Inground pool cost in Little Rock, AR
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (450 sq ft)
- $31,500 – $98,400
- Per sq ft
- $69.50 – $218
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −13%
- US $74,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #282
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install an inground pool in Little Rock, plan on $31,500 to $98,400 for 450 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $69.50 to $218 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 13% lower than the national one. Construction laborers earn a median of $17.88 an hour in the Little Rock area, 21% below the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 450 sq ft in Little Rock, AR, standard level
$51,500 to $78,300
About $114 to $174 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 48% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $26,400 | $40,200 |
| Labor | $25,000 | $37,900 |
| Permits and fees | $140 | $210 |
| Total | $51,500 | $78,300 |
Cost breakdown for 450 sq ft in Little Rock, AR
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,000 | $33,300 | $50,500 | 51% |
| Labor | $15,400 | $31,500 | $47,600 | 48% |
| Permits and fees | $90 | $180 | $270 | 0% |
| Total | $31,500 | $64,900 | $98,400 | 100% |
What is behind the Little Rock number
The wage side of the estimate leans on construction laborers, who do 40% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $17.88 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Little Rock is 0.81 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 48% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Little Rock metro is 93.6 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 450 sq ft comes to $33,300, compared with $35,600 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (89.4) and land at $90 to $270.
Little Rock: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Little Rock 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
$31,500 to $58,200
Vinyl-liner pool, small size
Standard
$51,500 to $78,300
Fiberglass pool, standard size
Premium
$71,600 to $98,400
Concrete or gunite, large with custom features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small pool (400 sq ft) | $28,000 – $51,800 | $45,800 – $69,600 | $63,700 – $87,500 |
| average (512 sq ft) | $35,800 – $66,200 | $58,600 – $89,000 | $81,400 – $112,000 |
| large (800 sq ft) | $55,900 – $103,500 | $91,500 – $139,000 | $127,000 – $174,500 |
Is Little Rock cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, 4 are cheaper than Little Rock. Fort Smith is the lowest at about $63,500 (midpoint, 450 sq ft), 125 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Rock, ARthis page | $31,500 – $98,400 | $64,900 | |
| Jonesboro, AR120 miles | $30,900 – $96,500 | $63,700 | −2% |
| Fort Smith, AR125 miles | $30,800 – $96,200 | $63,500 | −2% |
| Fayetteville, AR135 miles | $32,300 – $101,000 | $66,700 | +3% |
| Texarkana, TX135 miles | $31,200 – $97,700 | $64,500 | −1% |
| Monroe, LA145 miles | $31,400 – $98,100 | $64,700 | level |
| Arkansas (statewide) | $31,100 – $97,400 | $64,300 | −1% |
| United States | $36,100 – $113,000 | $74,500 | +15% |
Across 300 US metros, Little Rock comes in at #282 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $105,000; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $62,300 (midpoints, 450 sq ft). Statewide, Little Rock is 1% above the Arkansas figure.
Other Arkansas metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville, AR | 275,180 jobs | $32,300 – $101,000 | $66,700 | +3% |
| Fort Smith, AR | 95,560 jobs | $30,800 – $96,200 | $63,500 | −2% |
| Jonesboro, AR | 60,620 jobs | $30,900 – $96,500 | $63,700 | −2% |
Cities with a workforce like Little Rock's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Little Rock against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greensboro, NC | 365,410 jobs | $32,500 – $101,500 | $67,000 | +3% |
| Worcester, MA | 349,880 jobs | $41,000 – $128,000 | $84,400 | +30% |
| Dayton, OH | 372,660 jobs | $36,600 – $114,000 | $75,400 | +16% |
| Durham, NC | 344,020 jobs | $33,700 – $105,500 | $69,600 | +7% |
Climate in Little Rock: timing your inground pool job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Little Rock Ap Adams Fld (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
March through June and September through October are the stretches where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in Little Rock (6 of 12 months). January, February, November 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.
Little Rock gets about 50 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 4 inches of snow. The wettest months are April, May and December (5.6 inches in April). Inside the workable window, June and September are the driest, at 3.5 and 3.0 inches. The station averages about 76 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 | 51 | 31 | 3.5 | Cold |
| Feb | 55 | 34 | 4.0 | Cold |
| Mar | 64 | 42 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Apr | 73 | 50 | 5.6 | Workable |
| May | 81 | 59 | 5.1 | Workable |
| Jun | 88 | 68 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Jul | 92 | 71 | 3.3 | Hot |
| Aug | 92 | 70 | 3.2 | Hot |
| Sep | 85 | 63 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 74 | 51 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Nov | 62 | 40 | 4.7 | Cold |
| Dec | 53 | 33 | 5.1 | Cold |
Specs and site conditions that change a Little Rock 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.
Little Rock 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 Little Rock is 0.81 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 40% of the weighting: a median of $17.88 an hour, 21% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $16.75 and $20.34 an hour. About 2,790 work in the metro. That is 77.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 30%) the local median is $22.25 an hour, which is 23% below the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $19.43 and $23.95 an hour. BLS counts 1,230 of them working in the area, 34.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is about average.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021), 20% of the weighting: a median of $28.13 an hour, 6% below the US median of $29.87. The middle half of them earn between $21.23 and $29.10 an hour. About 70 work in the metro. That is 2.0 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 $23.65 an hour, which is 23% below the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $18.26 and $29.55 an hour. BLS counts 890 of them working in the area, 24.8 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 ($20.34 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $1,700. At the 25th percentile ($16.75) it shrinks by about $770. The total moves by 2.6% or 1.2%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 358,210 jobs in the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway area. That makes it the 72nd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.23% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $16.75 | $17.88 | $20.34 | $22.66 | 0.79 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $19.43 | $22.25 | $23.95 | $28.78 | 0.77 | metro |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 20% | $21.23 | $28.13 | $29.10 | $29.87 | 0.94 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $18.26 | $23.65 | $29.55 | $30.67 | 0.77 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.81 | |||||
Related projects, priced for Little Rock
Because every project leans on different trades, Little Rock's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, retaining wall runs −10% and French drain −14%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,300 – $10,100 | −12% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,700 – $4,850 | −11% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,100 – $3,400 | −14% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $6,600 – $13,200 | −13% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $510 – $1,800 | −14% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,300 – $12,200 | −10% |
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 $51,500 to $78,300 for Little Rock, AR is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
The report lays out the inground pool numbers for Little Rock, AR line by line, with the local wage and price inputs, permit and timing notes, a quote comparison sheet and the full method. 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 Little Rock: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an inground pool in Little Rock?
For 450 sq ft, expect $31,500 to $98,400 in the Little Rock area. A standard-spec job lands at $51,500 to $78,300. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for inground pool in Little Rock?
About $69.50 to $218 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 Little Rock or Jonesboro?
Jonesboro is 120 miles away. The midpoint for 450 sq ft there is $63,700, which is 2% less than Little Rock ($64,900). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Little Rock?
About 48% at the midpoint, or $31,500 out of $64,900. Materials are 51% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would average (512 sq ft) cost in Little Rock?
$35,800 to $112,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does inground pool need a permit in Little Rock?
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 Little Rock area (our national range of $100 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Little Rock expensive for inground pool compared with the rest of Arkansas?
Little Rock is 1% above the Arkansas statewide estimate ($64,300 at the midpoint). We cover 4 metros in Arkansas; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Little Rock?
The BLS median is $17.88 an hour in the Little Rock area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $16.75 to $20.34.
+What do basic and premium inground pool work cost in Little Rock?
For 450 sq ft, basic work runs $31,500 to $58,200 and premium work $71,600 to $98,400. 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 Little Rock?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through June and September through October. 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.
Inground pool near Little Rock
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.