Composite deck cost in Salt Lake City, UT
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
- #121
- 1 = most expensive
Salt Lake City homeowners pay roughly $11,800 to $23,700 to build a composite deck at 300 sq ft, or $39 to $78.50 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Salt Lake City is almost level. Building materials run about 4% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 96.4).
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Salt Lake City, UT, standard level
$15,400 to $20,100
About $51 to $66.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 60% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $6,000 | $7,850 |
| Labor | $9,300 | $12,100 |
| Permits and fees | $80 | $120 |
| Total | $15,400 | $20,100 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Salt Lake City, UT
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,650 | $6,950 | $9,250 | 39% |
| Labor | $7,150 | $10,700 | $14,300 | 60% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $100 | $150 | 1% |
| Total | $11,800 | $17,800 | $23,700 | 100% |
Why Salt Lake City prices look the way they do
Labor is 60% of the midpoint bill here, against 60% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is carpenters (80%), construction laborers (20%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Salt Lake City the blended ratio comes out at 0.99.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Salt Lake City metro is 96.4 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 300 sq ft comes to $6,950, compared with $7,200 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (100.9) and land at $50 to $150.
Cost by quality level and size in Salt Lake City
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Salt Lake City 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
$11,800 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 – $6,700 | $6,200 – $8,150 | $7,650 – $9,550 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $5,700 – $8,000 | $7,450 – $9,750 | $9,150 – $11,500 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $12,600 – $17,700 | $16,400 – $21,500 | $20,200 – $25,300 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $15,700 – $22,100 | $20,500 – $26,800 | $25,200 – $31,500 |
When to schedule composite deck in Salt Lake City
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Salt Lake City Intl Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
February through June and September through November are the stretches where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Salt Lake City (8 of 12 months). January and December have an average daytime high under 45°F; July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
In January 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.
Salt Lake City gets about 16 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 52 inches of snow. The wettest months are March, April and May (2.2 inches in April). Inside the workable window, June and September are the driest, at 0.9 and 1.1 inches. The station averages about 62 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 | 39 | 24 | 1.4 | Cold |
| Feb | 45 | 29 | 1.3 | Workable |
| Mar | 55 | 36 | 1.8 | Workable |
| Apr | 62 | 42 | 2.2 | Workable |
| May | 73 | 50 | 1.8 | Workable |
| Jun | 84 | 59 | 0.9 | Workable |
| Jul | 94 | 68 | 0.5 | Hot |
| Aug | 92 | 67 | 0.6 | Hot |
| Sep | 81 | 56 | 1.1 | Workable |
| Oct | 66 | 44 | 1.3 | Workable |
| Nov | 51 | 33 | 1.3 | Workable |
| Dec | 39 | 25 | 1.4 | Cold |
Related projects, priced for Salt Lake City
Because every project leans on different trades, Salt Lake City's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, concrete patio runs +1% and gutters −3%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,400 – $14,800 | −2% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,250 – $4,050 | +1% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,000 – $5,450 | level |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,250 – $4,050 | −3% |
Optional extras in Salt Lake City
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Salt Lake City by the average of the local wage index (0.99) and goods index (0.96), 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 Salt Lake City bid
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.
Salt Lake City against nearby metros and the rest of Utah
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 $15,800 to $17,800 across Salt Lake City and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City, UTthis page | $11,800 – $23,700 | $17,800 | |
| Provo, UT60 miles | $11,200 – $22,400 | $16,800 | −6% |
| Ogden, UT70 miles | $10,700 – $21,400 | $16,100 | −10% |
| Logan, UT110 miles | $10,800 – $21,700 | $16,200 | −9% |
| Idaho Falls, ID210 miles | $11,000 – $22,100 | $16,600 | −7% |
| St. George, UT230 miles | $10,500 – $21,100 | $15,800 | −11% |
| Utah (statewide) | $11,100 – $22,200 | $16,600 | −6% |
| United States | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | +2% |
Across 300 US metros, Salt Lake City comes in at #121 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $25,200; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $13,500 (midpoints, 300 sq ft). Statewide, Salt Lake City is 7% above the Utah figure.
Other Utah metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Provo, UT | 304,660 jobs | $11,200 – $22,400 | $16,800 | −6% |
| Ogden, UT | 271,370 jobs | $10,700 – $21,400 | $16,100 | −10% |
| St. George, UT | 90,500 jobs | $10,500 – $21,100 | $15,800 | −11% |
| Logan, UT | 66,800 jobs | $10,800 – $21,700 | $16,200 | −9% |
Cities with a workforce like Salt Lake City's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Salt Lake City against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland, OH | 1,031,130 jobs | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | +2% |
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $12,400 – $24,800 | $18,600 | +5% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $14,000 – $28,100 | $21,100 | +19% |
| Jacksonville, FL | 765,930 jobs | $10,800 – $21,700 | $16,200 | −9% |
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 Salt Lake City is 0.99 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 80%) the local median is $28.78 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $22.83 and $31.00 an hour. BLS counts 6,420 of them working in the area, 77.7 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 $22.82 an hour, in line with the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $19.03 and $27.96 an hour. About 7,790 work in the metro. That is 94.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($31.00 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $660. At the 25th percentile ($22.83) it shrinks by about $1,750. The total moves by 3.7% or 9.9%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 826,210 jobs in the Salt Lake City-Murray area. That makes it the 37th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.53% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 80% | $22.83 | $28.78 | $31.00 | $29.12 | 0.99 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $19.03 | $22.82 | $27.96 | $22.66 | 1.01 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.99 | |||||
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Multi-page report for Salt Lake City, UT: 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 Salt Lake City: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a composite deck in Salt Lake City?
For 300 sq ft, expect $11,800 to $23,700 in the Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City?
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 Salt Lake City or Provo?
Provo is 60 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $16,800, which is 6% less than Salt Lake City ($17,800). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Salt Lake City?
About 60% at the midpoint, or $10,700 out of $17,800. Materials are 39% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Salt Lake City?
$12,600 to $25,300. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does composite deck need a permit in Salt Lake City?
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 Salt Lake City area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Salt Lake City expensive for composite deck compared with the rest of Utah?
Salt Lake City is 7% above the Utah statewide estimate ($16,600 at the midpoint). We cover 5 metros in Utah; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Salt Lake City?
The BLS median is $28.78 an hour in the Salt Lake City area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.83 to $31.00.
+What do basic and premium composite deck work cost in Salt Lake City?
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 Salt Lake City?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are February through June and September through November. June and September 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 Salt Lake City?
$1,750 to $5,300 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Composite deck near Salt Lake City
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