Composite deck cost in Oshkosh, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $14,100 – $28,300
- Per sq ft
- $47 – $94
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +17%
- US $18,100
- Rank of 300 metros
- #13
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to build a composite deck in Oshkosh, plan on $14,100 to $28,300 for 300 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $47 to $94 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 17% higher than the national one. Carpenters earn a median of $40.59 an hour in the Oshkosh area, 39% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Oshkosh, WI, standard level
$18,400 to $24,100
About $61 to $80 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 68% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,850 | $7,650 |
| Labor | $12,500 | $16,300 |
| Permits and fees | $75 | $110 |
| Total | $18,400 | $24,100 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Oshkosh, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,500 | $6,750 | $9,000 | 32% |
| Labor | $9,600 | $14,400 | $19,200 | 68% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $95 | $140 | 0% |
| Total | $14,100 | $21,200 | $28,300 | 100% |
Why Oshkosh prices look the way they do
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: carpenters at 80%, construction laborers at 20%. Weighted together, Oshkosh wages are 1.33 times the national level. Labor makes up about 68% of the midpoint estimate (60% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Oshkosh metro is 93.8 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 300 sq ft comes to $6,750, compared with $7,200 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (92.9) and land at $45 to $140.
Oshkosh against nearby metros and the rest of Wisconsin
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 $21,200 across Oshkosh and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oshkosh, WIthis page | $14,100 – $28,300 | $21,200 | |
| Appleton, WI20 miles | $12,300 – $24,600 | $18,500 | −13% |
| Green Bay, WI45 miles | $12,000 – $24,000 | $18,000 | −15% |
| Sheboygan, WI50 miles | $12,200 – $24,500 | $18,400 | −13% |
| Wausau, WI80 miles | $10,900 – $21,900 | $16,400 | −23% |
| Madison, WI85 miles | $12,300 – $24,700 | $18,500 | −13% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $12,200 – $24,400 | $18,300 | −14% |
| United States | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | −15% |
Across 300 US metros, Oshkosh comes in at #13 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $25,200; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $13,500 (midpoints, 300 sq ft). Statewide, Oshkosh is 16% above the Wisconsin figure.
Other Wisconsin metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $12,400 – $24,800 | $18,600 | −12% |
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $12,300 – $24,700 | $18,500 | −13% |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $12,000 – $24,000 | $18,000 | −15% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $12,300 – $24,600 | $18,500 | −13% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $11,900 – $23,900 | $17,900 | −16% |
| La Crosse, WI | 84,380 jobs | $12,000 – $24,000 | $18,000 | −15% |
Cities with a workforce like Oshkosh's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Oshkosh against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IA | 93,760 jobs | $10,700 – $21,500 | $16,100 | −24% |
| Bremerton, WA | 93,740 jobs | $12,900 – $25,900 | $19,400 | −8% |
| Billings, MT | 93,800 jobs | $11,800 – $23,600 | $17,700 | −17% |
| Bellingham, WA | 91,390 jobs | $13,800 – $27,700 | $20,800 | −2% |
Add-ons priced for Oshkosh
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Oshkosh by the average of the local wage index (1.33) and goods index (0.94), a factor of 1.14. 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) | $2,050 – $6,150 |
Climate in Oshkosh: timing your composite deck job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Oshkosh (in the city). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through October is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Oshkosh (7 of 12 months). January, February, March, November and December have an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January, February, March, November 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.
Oshkosh gets about 33 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 39 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and July (4.8 inches in June). Inside the workable window, April and October are the driest, at 3.2 and 2.9 inches. The station averages about 8 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 | 26 | 10 | 1.3 | Cold |
| Feb | 30 | 13 | 1.1 | Cold |
| Mar | 41 | 24 | 1.9 | Cold |
| Apr | 54 | 36 | 3.2 | Workable |
| May | 67 | 48 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 77 | 59 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Jul | 82 | 63 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Aug | 80 | 61 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Sep | 73 | 53 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Oct | 59 | 41 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 44 | 29 | 2.0 | Cold |
| Dec | 32 | 18 | 1.6 | Cold |
Oshkosh 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 Oshkosh is 1.33 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 80%) the local median is $40.59 an hour, which is 39% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $29.01 and $41.48 an hour. BLS counts 650 of them working in the area, 69.3 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 $24.65 an hour, 9% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.00 and $34.81 an hour. About 560 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 ($41.48 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $260. At the 25th percentile ($29.01) it shrinks by about $3,450. The total moves by 1.2% or 16.2%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 93,750 jobs in the Oshkosh-Neenah area. That makes it the 215th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.06% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 80% | $29.01 | $40.59 | $41.48 | $29.12 | 1.39 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $21.00 | $24.65 | $34.81 | $22.66 | 1.09 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.33 | |||||
Pick a size, pick a tier: composite deck pricing in Oshkosh
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Oshkosh 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
$14,100 to $19,800
Entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape
Standard
$18,400 to $24,100
Mid-grade capped boards with railing and stairs
Premium
$22,700 to $28,300
Premium capped or PVC boards, multi-level, hidden fasteners
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $5,700 – $8,000 | $7,400 – $9,700 | $9,100 – $11,400 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $6,800 – $9,550 | $8,850 – $11,600 | $10,900 – $13,700 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $15,100 – $21,100 | $19,600 – $25,700 | $24,200 – $30,200 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $18,800 – $26,400 | $24,500 – $32,100 | $30,200 – $37,700 |
Specs and site conditions that change a Oshkosh bid
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.
Drainage
Ground-level decks over poorly draining yards may need $1,000-$4,000 of drainage work first.
What nearby projects cost in Oshkosh
Because every project leans on different trades, Oshkosh's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, wood deck runs +11% and gutters −2%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $8,400 – $16,800 | +11% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,300 – $4,450 | +10% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,150 – $5,750 | +5% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,250 – $4,100 | −2% |
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 $18,400 to $24,100 for Oshkosh, WI is attached.
Take this estimate with you: PDF report, $9
Multi-page report for Oshkosh, WI: 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 Oshkosh: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a composite deck in Oshkosh?
For 300 sq ft, expect $14,100 to $28,300 in the Oshkosh area. A standard-spec job lands at $18,400 to $24,100. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for composite deck in Oshkosh?
About $47 to $94 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 Oshkosh or Appleton?
Appleton is 20 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $18,500, which is 13% less than Oshkosh ($21,200). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Oshkosh?
About 68% at the midpoint, or $14,400 out of $21,200. Materials are 32% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Oshkosh?
$15,100 to $30,200. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does composite deck need a permit in Oshkosh?
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 Oshkosh area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Oshkosh expensive for composite deck compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Oshkosh is 16% above the Wisconsin statewide estimate ($18,300 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Wisconsin; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Oshkosh?
The BLS median is $40.59 an hour in the Oshkosh area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $29.01 to $41.48.
+What do basic and premium composite deck work cost in Oshkosh?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $14,100 to $19,800 and premium work $22,700 to $28,300. 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 Oshkosh?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. April and October 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 Oshkosh?
$2,050 to $6,150 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Composite deck near Oshkosh
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