Inground pool cost in California
Statewide estimate from BLS wages and BEA prices. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Statewide range (450 sq ft)
- $42,500 – $133,000
- Per sq ft
- $94.50 – $294
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +18%
- US $74,500
- Metros covered
- 23
California prices for inground pool: $42,500 to $133,000 for 450 sq ft, or $94.50 to $294 per sq ft without the permit. The state midpoint is 18% above the national one. Local wages for construction laborers are $28.98 an hour.
Inside California, the metros we cover range from $77,300 (Visalia) to $101,000 (San Francisco) at the midpoint. Pick your closest city in the table for a tighter number.
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Estimated cost for 450 sq ft in California (statewide), standard level
$69,600 to $105,500
About $154 to $234 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 57% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $29,900 | $45,500 |
| Labor | $39,500 | $59,900 |
| Permits and fees | $180 | $270 |
| Total | $69,600 | $105,500 |
Cost breakdown for 450 sq ft in California
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $18,100 | $37,700 | $57,300 | 43% |
| Labor | $24,300 | $49,700 | $75,200 | 57% |
| Permits and fees | $110 | $220 | $330 | 0% |
| Total | $42,500 | $87,700 | $133,000 | 100% |
Quality levels and sizes in California
The cited range is cut into three overlapping bands (basic, standard and premium) and scaled to statewide California wages and prices. The grid prices the same bands at 3 common sizes.
Basic
$42,500 to $78,600
Vinyl-liner pool, small size
Standard
$69,600 to $105,500
Fiberglass pool, standard size
Premium
$96,700 to $133,000
Concrete or gunite, large with custom features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small pool (400 sq ft) | $37,800 – $69,900 | $61,900 – $94,000 | $86,000 – $118,000 |
| average (512 sq ft) | $48,400 – $89,400 | $79,200 – $120,000 | $110,000 – $151,000 |
| large (800 sq ft) | $75,500 – $139,500 | $123,500 – $187,500 | $171,500 – $236,000 |
California against its neighbors
California ranks 6 of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) for inground pool, where 1 is the most expensive. The costliest is Hawaii at $102,500 and the cheapest Arkansas at $64,300, both for 450 sq ft at the midpoint. California sits at $87,700. The five states closest by workforce center are listed below.
| State | Distance | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada | 210 miles away | $36,700 – $114,500 | $75,700 | −14% |
| Arizona | 430 miles away | $35,100 – $109,500 | $72,300 | −18% |
| Utah | 490 miles away | $35,300 – $110,500 | $72,800 | −17% |
| Idaho | 600 miles away | $35,300 – $110,500 | $72,800 | −17% |
| Oregon | 690 miles away | $40,900 – $128,000 | $84,400 | −4% |
Inground pool: what moves the price in California
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.
Wages behind the California number
Statewide wages come from BLS's state-level estimates, which blend big cities with small towns and rural areas. 4 trades drive the labor line for this job, and the weighted ratio against the national wage level is 1.28 for California.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 40% of the weighting: a median of $28.98 an hour, 28% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $23.15 and $37.75 an hour. About 88,240 work in the state. That is 48.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 30%) the local median is $41.90 an hour, which is 46% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $31.36 and $60.37 an hour. BLS counts 36,020 of them working in the state, 19.8 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021), 20% of the weighting: a median of $33.20 an hour, 11% above the US median of $29.87. The middle half of them earn between $28.24 and $38.26 an hour. About 3,820 work in the state. That is 2.1 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 $35.01 an hour, which is 14% above the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $28.36 and $48.17 an hour. BLS counts 47,660 of them working in the state, 26.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is about average.
A crew paid at the 75th percentile for construction laborers ($37.75 an hour) would add about $6,000 to the statewide midpoint; one at the 25th percentile ($23.15) would take off about $4,000. Use that as a rough guide to how far a bid can sit from our midpoint on wages alone.
BLS counts 18,213,700 jobs across California (May 2025), which is 11.7% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $23.15 | $28.98 | $37.75 | $22.66 | 1.28 | state |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $31.36 | $41.90 | $60.37 | $28.78 | 1.46 | state |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 20% | $28.24 | $33.20 | $38.26 | $29.87 | 1.11 | state |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $28.36 | $35.01 | $48.17 | $30.67 | 1.14 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 1.28 | |||||
Which California city is cheapest for inground pool?
5 of the 23 metros sit above the statewide midpoint of $87,700, and the top-to-bottom gap is 31%. Each row prices the default size with that metro's own BLS wages and BEA price levels, so the gap between rows is real local variation rather than a flat markup.
| Metro | Range (450 sq ft) | Midpoint | vs. state |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $49,100 – $153,000 | $101,000 | +15% |
| San Jose, CA | $48,700 – $151,500 | $100,000 | +14% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $44,200 – $138,000 | $91,000 | +4% |
| Vallejo, CA | $43,400 – $135,500 | $89,500 | +2% |
| Sacramento, CA | $42,900 – $134,000 | $88,400 | +1% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $42,500 – $133,000 | $87,700 | level |
| Modesto, CA | $42,500 – $132,500 | $87,500 | level |
| Napa, CA | $42,400 – $132,000 | $87,300 | level |
| San Diego, CA | $41,700 – $130,000 | $85,900 | −2% |
| Salinas, CA | $41,500 – $129,500 | $85,500 | −2% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $41,300 – $129,000 | $85,200 | −3% |
| Oxnard, CA | $41,200 – $128,500 | $84,900 | −3% |
| Stockton, CA | $41,100 – $128,500 | $84,700 | −3% |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $40,900 – $127,500 | $84,200 | −4% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $40,600 – $127,000 | $83,700 | −5% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $40,500 – $126,500 | $83,500 | −5% |
| Fresno, CA | $40,500 – $126,500 | $83,400 | −5% |
| Redding, CA | $40,400 – $126,000 | $83,200 | −5% |
| Chico, CA | $40,300 – $126,000 | $83,200 | −5% |
| Riverside, CA | $40,200 – $125,500 | $82,900 | −5% |
| Merced, CA | $39,900 – $124,500 | $82,200 | −6% |
| El Centro, CA | $39,400 – $123,000 | $81,300 | −7% |
| Visalia, CA | $37,500 – $117,000 | $77,300 | −12% |
California seasons and inground pool
Season matters for inground pool. For each California metro below we took NOAA's 1991-2020 monthly normals from the nearest suitable station and counted comfortable months for pouring concrete.
Los Angeles has the longest comfortable season of the metros we cover in California at 12 months; Redding has the shortest at 5 (March through May and October through November). Rainfall runs from 3 inches a year in El Centro to 34 inches in Redding.
We do not adjust prices by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. Timing is still worth raising when you collect bids.
| Metro | Jan avg low °F | Jul avg high °F | Precip (in/yr) | Comfortable months |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 48 | 78 | 14 | 12: all year |
| San Francisco | 47 | 66 | 23 | 12: all year |
| Riverside | 43 | 95 | 10 | 9: October through June |
| San Diego | 46 | 80 | 11 | 12: all year |
| San Jose | 42 | 81 | 13 | 12: all year |
| Sacramento | 41 | 94 | 19 | 10: September through June |
| Fresno | 41 | 98 | 11 | 7: January through May and October through November |
| Bakersfield | 41 | 98 | 6 | 7: January through May and October through November |
| Oxnard | 46 | 73 | 13 | 12: all year |
| Stockton | 39 | 95 | 17 | 6: February through May and October through November |
| Santa Rosa | 38 | 82 | 32 | 9: March through November |
| Santa Maria | 41 | 73 | 13 | 11: January through November |
| Modesto | 39 | 95 | 12 | 7: February through May and September through November |
| Salinas | 42 | 71 | 13 | 12: all year |
| Visalia | 38 | 94 | 10 | 8: February through June and September through November |
| Vallejo | 38 | 79 | 20 | 8: March through October |
| San Luis Obispo | 41 | 78 | 18 | 11: January through November |
| Santa Cruz | 41 | 74 | 31 | 12: all year |
| Merced | 37 | 96 | 12 | 5: March through May and October through November |
| Chico | 36 | 95 | 27 | 5: March through June and October |
| Napa | 40 | 83 | 27 | 10: February through November |
| Redding | 38 | 100 | 34 | 5: March through May and October through November |
| El Centro | 43 | 107 | 3 | 6: November through April |
Related projects, priced for California
The table prices neighboring jobs at their usual sizes using statewide California wages and prices. Against national midpoints, French drain comes out highest (+23%) and aluminum fence lowest (+13%), because each job leans on different trades.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $4,300 – $12,900 | +13% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,450 – $6,300 | +15% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,400 – $4,600 | +14% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $8,650 – $17,400 | +15% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $740 – $2,600 | +23% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $8,200 – $15,200 | +14% |
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Inground pool in California: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an inground pool in California?
$42,500 to $133,000 for 450 sq ft, using statewide wages and prices. Metro areas inside California can sit above or below that.
+Which city in California is cheapest for inground pool?
Visalia at about $77,300 (midpoint, 450 sq ft). The priciest is San Francisco at $101,000.
+Is inground pool cheaper in California than the US average?
It is 18% more expensive: $87,700 against $74,500 for 450 sq ft at the midpoint.
+What share of the price is labor in California?
About 57% ($49,700). Materials are 43%. Statewide labor for this job is weighted 1.28x the national wage level.
+What do construction laborers earn in California?
The BLS statewide median is $28.98 an hour, against $22.66 for the US. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.15 to $37.75.
+Where does California rank for inground pool costs?
6th most expensive of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) at the midpoint, $87,700 for 450 sq ft. Rank 1 is the costliest.
+What do basic and premium inground pool work cost in California?
For 450 sq ft, basic work runs $42,500 to $78,600 and premium work $96,700 to $133,000. Basic means: vinyl-liner pool, small size. Premium means: concrete or gunite, large with custom features.
+Does the season matter for inground pool in California?
Yes where winters or summers are hard. Of the California metros we cover, Los Angeles has the most comfortable months (12 of 12) based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals. Our prices do not change by month, so ask contractors whether they charge more or less in busy and slow seasons.
Inground pool by city in California
- San Francisco, CA$101,000 midpoint
- San Jose, CA$100,000 midpoint
- Santa Rosa, CA$91,000 midpoint
- Vallejo, CA$89,500 midpoint
- Sacramento, CA$88,400 midpoint
- Los Angeles, CA$87,700 midpoint
- Modesto, CA$87,500 midpoint
- Napa, CA$87,300 midpoint
- San Diego, CA$85,900 midpoint
- Salinas, CA$85,500 midpoint
- San Luis Obispo, CA$85,200 midpoint
- Oxnard, CA$84,900 midpoint
- Stockton, CA$84,700 midpoint
- Santa Cruz, CA$84,200 midpoint
- Bakersfield, CA$83,700 midpoint
- Santa Maria, CA$83,500 midpoint
- Fresno, CA$83,400 midpoint
- Redding, CA$83,200 midpoint
- Chico, CA$83,200 midpoint
- Riverside, CA$82,900 midpoint
- Merced, CA$82,200 midpoint
- El Centro, CA$81,300 midpoint
- Visalia, CA$77,300 midpoint
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.