Inground pool cost in Bismarck, ND
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (450 sq ft)
- $37,300 – $116,500
- Per sq ft
- $82.50 – $258
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +3%
- US $74,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #109
- 1 = most expensive
An inground pool in Bismarck, ND usually costs $37,300 to $116,500 for 450 sq ft. That works out to about $82.50 to $258 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $2,400 more. Construction laborers earn a median of $23.93 an hour in the Bismarck area, 6% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 450 sq ft in Bismarck, ND, standard level
$61,000 to $92,700
About $135 to $205 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 55% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $27,000 | $41,100 |
| Labor | $33,900 | $51,300 |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $220 |
| Total | $61,000 | $92,700 |
Cost breakdown for 450 sq ft in Bismarck, ND
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,400 | $34,000 | $51,700 | 44% |
| Labor | $20,800 | $42,600 | $64,400 | 55% |
| Permits and fees | $90 | $180 | $270 | 0% |
| Total | $37,300 | $76,800 | $116,500 | 100% |
Where the Bismarck price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 4 trades: construction laborers at 40%, operating engineers and other construction equipment operators at 30%, brickmasons and blockmasons at 20%, plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters at 10%. Weighted together, Bismarck wages are 1.10 times the national level. Labor makes up about 55% of the midpoint estimate (52% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Bismarck is at 95.7 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $35,600 nationally becomes $34,000 here (midpoint, 450 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 91.0: $90 to $270.
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 Bismarck. The wage table below marks each row.
Pick a size, pick a tier: inground pool pricing in Bismarck
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Bismarck. 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
$37,300 to $68,900
Vinyl-liner pool, small size
Standard
$61,000 to $92,700
Fiberglass pool, standard size
Premium
$84,700 to $116,500
Concrete or gunite, large with custom features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small pool (400 sq ft) | $33,100 – $61,300 | $54,200 – $82,400 | $75,300 – $103,500 |
| average (512 sq ft) | $42,400 – $78,400 | $69,400 – $105,500 | $96,400 – $132,500 |
| large (800 sq ft) | $66,200 – $122,500 | $108,500 – $164,500 | $150,500 – $206,500 |
What local crews earn in Bismarck
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 Bismarck the blend is 1.10.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 40%) the local median is $23.93 an hour, which is 6% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.87 and $29.41 an hour. BLS counts 620 of them working in the area, 87.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 30% of the weighting: a median of $29.88 an hour, 4% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $25.67 and $35.15 an hour. About 580 work in the metro. That is 81.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) carry 20% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Bismarck metro, so we used the North Dakota statewide median: $38.43 an hour against $29.87 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $27.65 and $39.59 an hour.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 10% of the weighting: a median of $33.81 an hour, 10% above the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $24.18 and $38.82 an hour. About 220 work in the metro. That is 30.9 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 $3,750 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $1,400. That is a swing of roughly 1.8% to 4.9% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Bismarck has 71,270 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 258th 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% | $21.87 | $23.93 | $29.41 | $22.66 | 1.06 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $25.67 | $29.88 | $35.15 | $28.78 | 1.04 | metro |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 20% | $27.65 | $38.43 | $39.59 | $29.87 | 1.29 | state |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $24.18 | $33.81 | $38.82 | $30.67 | 1.10 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.10 | |||||
Bismarck 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, Bismarck (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 Bismarck 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.
Bismarck gets about 19 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 51 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and July (3.4 inches in June). Inside the workable window, May and September are the driest, at 2.5 and 1.7 inches. The station averages about 21 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 | 23 | 2 | 0.5 | Cold |
| Feb | 28 | 7 | 0.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 41 | 19 | 0.8 | Cold |
| Apr | 56 | 30 | 1.3 | Cold |
| May | 68 | 42 | 2.5 | Workable |
| Jun | 78 | 53 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Jul | 85 | 58 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Aug | 84 | 56 | 2.5 | Workable |
| Sep | 73 | 46 | 1.7 | Workable |
| Oct | 57 | 33 | 1.4 | Cold |
| Nov | 41 | 19 | 0.7 | Cold |
| Dec | 28 | 8 | 0.6 | Cold |
Related projects, priced for Bismarck
Jobs that often go together with inground pool are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Bismarck wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, paver patio comes out highest (+7%) and wood deck lowest (−5%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,700 – $11,000 | −3% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,200 – $5,850 | +7% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,200 – $3,950 | −2% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,150 – $14,300 | −5% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $600 – $2,100 | level |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $7,650 – $13,900 | +5% |
Bismarck against nearby metros and the rest of North Dakota
Same job, same size (450 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. St. Cloud is the priciest of the group at $84,600. Rapid City is the cheapest at $71,800.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck, NDthis page | $37,300 – $116,500 | $76,800 | |
| Fargo, ND190 miles | $35,900 – $112,000 | $73,900 | −4% |
| Rapid City, SD210 miles | $34,800 – $109,000 | $71,800 | −7% |
| Sioux Falls, SD305 miles | $35,100 – $109,500 | $72,300 | −6% |
| St. Cloud, MN325 miles | $41,100 – $128,000 | $84,600 | +10% |
| Sioux City, IA380 miles | $35,600 – $111,000 | $73,400 | −4% |
| North Dakota (statewide) | $37,000 – $115,500 | $76,200 | −1% |
| United States | $36,100 – $113,000 | $74,500 | −3% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Bismarck ranks #109 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Bismarck is 1% above the North Dakota figure.
Elsewhere in North Dakota
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo, ND | 148,660 jobs | $35,900 – $112,000 | $73,900 | −4% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Bismarck against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redding, CA | 71,550 jobs | $40,400 – $126,000 | $83,200 | +8% |
| Lexington Park, MD | 70,650 jobs | $35,500 – $111,000 | $73,200 | −5% |
| Bozeman, MT | 72,210 jobs | $37,700 – $117,500 | $77,600 | +1% |
| Janesville, WI | 69,870 jobs | $38,600 – $120,500 | $79,500 | +3% |
Why two Bismarck 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.
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 $61,000 to $92,700 for Bismarck, ND is attached.
Detailed inground pool report for Bismarck, ND, $9
Multi-page report for Bismarck, ND: 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 Bismarck: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an inground pool in Bismarck?
For 450 sq ft, expect $37,300 to $116,500 in the Bismarck area. A standard-spec job lands at $61,000 to $92,700. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for inground pool in Bismarck?
About $82.50 to $258 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $90 to $270 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $80 to $250.
+Is inground pool cheaper in Bismarck or Fargo?
Fargo is 190 miles away. The midpoint for 450 sq ft there is $73,900, which is 4% less than Bismarck ($76,800). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Bismarck?
About 55% at the midpoint, or $42,600 out of $76,800. Materials are 44% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would average (512 sq ft) cost in Bismarck?
$42,400 to $132,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does inground pool need a permit in Bismarck?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $90 to $270 for fees in the Bismarck area (our national range of $100 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Bismarck expensive for inground pool compared with the rest of North Dakota?
Bismarck is 1% above the North Dakota statewide estimate ($76,200 at the midpoint). We cover 2 metros in North Dakota; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Bismarck?
The BLS median is $23.93 an hour in the Bismarck area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.87 to $29.41.
+What do basic and premium inground pool work cost in Bismarck?
For 450 sq ft, basic work runs $37,300 to $68,900 and premium work $84,700 to $116,500. 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 Bismarck?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are May through September. May and September 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 Bismarck
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.