Inground pool cost in Washington, DC
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (450 sq ft)
- $37,300 – $116,500
- Per sq ft
- $82.50 – $258
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +3%
- US $74,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #108
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install an inground pool in Washington, plan on $37,300 to $116,500 for 450 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $82.50 to $258 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 3% higher than the national one. Building materials run about 5% above the US average here (BEA goods price index 104.8).
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Estimated cost for 450 sq ft in Washington, DC, standard level
$61,100 to $92,800
About $135 to $206 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 51% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $29,500 | $45,000 |
| Labor | $31,400 | $47,500 |
| Permits and fees | $170 | $260 |
| Total | $61,100 | $92,800 |
Cost breakdown for 450 sq ft in Washington, DC
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $17,900 | $37,300 | $56,600 | 48% |
| Labor | $19,300 | $39,500 | $59,600 | 51% |
| Permits and fees | $110 | $220 | $330 | 0% |
| Total | $37,300 | $76,900 | $116,500 | 100% |
What is behind the Washington 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 $22.80 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Washington is 1.02 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 51% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Washington metro is 104.8 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 450 sq ft comes to $37,300, compared with $35,600 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (108.9) and land at $110 to $330.
Washington labor market for inground pool
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 Washington is 1.02 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 40% of the weighting: a median of $22.80 an hour, in line with the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $20.07 and $27.05 an hour. About 17,710 work in the metro. That is 56.5 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 $29.64 an hour, which is in line with the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $26.33 and $35.07 an hour. BLS counts 6,450 of them working in the area, 20.6 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 $29.17 an hour, in line with the US median of $29.87. The middle half of them earn between $23.92 and $30.98 an hour. About 1,910 work in the metro. That is 6.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 3.4 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 10%) the local median is $34.55 an hour, which is 13% above the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $26.82 and $45.22 an hour. BLS counts 9,420 of them working in the area, 30.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is about average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the construction laborers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($27.05 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $2,900. At the 25th percentile ($20.07) it shrinks by about $1,850. The total moves by 3.8% or 2.4%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 3,136,190 jobs in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria area. That makes it the 6th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 2.02% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $20.07 | $22.80 | $27.05 | $22.66 | 1.01 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $26.33 | $29.64 | $35.07 | $28.78 | 1.03 | metro |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 20% | $23.92 | $29.17 | $30.98 | $29.87 | 0.98 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $26.82 | $34.55 | $45.22 | $30.67 | 1.13 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.02 | |||||
Inground pool: what moves the price in Washington
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.
How Washington compares
Of the five closest metros, all are cheaper than Washington. Winchester is the lowest at about $68,600 (midpoint, 450 sq ft), 60 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington, DCthis page | $37,300 – $116,500 | $76,900 | |
| Hagerstown, MD55 miles | $33,300 – $104,000 | $68,700 | −11% |
| Baltimore, MD60 miles | $36,200 – $113,000 | $74,700 | −3% |
| Winchester, VA60 miles | $33,200 – $104,000 | $68,600 | −11% |
| Lexington Park, MD65 miles | $35,500 – $111,000 | $73,200 | −5% |
| Chambersburg, PA75 miles | $36,400 – $114,000 | $75,100 | −2% |
| District of Columbia (statewide) | $40,300 – $126,000 | $83,100 | +8% |
| United States | $36,100 – $113,000 | $74,500 | −3% |
Across 300 US metros, Washington comes in at #108 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $105,000; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $62,300 (midpoints, 450 sq ft). Statewide, Washington is 7% below the District of Columbia figure.
Washington is the only District of Columbia metro we cover, so the statewide page is the only in-state comparison. It uses statewide wages, which include rural areas.
Cities with a workforce like Washington's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Washington against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston, TX | 3,289,720 jobs | $34,000 – $106,500 | $70,200 | −9% |
| Philadelphia, PA | 2,897,830 jobs | $38,700 – $120,500 | $79,700 | +4% |
| Dallas, TX | 4,049,800 jobs | $35,000 – $109,500 | $72,300 | −6% |
| Atlanta, GA | 2,889,670 jobs | $33,900 – $106,000 | $69,900 | −9% |
Washington: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Washington 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
$37,300 to $69,000
Vinyl-liner pool, small size
Standard
$61,100 to $92,800
Fiberglass pool, standard size
Premium
$84,900 to $116,500
Concrete or gunite, large with custom features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small pool (400 sq ft) | $33,200 – $61,400 | $54,300 – $82,500 | $75,500 – $103,500 |
| average (512 sq ft) | $42,400 – $78,500 | $69,500 – $105,500 | $96,500 – $132,500 |
| large (800 sq ft) | $66,200 – $122,500 | $108,500 – $165,000 | $150,500 – $207,000 |
Planning more than one job in Washington?
Because every project leans on different trades, Washington's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, French drain runs +4% and retaining wall +3%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,900 – $11,800 | +3% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,100 – $5,600 | +3% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,300 – $4,150 | +4% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,750 – $15,600 | +3% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $630 – $2,200 | +4% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $7,150 – $13,800 | +3% |
Climate in Washington: timing your inground pool job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Washington Reagan Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through June and August through November are the stretches where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in Washington (7 of 12 months). January, February, March and December have an average overnight low of 40°F or below; July has 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 July, crews often start early, wet the base and plan for faster set times.
Washington gets about 42 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 14 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and July (4.3 inches in July). Inside the workable window, April and November are the driest, at 3.2 and 2.9 inches. The station averages about 40 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 | 45 | 30 | 2.9 | Cold |
| Feb | 48 | 32 | 2.6 | Cold |
| Mar | 57 | 39 | 3.5 | Cold |
| Apr | 68 | 48 | 3.2 | Workable |
| May | 77 | 58 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 85 | 68 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 90 | 72 | 4.3 | Hot |
| Aug | 88 | 71 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Sep | 81 | 64 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Oct | 69 | 52 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Nov | 58 | 42 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Dec | 49 | 35 | 3.4 | 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 $61,100 to $92,800 for Washington, DC is attached.
Detailed inground pool report for Washington, DC, $9
Multi-page report for Washington, DC: 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 Washington: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an inground pool in Washington?
For 450 sq ft, expect $37,300 to $116,500 in the Washington area. A standard-spec job lands at $61,100 to $92,800. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for inground pool in Washington?
About $82.50 to $258 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 Washington or Hagerstown?
Hagerstown is 55 miles away. The midpoint for 450 sq ft there is $68,700, which is 11% less than Washington ($76,900). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Washington?
About 51% at the midpoint, or $39,500 out of $76,900. Materials are 48% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would average (512 sq ft) cost in Washington?
$42,400 to $132,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does inground pool need a permit in Washington?
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 Washington area (our national range of $100 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Washington expensive for inground pool compared with the rest of District of Columbia?
Washington is 7% below the District of Columbia statewide estimate ($83,100 at the midpoint).
+What do construction laborers earn in Washington?
The BLS median is $22.80 an hour in the Washington area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $20.07 to $27.05.
+What do basic and premium inground pool work cost in Washington?
For 450 sq ft, basic work runs $37,300 to $69,000 and premium work $84,900 to $116,500. 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 Washington?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through June and August through November. April and November 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 Washington
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.