Inground pool cost in Rapid City, SD
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (450 sq ft)
- $34,800 – $109,000
- Per sq ft
- $77 – $241
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −4%
- US $74,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #172
- 1 = most expensive
Rapid City homeowners pay roughly $34,800 to $109,000 to install an inground pool at 450 sq ft, or $77 to $241 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Rapid City is 4% lower. Building materials run about 5% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 95.5).
Estimate your inground pool cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 450 sq ft in Rapid City, SD, standard level
$57,000 to $86,600
About $126 to $192 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 52% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $26,900 | $41,000 |
| Labor | $30,000 | $45,400 |
| Permits and fees | $140 | $210 |
| Total | $57,000 | $86,600 |
Cost breakdown for 450 sq ft in Rapid City, SD
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,300 | $33,900 | $51,600 | 47% |
| Labor | $18,400 | $37,700 | $56,900 | 52% |
| Permits and fees | $90 | $180 | $270 | 0% |
| Total | $34,800 | $71,800 | $109,000 | 100% |
Why Rapid City prices look the way they do
Labor is 52% of the midpoint bill here, against 52% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is construction laborers (40%), operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (30%), brickmasons and blockmasons (20%), plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (10%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Rapid City the blended ratio comes out at 0.97.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Rapid City metro is 95.5 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 450 sq ft comes to $33,900, compared with $35,600 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (89.2) and land at $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 Rapid City. The wage table below marks each row.
Cost by quality level and size in Rapid City
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Rapid City 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
$34,800 to $64,400
Vinyl-liner pool, small size
Standard
$57,000 to $86,600
Fiberglass pool, standard size
Premium
$79,200 to $109,000
Concrete or gunite, large with custom features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small pool (400 sq ft) | $31,000 – $57,200 | $50,700 – $77,000 | $70,400 – $96,700 |
| average (512 sq ft) | $39,600 – $73,200 | $64,800 – $98,500 | $90,100 – $123,500 |
| large (800 sq ft) | $61,800 – $114,500 | $101,000 – $153,500 | $140,500 – $193,000 |
Specs and site conditions that change a Rapid City 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.
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 Rapid City is 0.97 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 40% of the weighting: a median of $21.94 an hour, 3% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $19.14 and $22.91 an hour. About 410 work in the metro. That is 55.5 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 $29.16 an hour, which is in line with the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $25.29 and $30.59 an hour. BLS counts 410 of them working in the area, 55.5 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 Rapid City metro, so we used the South Dakota statewide median: $29.03 an hour against $29.87 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $22.65 and $31.77 an hour.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 10%) the local median is $26.85 an hour, which is 12% below the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $21.82 and $29.47 an hour. BLS counts 360 of them working in the area, 48.8 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 ($22.91 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $660. At the 25th percentile ($19.14) it shrinks by about $1,900. The total moves by 0.9% or 2.7%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 73,820 jobs in the Rapid City area. That makes it the 249th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.05% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $19.14 | $21.94 | $22.91 | $22.66 | 0.97 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $25.29 | $29.16 | $30.59 | $28.78 | 1.01 | metro |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 20% | $22.65 | $29.03 | $31.77 | $29.87 | 0.97 | state |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $21.82 | $26.85 | $29.47 | $30.67 | 0.88 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.97 | |||||
Is Rapid City cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (450 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Bismarck is the priciest of the group at $76,800. Cheyenne is the cheapest at $71,700.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City, SDthis page | $34,800 – $109,000 | $71,800 | |
| Bismarck, ND210 miles | $37,300 – $116,500 | $76,800 | +7% |
| Cheyenne, WY220 miles | $34,800 – $108,500 | $71,700 | level |
| Greeley, CO260 miles | $35,300 – $110,000 | $72,700 | +1% |
| Fort Collins, CO275 miles | $36,200 – $113,000 | $74,500 | +4% |
| Sioux Falls, SD305 miles | $35,100 – $109,500 | $72,300 | +1% |
| South Dakota (statewide) | $34,600 – $108,000 | $71,300 | −1% |
| United States | $36,100 – $113,000 | $74,500 | +4% |
Across 300 US metros, Rapid City comes in at #172 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $105,000; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $62,300 (midpoints, 450 sq ft). Statewide, Rapid City is 1% above the South Dakota figure.
Other South Dakota metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD | 178,590 jobs | $35,100 – $109,500 | $72,300 | +1% |
Cities with a workforce like Rapid City's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Rapid City against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg, VA | 74,070 jobs | $33,000 – $103,000 | $68,000 | −5% |
| Kahului, HI | 73,750 jobs | $50,900 – $159,000 | $105,000 | +46% |
| Sioux City, IA | 75,010 jobs | $35,600 – $111,000 | $73,400 | +2% |
| Bloomington, IN | 73,240 jobs | $37,200 – $116,500 | $76,800 | +7% |
When to schedule inground pool in Rapid City
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Rapid City Wfo (in the city). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
May through September is the stretch where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in Rapid City (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.
Rapid City gets about 20 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 54 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and July (4.1 inches in May). Inside the workable window, August and September are the driest, at 2.2 and 1.4 inches. The station averages about 24 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 | 37 | 16 | 0.3 | Cold |
| Feb | 38 | 18 | 0.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 47 | 26 | 0.9 | Cold |
| Apr | 55 | 34 | 2.3 | Cold |
| May | 65 | 45 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Jun | 76 | 55 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 84 | 62 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Aug | 83 | 60 | 2.2 | Workable |
| Sep | 74 | 51 | 1.4 | Workable |
| Oct | 59 | 38 | 1.5 | Cold |
| Nov | 47 | 27 | 0.5 | Cold |
| Dec | 38 | 19 | 0.4 | Cold |
Related projects, priced for Rapid City
Because every project leans on different trades, Rapid City's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, French drain runs −2% and wood deck −10%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,450 – $10,500 | −8% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,850 – $5,200 | −5% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,150 – $3,650 | −8% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $6,800 – $13,700 | −10% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $590 – $2,050 | −2% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,850 – $12,900 | −4% |
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 $57,000 to $86,600 for Rapid City, SD is attached.
Take this estimate with you: PDF report, $9
The report lays out the inground pool numbers for Rapid City, SD line by line, with the local wage and price inputs, permit and timing notes, a quote comparison sheet and the full method. 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 Rapid City: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an inground pool in Rapid City?
For 450 sq ft, expect $34,800 to $109,000 in the Rapid City area. A standard-spec job lands at $57,000 to $86,600. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for inground pool in Rapid City?
About $77 to $241 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 Rapid City or Bismarck?
Bismarck is 210 miles away. The midpoint for 450 sq ft there is $76,800, which is 7% more than Rapid City ($71,800). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Rapid City?
About 52% at the midpoint, or $37,700 out of $71,800. Materials are 47% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would average (512 sq ft) cost in Rapid City?
$39,600 to $123,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does inground pool need a permit in Rapid City?
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 Rapid City area (our national range of $100 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Rapid City expensive for inground pool compared with the rest of South Dakota?
Rapid City is 1% above the South Dakota statewide estimate ($71,300 at the midpoint). We cover 2 metros in South Dakota; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Rapid City?
The BLS median is $21.94 an hour in the Rapid City area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $19.14 to $22.91.
+What do basic and premium inground pool work cost in Rapid City?
For 450 sq ft, basic work runs $34,800 to $64,400 and premium work $79,200 to $109,000. 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 Rapid City?
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 Rapid City
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.