Inground pool cost in Modesto, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (450 sq ft)
- $42,500 – $132,500
- Per sq ft
- $94 – $294
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +18%
- US $74,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #19
- 1 = most expensive
Modesto homeowners pay roughly $42,500 to $132,500 to install an inground pool at 450 sq ft, or $94 to $294 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Modesto is 18% higher. Construction laborers earn a median of $29.15 an hour in the Modesto area, 29% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 450 sq ft in Modesto, CA, standard level
$69,500 to $105,500
About $154 to $234 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 57% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $29,600 | $45,100 |
| Labor | $39,700 | $60,100 |
| Permits and fees | $170 | $250 |
| Total | $69,500 | $105,500 |
Cost breakdown for 450 sq ft in Modesto, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $18,000 | $37,400 | $56,800 | 43% |
| Labor | $24,400 | $49,900 | $75,500 | 57% |
| Permits and fees | $100 | $210 | $310 | 0% |
| Total | $42,500 | $87,500 | $132,500 | 100% |
Why Modesto 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 $29.15 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Modesto is 1.29 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 57% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Modesto metro is 105.2 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 450 sq ft comes to $37,400, compared with $35,600 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (104.1) and land at $100 to $310.
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 Modesto. The wage table below marks each row.
Cost by quality level and size in Modesto
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Modesto 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
$42,500 to $78,500
Vinyl-liner pool, small size
Standard
$69,500 to $105,500
Fiberglass pool, standard size
Premium
$96,500 to $132,500
Concrete or gunite, large with custom features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small pool (400 sq ft) | $37,800 – $69,800 | $61,800 – $93,800 | $85,800 – $118,000 |
| average (512 sq ft) | $48,300 – $89,300 | $79,000 – $120,000 | $110,000 – $151,000 |
| large (800 sq ft) | $75,400 – $139,500 | $123,500 – $187,500 | $171,500 – $235,500 |
Local wages behind the labor line
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 Modesto is 1.29 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 40% of the weighting: a median of $29.15 an hour, 29% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.89 and $38.02 an hour. About 1,070 work in the metro. That is 54.8 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 $43.54 an hour, which is 51% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $32.57 and $62.15 an hour. BLS counts 430 of them working in the area, 22.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) carry 20% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Modesto 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.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 10%) the local median is $30.42 an hour, which is in line with the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $26.76 and $38.00 an hour. BLS counts 470 of them working in the area, 24.1 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 ($38.02 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $6,050. At the 25th percentile ($22.89) it shrinks by about $4,300. The total moves by 6.9% or 4.9%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 195,230 jobs in the Modesto area. That makes it the 117th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.13% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $22.89 | $29.15 | $38.02 | $22.66 | 1.29 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $32.57 | $43.54 | $62.15 | $28.78 | 1.51 | 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% | $26.76 | $30.42 | $38.00 | $30.67 | 0.99 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.29 | |||||
Planning more than one job in Modesto?
Because every project leans on different trades, Modesto's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, French drain runs +24% and aluminum fence +11%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $4,250 – $12,700 | +11% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,450 – $6,250 | +15% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,450 – $4,850 | +19% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $8,550 – $17,100 | +13% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $740 – $2,600 | +24% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $8,200 – $15,100 | +14% |
Modesto against nearby metros and the rest of California
Same job, same size (450 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. San Jose is the priciest of the group at $100,000. Merced is the cheapest at $82,200.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modesto, CAthis page | $42,500 – $132,500 | $87,500 | |
| Stockton, CA30 miles | $41,100 – $128,500 | $84,700 | −3% |
| Merced, CA30 miles | $39,900 – $124,500 | $82,200 | −6% |
| San Jose, CA50 miles | $48,700 – $151,500 | $100,000 | +14% |
| Santa Cruz, CA65 miles | $40,900 – $127,500 | $84,200 | −4% |
| Vallejo, CA70 miles | $43,400 – $135,500 | $89,500 | +2% |
| California (statewide) | $42,500 – $133,000 | $87,700 | level |
| United States | $36,100 – $113,000 | $74,500 | −15% |
Across 300 US metros, Modesto comes in at #19 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $105,000; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $62,300 (midpoints, 450 sq ft). Statewide, Modesto is 0% below the California figure.
Other California metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 6,271,560 jobs | $42,500 – $133,000 | $87,700 | level |
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $49,100 – $153,000 | $101,000 | +16% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $40,200 – $125,500 | $82,900 | −5% |
| 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% |
Cities with a workforce like Modesto's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Modesto against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Savannah, GA | 198,360 jobs | $32,100 – $100,500 | $66,200 | −24% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 192,580 jobs | $32,700 – $102,000 | $67,500 | −23% |
| Manchester, NH | 199,560 jobs | $36,200 – $113,000 | $74,700 | −15% |
| Boulder, CO | 192,390 jobs | $36,800 – $115,000 | $76,000 | −13% |
Why two Modesto 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.
When to schedule inground pool in Modesto
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Modesto City Co Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
February through May and September through November are the stretches where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in Modesto (7 of 12 months). January and December have 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.
Modesto gets about 12 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, February and December (2.6 inches in January). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 0.1 and 0.6 inches. The station averages about 90 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 | 56 | 39 | 2.6 | Cold |
| Feb | 62 | 42 | 2.2 | Workable |
| Mar | 68 | 45 | 1.8 | Workable |
| Apr | 74 | 48 | 1.0 | Workable |
| May | 82 | 54 | 0.7 | Workable |
| Jun | 90 | 59 | 0.1 | Hot |
| Jul | 95 | 63 | 0.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 94 | 62 | 0.0 | Hot |
| Sep | 89 | 59 | 0.1 | Workable |
| Oct | 79 | 52 | 0.6 | Workable |
| Nov | 66 | 43 | 1.1 | Workable |
| Dec | 56 | 39 | 2.2 | Cold |
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 $69,500 to $105,500 for Modesto, CA is attached.
Detailed inground pool report for Modesto, CA, $9
Multi-page report for Modesto, 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 Modesto: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an inground pool in Modesto?
For 450 sq ft, expect $42,500 to $132,500 in the Modesto area. A standard-spec job lands at $69,500 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 Modesto?
About $94 to $294 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $100 to $310 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $80 to $250.
+Is inground pool cheaper in Modesto or Stockton?
Stockton is 30 miles away. The midpoint for 450 sq ft there is $84,700, which is 3% less than Modesto ($87,500). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Modesto?
About 57% at the midpoint, or $49,900 out of $87,500. Materials are 43% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would average (512 sq ft) cost in Modesto?
$48,300 to $151,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does inground pool need a permit in Modesto?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $100 to $310 for fees in the Modesto area (our national range of $100 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Modesto expensive for inground pool compared with the rest of California?
Modesto is 0% 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 Modesto?
The BLS median is $29.15 an hour in the Modesto area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.89 to $38.02.
+What do basic and premium inground pool work cost in Modesto?
For 450 sq ft, basic work runs $42,500 to $78,500 and premium work $96,500 to $132,500. 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 Modesto?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are February through May and September through November. September 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 Modesto
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.