Inground pool cost in Dothan, AL
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (450 sq ft)
- $30,600 – $95,900
- Per sq ft
- $68 – $213
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −15%
- US $74,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #297
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install an inground pool in Dothan, plan on $30,600 to $95,900 for 450 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $68 to $213 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 15% lower than the national one. Construction laborers earn a median of $15.39 an hour in the Dothan area, 32% below the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 450 sq ft in Dothan, AL, standard level
$50,200 to $76,300
About $111 to $169 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 46% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $27,200 | $41,400 |
| Labor | $22,900 | $34,700 |
| Permits and fees | $130 | $200 |
| Total | $50,200 | $76,300 |
Cost breakdown for 450 sq ft in Dothan, AL
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,500 | $34,300 | $52,100 | 54% |
| Labor | $14,100 | $28,800 | $43,600 | 46% |
| Permits and fees | $85 | $170 | $250 | 0% |
| Total | $30,600 | $63,300 | $95,900 | 100% |
Why Dothan prices look the way they do
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 4 trades: construction laborers at 40%, operating engineers and other construction equipment operators at 30%, brickmasons and blockmasons at 20%, plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters at 10%. Weighted together, Dothan wages are 0.74 times the national level. Labor makes up about 46% of the midpoint estimate (52% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Dothan 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 (83.8) and land at $85 to $250.
Data note: 20% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Dothan. The wage table below marks each row.
Dothan against nearby metros and the rest of Alabama
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 450 sq ft range from $63,300 to $69,100 across Dothan and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dothan, ALthis page | $30,600 – $95,900 | $63,300 | |
| Panama City, FL70 miles | $32,700 – $102,500 | $67,500 | +7% |
| Crestview, FL70 miles | $33,500 – $104,500 | $69,100 | +9% |
| Albany, GA85 miles | $31,100 – $97,300 | $64,200 | +1% |
| Auburn, AL85 miles | $31,400 – $98,100 | $64,700 | +2% |
| Columbus, GA90 miles | $31,200 – $97,600 | $64,400 | +2% |
| Alabama (statewide) | $31,800 – $99,300 | $65,500 | +4% |
| United States | $36,100 – $113,000 | $74,500 | +18% |
Across 300 US metros, Dothan comes in at #297 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $105,000; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $62,300 (midpoints, 450 sq ft). Statewide, Dothan is 3% below the Alabama figure.
Other Alabama metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | 520,290 jobs | $32,700 – $102,000 | $67,500 | +7% |
| Huntsville, AL | 266,650 jobs | $32,000 – $99,900 | $65,900 | +4% |
| Mobile, AL | 172,550 jobs | $31,800 – $99,300 | $65,500 | +4% |
| Montgomery, AL | 165,550 jobs | $31,400 – $98,300 | $64,900 | +3% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 108,460 jobs | $31,700 – $99,200 | $65,500 | +4% |
| Daphne, AL | 87,120 jobs | $31,900 – $99,800 | $65,800 | +4% |
Cities with a workforce like Dothan's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Dothan against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Decatur, AL | 61,240 jobs | $32,100 – $100,500 | $66,200 | +5% |
| Sheboygan, WI | 60,630 jobs | $38,900 – $121,500 | $80,100 | +27% |
| Santa Fe, NM | 61,770 jobs | $32,400 – $101,500 | $66,900 | +6% |
| Jonesboro, AR | 60,620 jobs | $30,900 – $96,500 | $63,700 | +1% |
Climate in Dothan: timing your inground pool job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Dothan Rgnl Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
February through May and September through December are the stretches where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in Dothan (8 of 12 months). January has an average overnight low of 40°F or below; June, 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 June, July and August, crews often start early, wet the base and plan for faster set times.
Dothan gets about 54 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, July and August (6.2 inches in August). Inside the workable window, May and October are the driest, at 2.9 and 2.7 inches. The station averages about 89 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 | 62 | 40 | 4.8 | Cold |
| Feb | 66 | 43 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Mar | 73 | 49 | 4.7 | Workable |
| Apr | 79 | 55 | 4.8 | Workable |
| May | 87 | 64 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 91 | 71 | 5.1 | Hot |
| Jul | 93 | 73 | 6.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 92 | 72 | 6.2 | Hot |
| Sep | 88 | 67 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Oct | 81 | 57 | 2.7 | Workable |
| Nov | 71 | 47 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Dec | 64 | 42 | 4.8 | Workable |
Why two Dothan quotes can differ
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.
Dothan 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 Dothan is 0.74 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 40% of the weighting: a median of $15.39 an hour, 32% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $12.40 and $18.76 an hour. About 600 work in the metro. That is 98.8 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 $22.66 an hour, which is 21% below the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $18.22 and $26.45 an hour. BLS counts 200 of them working in the area, 32.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is about average.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) carry 20% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Dothan metro, so we used the Alabama statewide median: $23.90 an hour against $29.87 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $18.98 and $27.55 an hour.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 10%) the local median is $23.59 an hour, which is 23% below the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $20.02 and $28.37 an hour. BLS counts 130 of them working in the area, 21.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the construction laborers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($18.76 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $2,300. At the 25th percentile ($12.40) it shrinks by about $2,050. The total moves by 3.6% or 3.2%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 60,720 jobs in the Dothan area. That makes it the 284th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.04% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $12.40 | $15.39 | $18.76 | $22.66 | 0.68 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $18.22 | $22.66 | $26.45 | $28.78 | 0.79 | metro |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 20% | $18.98 | $23.90 | $27.55 | $29.87 | 0.80 | state |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $20.02 | $23.59 | $28.37 | $30.67 | 0.77 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.74 | |||||
Planning more than one job in Dothan?
Because every project leans on different trades, Dothan's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, aluminum fence runs −13% and paver patio −17%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,250 – $10,000 | −13% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,500 – $4,500 | −17% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,100 – $3,300 | −16% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $6,400 – $12,900 | −15% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $510 – $1,800 | −14% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $5,950 – $11,900 | −13% |
Pick a size, pick a tier: inground pool pricing in Dothan
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Dothan 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
$30,600 to $56,700
Vinyl-liner pool, small size
Standard
$50,200 to $76,300
Fiberglass pool, standard size
Premium
$69,800 to $95,900
Concrete or gunite, large with custom features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small pool (400 sq ft) | $27,200 – $50,500 | $44,700 – $67,900 | $62,100 – $85,300 |
| average (512 sq ft) | $34,900 – $64,500 | $57,100 – $86,800 | $79,400 – $109,000 |
| large (800 sq ft) | $54,400 – $101,000 | $89,200 – $135,500 | $124,000 – $170,500 |
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 $50,200 to $76,300 for Dothan, AL is attached.
Detailed inground pool report for Dothan, AL, $9
Multi-page report for Dothan, 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 Dothan: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an inground pool in Dothan?
For 450 sq ft, expect $30,600 to $95,900 in the Dothan area. A standard-spec job lands at $50,200 to $76,300. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for inground pool in Dothan?
About $68 to $213 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $85 to $250 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $80 to $250.
+Is inground pool cheaper in Dothan or Panama City?
Panama City is 70 miles away. The midpoint for 450 sq ft there is $67,500, which is 7% more than Dothan ($63,300). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Dothan?
About 46% at the midpoint, or $28,800 out of $63,300. Materials are 54% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would average (512 sq ft) cost in Dothan?
$34,900 to $109,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does inground pool need a permit in Dothan?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $85 to $250 for fees in the Dothan area (our national range of $100 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Dothan expensive for inground pool compared with the rest of Alabama?
Dothan is 3% below 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 Dothan?
The BLS median is $15.39 an hour in the Dothan area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $12.40 to $18.76.
+What do basic and premium inground pool work cost in Dothan?
For 450 sq ft, basic work runs $30,600 to $56,700 and premium work $69,800 to $95,900. 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 Dothan?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are February through May and September through December. May 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 Dothan
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.