Inground pool cost in Merced, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (450 sq ft)
- $39,900 – $124,500
- Per sq ft
- $88.50 – $276
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +10%
- US $74,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #65
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for an inground pool in the Merced area: $39,900 to $124,500 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 10% higher than the US figure. Construction laborers earn a median of $26.17 an hour in the Merced area, 15% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 450 sq ft in Merced, CA, standard level
$65,300 to $99,200
About $145 to $220 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 54% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $29,600 | $45,100 |
| Labor | $35,500 | $53,800 |
| Permits and fees | $160 | $240 |
| Total | $65,300 | $99,200 |
Cost breakdown for 450 sq ft in Merced, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $18,000 | $37,400 | $56,800 | 45% |
| Labor | $21,800 | $44,600 | $67,500 | 54% |
| Permits and fees | $100 | $200 | $290 | 0% |
| Total | $39,900 | $82,200 | $124,500 | 100% |
What is behind the Merced 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 $26.17 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Merced is 1.15 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 54% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Merced is at 105.2 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $35,600 nationally becomes $37,400 here (midpoint, 450 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 98.3: $100 to $290.
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 Merced. The wage table below marks each row.
Inground pool: what moves the price in Merced
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.
The best months for inground pool in Merced
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Merced Muni Ap (5 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For pouring concrete, the comfortable months in Merced are March through May and October through November: 5 of 12. Outside them, January, February and December have an average overnight low of 40°F or below, and June, July, August and September 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, August and September, crews often start early, wet the base and plan for faster set times.
Merced gets about 12 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, February and December (2.4 inches in January). Inside the workable window, May and October are the driest, at 0.6 and 0.6 inches. The station averages about 100 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 | 56 | 37 | 2.4 | Cold |
| Feb | 62 | 39 | 2.2 | Cold |
| Mar | 68 | 42 | 1.8 | Workable |
| Apr | 74 | 45 | 1.1 | Workable |
| May | 83 | 52 | 0.6 | Workable |
| Jun | 91 | 58 | 0.1 | Hot |
| Jul | 96 | 62 | 0.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 95 | 61 | 0.0 | Hot |
| Sep | 91 | 57 | 0.1 | Hot |
| Oct | 80 | 49 | 0.6 | Workable |
| Nov | 66 | 41 | 1.0 | Workable |
| Dec | 56 | 36 | 1.9 | Cold |
Is Merced cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (450 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. San Jose is the priciest of the group at $100,000.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merced, CAthis page | $39,900 – $124,500 | $82,200 | |
| Modesto, CA30 miles | $42,500 – $132,500 | $87,500 | +6% |
| San Jose, CA40 miles | $48,700 – $151,500 | $100,000 | +22% |
| Stockton, CA60 miles | $41,100 – $128,500 | $84,700 | +3% |
| Fresno, CA60 miles | $40,500 – $126,500 | $83,400 | +1% |
| Santa Cruz, CA70 miles | $40,900 – $127,500 | $84,200 | +2% |
| California (statewide) | $42,500 – $133,000 | $87,700 | +7% |
| United States | $36,100 – $113,000 | $74,500 | −9% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Merced ranks #65 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Merced is 6% below the California figure.
Elsewhere in California
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 6,271,560 jobs | $42,500 – $133,000 | $87,700 | +7% |
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $49,100 – $153,000 | $101,000 | +23% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $40,200 – $125,500 | $82,900 | +1% |
| San Diego, CA | 1,538,060 jobs | $41,700 – $130,000 | $85,900 | +4% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $48,700 – $151,500 | $100,000 | +22% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $42,900 – $134,000 | $88,400 | +8% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Merced against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saginaw, MI | 80,000 jobs | $35,900 – $112,000 | $74,000 | −10% |
| Chico, CA | 78,220 jobs | $40,300 – $126,000 | $83,200 | +1% |
| Las Cruces, NM | 80,000 jobs | $31,800 – $99,600 | $65,700 | −20% |
| Napa, CA | 77,860 jobs | $42,400 – $132,000 | $87,300 | +6% |
Who does the work: Merced 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 Merced the blend is 1.15.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 40%) the local median is $26.17 an hour, which is 15% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.73 and $33.81 an hour. BLS counts 380 of them working in the area, 47.8 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 $35.96 an hour, 25% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $29.02 and $56.66 an hour. About 160 work in the metro. That is 20.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) carry 20% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Merced metro, so we used the California statewide median: $33.20 an hour against $29.87 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $28.24 and $38.26 an hour.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 10% of the weighting: a median of $28.96 an hour, 6% below the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $23.28 and $35.20 an hour. About 160 work in the metro. That is 20.1 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 $5,200 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $3,050. That is a swing of roughly 3.7% to 6.3% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Merced has 79,510 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 240th 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% | $21.73 | $26.17 | $33.81 | $22.66 | 1.15 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $29.02 | $35.96 | $56.66 | $28.78 | 1.25 | metro |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 20% | $28.24 | $33.20 | $38.26 | $29.87 | 1.11 | state |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $23.28 | $28.96 | $35.20 | $30.67 | 0.94 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.15 | |||||
Pick a size, pick a tier: inground pool pricing in Merced
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Merced. 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
$39,900 to $73,800
Vinyl-liner pool, small size
Standard
$65,300 to $99,200
Fiberglass pool, standard size
Premium
$90,700 to $124,500
Concrete or gunite, large with custom features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small pool (400 sq ft) | $35,500 – $65,600 | $58,100 – $88,200 | $80,600 – $111,000 |
| average (512 sq ft) | $45,400 – $83,900 | $74,300 – $113,000 | $103,000 – $141,500 |
| large (800 sq ft) | $70,800 – $131,000 | $116,000 – $176,000 | $161,000 – $221,000 |
Related projects, priced for Merced
Jobs that often go together with inground pool are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Merced wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, French drain comes out highest (+16%) and concrete patio lowest (+5%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $4,200 – $12,500 | +10% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,300 – $5,950 | +10% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,300 – $4,200 | +5% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $8,500 – $17,000 | +12% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $700 – $2,450 | +16% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $7,850 – $14,600 | +10% |
Get 3 local quotes
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Multi-page report for Merced, CA: 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 Merced: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an inground pool in Merced?
For 450 sq ft, expect $39,900 to $124,500 in the Merced area. A standard-spec job lands at $65,300 to $99,200. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for inground pool in Merced?
About $88.50 to $276 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $100 to $290 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $80 to $250.
+Is inground pool cheaper in Merced or Modesto?
Modesto is 30 miles away. The midpoint for 450 sq ft there is $87,500, which is 6% more than Merced ($82,200). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Merced?
About 54% at the midpoint, or $44,600 out of $82,200. Materials are 45% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would average (512 sq ft) cost in Merced?
$45,400 to $141,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does inground pool need a permit in Merced?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $100 to $290 for fees in the Merced area (our national range of $100 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Merced expensive for inground pool compared with the rest of California?
Merced is 6% below 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 Merced?
The BLS median is $26.17 an hour in the Merced area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.73 to $33.81.
+What do basic and premium inground pool work cost in Merced?
For 450 sq ft, basic work runs $39,900 to $73,800 and premium work $90,700 to $124,500. 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 Merced?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through May and October through November. 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 Merced
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.