Composite deck cost in Abilene, TX
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $9,800 – $19,700
- Per sq ft
- $32.50 – $65
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −19%
- US $18,100
- Rank of 300 metros
- #292
- 1 = most expensive
A composite deck in Abilene, TX usually costs $9,800 to $19,700 for 300 sq ft. That works out to about $32.50 to $65 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $3,350 less. Carpenters earn a median of $20.69 an hour in the Abilene area, 29% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Abilene, TX, standard level
$12,800 to $16,700
About $42.50 to $55.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 54% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,850 | $7,650 |
| Labor | $6,850 | $8,950 |
| Permits and fees | $70 | $110 |
| Total | $12,800 | $16,700 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Abilene, TX
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,500 | $6,750 | $9,000 | 46% |
| Labor | $5,250 | $7,900 | $10,500 | 54% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $90 | $140 | 1% |
| Total | $9,800 | $14,700 | $19,700 | 100% |
Where the Abilene 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 $20.69 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Abilene is 0.73 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 54% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Abilene is at 93.8 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $7,200 nationally becomes $6,750 here (midpoint, 300 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 90.4: $45 to $140.
What local crews earn in Abilene
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 Abilene the blend is 0.73.
Carpenters (47-2031), 80% of the weighting: a median of $20.69 an hour, 29% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $18.00 and $23.86 an hour. About 80 work in the metro. That is 10.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 20%) the local median is $18.35 an hour, which is 19% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $16.82 and $22.01 an hour. BLS counts 570 of them working in the area, 75.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is about average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $940 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $800. That is a swing of roughly 5.4% to 6.4% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Abilene has 75,070 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 246th 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% | $18.00 | $20.69 | $23.86 | $29.12 | 0.71 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $16.82 | $18.35 | $22.01 | $22.66 | 0.81 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.73 | |||||
Is Abilene cheap or dear? The local comparison
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 $14,700 to $17,300 across Abilene and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene, TXthis page | $9,800 – $19,700 | $14,700 | |
| Midland, TX135 miles | $11,500 – $23,100 | $17,300 | +18% |
| Killeen, TX140 miles | $10,200 – $20,500 | $15,400 | +4% |
| Lubbock, TX145 miles | $9,800 – $19,700 | $14,700 | level |
| Waco, TX155 miles | $10,200 – $20,400 | $15,300 | +4% |
| Dallas, TX160 miles | $11,000 – $22,000 | $16,500 | +12% |
| Texas (statewide) | $10,600 – $21,300 | $16,000 | +9% |
| United States | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | +23% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Abilene ranks #292 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Abilene is 8% below the Texas figure.
Elsewhere in Texas
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX | 4,049,800 jobs | $11,000 – $22,000 | $16,500 | +12% |
| Houston, TX | 3,289,720 jobs | $10,900 – $21,800 | $16,300 | +11% |
| Austin, TX | 1,293,690 jobs | $10,700 – $21,400 | $16,000 | +9% |
| San Antonio, TX | 1,126,880 jobs | $10,400 – $20,900 | $15,600 | +6% |
| El Paso, TX | 339,120 jobs | $9,650 – $19,400 | $14,500 | −1% |
| McAllen, TX | 296,700 jobs | $9,550 – $19,100 | $14,300 | −3% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Abilene against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenosha, WI | 75,450 jobs | $12,400 – $24,800 | $18,600 | +26% |
| Sioux City, IA | 75,010 jobs | $10,900 – $21,800 | $16,400 | +11% |
| Warner Robins, GA | 76,050 jobs | $10,300 – $20,700 | $15,500 | +5% |
| Blacksburg, VA | 74,070 jobs | $10,500 – $21,000 | $15,800 | +7% |
Related projects, priced for Abilene
Jobs that often go together with composite deck are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Abilene wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, paver patio comes out highest (−11%) and wood deck lowest (−15%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $6,400 – $12,800 | −15% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,100 – $3,450 | −13% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,650 – $4,850 | −11% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,100 – $3,700 | −13% |
Specs and site conditions that change a Abilene 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 Abilene
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Abilene. 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
$9,800 to $13,700
Entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape
Standard
$12,800 to $16,700
Mid-grade capped boards with railing and stairs
Premium
$15,700 to $19,700
Premium capped or PVC boards, multi-level, hidden fasteners
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $3,950 – $5,550 | $5,150 – $6,750 | $6,350 – $7,950 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $4,750 – $6,650 | $6,150 – $8,050 | $7,600 – $9,500 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $10,500 – $14,700 | $13,600 – $17,800 | $16,800 – $21,000 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $13,100 – $18,300 | $17,000 – $22,200 | $20,900 – $26,200 |
Optional extras in Abilene
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.83 for Abilene, which is the average of the area's wage index (0.73) and goods price index (0.94). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add a deck railing (approx. 0.3 ft per sq ft) | $1,500 – $4,500 |
Abilene 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, Abilene Rgnl Ap (5 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For exterior installation, the comfortable months in Abilene are September through May: 9 of 12. Outside them, June, July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Abilene gets about 25 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 4 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and October (3.4 inches in June). Inside the workable window, January and December are the driest, at 1.1 and 1.3 inches. The station averages about 102 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 | 59 | 34 | 1.1 | Workable |
| Feb | 63 | 37 | 1.3 | Workable |
| Mar | 71 | 45 | 1.7 | Workable |
| Apr | 79 | 53 | 1.9 | Workable |
| May | 86 | 62 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Jun | 93 | 70 | 3.4 | Hot |
| Jul | 96 | 73 | 1.9 | Hot |
| Aug | 96 | 72 | 2.5 | Hot |
| Sep | 89 | 65 | 2.7 | Workable |
| Oct | 79 | 55 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 68 | 43 | 1.4 | Workable |
| Dec | 59 | 35 | 1.3 | Workable |
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 $12,800 to $16,700 for Abilene, TX is attached.
Detailed composite deck report for Abilene, TX, $9
Multi-page report for Abilene, TX: 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 Abilene: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a composite deck in Abilene?
For 300 sq ft, expect $9,800 to $19,700 in the Abilene area. A standard-spec job lands at $12,800 to $16,700. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for composite deck in Abilene?
About $32.50 to $65 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 Abilene or Midland?
Midland is 135 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $17,300, which is 18% more than Abilene ($14,700). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Abilene?
About 54% at the midpoint, or $7,900 out of $14,700. Materials are 46% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Abilene?
$10,500 to $21,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does composite deck need a permit in Abilene?
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 Abilene area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Abilene expensive for composite deck compared with the rest of Texas?
Abilene is 8% below the Texas statewide estimate ($16,000 at the midpoint). We cover 21 metros in Texas; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Abilene?
The BLS median is $20.69 an hour in the Abilene area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $18.00 to $23.86.
+What do basic and premium composite deck work cost in Abilene?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $9,800 to $13,700 and premium work $15,700 to $19,700. 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 Abilene?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through May. January and December 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 Abilene?
$1,500 to $4,500 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Composite deck near Abilene
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