 sq ft) to 20x20 (400 sq ft).
Basic
$11,800 to $16,600
Entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape
Standard
$15,400 to $20,100
Mid-grade capped boards with railing and stairs
Premium
$18,900 to $23,700
Premium capped or PVC boards, multi-level, hidden fasteners
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $4,750 – $6,650 | $6,200 – $8,100 | $7,650 – $9,550 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $5,700 – $8,000 | $7,400 – $9,700 | $9,150 – $11,400 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $12,600 – $17,600 | $16,400 – $21,400 | $20,200 – $25,200 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $15,700 – $22,000 | $20,500 – $26,800 | $25,200 – $31,500 |
State College weather and the composite deck calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, State College (in the city). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For exterior installation, the comfortable months in State College are March through November: 9 of 12. Outside them, 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.
State College gets about 42 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 44 inches of snow. The wettest months are June, August and September (4.2 inches in August). Inside the workable window, March and November are the driest, at 3.4 and 3.0 inches. The station averages about 6 days a year at 90°F or above.
We do not adjust the estimate by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. It is still worth asking contractors whether an off-peak start date changes their bid.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 34 | 21 | 2.9 | Cold |
| Feb | 37 | 22 | 2.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 46 | 28 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Apr | 59 | 39 | 3.5 | Workable |
| May | 69 | 50 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Jun | 77 | 59 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Jul | 81 | 63 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Aug | 79 | 62 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Sep | 72 | 54 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 61 | 43 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Nov | 49 | 34 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Dec | 38 | 26 | 3.2 | Cold |
State College against nearby metros and the rest of Pennsylvania
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 300 sq ft range from $16,400 to $18,300 across State College and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| State College, PAthis page | $11,800 – $23,700 | $17,700 | |
| Altoona, PA35 miles | $11,700 – $23,500 | $17,600 | −1% |
| Harrisburg, PA60 miles | $11,900 – $23,800 | $17,900 | +1% |
| Chambersburg, PA70 miles | $10,900 – $21,900 | $16,400 | −7% |
| York, PA90 miles | $12,200 – $24,500 | $18,300 | +3% |
| Hagerstown, MD95 miles | $11,400 – $22,800 | $17,100 | −4% |
| Pennsylvania (statewide) | $12,000 – $24,000 | $18,000 | +1% |
| United States | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | +2% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, State College ranks #123 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, State College is 1% below the Pennsylvania figure.
Elsewhere in Pennsylvania
| 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 | +2% |
| Harrisburg, PA | 335,010 jobs | $11,900 – $23,800 | $17,900 | +1% |
| Scranton, PA | 255,620 jobs | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | +2% |
| Lancaster, PA | 252,230 jobs | $11,700 – $23,400 | $17,500 | −1% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is State College against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yuma, AZ | 68,880 jobs | $10,500 – $21,100 | $15,800 | −11% |
| Traverse City, MI | 68,440 jobs | $11,700 – $23,400 | $17,500 | −1% |
| Wausau, WI | 69,530 jobs | $10,900 – $21,900 | $16,400 | −8% |
| Dover, DE | 68,080 jobs | $11,000 – $22,100 | $16,600 | −7% |
Planning more than one job in State College?
Jobs that often go together with composite deck are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same State College wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, paver patio comes out highest (+6%) and wood deck lowest (−1%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,450 – $15,000 | −1% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,300 – $4,150 | +4% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,200 – $5,750 | +6% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,300 – $4,250 | +2% |
What local crews earn in State College
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 2 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For State College the blend is 0.96.
Carpenters (47-2031), 80% of the weighting: a median of $26.77 an hour, 8% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $22.85 and $34.45 an hour. About 350 work in the metro. That is 50.8 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 20%) the local median is $25.68 an hour, which is 13% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.13 and $30.00 an hour. BLS counts 620 of them working in the area, 90.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $2,300 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $1,150. That is a swing of roughly 6.6% to 12.8% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
State College has 68,840 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 263rd by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 80% | $22.85 | $26.77 | $34.45 | $29.12 | 0.92 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $22.13 | $25.68 | $30.00 | $22.66 | 1.13 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.96 | |||||
Add-ons priced for State College
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.98 for State College, which is the average of the area's wage index (0.96) and goods price index (1.01). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add a deck railing (approx. 0.3 ft per sq ft) | $1,750 – $5,300 |
Composite deck: what moves the price in State College
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.
Board grade
Composite materials run $16-$32 per sq ft and the installed price is $40-$80 per sq ft, including the substructure (HomeGuide).
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 $15,400 to $20,100 for State College, PA is attached.
Detailed composite deck report for State College, PA, $9
The report lays out the composite deck numbers for State College, PA 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 State College: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a composite deck in State College?
For 300 sq ft, expect $11,800 to $23,700 in the State College area. A standard-spec job lands at $15,400 to $20,100. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for composite deck in State College?
About $39 to $78.50 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 State College or Altoona?
Altoona is 35 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $17,600, which is 1% less than State College ($17,700). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in State College?
About 59% at the midpoint, or $10,400 out of $17,700. Materials are 41% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in State College?
$12,600 to $25,200. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does composite deck need a permit in State College?
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 State College area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is State College expensive for composite deck compared with the rest of Pennsylvania?
State College is 1% 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 State College?
The BLS median is $26.77 an hour in the State College area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.85 to $34.45.
+What do basic and premium composite deck work cost in State College?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $11,800 to $16,600 and premium work $18,900 to $23,700. 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 State College?
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 State College?
$1,750 to $5,300 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Composite deck near State College
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