Inground pool cost in Panama City, FL
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (450 sq ft)
- $32,700 – $102,500
- Per sq ft
- $72.50 – $227
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −9%
- US $74,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #233
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for an inground pool in the Panama City area: $32,700 to $102,500 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 9% lower than the US figure. Construction laborers earn a median of $20.79 an hour in the Panama City area, 8% below the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 450 sq ft in Panama City, FL, standard level
$53,600 to $81,400
About $119 to $180 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 49% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $27,100 | $41,300 |
| Labor | $26,300 | $39,900 |
| Permits and fees | $160 | $230 |
| Total | $53,600 | $81,400 |
Cost breakdown for 450 sq ft in Panama City, FL
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,500 | $34,200 | $52,000 | 51% |
| Labor | $16,200 | $33,100 | $50,000 | 49% |
| Permits and fees | $95 | $190 | $290 | 0% |
| Total | $32,700 | $67,500 | $102,500 | 100% |
Why Panama City 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 $20.79 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Panama City is 0.86 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 49% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Panama City is at 96.2 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $35,600 nationally becomes $34,200 here (midpoint, 450 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 97.3: $95 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 Panama City. The wage table below marks each row.
Panama City against nearby metros and the rest of Florida
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 450 sq ft range from $63,300 to $69,100 across Panama City and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panama City, FLthis page | $32,700 – $102,500 | $67,500 | |
| Crestview, FL50 miles | $33,500 – $104,500 | $69,100 | +2% |
| Dothan, AL70 miles | $30,600 – $95,900 | $63,300 | −6% |
| Tallahassee, FL80 miles | $31,800 – $99,500 | $65,700 | −3% |
| Pensacola, FL95 miles | $32,500 – $101,500 | $67,100 | −1% |
| Daphne, AL130 miles | $31,900 – $99,800 | $65,800 | −2% |
| Florida (statewide) | $33,400 – $104,500 | $68,900 | +2% |
| United States | $36,100 – $113,000 | $74,500 | +10% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Panama City ranks #233 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Panama City is 2% below the Florida figure.
Elsewhere in Florida
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami, FL | 2,819,940 jobs | $35,200 – $110,000 | $72,600 | +8% |
| Tampa, FL | 1,447,120 jobs | $33,200 – $104,000 | $68,600 | +2% |
| Orlando, FL | 1,411,730 jobs | $32,700 – $102,000 | $67,400 | level |
| Jacksonville, FL | 765,930 jobs | $33,500 – $104,500 | $69,000 | +2% |
| North Port, FL | 339,940 jobs | $33,500 – $104,500 | $69,000 | +2% |
| Cape Coral, FL | 304,790 jobs | $32,700 – $102,000 | $67,400 | level |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Panama City against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham, WA | 91,390 jobs | $44,200 – $138,000 | $91,100 | +35% |
| St. George, UT | 90,500 jobs | $34,200 – $107,000 | $70,600 | +5% |
| Bremerton, WA | 93,740 jobs | $41,700 – $130,500 | $86,000 | +27% |
| Medford, OR | 89,060 jobs | $39,100 – $122,000 | $80,600 | +19% |
Cost by quality level and size in Panama City
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Panama City. 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
$32,700 to $60,600
Vinyl-liner pool, small size
Standard
$53,600 to $81,400
Fiberglass pool, standard size
Premium
$74,500 to $102,500
Concrete or gunite, large with custom features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small pool (400 sq ft) | $29,100 – $53,800 | $47,700 – $72,400 | $66,200 – $91,000 |
| average (512 sq ft) | $37,200 – $68,900 | $61,000 – $92,600 | $84,700 – $116,500 |
| large (800 sq ft) | $58,100 – $107,500 | $95,200 – $144,500 | $132,000 – $181,500 |
The best months for inground pool in Panama City
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Panama City 5N (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 Panama City are September through June: 10 of 12. Outside them, July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Heat matters for concrete as well. With average highs of 90°F or more in July and August, crews often start early, wet the base and plan for faster set times.
Panama City gets about 61 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are July, August and September (7.4 inches in August). Inside the workable window, May and October are the driest, at 3.3 and 3.5 inches. The station averages about 67 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 | 64 | 43 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Feb | 67 | 46 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Mar | 73 | 52 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Apr | 79 | 58 | 4.1 | Workable |
| May | 85 | 66 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 89 | 73 | 5.8 | Workable |
| Jul | 91 | 75 | 7.4 | Hot |
| Aug | 91 | 75 | 7.4 | Hot |
| Sep | 89 | 71 | 7.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 82 | 61 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Nov | 73 | 50 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Dec | 67 | 45 | 4.3 | Workable |
Who does the work: Panama City 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 Panama City the blend is 0.86.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 40%) the local median is $20.79 an hour, which is 8% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.54 and $22.57 an hour. BLS counts 1,130 of them working in the area, 124.7 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 30% of the weighting: a median of $23.38 an hour, 19% below the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $21.88 and $27.56 an hour. About 500 work in the metro. That is 55.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) carry 20% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Panama City metro, so we used the Florida statewide median: $25.37 an hour against $29.87 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $21.33 and $30.00 an hour.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 10% of the weighting: a median of $22.98 an hour, 25% below the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $18.26 and $28.46 an hour. About 510 work in the metro. That is 56.3 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 $1,200 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $2,200. That is a swing of roughly 3.3% to 1.8% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Panama City-Panama City Beach has 90,610 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 218th 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% | $17.54 | $20.79 | $22.57 | $22.66 | 0.92 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $21.88 | $23.38 | $27.56 | $28.78 | 0.81 | metro |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 20% | $21.33 | $25.37 | $30.00 | $29.87 | 0.85 | state |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $18.26 | $22.98 | $28.46 | $30.67 | 0.75 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.86 | |||||
Planning more than one job in Panama City?
Jobs that often go together with inground pool are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Panama City wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, French drain comes out highest (−8%) and concrete patio lowest (−9%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,500 – $10,600 | −8% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,750 – $5,050 | −8% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,150 – $3,600 | −9% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $6,850 – $13,800 | −9% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $550 – $1,950 | −8% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,350 – $12,400 | −8% |
Why two Panama City 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.
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 $53,600 to $81,400 for Panama City, FL is attached.
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Inground pool in Panama City: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an inground pool in Panama City?
For 450 sq ft, expect $32,700 to $102,500 in the Panama City area. A standard-spec job lands at $53,600 to $81,400. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for inground pool in Panama City?
About $72.50 to $227 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $95 to $290 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $80 to $250.
+Is inground pool cheaper in Panama City or Crestview?
Crestview is 50 miles away. The midpoint for 450 sq ft there is $69,100, which is 2% more than Panama City ($67,500). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Panama City?
About 49% at the midpoint, or $33,100 out of $67,500. Materials are 51% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would average (512 sq ft) cost in Panama City?
$37,200 to $116,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does inground pool need a permit in Panama City?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $95 to $290 for fees in the Panama City area (our national range of $100 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Panama City expensive for inground pool compared with the rest of Florida?
Panama City is 2% below the Florida statewide estimate ($68,900 at the midpoint). We cover 19 metros in Florida; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Panama City?
The BLS median is $20.79 an hour in the Panama City area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $17.54 to $22.57.
+What do basic and premium inground pool work cost in Panama City?
For 450 sq ft, basic work runs $32,700 to $60,600 and premium work $74,500 to $102,500. 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 Panama City?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through June. 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 Panama City
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.