Inground pool cost in Amherst, MA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (450 sq ft)
- $40,500 – $126,000
- Per sq ft
- $89.50 – $280
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +12%
- US $74,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #55
- 1 = most expensive
An inground pool in Amherst, MA usually costs $40,500 to $126,000 for 450 sq ft. That works out to about $89.50 to $280 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $8,900 more. Construction laborers earn a median of $27.96 an hour in the Amherst area, 23% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 450 sq ft in Amherst, MA, standard level
$66,200 to $100,500
About $147 to $223 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 58% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $27,300 | $41,600 |
| Labor | $38,700 | $58,600 |
| Permits and fees | $160 | $240 |
| Total | $66,200 | $100,500 |
Cost breakdown for 450 sq ft in Amherst, MA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,600 | $34,500 | $52,400 | 41% |
| Labor | $23,800 | $48,700 | $73,600 | 58% |
| Permits and fees | $100 | $200 | $300 | 0% |
| Total | $40,500 | $83,300 | $126,000 | 100% |
What is behind the Amherst 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 $27.96 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Amherst is 1.26 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 58% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Amherst is at 97.0 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $35,600 nationally becomes $34,500 here (midpoint, 450 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 100.2: $100 to $300.
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 Amherst. The wage table below marks each row.
Amherst against nearby metros and the rest of Massachusetts
Of the five closest metros, 2 are cheaper than Amherst. Pittsfield is the lowest at about $80,200 (midpoint, 450 sq ft), 30 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amherst, MAthis page | $40,500 – $126,000 | $83,300 | |
| Springfield, MA15 miles | $42,200 – $131,500 | $86,800 | +4% |
| Pittsfield, MA30 miles | $38,900 – $121,500 | $80,200 | −4% |
| Worcester, MA35 miles | $41,000 – $128,000 | $84,400 | +1% |
| Hartford, CT45 miles | $40,700 – $127,000 | $83,800 | level |
| Waterbury, CT60 miles | $39,700 – $124,000 | $81,800 | −2% |
| Massachusetts (statewide) | $43,000 – $134,000 | $88,600 | +6% |
| United States | $36,100 – $113,000 | $74,500 | −11% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Amherst ranks #55 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Amherst is 6% below the Massachusetts figure.
Elsewhere in Massachusetts
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston, MA | 2,703,890 jobs | $43,400 – $135,500 | $89,300 | +7% |
| Worcester, MA | 349,880 jobs | $41,000 – $128,000 | $84,400 | +1% |
| Springfield, MA | 201,240 jobs | $42,200 – $131,500 | $86,800 | +4% |
| Barnstable, MA | 94,110 jobs | $41,300 – $129,000 | $85,000 | +2% |
| Pittsfield, MA | 56,810 jobs | $38,900 – $121,500 | $80,200 | −4% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Amherst against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff, AZ | 66,610 jobs | $34,800 – $109,000 | $71,800 | −14% |
| Harrisonburg, VA | 65,460 jobs | $33,200 – $104,000 | $68,500 | −18% |
| Logan, UT | 66,800 jobs | $34,900 – $109,000 | $71,900 | −14% |
| El Centro, CA | 65,430 jobs | $39,400 – $123,000 | $81,300 | −2% |
Amherst 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, Westfield Barnes Muni Ap (15 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 Amherst are May through September: 5 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March, April, October, November and December have 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.
Amherst gets about 45 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, September and October (4.7 inches in October). Inside the workable window, May and August are the driest, at 3.7 and 3.7 inches. The station averages about 18 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 | 35 | 16 | 2.8 | Cold |
| Feb | 38 | 17 | 2.6 | Cold |
| Mar | 47 | 26 | 3.4 | Cold |
| Apr | 60 | 35 | 4.1 | Cold |
| May | 72 | 46 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Jun | 80 | 55 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Jul | 85 | 61 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Aug | 83 | 59 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Sep | 75 | 51 | 4.6 | Workable |
| Oct | 63 | 39 | 4.7 | Cold |
| Nov | 51 | 30 | 3.5 | Cold |
| Dec | 40 | 22 | 3.6 | Cold |
Specs and site conditions that change a Amherst bid
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.
What local crews earn in Amherst
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 Amherst the blend is 1.26.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 40%) the local median is $27.96 an hour, which is 23% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.14 and $36.52 an hour. BLS counts 280 of them working in the area, 42.6 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 $32.13 an hour, 12% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $27.45 and $38.91 an hour. About 180 work in the metro. That is 27.4 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 Amherst metro, so we used the Massachusetts statewide median: $45.65 an hour against $29.87 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $36.67 and $64.18 an hour.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 10% of the weighting: a median of $37.77 an hour, 23% above the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $27.70 and $45.15 an hour. About 190 work in the metro. That is 28.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.0 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (construction laborers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $5,850 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $4,000. That is a swing of roughly 4.8% to 7.0% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Amherst Town-Northampton has 65,670 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 273rd 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% | $22.14 | $27.96 | $36.52 | $22.66 | 1.23 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $27.45 | $32.13 | $38.91 | $28.78 | 1.12 | metro |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 20% | $36.67 | $45.65 | $64.18 | $29.87 | 1.53 | state |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $27.70 | $37.77 | $45.15 | $30.67 | 1.23 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.26 | |||||
Related projects, priced for Amherst
Jobs that often go together with inground pool are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Amherst wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, paver patio comes out highest (+18%) and wood deck lowest (+4%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $4,000 – $11,800 | +4% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,550 – $6,450 | +18% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,300 – $4,300 | +7% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,850 – $15,800 | +4% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $670 – $2,350 | +12% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $8,450 – $15,100 | +15% |
Pick a size, pick a tier: inground pool pricing in Amherst
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Amherst. 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 $74,800
Vinyl-liner pool, small size
Standard
$66,200 to $100,500
Fiberglass pool, standard size
Premium
$91,900 to $126,000
Concrete or gunite, large with custom features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small pool (400 sq ft) | $36,000 – $66,500 | $58,900 – $89,400 | $81,700 – $112,000 |
| average (512 sq ft) | $46,000 – $85,000 | $75,300 – $114,500 | $104,500 – $143,500 |
| large (800 sq ft) | $71,800 – $133,000 | $117,500 – $178,500 | $163,500 – $224,000 |
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 $66,200 to $100,500 for Amherst, MA is attached.
Detailed inground pool report for Amherst, MA, $9
Multi-page report for Amherst, MA: 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 Amherst: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an inground pool in Amherst?
For 450 sq ft, expect $40,500 to $126,000 in the Amherst area. A standard-spec job lands at $66,200 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 Amherst?
About $89.50 to $280 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $100 to $300 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $80 to $250.
+Is inground pool cheaper in Amherst or Springfield?
Springfield is 15 miles away. The midpoint for 450 sq ft there is $86,800, which is 4% more than Amherst ($83,300). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Amherst?
About 58% at the midpoint, or $48,700 out of $83,300. Materials are 41% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would average (512 sq ft) cost in Amherst?
$46,000 to $143,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does inground pool need a permit in Amherst?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $100 to $300 for fees in the Amherst area (our national range of $100 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Amherst expensive for inground pool compared with the rest of Massachusetts?
Amherst is 6% below the Massachusetts statewide estimate ($88,600 at the midpoint). We cover 6 metros in Massachusetts; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Amherst?
The BLS median is $27.96 an hour in the Amherst area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.14 to $36.52.
+What do basic and premium inground pool work cost in Amherst?
For 450 sq ft, basic work runs $40,500 to $74,800 and premium work $91,900 to $126,000. 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 Amherst?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are May through September. May 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 Amherst
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.