Inground pool cost in Worcester, MA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (450 sq ft)
- $41,000 – $128,000
- Per sq ft
- $91 – $283
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +13%
- US $74,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #43
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for an inground pool in the Worcester area: $41,000 to $128,000 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 runs 13% higher than the US figure. Construction laborers earn a median of $29.52 an hour in the Worcester area, 30% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 450 sq ft in Worcester, MA, standard level
$67,000 to $102,000
About $149 to $226 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 59% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $27,300 | $41,600 |
| Labor | $39,500 | $59,900 |
| Permits and fees | $160 | $250 |
| Total | $67,000 | $102,000 |
Cost breakdown for 450 sq ft in Worcester, MA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,600 | $34,500 | $52,400 | 41% |
| Labor | $24,300 | $49,700 | $75,100 | 59% |
| Permits and fees | $100 | $210 | $310 | 0% |
| Total | $41,000 | $84,400 | $128,000 | 100% |
Where the Worcester price comes from
The wage side of the estimate leans on construction laborers, who do 40% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $29.52 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Worcester is 1.28 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 59% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Worcester 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 102.5: $100 to $310.
Cost by quality level and size in Worcester
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Worcester. 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
$41,000 to $75,700
Vinyl-liner pool, small size
Standard
$67,000 to $102,000
Fiberglass pool, standard size
Premium
$93,100 to $128,000
Concrete or gunite, large with custom features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small pool (400 sq ft) | $36,400 – $67,300 | $59,600 – $90,500 | $82,800 – $113,500 |
| average (512 sq ft) | $46,600 – $86,100 | $76,200 – $115,500 | $106,000 – $145,500 |
| large (800 sq ft) | $72,700 – $134,500 | $119,000 – $180,500 | $165,500 – $227,000 |
Specs and site conditions that change a Worcester 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.
Who does the work: Worcester 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 Worcester the blend is 1.28.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 40%) the local median is $29.52 an hour, which is 30% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $23.23 and $43.40 an hour. BLS counts 1,650 of them working in the area, 47.2 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 $37.05 an hour, 29% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $29.12 and $54.24 an hour. About 1,230 work in the metro. That is 35.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021, weighted 20%) the local median is $36.99 an hour, which is 24% above the national $29.87. The middle half of them earn between $30.82 and $57.12 an hour. BLS counts 140 of them working in the area, 4.0 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 $39.55 an hour, 29% above the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $28.23 and $51.02 an hour. About 1,370 work in the metro. That is 39.2 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 $9,500 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $4,300. That is a swing of roughly 5.1% to 11.2% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Worcester has 349,880 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 73rd 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% | $23.23 | $29.52 | $43.40 | $22.66 | 1.30 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $29.12 | $37.05 | $54.24 | $28.78 | 1.29 | metro |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 20% | $30.82 | $36.99 | $57.12 | $29.87 | 1.24 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $28.23 | $39.55 | $51.02 | $30.67 | 1.29 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.28 | |||||
How Worcester compares
Of the five closest metros, 3 are cheaper than Worcester. Manchester is the lowest at about $74,700 (midpoint, 450 sq ft), 45 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worcester, MAthis page | $41,000 – $128,000 | $84,400 | |
| Amherst, MA35 miles | $40,500 – $126,000 | $83,300 | −1% |
| Springfield, MA40 miles | $42,200 – $131,500 | $86,800 | +3% |
| Manchester, NH45 miles | $36,200 – $113,000 | $74,700 | −11% |
| Boston, MA50 miles | $43,400 – $135,500 | $89,300 | +6% |
| Hartford, CT55 miles | $40,700 – $127,000 | $83,800 | −1% |
| Massachusetts (statewide) | $43,000 – $134,000 | $88,600 | +5% |
| United States | $36,100 – $113,000 | $74,500 | −12% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Worcester ranks #43 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Worcester is 5% 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 | +6% |
| Springfield, MA | 201,240 jobs | $42,200 – $131,500 | $86,800 | +3% |
| Barnstable, MA | 94,110 jobs | $41,300 – $129,000 | $85,000 | +1% |
| Amherst, MA | 65,670 jobs | $40,500 – $126,000 | $83,300 | −1% |
| Pittsfield, MA | 56,810 jobs | $38,900 – $121,500 | $80,200 | −5% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Worcester against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Rock, AR | 358,210 jobs | $31,500 – $98,400 | $64,900 | −23% |
| Durham, NC | 344,020 jobs | $33,700 – $105,500 | $69,600 | −18% |
| Greensboro, NC | 365,410 jobs | $32,500 – $101,500 | $67,000 | −21% |
| North Port, FL | 339,940 jobs | $33,500 – $104,500 | $69,000 | −18% |
Planning more than one job in Worcester?
Jobs that often go together with inground pool are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Worcester wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, French drain comes out highest (+16%) and aluminum fence lowest (+7%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $4,100 – $12,100 | +7% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,450 – $6,300 | +15% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,300 – $4,400 | +9% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $8,150 – $16,400 | +8% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $700 – $2,450 | +16% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $8,100 – $14,600 | +11% |
The best months for inground pool in Worcester
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Worcester Rgnl 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 Worcester are May through October: 6 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March, April, 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.
Worcester gets about 48 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 73 inches of snow. The wettest months are September, October and December (4.8 inches in October). Inside the workable window, May and July are the driest, at 3.6 and 3.9 inches. The station averages about 3 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 | 32 | 17 | 3.5 | Cold |
| Feb | 35 | 19 | 3.3 | Cold |
| Mar | 43 | 26 | 4.2 | Cold |
| Apr | 56 | 37 | 4.1 | Cold |
| May | 67 | 47 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Jun | 75 | 56 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 80 | 62 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Aug | 78 | 61 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Sep | 71 | 53 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 59 | 42 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 48 | 33 | 4.0 | Cold |
| Dec | 38 | 23 | 4.3 | Cold |
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Inground pool in Worcester: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an inground pool in Worcester?
For 450 sq ft, expect $41,000 to $128,000 in the Worcester area. A standard-spec job lands at $67,000 to $102,000. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for inground pool in Worcester?
About $91 to $283 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 Worcester or Amherst?
Amherst is 35 miles away. The midpoint for 450 sq ft there is $83,300, which is 1% less than Worcester ($84,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Worcester?
About 59% at the midpoint, or $49,700 out of $84,400. Materials are 41% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would average (512 sq ft) cost in Worcester?
$46,600 to $145,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does inground pool need a permit in Worcester?
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 Worcester area (our national range of $100 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Worcester expensive for inground pool compared with the rest of Massachusetts?
Worcester is 5% 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 Worcester?
The BLS median is $29.52 an hour in the Worcester area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.23 to $43.40.
+What do basic and premium inground pool work cost in Worcester?
For 450 sq ft, basic work runs $41,000 to $75,700 and premium work $93,100 to $128,000. 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 Worcester?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are May through October. May and July 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 Worcester
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.