Inground pool cost in Scranton, PA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (450 sq ft)
- $36,700 – $114,500
- Per sq ft
- $81.50 – $254
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +2%
- US $74,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #123
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install an inground pool in Scranton, plan on $36,700 to $114,500 for 450 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $81.50 to $254 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint lands close to the national one. Construction laborers earn a median of $23.22 an hour in the Scranton area, 2% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 450 sq ft in Scranton, PA, standard level
$60,100 to $91,300
About $133 to $202 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 52% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $28,400 | $43,200 |
| Labor | $31,600 | $47,900 |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $220 |
| Total | $60,100 | $91,300 |
Cost breakdown for 450 sq ft in Scranton, PA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $17,200 | $35,800 | $54,400 | 47% |
| Labor | $19,400 | $39,700 | $60,100 | 52% |
| Permits and fees | $95 | $190 | $280 | 0% |
| Total | $36,700 | $75,700 | $114,500 | 100% |
Why Scranton 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, Scranton wages are 1.03 times the national level. Labor makes up about 52% of the midpoint estimate (52% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Scranton metro is 100.7 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 450 sq ft comes to $35,800, compared with $35,600 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (93.6) and land at $95 to $280.
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 Scranton. The wage table below marks each row.
Is Scranton cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (450 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Binghamton is the priciest of the group at $80,000. Lancaster is the cheapest at $75,500.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scranton, PAthis page | $36,700 – $114,500 | $75,700 | |
| Allentown, PA45 miles | $36,900 – $115,500 | $76,100 | level |
| Binghamton, NY60 miles | $38,800 – $121,000 | $80,000 | +6% |
| Reading, PA65 miles | $37,100 – $116,000 | $76,600 | +1% |
| Lancaster, PA90 miles | $36,600 – $114,500 | $75,500 | level |
| Harrisburg, PA90 miles | $37,400 – $117,000 | $77,200 | +2% |
| Pennsylvania (statewide) | $37,000 – $115,500 | $76,300 | +1% |
| United States | $36,100 – $113,000 | $74,500 | −2% |
Across 300 US metros, Scranton comes in at #123 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $105,000; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $62,300 (midpoints, 450 sq ft). Statewide, Scranton is 1% below the Pennsylvania figure.
Other Pennsylvania metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA | 2,897,830 jobs | $38,700 – $120,500 | $79,700 | +5% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 1,114,490 jobs | $38,100 – $119,000 | $78,500 | +4% |
| Allentown, PA | 377,180 jobs | $36,900 – $115,500 | $76,100 | level |
| Harrisburg, PA | 335,010 jobs | $37,400 – $117,000 | $77,200 | +2% |
| Lancaster, PA | 252,230 jobs | $36,600 – $114,500 | $75,500 | level |
| York, PA | 183,590 jobs | $36,800 – $115,000 | $75,900 | level |
Cities with a workforce like Scranton's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Scranton against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spokane, WA | 255,820 jobs | $40,200 – $125,500 | $82,900 | +9% |
| Lancaster, PA | 252,230 jobs | $36,600 – $114,500 | $75,500 | level |
| Lakeland, FL | 265,280 jobs | $32,000 – $100,000 | $66,000 | −13% |
| Palm Bay, FL | 245,170 jobs | $33,700 – $105,500 | $69,600 | −8% |
Climate in Scranton: timing your inground pool job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Wilkes-Barre Intl Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
May through October is the stretch where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in Scranton (6 of 12 months). 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.
Scranton gets about 39 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 45 inches of snow. The wettest months are June, August and September (4.2 inches in September). Inside the workable window, May and July are the driest, at 3.3 and 3.6 inches. The station averages about 12 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 | 36 | 20 | 2.6 | Cold |
| Feb | 39 | 22 | 2.1 | Cold |
| Mar | 48 | 29 | 2.8 | Cold |
| Apr | 61 | 39 | 3.3 | Cold |
| May | 72 | 50 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 80 | 58 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Jul | 85 | 63 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Aug | 82 | 61 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Sep | 75 | 54 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 63 | 43 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Nov | 51 | 34 | 2.9 | Cold |
| Dec | 40 | 26 | 2.8 | Cold |
Pick a size, pick a tier: inground pool pricing in Scranton
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Scranton 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
$36,700 to $67,900
Vinyl-liner pool, small size
Standard
$60,100 to $91,300
Fiberglass pool, standard size
Premium
$83,500 to $114,500
Concrete or gunite, large with custom features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small pool (400 sq ft) | $32,700 – $60,400 | $53,500 – $81,200 | $74,300 – $102,000 |
| average (512 sq ft) | $41,800 – $77,300 | $68,400 – $104,000 | $95,000 – $130,500 |
| large (800 sq ft) | $65,200 – $120,500 | $107,000 – $162,000 | $148,500 – $203,500 |
Planning more than one job in Scranton?
Because every project leans on different trades, Scranton's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, retaining wall runs +3% and French drain −1%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,850 – $11,500 | +1% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,100 – $5,550 | +2% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,250 – $4,000 | level |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,600 – $15,200 | level |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $600 – $2,100 | −1% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $7,350 – $13,800 | +3% |
Why two Scranton 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.
Scranton 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 Scranton is 1.03 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 40% of the weighting: a median of $23.22 an hour, in line with the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $19.53 and $28.89 an hour. About 1,450 work in the metro. That is 56.7 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 $28.52 an hour, which is in line with the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $24.92 and $35.72 an hour. BLS counts 950 of them working in the area, 37.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) carry 20% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Scranton metro, so we used the Pennsylvania statewide median: $33.44 an hour against $29.87 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $28.58 and $41.79 an hour.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 10%) the local median is $29.40 an hour, which is 4% below the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $23.05 and $34.74 an hour. BLS counts 450 of them working in the area, 17.6 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the construction laborers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($28.89 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $3,850. At the 25th percentile ($19.53) it shrinks by about $2,500. The total moves by 5.1% or 3.3%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 255,620 jobs in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre area. That makes it the 102nd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.16% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $19.53 | $23.22 | $28.89 | $22.66 | 1.02 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $24.92 | $28.52 | $35.72 | $28.78 | 0.99 | metro |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 20% | $28.58 | $33.44 | $41.79 | $29.87 | 1.12 | state |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $23.05 | $29.40 | $34.74 | $30.67 | 0.96 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.03 | |||||
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 $60,100 to $91,300 for Scranton, PA is attached.
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Multi-page report for Scranton, PA: 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 Scranton: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an inground pool in Scranton?
For 450 sq ft, expect $36,700 to $114,500 in the Scranton area. A standard-spec job lands at $60,100 to $91,300. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for inground pool in Scranton?
About $81.50 to $254 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 Scranton or Allentown?
Allentown is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 450 sq ft there is $76,100, which is 0% more than Scranton ($75,700). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Scranton?
About 52% at the midpoint, or $39,700 out of $75,700. Materials are 47% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would average (512 sq ft) cost in Scranton?
$41,800 to $130,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does inground pool need a permit in Scranton?
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 Scranton area (our national range of $100 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Scranton expensive for inground pool compared with the rest of Pennsylvania?
Scranton is 1% below the Pennsylvania statewide estimate ($76,300 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Pennsylvania; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Scranton?
The BLS median is $23.22 an hour in the Scranton area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $19.53 to $28.89.
+What do basic and premium inground pool work cost in Scranton?
For 450 sq ft, basic work runs $36,700 to $67,900 and premium work $83,500 to $114,500. 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 Scranton?
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 Scranton
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.