Inground pool cost in Santa Maria, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (450 sq ft)
- $40,500 – $126,500
- Per sq ft
- $89.50 – $280
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +12%
- US $74,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #52
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for an inground pool in the Santa Maria area: $40,500 to $126,500 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 12% higher than the US figure. Construction laborers earn a median of $26.99 an hour in the Santa Maria area, 19% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 450 sq ft in Santa Maria, CA, standard level
$66,300 to $100,500
About $147 to $223 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 55% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $29,600 | $45,100 |
| Labor | $36,500 | $55,300 |
| Permits and fees | $170 | $260 |
| Total | $66,300 | $100,500 |
Cost breakdown for 450 sq ft in Santa Maria, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $18,000 | $37,400 | $56,800 | 45% |
| Labor | $22,400 | $45,900 | $69,300 | 55% |
| Permits and fees | $110 | $220 | $330 | 0% |
| Total | $40,500 | $83,500 | $126,500 | 100% |
Where the Santa Maria price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 4 trades: construction laborers at 40%, operating engineers and other construction equipment operators at 30%, brickmasons and blockmasons at 20%, plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters at 10%. Weighted together, Santa Maria wages are 1.19 times the national level. Labor makes up about 55% of the midpoint estimate (52% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Santa Maria 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 108.8: $110 to $330.
Is Santa Maria cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, 1 is cheaper than Santa Maria. Visalia is the lowest at about $77,300 (midpoint, 450 sq ft), 135 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Maria, CAthis page | $40,500 – $126,500 | $83,500 | |
| Oxnard, CA55 miles | $41,200 – $128,500 | $84,900 | +2% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA65 miles | $41,300 – $129,000 | $85,200 | +2% |
| Bakersfield, CA95 miles | $40,600 – $127,000 | $83,700 | level |
| Los Angeles, CA110 miles | $42,500 – $133,000 | $87,700 | +5% |
| Visalia, CA135 miles | $37,500 – $117,000 | $77,300 | −7% |
| California (statewide) | $42,500 – $133,000 | $87,700 | +5% |
| United States | $36,100 – $113,000 | $74,500 | −11% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Santa Maria ranks #52 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Santa Maria is 5% 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 | +5% |
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $49,100 – $153,000 | $101,000 | +21% |
| 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 | +3% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $48,700 – $151,500 | $100,000 | +20% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $42,900 – $134,000 | $88,400 | +6% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Santa Maria against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield, MA | 201,240 jobs | $42,200 – $131,500 | $86,800 | +4% |
| Manchester, NH | 199,560 jobs | $36,200 – $113,000 | $74,700 | −11% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | 205,260 jobs | $44,200 – $138,000 | $91,000 | +9% |
| Savannah, GA | 198,360 jobs | $32,100 – $100,500 | $66,200 | −21% |
Pick a size, pick a tier: inground pool pricing in Santa Maria
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Santa Maria. 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
$40,500 to $74,900
Vinyl-liner pool, small size
Standard
$66,300 to $100,500
Fiberglass pool, standard size
Premium
$92,100 to $126,500
Concrete or gunite, large with custom features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small pool (400 sq ft) | $36,000 – $66,600 | $58,900 – $89,500 | $81,900 – $112,500 |
| average (512 sq ft) | $46,100 – $85,200 | $75,400 – $114,500 | $104,500 – $144,000 |
| large (800 sq ft) | $71,900 – $133,000 | $117,500 – $179,000 | $163,500 – $224,500 |
Who does the work: Santa Maria 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 Santa Maria the blend is 1.19.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 40%) the local median is $26.99 an hour, which is 19% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.80 and $32.79 an hour. BLS counts 1,150 of them working in the area, 57.3 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 $39.18 an hour, 36% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $31.38 and $54.35 an hour. About 400 work in the metro. That is 19.9 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 $30.58 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.87. The middle half of them earn between $24.35 and $34.92 an hour. BLS counts 30 of them working in the area, 1.5 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 $29.33 an hour, 4% below the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $27.11 and $38.17 an hour. About 740 work in the metro. That is 36.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.0 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (construction laborers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $3,950 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $2,850. That is a swing of roughly 3.4% to 4.7% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara has 200,760 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 114th 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% | $22.80 | $26.99 | $32.79 | $22.66 | 1.19 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $31.38 | $39.18 | $54.35 | $28.78 | 1.36 | metro |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 20% | $24.35 | $30.58 | $34.92 | $29.87 | 1.02 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $27.11 | $29.33 | $38.17 | $30.67 | 0.96 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.19 | |||||
Why two Santa Maria 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.
Planning more than one job in Santa Maria?
Jobs that often go together with inground pool are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Santa Maria wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, French drain comes out highest (+19%) and retaining wall lowest (+9%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $4,200 – $12,600 | +10% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,300 – $6,000 | +10% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,350 – $4,400 | +10% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $8,550 – $17,100 | +13% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $710 – $2,500 | +19% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $7,800 – $14,600 | +9% |
The best months for inground pool in Santa Maria
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Santa Maria Public 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 Santa Maria are January through November: 11 of 12. Outside them, December has an average overnight low of 40°F or below.
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.
Santa Maria gets about 13 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, February and March (2.9 inches in February). Inside the workable window, July and August are the driest, at 0.0 and 0.0 inches. The station averages about 6 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 | 65 | 41 | 2.7 | Workable |
| Feb | 65 | 43 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Mar | 66 | 44 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Apr | 68 | 45 | 0.9 | Workable |
| May | 69 | 49 | 0.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 71 | 52 | 0.1 | Workable |
| Jul | 73 | 55 | 0.0 | Workable |
| Aug | 74 | 55 | 0.0 | Workable |
| Sep | 75 | 54 | 0.1 | Workable |
| Oct | 75 | 50 | 0.5 | Workable |
| Nov | 70 | 44 | 1.1 | Workable |
| Dec | 64 | 40 | 2.0 | 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 $66,300 to $100,500 for Santa Maria, CA is attached.
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Inground pool in Santa Maria: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an inground pool in Santa Maria?
For 450 sq ft, expect $40,500 to $126,500 in the Santa Maria area. A standard-spec job lands at $66,300 to $100,500. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for inground pool in Santa Maria?
About $89.50 to $280 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $110 to $330 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $80 to $250.
+Is inground pool cheaper in Santa Maria or Oxnard?
Oxnard is 55 miles away. The midpoint for 450 sq ft there is $84,900, which is 2% more than Santa Maria ($83,500). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Santa Maria?
About 55% at the midpoint, or $45,900 out of $83,500. Materials are 45% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would average (512 sq ft) cost in Santa Maria?
$46,100 to $144,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does inground pool need a permit in Santa Maria?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $110 to $330 for fees in the Santa Maria area (our national range of $100 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Santa Maria expensive for inground pool compared with the rest of California?
Santa Maria is 5% 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 Santa Maria?
The BLS median is $26.99 an hour in the Santa Maria area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.80 to $32.79.
+What do basic and premium inground pool work cost in Santa Maria?
For 450 sq ft, basic work runs $40,500 to $74,900 and premium work $92,100 to $126,500. 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 Santa Maria?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are January through November. July and August 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 Santa Maria
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.