Inground pool cost in Augusta, GA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (450 sq ft)
- $32,000 – $100,000
- Per sq ft
- $71 – $222
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −11%
- US $74,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #259
- 1 = most expensive
An inground pool in Augusta, GA usually costs $32,000 to $100,000 for 450 sq ft. That works out to about $71 to $222 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $8,350 less. Construction laborers earn a median of $18.62 an hour in the Augusta area, 18% below the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 450 sq ft in Augusta, GA, standard level
$52,500 to $79,700
About $116 to $177 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 48% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $27,100 | $41,300 |
| Labor | $25,200 | $38,200 |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $220 |
| Total | $52,500 | $79,700 |
Cost breakdown for 450 sq ft in Augusta, GA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,500 | $34,200 | $52,000 | 52% |
| Labor | $15,500 | $31,700 | $47,900 | 48% |
| Permits and fees | $90 | $180 | $280 | 0% |
| Total | $32,000 | $66,100 | $100,000 | 100% |
Why Augusta 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 $18.62 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Augusta is 0.82 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 48% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Augusta is at 96.3 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 91.9: $90 to $280.
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 Augusta. The wage table below marks each row.
Cost by quality level and size in Augusta
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Augusta. 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
$32,000 to $59,300
Vinyl-liner pool, small size
Standard
$52,500 to $79,700
Fiberglass pool, standard size
Premium
$72,900 to $100,000
Concrete or gunite, large with custom features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small pool (400 sq ft) | $28,500 – $52,700 | $46,700 – $70,900 | $64,800 – $89,100 |
| average (512 sq ft) | $36,400 – $67,400 | $59,700 – $90,700 | $82,900 – $114,000 |
| large (800 sq ft) | $56,900 – $105,500 | $93,200 – $141,500 | $129,500 – $178,000 |
Why two Augusta 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.
Augusta against nearby metros and the rest of Georgia
Same job, same size (450 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Hilton Head is the priciest of the group at $68,700. Athens is the cheapest at $65,000.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Augusta, GAthis page | $32,000 – $100,000 | $66,100 | |
| Columbia, SC70 miles | $32,500 – $101,500 | $67,000 | +1% |
| Athens, GA80 miles | $31,500 – $98,500 | $65,000 | −2% |
| Greenville, SC90 miles | $32,900 – $102,500 | $67,800 | +3% |
| Spartanburg, SC95 miles | $32,400 – $101,500 | $67,000 | +1% |
| Hilton Head, SC100 miles | $33,300 – $104,000 | $68,700 | +4% |
| Georgia (statewide) | $32,600 – $102,000 | $67,200 | +2% |
| United States | $36,100 – $113,000 | $74,500 | +13% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Augusta ranks #259 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Augusta is 2% below the Georgia figure.
Elsewhere in Georgia
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta, GA | 2,889,670 jobs | $33,900 – $106,000 | $69,900 | +6% |
| Savannah, GA | 198,360 jobs | $32,100 – $100,500 | $66,200 | level |
| Columbus, GA | 116,380 jobs | $31,200 – $97,600 | $64,400 | −3% |
| Gainesville, GA | 103,870 jobs | $31,900 – $99,700 | $65,800 | −1% |
| Athens, GA | 95,800 jobs | $31,500 – $98,500 | $65,000 | −2% |
| Macon, GA | 95,030 jobs | $31,900 – $99,600 | $65,700 | −1% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Augusta against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trenton, NJ | 240,190 jobs | $42,300 – $132,000 | $87,100 | +32% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | 225,520 jobs | $37,400 – $116,500 | $77,000 | +16% |
| Palm Bay, FL | 245,170 jobs | $33,700 – $105,500 | $69,600 | +5% |
| Springfield, MO | 223,030 jobs | $34,400 – $107,500 | $71,000 | +7% |
Augusta weather and the inground pool calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Augusta Daniel Fld 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 Augusta are February through May and September through December: 8 of 12. Outside them, January has an average overnight low of 40°F or below, and 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.
Augusta gets about 45 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, July and August (5.0 inches in August). Inside the workable window, October and November are the driest, at 2.7 and 2.8 inches. The station averages about 80 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 | 58 | 40 | 3.8 | Cold |
| Feb | 62 | 43 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Mar | 69 | 49 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Apr | 78 | 56 | 2.9 | Workable |
| May | 85 | 64 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Jun | 91 | 71 | 4.7 | Hot |
| Jul | 94 | 74 | 4.8 | Hot |
| Aug | 92 | 73 | 5.0 | Hot |
| Sep | 87 | 69 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 78 | 58 | 2.7 | Workable |
| Nov | 68 | 48 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Dec | 60 | 42 | 3.8 | Workable |
What nearby projects cost in Augusta
Jobs that often go together with inground pool are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Augusta wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, wood deck comes out highest (−5%) and paver patio lowest (−11%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,500 – $10,600 | −7% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,650 – $4,850 | −11% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,150 – $3,550 | −11% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,200 – $14,400 | −5% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $540 – $1,900 | −10% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,150 – $12,200 | −11% |
What local crews earn in Augusta
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 Augusta the blend is 0.82.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 40%) the local median is $18.62 an hour, which is 18% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $16.43 and $23.02 an hour. BLS counts 1,630 of them working in the area, 70.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is about average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 30% of the weighting: a median of $23.17 an hour, 19% below the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $20.95 and $27.82 an hour. About 670 work in the metro. That is 28.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) carry 20% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Augusta metro, so we used the Georgia statewide median: $24.35 an hour against $29.87 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $18.00 and $32.90 an hour.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 10% of the weighting: a median of $26.29 an hour, 14% below the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $22.26 and $30.94 an hour. About 540 work in the metro. That is 23.3 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 $3,000 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $1,500. That is a swing of roughly 2.3% to 4.5% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Augusta-Richmond County has 231,930 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 106th 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% | $16.43 | $18.62 | $23.02 | $22.66 | 0.82 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $20.95 | $23.17 | $27.82 | $28.78 | 0.81 | metro |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 20% | $18.00 | $24.35 | $32.90 | $29.87 | 0.82 | state |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $22.26 | $26.29 | $30.94 | $30.67 | 0.86 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.82 | |||||
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Inground pool in Augusta: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an inground pool in Augusta?
For 450 sq ft, expect $32,000 to $100,000 in the Augusta area. A standard-spec job lands at $52,500 to $79,700. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for inground pool in Augusta?
About $71 to $222 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $90 to $280 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $80 to $250.
+Is inground pool cheaper in Augusta or Columbia?
Columbia is 70 miles away. The midpoint for 450 sq ft there is $67,000, which is 1% more than Augusta ($66,100). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Augusta?
About 48% at the midpoint, or $31,700 out of $66,100. Materials are 52% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would average (512 sq ft) cost in Augusta?
$36,400 to $114,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does inground pool need a permit in Augusta?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $90 to $280 for fees in the Augusta area (our national range of $100 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Augusta expensive for inground pool compared with the rest of Georgia?
Augusta is 2% below the Georgia statewide estimate ($67,200 at the midpoint). We cover 10 metros in Georgia; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Augusta?
The BLS median is $18.62 an hour in the Augusta area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $16.43 to $23.02.
+What do basic and premium inground pool work cost in Augusta?
For 450 sq ft, basic work runs $32,000 to $59,300 and premium work $72,900 to $100,000. 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 Augusta?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are February through May and September through December. October 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 Augusta
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.