Inground pool cost in Baltimore, MD
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (450 sq ft)
- $36,200 – $113,000
- Per sq ft
- $80 – $251
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- Level
- US $74,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #131
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for an inground pool in the Baltimore area: $36,200 to $113,000 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 lands close to the US figure. Building materials run about 2% above the US average here (BEA goods price index 102.4).
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Estimated cost for 450 sq ft in Baltimore, MD, standard level
$59,300 to $90,100
About $131 to $200 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 51% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $28,800 | $43,900 |
| Labor | $30,300 | $45,900 |
| Permits and fees | $170 | $250 |
| Total | $59,300 | $90,100 |
Cost breakdown for 450 sq ft in Baltimore, MD
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $17,500 | $36,400 | $55,300 | 49% |
| Labor | $18,600 | $38,100 | $57,600 | 51% |
| Permits and fees | $100 | $210 | $310 | 0% |
| Total | $36,200 | $74,700 | $113,000 | 100% |
Why Baltimore 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 $22.34 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Baltimore is 0.98 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 51% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Baltimore is at 102.4 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $35,600 nationally becomes $36,400 here (midpoint, 450 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 104.5: $100 to $310.
Who does the work: Baltimore 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 Baltimore the blend is 0.98.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 40%) the local median is $22.34 an hour, which is in line with the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.72 and $26.66 an hour. BLS counts 10,520 of them working in the area, 77.5 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 $29.20 an hour, in line with the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $23.67 and $32.50 an hour. About 3,350 work in the metro. That is 24.7 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 $27.89 an hour, which is 7% below the national $29.87. The middle half of them earn between $22.54 and $30.08 an hour. BLS counts 580 of them working in the area, 4.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 3.4), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 10% of the weighting: a median of $30.38 an hour, in line with the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $26.38 and $39.76 an hour. About 5,220 work in the metro. That is 38.5 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 $2,950 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $2,450. That is a swing of roughly 3.3% to 4.0% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson has 1,356,680 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 22nd 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% | $18.72 | $22.34 | $26.66 | $22.66 | 0.99 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $23.67 | $29.20 | $32.50 | $28.78 | 1.01 | metro |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 20% | $22.54 | $27.89 | $30.08 | $29.87 | 0.93 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $26.38 | $30.38 | $39.76 | $30.67 | 0.99 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.98 | |||||
Inground pool: what moves the price in Baltimore
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.
Cost by quality level and size in Baltimore
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Baltimore. 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
$36,200 to $67,000
Vinyl-liner pool, small size
Standard
$59,300 to $90,100
Fiberglass pool, standard size
Premium
$82,400 to $113,000
Concrete or gunite, large with custom features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small pool (400 sq ft) | $32,200 – $59,600 | $52,700 – $80,100 | $73,300 – $100,500 |
| average (512 sq ft) | $41,200 – $76,200 | $67,500 – $102,500 | $93,700 – $128,500 |
| large (800 sq ft) | $64,300 – $119,000 | $105,500 – $160,000 | $146,500 – $201,000 |
How Baltimore compares
Same job, same size (450 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Washington is the priciest of the group at $76,900. Dover is the cheapest at $70,800.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore, MDthis page | $36,200 – $113,000 | $74,700 | |
| York, PA45 miles | $36,800 – $115,000 | $75,900 | +2% |
| Lancaster, PA55 miles | $36,600 – $114,500 | $75,500 | +1% |
| Dover, DE60 miles | $34,300 – $107,500 | $70,800 | −5% |
| Washington, DC60 miles | $37,300 – $116,500 | $76,900 | +3% |
| Lexington Park, MD70 miles | $35,500 – $111,000 | $73,200 | −2% |
| Maryland (statewide) | $36,500 – $114,000 | $75,300 | +1% |
| United States | $36,100 – $113,000 | $74,500 | level |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Baltimore ranks #131 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Baltimore is 1% below the Maryland figure.
Elsewhere in Maryland
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hagerstown, MD | 107,170 jobs | $33,300 – $104,000 | $68,700 | −8% |
| Lexington Park, MD | 70,650 jobs | $35,500 – $111,000 | $73,200 | −2% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Baltimore against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte, NC | 1,358,370 jobs | $33,700 – $105,500 | $69,600 | −7% |
| St. Louis, MO | 1,341,320 jobs | $42,300 – $132,000 | $87,200 | +17% |
| Orlando, FL | 1,411,730 jobs | $32,700 – $102,000 | $67,400 | −10% |
| Austin, TX | 1,293,690 jobs | $33,500 – $105,000 | $69,200 | −7% |
What nearby projects cost in Baltimore
Jobs that often go together with inground pool are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Baltimore wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, wood deck comes out highest (+2%) and concrete patio lowest (−1%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,850 – $11,600 | +2% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,000 – $5,450 | level |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,250 – $3,950 | −1% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,700 – $15,500 | +2% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $610 – $2,150 | +2% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,950 – $13,500 | level |
The best months for inground pool in Baltimore
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Md Sci Ctr Baltimore (in the city). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For pouring concrete, the comfortable months in Baltimore are April through June and August through November: 7 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March and December have an average overnight low of 40°F or below, and 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.
Baltimore gets about 44 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are July, August and September (4.7 inches in July). Inside the workable window, June and November are the driest, at 3.4 and 3.0 inches. The station averages about 43 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 | 44 | 30 | 3.1 | Cold |
| Feb | 47 | 32 | 2.8 | Cold |
| Mar | 55 | 39 | 3.9 | Cold |
| Apr | 67 | 48 | 3.5 | Workable |
| May | 76 | 58 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 85 | 68 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Jul | 90 | 73 | 4.7 | Hot |
| Aug | 87 | 71 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Sep | 80 | 65 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Oct | 69 | 53 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Nov | 58 | 43 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Dec | 48 | 35 | 3.7 | Cold |
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Inground pool in Baltimore: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an inground pool in Baltimore?
For 450 sq ft, expect $36,200 to $113,000 in the Baltimore area. A standard-spec job lands at $59,300 to $90,100. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for inground pool in Baltimore?
About $80 to $251 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 Baltimore or York?
York is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 450 sq ft there is $75,900, which is 2% more than Baltimore ($74,700). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Baltimore?
About 51% at the midpoint, or $38,100 out of $74,700. Materials are 49% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would average (512 sq ft) cost in Baltimore?
$41,200 to $128,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does inground pool need a permit in Baltimore?
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 Baltimore area (our national range of $100 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Baltimore expensive for inground pool compared with the rest of Maryland?
Baltimore is 1% below the Maryland statewide estimate ($75,300 at the midpoint). We cover 3 metros in Maryland; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Baltimore?
The BLS median is $22.34 an hour in the Baltimore area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $18.72 to $26.66.
+What do basic and premium inground pool work cost in Baltimore?
For 450 sq ft, basic work runs $36,200 to $67,000 and premium work $82,400 to $113,000. 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 Baltimore?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through June and August through November. June 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 Baltimore
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.