Inground pool cost in Los Angeles, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (450 sq ft)
- $42,500 – $133,000
- Per sq ft
- $94.50 – $294
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +18%
- US $74,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #18
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for an inground pool in the Los Angeles area: $42,500 to $133,000 for 450 sq ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint runs 18% higher than the US figure. Construction laborers earn a median of $28.28 an hour in the Los Angeles area, 25% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 450 sq ft in Los Angeles, CA, 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 | $30,000 | $45,800 |
| Labor | $39,400 | $59,700 |
| Permits and fees | $180 | $270 |
| Total | $69,600 | $105,500 |
Cost breakdown for 450 sq ft in Los Angeles, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $18,200 | $37,900 | $57,600 | 43% |
| Labor | $24,200 | $49,600 | $74,900 | 57% |
| Permits and fees | $110 | $230 | $340 | 0% |
| Total | $42,500 | $87,700 | $133,000 | 100% |
Why Los Angeles prices look the way they do
The wage side of the estimate leans on construction laborers, who do 40% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $28.28 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Los Angeles is 1.28 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 57% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Los Angeles is at 106.6 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $35,600 nationally becomes $37,900 here (midpoint, 450 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 113.6: $110 to $340.
The best months for inground pool in Los Angeles
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Culver City (in the city). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
Weather is not a serious constraint for pouring concrete in Los Angeles: no month in the averages is cold enough (an average overnight low of 40°F or below) or hot enough (an average daytime high of 90°F or more) to rule it out, so the workable window is all year.
Los Angeles gets about 14 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, February and December (3.5 inches in February). The station averages about 7 days a year at 90°F or above.
We do not adjust the estimate by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. It is still worth asking contractors whether an off-peak start date changes their bid.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 67 | 48 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Feb | 67 | 49 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Mar | 68 | 51 | 2.2 | Workable |
| Apr | 71 | 53 | 0.6 | Workable |
| May | 72 | 57 | 0.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 75 | 60 | 0.1 | Workable |
| Jul | 78 | 63 | 0.0 | Workable |
| Aug | 79 | 64 | 0.0 | Workable |
| Sep | 78 | 62 | 0.1 | Workable |
| Oct | 76 | 58 | 0.6 | Workable |
| Nov | 71 | 52 | 0.9 | Workable |
| Dec | 66 | 47 | 2.5 | Workable |
Who does the work: Los Angeles trade wages
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 4 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For Los Angeles the blend is 1.28.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 40%) the local median is $28.28 an hour, which is 25% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.75 and $37.31 an hour. BLS counts 21,730 of them working in the area, 34.6 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 30% of the weighting: a median of $44.66 an hour, 55% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $31.40 and $60.51 an hour. About 8,780 work in the metro. That is 14.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021, weighted 20%) the local median is $30.51 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.87. The middle half of them earn between $27.98 and $37.59 an hour. BLS counts 1,220 of them working in the area, 1.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 3.4), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 10% of the weighting: a median of $34.19 an hour, 11% above the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $28.15 and $48.70 an hour. About 15,690 work in the metro. That is 25.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.0 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (construction laborers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $6,150 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $3,800. That is a swing of roughly 4.3% to 7.0% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim has 6,271,560 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 2nd by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $22.75 | $28.28 | $37.31 | $22.66 | 1.25 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $31.40 | $44.66 | $60.51 | $28.78 | 1.55 | metro |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 20% | $27.98 | $30.51 | $37.59 | $29.87 | 1.02 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $28.15 | $34.19 | $48.70 | $30.67 | 1.11 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.28 | |||||
Why two Los Angeles 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.
Cost by quality level and size in Los Angeles
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Los Angeles. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from small pool (400 sq ft) to large (800 sq ft).
Basic
$42,500 to $78,700
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 – $89,500 | $79,200 – $120,500 | $110,000 – $151,000 |
| large (800 sq ft) | $75,600 – $139,500 | $123,500 – $188,000 | $171,500 – $236,000 |
Is Los Angeles cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, all are cheaper than Los Angeles. Riverside is the lowest at about $82,900 (midpoint, 450 sq ft), 120 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CAthis page | $42,500 – $133,000 | $87,700 | |
| Oxnard, CA55 miles | $41,200 – $128,500 | $84,900 | −3% |
| Bakersfield, CA90 miles | $40,600 – $127,000 | $83,700 | −5% |
| Santa Maria, CA110 miles | $40,500 – $126,500 | $83,500 | −5% |
| San Diego, CA110 miles | $41,700 – $130,000 | $85,900 | −2% |
| Riverside, CA120 miles | $40,200 – $125,500 | $82,900 | −6% |
| California (statewide) | $42,500 – $133,000 | $87,700 | level |
| United States | $36,100 – $113,000 | $74,500 | −15% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Los Angeles ranks #18 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Los Angeles is 0% above the California figure.
Elsewhere in California
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $49,100 – $153,000 | $101,000 | +15% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $40,200 – $125,500 | $82,900 | −6% |
| San Diego, CA | 1,538,060 jobs | $41,700 – $130,000 | $85,900 | −2% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $48,700 – $151,500 | $100,000 | +14% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $42,900 – $134,000 | $88,400 | +1% |
| Fresno, CA | 476,890 jobs | $40,500 – $126,500 | $83,400 | −5% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Los Angeles against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 9,492,000 jobs | $45,700 – $143,000 | $94,200 | +7% |
| Chicago, IL | 4,513,280 jobs | $46,500 – $145,000 | $95,800 | +9% |
| Dallas, TX | 4,049,800 jobs | $35,000 – $109,500 | $72,300 | −18% |
| Houston, TX | 3,289,720 jobs | $34,000 – $106,500 | $70,200 | −20% |
Planning more than one job in Los Angeles?
Jobs that often go together with inground pool are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Los Angeles wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, French drain comes out highest (+25%) and paver patio lowest (+12%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $4,300 – $12,800 | +13% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,350 – $6,150 | +12% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,400 – $4,650 | +15% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $8,650 – $17,400 | +15% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $750 – $2,600 | +25% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $8,050 – $15,000 | +13% |
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 $69,600 to $105,500 for Los Angeles, CA is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
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Inground pool in Los Angeles: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an inground pool in Los Angeles?
For 450 sq ft, expect $42,500 to $133,000 in the Los Angeles area. A standard-spec job lands at $69,600 to $105,500. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for inground pool in Los Angeles?
About $94.50 to $294 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $110 to $340 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $80 to $250.
+Is inground pool cheaper in Los Angeles or Oxnard?
Oxnard is 55 miles away. The midpoint for 450 sq ft there is $84,900, which is 3% less than Los Angeles ($87,700). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Los Angeles?
About 57% at the midpoint, or $49,600 out of $87,700. Materials are 43% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would average (512 sq ft) cost in Los Angeles?
$48,400 to $151,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does inground pool need a permit in Los Angeles?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $110 to $340 for fees in the Los Angeles area (our national range of $100 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Los Angeles expensive for inground pool compared with the rest of California?
Los Angeles is 0% above the California statewide estimate ($87,700 at the midpoint). We cover 23 metros in California; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Los Angeles?
The BLS median is $28.28 an hour in the Los Angeles area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.75 to $37.31.
+What do basic and premium inground pool work cost in Los Angeles?
For 450 sq ft, basic work runs $42,500 to $78,700 and premium work $96,700 to $133,000. Basic means: vinyl-liner pool, small size. Premium means: concrete or gunite, large with custom features.
+Is there a bad season to install an inground pool in Los Angeles?
Not from a temperature point of view. NOAA's 1991-2020 normals show no month with a freezing-level overnight low or a 90°F-plus average high, so timing is mostly about contractor availability and rain.
Inground pool near Los Angeles
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.