Inground pool cost in Birmingham, AL
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (450 sq ft)
- $32,700 – $102,000
- Per sq ft
- $72.50 – $227
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −9%
- US $74,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #235
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install an inground pool in Birmingham, plan on $32,700 to $102,000 for 450 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $72.50 to $227 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 9% lower than the national one. Construction laborers earn a median of $18.45 an hour in the Birmingham area, 19% below the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 450 sq ft in Birmingham, AL, standard level
$53,600 to $81,400
About $119 to $180 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 49% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $27,200 | $41,400 |
| Labor | $26,300 | $39,800 |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $220 |
| Total | $53,600 | $81,400 |
Cost breakdown for 450 sq ft in Birmingham, AL
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,500 | $34,300 | $52,100 | 51% |
| Labor | $16,100 | $33,000 | $49,900 | 49% |
| Permits and fees | $90 | $180 | $270 | 0% |
| Total | $32,700 | $67,500 | $102,000 | 100% |
What is behind the Birmingham number
Labor is 49% of the midpoint bill here, against 52% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is construction laborers (40%), operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (30%), brickmasons and blockmasons (20%), plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (10%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Birmingham the blended ratio comes out at 0.85.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Birmingham metro is 96.4 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 450 sq ft comes to $34,300, compared with $35,600 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (91.6) and land at $90 to $270.
Birmingham labor market for inground pool
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 4 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Birmingham is 0.85 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 40% of the weighting: a median of $18.45 an hour, 19% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $15.51 and $22.60 an hour. About 4,780 work in the metro. That is 91.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 30%) the local median is $26.12 an hour, which is 9% below the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $22.72 and $29.27 an hour. BLS counts 2,070 of them working in the area, 39.8 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021), 20% of the weighting: a median of $24.06 an hour, 19% below the US median of $29.87. The middle half of them earn between $19.82 and $28.06 an hour. About 120 work in the metro. That is 2.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 3.4 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 10%) the local median is $28.89 an hour, which is 6% below the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $23.67 and $30.98 an hour. BLS counts 1,840 of them working in the area, 35.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the construction laborers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($22.60 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $2,850. At the 25th percentile ($15.51) it shrinks by about $2,000. The total moves by 4.2% or 3.0%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 520,290 jobs in the Birmingham area. That makes it the 50th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.33% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $15.51 | $18.45 | $22.60 | $22.66 | 0.81 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $22.72 | $26.12 | $29.27 | $28.78 | 0.91 | metro |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 20% | $19.82 | $24.06 | $28.06 | $29.87 | 0.81 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $23.67 | $28.89 | $30.98 | $30.67 | 0.94 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.85 | |||||
What nearby projects cost in Birmingham
Because every project leans on different trades, Birmingham's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, French drain runs −8% and paver patio −12%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,450 – $10,400 | −9% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,650 – $4,800 | −12% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,150 – $3,500 | −11% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $6,850 – $13,700 | −10% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $550 – $1,950 | −8% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,200 – $12,200 | −10% |
How Birmingham compares
Same job, same size (450 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Birmingham is the priciest of the group. Auburn is the cheapest at $64,700.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, ALthis page | $32,700 – $102,000 | $67,500 | |
| Tuscaloosa, AL60 miles | $31,700 – $99,200 | $65,500 | −3% |
| Decatur, AL75 miles | $32,100 – $100,500 | $66,200 | −2% |
| Montgomery, AL80 miles | $31,400 – $98,300 | $64,900 | −4% |
| Huntsville, AL90 miles | $32,000 – $99,900 | $65,900 | −2% |
| Auburn, AL100 miles | $31,400 – $98,100 | $64,700 | −4% |
| Alabama (statewide) | $31,800 – $99,300 | $65,500 | −3% |
| United States | $36,100 – $113,000 | $74,500 | +10% |
Across 300 US metros, Birmingham comes in at #235 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $105,000; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $62,300 (midpoints, 450 sq ft). Statewide, Birmingham is 3% above the Alabama figure.
Other Alabama metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huntsville, AL | 266,650 jobs | $32,000 – $99,900 | $65,900 | −2% |
| Mobile, AL | 172,550 jobs | $31,800 – $99,300 | $65,500 | −3% |
| Montgomery, AL | 165,550 jobs | $31,400 – $98,300 | $64,900 | −4% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 108,460 jobs | $31,700 – $99,200 | $65,500 | −3% |
| Daphne, AL | 87,120 jobs | $31,900 – $99,800 | $65,800 | −2% |
| Auburn, AL | 72,710 jobs | $31,400 – $98,100 | $64,700 | −4% |
Cities with a workforce like Birmingham's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Birmingham against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo, NY | 534,550 jobs | $39,100 – $122,000 | $80,500 | +19% |
| Omaha, NE | 498,100 jobs | $35,400 – $110,500 | $72,900 | +8% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | 598,260 jobs | $36,200 – $113,000 | $74,700 | +11% |
| Rochester, NY | 494,280 jobs | $38,000 – $118,500 | $78,200 | +16% |
Climate in Birmingham: timing your inground pool job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Birmingham Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
March through June and September through November are the stretches where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in Birmingham (7 of 12 months). January, February and December have an average overnight low of 40°F or below; July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
The 40°F line is a deliberately cautious stand-in. The American Concrete Institute's cold-weather guide (ACI 306R-16) defines cold-weather concreting around an average daily air temperature below 40°F, which is colder than our test of an average overnight low at or below 40°F, so we flag a few extra shoulder months. In cold weather crews may need heated enclosures, insulating blankets or accelerated mixes, and those measures can raise a quote.
Heat matters for concrete as well. With average highs of 90°F or more in July and August, crews often start early, wet the base and plan for faster set times.
Birmingham gets about 57 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 1 inches of snow. The wettest months are March, April and July (5.7 inches in March). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 4.0 and 3.3 inches. The station averages about 65 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 | 55 | 35 | 5.0 | Cold |
| Feb | 59 | 38 | 5.0 | Cold |
| Mar | 67 | 45 | 5.7 | Workable |
| Apr | 75 | 52 | 5.1 | Workable |
| May | 82 | 61 | 4.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 88 | 69 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Jul | 91 | 72 | 5.4 | Hot |
| Aug | 91 | 71 | 4.3 | Hot |
| Sep | 86 | 65 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 76 | 54 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Nov | 65 | 43 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 57 | 38 | 4.9 | Cold |
Pick a size, pick a tier: inground pool pricing in Birmingham
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Birmingham 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 3 common sizes.
Basic
$32,700 to $60,500
Vinyl-liner pool, small size
Standard
$53,600 to $81,400
Fiberglass pool, standard size
Premium
$74,400 to $102,000
Concrete or gunite, large with custom features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small pool (400 sq ft) | $29,100 – $53,800 | $47,600 – $72,400 | $66,200 – $90,900 |
| average (512 sq ft) | $37,200 – $68,800 | $60,900 – $92,600 | $84,700 – $116,500 |
| large (800 sq ft) | $58,100 – $107,500 | $95,100 – $144,500 | $132,000 – $181,500 |
Specs and site conditions that change a Birmingham bid
Pool type
Vinyl pools are $25,000-$65,000, fiberglass $45,000-$100,000, and concrete or gunite $50,000-$120,000 (HomeGuide).
Maintenance
Pool maintenance is $80-$150 a month; concrete pools also need an acid wash every 3-5 years at $300-$1,000.
Permit
A building permit for a pool is $100-$300 and contractors often include it. Many cities add plumbing and electrical permits.
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 $53,600 to $81,400 for Birmingham, AL is attached.
Detailed inground pool report for Birmingham, AL, $9
Multi-page report for Birmingham, AL: 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.
Inground pool in Birmingham: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an inground pool in Birmingham?
For 450 sq ft, expect $32,700 to $102,000 in the Birmingham area. A standard-spec job lands at $53,600 to $81,400. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for inground pool in Birmingham?
About $72.50 to $227 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $90 to $270 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $80 to $250.
+Is inground pool cheaper in Birmingham or Tuscaloosa?
Tuscaloosa is 60 miles away. The midpoint for 450 sq ft there is $65,500, which is 3% less than Birmingham ($67,500). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Birmingham?
About 49% at the midpoint, or $33,000 out of $67,500. Materials are 51% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would average (512 sq ft) cost in Birmingham?
$37,200 to $116,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does inground pool need a permit in Birmingham?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $90 to $270 for fees in the Birmingham area (our national range of $100 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Birmingham expensive for inground pool compared with the rest of Alabama?
Birmingham is 3% above the Alabama statewide estimate ($65,500 at the midpoint). We cover 9 metros in Alabama; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Birmingham?
The BLS median is $18.45 an hour in the Birmingham area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $15.51 to $22.60.
+What do basic and premium inground pool work cost in Birmingham?
For 450 sq ft, basic work runs $32,700 to $60,500 and premium work $74,400 to $102,000. Basic means: vinyl-liner pool, small size. Premium means: concrete or gunite, large with custom features.
+When is the best time to install an inground pool in Birmingham?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through June and September through November. September 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.
Inground pool near Birmingham
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 An Inground Pool Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- Cost to Renovate: Renovation Labor Report 2026: Where the Money Goes (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
Note on derived figures: Materials = 48% of the installed price, from Cost to Renovate's mid-range 'Outdoor Living' category split. It is a category average, not a pool-specific one, so read the pool materials line loosely.