Inground pool cost in Fargo, ND
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (450 sq ft)
- $35,900 – $112,000
- Per sq ft
- $79.50 – $248
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −1%
- US $74,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #142
- 1 = most expensive
Fargo homeowners pay roughly $35,900 to $112,000 to install an inground pool at 450 sq ft, or $79.50 to $248 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Fargo is almost level. Building materials run about 4% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 95.7).
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Estimated cost for 450 sq ft in Fargo, ND, standard level
$58,700 to $89,200
About $130 to $198 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 54% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $26,900 | $41,100 |
| Labor | $31,600 | $47,900 |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $220 |
| Total | $58,700 | $89,200 |
Cost breakdown for 450 sq ft in Fargo, ND
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,400 | $34,000 | $51,700 | 46% |
| Labor | $19,400 | $39,800 | $60,100 | 54% |
| Permits and fees | $90 | $180 | $270 | 0% |
| Total | $35,900 | $73,900 | $112,000 | 100% |
What is behind the Fargo 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 $23.72 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Fargo is 1.03 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 54% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Fargo metro is 95.7 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 450 sq ft comes to $34,000, compared with $35,600 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (90.9) and land at $90 to $270.
Specs and site conditions that change a Fargo 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.
How Fargo compares
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 450 sq ft range from $72,300 to $91,700 across Fargo and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo, NDthis page | $35,900 – $112,000 | $73,900 | |
| St. Cloud, MN150 miles | $41,100 – $128,000 | $84,600 | +14% |
| Bismarck, ND190 miles | $37,300 – $116,500 | $76,800 | +4% |
| Minneapolis, MN215 miles | $44,500 – $139,000 | $91,700 | +24% |
| Duluth, MN215 miles | $40,800 – $127,000 | $84,000 | +14% |
| Sioux Falls, SD235 miles | $35,100 – $109,500 | $72,300 | −2% |
| North Dakota (statewide) | $37,000 – $115,500 | $76,200 | +3% |
| United States | $36,100 – $113,000 | $74,500 | +1% |
Across 300 US metros, Fargo comes in at #142 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $105,000; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $62,300 (midpoints, 450 sq ft). Statewide, Fargo is 3% below the North Dakota figure.
Other North Dakota metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck, ND | 71,270 jobs | $37,300 – $116,500 | $76,800 | +4% |
Cities with a workforce like Fargo's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Fargo against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Killeen, TX | 150,580 jobs | $31,800 – $99,400 | $65,600 | −11% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | 146,260 jobs | $31,500 – $98,400 | $64,900 | −12% |
| Gainesville, FL | 152,670 jobs | $32,500 – $101,500 | $67,100 | −9% |
| Vallejo, CA | 144,130 jobs | $43,400 – $135,500 | $89,500 | +21% |
Local wages behind the labor line
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 4 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Fargo is 1.03 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 40% of the weighting: a median of $23.72 an hour, 5% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.29 and $29.85 an hour. About 1,760 work in the metro. That is 118.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 30%) the local median is $29.66 an hour, which is 3% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $26.36 and $34.82 an hour. BLS counts 960 of them working in the area, 64.6 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021), 20% of the weighting: a median of $29.86 an hour, in line with the US median of $29.87. The middle half of them earn between $27.39 and $39.10 an hour. About 90 work in the metro. That is 6.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 3.4 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 10%) the local median is $30.46 an hour, which is in line with the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $23.88 and $37.98 an hour. BLS counts 670 of them working in the area, 45.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the construction laborers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($29.85 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $4,200. At the 25th percentile ($22.29) it shrinks by about $980. The total moves by 5.7% or 1.3%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 148,660 jobs in the Fargo area. That makes it the 156th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.10% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $22.29 | $23.72 | $29.85 | $22.66 | 1.05 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $26.36 | $29.66 | $34.82 | $28.78 | 1.03 | metro |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 20% | $27.39 | $29.86 | $39.10 | $29.87 | 1.00 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $23.88 | $30.46 | $37.98 | $30.67 | 0.99 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.03 | |||||
Cost by quality level and size in Fargo
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Fargo wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 3 common sizes.
Basic
$35,900 to $66,300
Vinyl-liner pool, small size
Standard
$58,700 to $89,200
Fiberglass pool, standard size
Premium
$81,600 to $112,000
Concrete or gunite, large with custom features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small pool (400 sq ft) | $31,900 – $59,000 | $52,200 – $79,300 | $72,500 – $99,600 |
| average (512 sq ft) | $40,800 – $75,400 | $66,800 – $101,500 | $92,800 – $127,500 |
| large (800 sq ft) | $63,700 – $118,000 | $104,500 – $158,500 | $145,000 – $199,000 |
Related projects, priced for Fargo
Because every project leans on different trades, Fargo's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, paver patio runs +1% and wood deck −3%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,800 – $11,300 | −1% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,050 – $5,500 | +1% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,200 – $3,950 | −2% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,300 – $14,700 | −3% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $600 – $2,100 | −1% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $7,000 – $13,200 | −2% |
When to schedule inground pool in Fargo
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Fargo Hector Intl Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
May through September is the stretch where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in Fargo (5 of 12 months). 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.
Fargo gets about 24 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 51 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and July (4.3 inches in June). Inside the workable window, August and September are the driest, at 2.6 and 2.7 inches. The station averages about 11 days a year at 90°F or above.
Does the season change the price? Probably, but we do not have a sourced seasonal price curve, so the estimator shows a year-round figure and does not adjust by month. When you collect quotes, ask whether scheduling in a slower month gets a better rate.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 18 | 0 | 0.7 | Cold |
| Feb | 23 | 4 | 0.7 | Cold |
| Mar | 36 | 18 | 1.3 | Cold |
| Apr | 54 | 32 | 1.5 | Cold |
| May | 69 | 44 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Jun | 78 | 56 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 82 | 59 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Aug | 81 | 57 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Sep | 72 | 48 | 2.7 | Workable |
| Oct | 56 | 35 | 2.2 | Cold |
| Nov | 38 | 21 | 1.0 | Cold |
| Dec | 24 | 8 | 0.9 | Cold |
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Inground pool in Fargo: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an inground pool in Fargo?
For 450 sq ft, expect $35,900 to $112,000 in the Fargo area. A standard-spec job lands at $58,700 to $89,200. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for inground pool in Fargo?
About $79.50 to $248 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 Fargo or St. Cloud?
St. Cloud is 150 miles away. The midpoint for 450 sq ft there is $84,600, which is 14% more than Fargo ($73,900). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Fargo?
About 54% at the midpoint, or $39,800 out of $73,900. Materials are 46% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would average (512 sq ft) cost in Fargo?
$40,800 to $127,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does inground pool need a permit in Fargo?
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 Fargo area (our national range of $100 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Fargo expensive for inground pool compared with the rest of North Dakota?
Fargo is 3% below 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 Fargo?
The BLS median is $23.72 an hour in the Fargo area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.29 to $29.85.
+What do basic and premium inground pool work cost in Fargo?
For 450 sq ft, basic work runs $35,900 to $66,300 and premium work $81,600 to $112,000. 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 Fargo?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are May through September. August 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 Fargo
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.