Inground pool cost in North Carolina
Statewide estimate from BLS wages and BEA prices. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Statewide range (450 sq ft)
- $33,200 – $104,000
- Per sq ft
- $73.50 – $230
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −8%
- US $74,500
- Metros covered
- 11
What does it cost to install an inground pool in North Carolina? Plan on $33,200 to $104,000 for 450 sq ft. Wages (0.88x the US blend), materials (price index 96.6) and permit costs (94.3) put the state below the national midpoint by 8%.
Inside North Carolina, the metros we cover range from $66,600 (Winston) to $69,600 (Durham) at the midpoint. Pick your closest city in the table for a tighter number.
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Estimated cost for 450 sq ft in North Carolina (statewide), standard level
$54,400 to $82,600
About $120 to $183 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 50% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $27,200 | $41,500 |
| Labor | $27,000 | $40,900 |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $230 |
| Total | $54,400 | $82,600 |
Cost breakdown for 450 sq ft in North Carolina
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,500 | $34,300 | $52,200 | 50% |
| Labor | $16,600 | $33,900 | $51,300 | 50% |
| Permits and fees | $95 | $190 | $280 | 0% |
| Total | $33,200 | $68,500 | $104,000 | 100% |
North Carolina versus the states around it
North Carolina ranks 42 of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) for inground pool, where 1 is the most expensive. The costliest is Hawaii at $102,500 and the cheapest Arkansas at $64,300, both for 450 sq ft at the midpoint. North Carolina sits at $68,500. The five states closest by workforce center are listed below.
| State | Distance | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | 120 miles away | $32,700 – $102,000 | $67,400 | −2% |
| Virginia | 180 miles away | $34,800 – $108,500 | $71,800 | +5% |
| West Virginia | 240 miles away | $32,800 – $102,500 | $67,700 | −1% |
| District of Columbia | 260 miles away | $40,300 – $126,000 | $83,100 | +21% |
| Georgia | 270 miles away | $32,600 – $102,000 | $67,200 | −2% |
Related projects, priced for North Carolina
Each project weights the trades differently, so North Carolina's wage level does not push every price by the same amount. Compared with the US midpoint, French drain is −6% and concrete patio −9%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,500 – $10,600 | −7% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,800 – $5,050 | −7% |
| 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 | $560 – $1,950 | −6% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,350 – $12,400 | −9% |
What construction laborers and the other trades earn in North Carolina
North Carolina's labor line is priced from 4 trades, each compared with its US median wage. After weighting by each trade's share of the work, the state comes out at 0.88 times the national level.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 40%) the local median is $21.50 an hour, which is 5% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.97 and $23.59 an hour. BLS counts 35,620 of them working in the state, 72.1 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 $23.71 an hour, 18% below the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $21.97 and $27.82 an hour. About 16,580 work in the state. That is 33.6 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 $24.01 an hour, which is 20% below the national $29.87. The middle half of them earn between $21.78 and $27.70 an hour. BLS counts 1,760 of them working in the state, 3.6 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 3.4), so the local bench is about average.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 10% of the weighting: a median of $27.44 an hour, 11% below the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $22.38 and $30.43 an hour. About 14,510 work in the state. That is 29.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.0 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
A crew paid at the 75th percentile for construction laborers ($23.59 an hour) would add about $1,450 to the statewide midpoint; one at the 25th percentile ($17.97) would take off about $2,400. Use that as a rough guide to how far a bid can sit from our midpoint on wages alone.
BLS counts 4,941,820 jobs across North Carolina (May 2025), which is 3.2% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $17.97 | $21.50 | $23.59 | $22.66 | 0.95 | state |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $21.97 | $23.71 | $27.82 | $28.78 | 0.82 | state |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 20% | $21.78 | $24.01 | $27.70 | $29.87 | 0.80 | state |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $22.38 | $27.44 | $30.43 | $30.67 | 0.89 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 0.88 | |||||
Inground pool cost by metro in North Carolina
4 of the 11 metros sit above the statewide midpoint of $68,500, and the top-to-bottom gap is 4%. Each row prices the default size with that metro's own BLS wages and BEA price levels, so the gap between rows is real local variation rather than a flat markup.
| Metro | Range (450 sq ft) | Midpoint | vs. state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durham, NC | $33,700 – $105,500 | $69,600 | +2% |
| Charlotte, NC | $33,700 – $105,500 | $69,600 | +2% |
| Raleigh, NC | $33,600 – $105,000 | $69,300 | +1% |
| Asheville, NC | $33,500 – $104,500 | $69,100 | +1% |
| Wilmington, NC | $33,200 – $103,500 | $68,400 | level |
| Burlington, NC | $33,000 – $103,000 | $68,100 | −1% |
| Hickory, NC | $32,800 – $102,500 | $67,700 | −1% |
| Fayetteville, NC | $32,800 – $102,500 | $67,600 | −1% |
| Greensboro, NC | $32,500 – $101,500 | $67,000 | −2% |
| Greenville, NC | $32,300 – $101,000 | $66,700 | −3% |
| Winston, NC | $32,300 – $101,000 | $66,600 | −3% |
North Carolina seasons and inground pool
Weather decides when pouring concrete can happen, and North Carolina is not uniform. The table uses NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals from the weather station nearest each metro we cover, and counts the months that are neither cold nor hot enough to complicate the job.
Wilmington has the longest comfortable season of the metros we cover in North Carolina at 8 months (March through June and August through November); Burlington has the shortest at 6 (April through June and August through October). Rainfall runs from 41 inches a year in Asheville to 60 inches in Wilmington.
We do not adjust prices by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. Timing is still worth raising when you collect bids.
| Metro | Jan avg low °F | Jul avg high °F | Precip (in/yr) | Comfortable months |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | 32 | 90 | 44 | 7: March through June and August through October |
| Raleigh | 32 | 91 | 46 | 6: April through June and August through October |
| Greensboro | 30 | 89 | 46 | 7: April through October |
| Durham | 32 | 91 | 46 | 6: April through June and August through October |
| Winston | 31 | 88 | 43 | 7: April through October |
| Wilmington | 36 | 90 | 60 | 8: March through June and August through November |
| Asheville | 29 | 86 | 41 | 7: April through October |
| Hickory | 30 | 87 | 47 | 7: April through October |
| Fayetteville | 34 | 91 | 45 | 8: March through June and August through November |
| Greenville | 33 | 90 | 53 | 8: March through June and August through November |
| Burlington | 30 | 91 | 43 | 6: April through June and August through October |
Why two North Carolina 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.
Basic, standard or premium: North Carolina prices
Bands overlap on purpose, since a good standard job can cost as much as a light premium one. Below are the three bands for the default size, then a grid from small pool (400 sq ft) to large (800 sq ft).
Basic
$33,200 to $61,400
Vinyl-liner pool, small size
Standard
$54,400 to $82,600
Fiberglass pool, standard size
Premium
$75,500 to $104,000
Concrete or gunite, large with custom features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small pool (400 sq ft) | $29,500 – $54,600 | $48,300 – $73,400 | $67,200 – $92,300 |
| average (512 sq ft) | $37,700 – $69,900 | $61,800 – $93,900 | $85,900 – $118,000 |
| large (800 sq ft) | $58,900 – $109,000 | $96,500 – $146,500 | $134,000 – $184,000 |
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Detailed inground pool report for North Carolina, $9
Multi-page report for North Carolina: 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 North Carolina: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an inground pool in North Carolina?
$33,200 to $104,000 for 450 sq ft, using statewide wages and prices. Metro areas inside North Carolina can sit above or below that.
+Which city in North Carolina is cheapest for inground pool?
Winston at about $66,600 (midpoint, 450 sq ft). The priciest is Durham at $69,600.
+Is inground pool cheaper in North Carolina than the US average?
It is 8% cheaper: $68,500 against $74,500 for 450 sq ft at the midpoint.
+What share of the price is labor in North Carolina?
About 50% ($33,900). Materials are 50%. Statewide labor for this job is weighted 0.88x the national wage level.
+What do construction laborers earn in North Carolina?
The BLS statewide median is $21.50 an hour, against $22.66 for the US. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $17.97 to $23.59.
+Where does North Carolina rank for inground pool costs?
42nd most expensive of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) at the midpoint, $68,500 for 450 sq ft. Rank 1 is the costliest.
+What do basic and premium inground pool work cost in North Carolina?
For 450 sq ft, basic work runs $33,200 to $61,400 and premium work $75,500 to $104,000. Basic means: vinyl-liner pool, small size. Premium means: concrete or gunite, large with custom features.
+Does the season matter for inground pool in North Carolina?
Yes where winters or summers are hard. Of the North Carolina metros we cover, Wilmington has the most comfortable months (8 of 12) based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals. Our prices do not change by month, so ask contractors whether they charge more or less in busy and slow seasons.
Inground pool by city in North Carolina
- Durham, NC$69,600 midpoint
- Charlotte, NC$69,600 midpoint
- Raleigh, NC$69,300 midpoint
- Asheville, NC$69,100 midpoint
- Wilmington, NC$68,400 midpoint
- Burlington, NC$68,100 midpoint
- Hickory, NC$67,700 midpoint
- Fayetteville, NC$67,600 midpoint
- Greensboro, NC$67,000 midpoint
- Greenville, NC$66,700 midpoint
- Winston, NC$66,600 midpoint
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.