Inground pool cost in Cleveland, OH
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (450 sq ft)
- $38,700 – $121,000
- Per sq ft
- $86 – $268
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +7%
- US $74,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #85
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install an inground pool in Cleveland, plan on $38,700 to $121,000 for 450 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $86 to $268 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 7% higher than the national one. Construction laborers earn a median of $27.49 an hour in the Cleveland area, 21% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 450 sq ft in Cleveland, OH, standard level
$63,400 to $96,200
About $140 to $213 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 58% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $26,400 | $40,200 |
| Labor | $36,800 | $55,800 |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $230 |
| Total | $63,400 | $96,200 |
Cost breakdown for 450 sq ft in Cleveland, OH
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,000 | $33,300 | $50,600 | 42% |
| Labor | $22,600 | $46,300 | $70,000 | 58% |
| Permits and fees | $95 | $190 | $280 | 0% |
| Total | $38,700 | $79,800 | $121,000 | 100% |
Why Cleveland prices look the way they do
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, Cleveland wages are 1.20 times the national level. Labor makes up about 58% of the midpoint estimate (52% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Cleveland metro is 93.6 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 450 sq ft comes to $33,300, compared with $35,600 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (93.9) and land at $95 to $280.
Cleveland labor market for inground pool
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 Cleveland is 1.20 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 40% of the weighting: a median of $27.49 an hour, 21% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.57 and $34.86 an hour. About 5,660 work in the metro. That is 54.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 30%) the local median is $34.49 an hour, which is 20% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $27.73 and $45.63 an hour. BLS counts 2,660 of them working in the area, 25.8 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021), 20% of the weighting: a median of $37.76 an hour, 26% above the US median of $29.87. The middle half of them earn between $28.55 and $39.98 an hour. About 560 work in the metro. That is 5.4 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 $30.30 an hour, which is in line with the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $24.28 and $39.94 an hour. BLS counts 3,040 of them working in the area, 29.5 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is about average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the construction laborers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($34.86 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $5,050. At the 25th percentile ($22.57) it shrinks by about $3,350. The total moves by 6.3% or 4.2%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 1,031,130 jobs in the Cleveland area. That makes it the 36th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.66% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $22.57 | $27.49 | $34.86 | $22.66 | 1.21 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $27.73 | $34.49 | $45.63 | $28.78 | 1.20 | metro |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 20% | $28.55 | $37.76 | $39.98 | $29.87 | 1.26 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $24.28 | $30.30 | $39.94 | $30.67 | 0.99 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.20 | |||||
Cost by quality level and size in Cleveland
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Cleveland 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
$38,700 to $71,600
Vinyl-liner pool, small size
Standard
$63,400 to $96,200
Fiberglass pool, standard size
Premium
$88,000 to $121,000
Concrete or gunite, large with custom features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small pool (400 sq ft) | $34,400 – $63,600 | $56,300 – $85,500 | $78,200 – $107,500 |
| average (512 sq ft) | $44,000 – $81,400 | $72,100 – $109,500 | $100,000 – $137,500 |
| large (800 sq ft) | $68,800 – $127,000 | $112,500 – $171,000 | $156,500 – $214,500 |
What nearby projects cost in Cleveland
Because every project leans on different trades, Cleveland's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, French drain runs +12% and wood deck −2%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,850 – $11,400 | +1% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,250 – $5,900 | +8% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,250 – $4,250 | +5% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,400 – $14,900 | −2% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $670 – $2,350 | +12% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $7,850 – $14,200 | +7% |
Specs and site conditions that change a Cleveland 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.
Cleveland against nearby metros and the rest of Ohio
Of the five closest metros, all are cheaper than Cleveland. Youngstown is the lowest at about $72,200 (midpoint, 450 sq ft), 45 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland, OHthis page | $38,700 – $121,000 | $79,800 | |
| Akron, OH35 miles | $37,800 – $118,000 | $77,900 | −2% |
| Youngstown, OH45 miles | $35,000 – $109,500 | $72,200 | −10% |
| Canton, OH65 miles | $36,800 – $115,000 | $75,900 | −5% |
| Erie, PA75 miles | $35,800 – $112,000 | $73,800 | −7% |
| Pittsburgh, PA115 miles | $38,100 – $119,000 | $78,500 | −2% |
| Ohio (statewide) | $37,400 – $117,000 | $77,200 | −3% |
| United States | $36,100 – $113,000 | $74,500 | −7% |
Across 300 US metros, Cleveland comes in at #85 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $105,000; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $62,300 (midpoints, 450 sq ft). Statewide, Cleveland is 3% above the Ohio figure.
Other Ohio metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OH | 1,105,580 jobs | $39,600 – $123,500 | $81,700 | +2% |
| Cincinnati, OH | 1,101,030 jobs | $37,500 – $117,000 | $77,300 | −3% |
| Dayton, OH | 372,660 jobs | $36,600 – $114,000 | $75,400 | −6% |
| Akron, OH | 319,560 jobs | $37,800 – $118,000 | $77,900 | −2% |
| Toledo, OH | 291,530 jobs | $37,000 – $115,500 | $76,200 | −4% |
| Canton, OH | 163,080 jobs | $36,800 – $115,000 | $75,900 | −5% |
Cities with a workforce like Cleveland's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Cleveland against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $42,900 – $134,000 | $88,400 | +11% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | 826,210 jobs | $35,700 – $111,500 | $73,500 | −8% |
| Kansas City, MO | 1,096,110 jobs | $37,000 – $115,500 | $76,300 | −4% |
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $41,200 – $128,500 | $84,900 | +6% |
Climate in Cleveland: timing your inground pool job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Cleveland Burke Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through October is the stretch where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in Cleveland (7 of 12 months). January, February, March, 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.
Cleveland gets about 33 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are May, July and August (3.7 inches in July). Inside the workable window, June and September are the driest, at 2.8 and 2.9 inches. The station averages about 9 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 | 35 | 24 | 1.8 | Cold |
| Feb | 37 | 25 | 1.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 45 | 31 | 2.4 | Cold |
| Apr | 57 | 41 | 3.1 | Workable |
| May | 68 | 53 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Jun | 77 | 63 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Jul | 81 | 68 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Aug | 80 | 67 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Sep | 74 | 60 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Oct | 63 | 49 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Nov | 51 | 38 | 2.9 | Cold |
| Dec | 40 | 30 | 2.0 | Cold |
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 $63,400 to $96,200 for Cleveland, OH is attached.
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Multi-page report for Cleveland, OH: 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 Cleveland: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an inground pool in Cleveland?
For 450 sq ft, expect $38,700 to $121,000 in the Cleveland area. A standard-spec job lands at $63,400 to $96,200. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for inground pool in Cleveland?
About $86 to $268 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $95 to $280 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $80 to $250.
+Is inground pool cheaper in Cleveland or Akron?
Akron is 35 miles away. The midpoint for 450 sq ft there is $77,900, which is 2% less than Cleveland ($79,800). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Cleveland?
About 58% at the midpoint, or $46,300 out of $79,800. Materials are 42% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would average (512 sq ft) cost in Cleveland?
$44,000 to $137,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does inground pool need a permit in Cleveland?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $95 to $280 for fees in the Cleveland area (our national range of $100 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Cleveland expensive for inground pool compared with the rest of Ohio?
Cleveland is 3% above the Ohio statewide estimate ($77,200 at the midpoint). We cover 8 metros in Ohio; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Cleveland?
The BLS median is $27.49 an hour in the Cleveland area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.57 to $34.86.
+What do basic and premium inground pool work cost in Cleveland?
For 450 sq ft, basic work runs $38,700 to $71,600 and premium work $88,000 to $121,000. 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 Cleveland?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. June 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 Cleveland
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.