Inground pool cost in Johnson City, TN
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (450 sq ft)
- $33,000 – $103,000
- Per sq ft
- $73 – $229
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −9%
- US $74,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #224
- 1 = most expensive
Johnson City homeowners pay roughly $33,000 to $103,000 to install an inground pool at 450 sq ft, or $73 to $229 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Johnson City is 9% lower. Construction laborers earn a median of $19.79 an hour in the Johnson City area, 13% below the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 450 sq ft in Johnson City, TN, standard level
$54,000 to $82,100
About $120 to $182 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 49% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $27,100 | $41,300 |
| Labor | $26,800 | $40,500 |
| Permits and fees | $140 | $210 |
| Total | $54,000 | $82,100 |
Cost breakdown for 450 sq ft in Johnson City, TN
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,500 | $34,200 | $52,000 | 50% |
| Labor | $16,400 | $33,600 | $50,900 | 49% |
| Permits and fees | $90 | $180 | $260 | 0% |
| Total | $33,000 | $68,000 | $103,000 | 100% |
Why Johnson City prices look the way they do
Labor is 49% 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 Johnson City the blended ratio comes out at 0.87.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Johnson City metro is 96.2 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 450 sq ft comes to $34,200, compared with $35,600 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (87.9) and land at $90 to $260.
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 Johnson City. The wage table below marks each row.
Specs and site conditions that change a Johnson 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.
Johnson City against nearby metros and the rest of Tennessee
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 $67,000 to $70,900 across Johnson City and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson City, TNthis page | $33,000 – $103,000 | $68,000 | |
| Kingsport, TN25 miles | $34,400 – $107,500 | $70,900 | +4% |
| Asheville, NC45 miles | $33,500 – $104,500 | $69,100 | +2% |
| Hickory, NC60 miles | $32,800 – $102,500 | $67,700 | −1% |
| Knoxville, TN100 miles | $34,200 – $107,000 | $70,600 | +4% |
| Spartanburg, SC105 miles | $32,400 – $101,500 | $67,000 | −2% |
| Tennessee (statewide) | $34,300 – $107,000 | $70,800 | +4% |
| United States | $36,100 – $113,000 | $74,500 | +9% |
Across 300 US metros, Johnson City comes in at #224 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $105,000; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $62,300 (midpoints, 450 sq ft). Statewide, Johnson City is 4% below the Tennessee figure.
Other Tennessee metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville, TN | 1,099,300 jobs | $35,100 – $109,500 | $72,400 | +6% |
| Memphis, TN | 611,670 jobs | $34,600 – $108,000 | $71,300 | +5% |
| Knoxville, TN | 424,600 jobs | $34,200 – $107,000 | $70,600 | +4% |
| Chattanooga, TN | 268,750 jobs | $34,200 – $107,000 | $70,500 | +4% |
| Kingsport, TN | 119,560 jobs | $34,400 – $107,500 | $70,900 | +4% |
| Clarksville, TN | 103,220 jobs | $33,700 – $105,500 | $69,600 | +2% |
Cities with a workforce like Johnson City's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Johnson City against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho Falls, ID | 81,840 jobs | $35,700 – $111,500 | $73,600 | +8% |
| Odessa, TX | 80,910 jobs | $32,800 – $102,500 | $67,700 | −1% |
| Hilton Head, SC | 81,920 jobs | $33,300 – $104,000 | $68,700 | +1% |
| Greenville, NC | 80,770 jobs | $32,300 – $101,000 | $66,700 | −2% |
Pick a size, pick a tier: inground pool pricing in Johnson City
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Johnson 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
$33,000 to $61,000
Vinyl-liner pool, small size
Standard
$54,000 to $82,100
Fiberglass pool, standard size
Premium
$75,000 to $103,000
Concrete or gunite, large with custom features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small pool (400 sq ft) | $29,300 – $54,300 | $48,000 – $73,000 | $66,700 – $91,700 |
| average (512 sq ft) | $37,500 – $69,400 | $61,400 – $93,300 | $85,400 – $117,500 |
| large (800 sq ft) | $58,600 – $108,500 | $95,900 – $145,500 | $133,500 – $183,000 |
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 Johnson City is 0.87 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 40% of the weighting: a median of $19.79 an hour, 13% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.74 and $22.37 an hour. About 580 work in the metro. That is 71.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 30%) the local median is $22.87 an hour, which is 21% below the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $21.37 and $26.76 an hour. BLS counts 200 of them working in the area, 24.5 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) carry 20% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Johnson City metro, so we used the Tennessee statewide median: $30.70 an hour against $29.87 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $26.13 and $35.05 an hour.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 10%) the local median is $23.31 an hour, which is 24% below the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $20.64 and $28.97 an hour. BLS counts 210 of them working in the area, 25.7 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 ($22.37 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $1,750. At the 25th percentile ($17.74) it shrinks by about $1,400. The total moves by 2.6% or 2.1%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 81,690 jobs in the Johnson City area. That makes it the 234th 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% | $17.74 | $19.79 | $22.37 | $22.66 | 0.87 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $21.37 | $22.87 | $26.76 | $28.78 | 0.79 | metro |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 20% | $26.13 | $30.70 | $35.05 | $29.87 | 1.03 | state |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $20.64 | $23.31 | $28.97 | $30.67 | 0.76 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.87 | |||||
When to schedule inground pool in Johnson City
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Bristol Tri City Ap (10 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 Johnson City (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.
Johnson City gets about 44 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 9 inches of snow. The wettest months are March, June and July (5.0 inches in July). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 2.8 and 2.5 inches. The station averages about 23 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 | 47 | 26 | 3.6 | Cold |
| Feb | 51 | 29 | 3.8 | Cold |
| Mar | 59 | 35 | 4.0 | Cold |
| Apr | 69 | 43 | 3.8 | Workable |
| May | 77 | 52 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Jun | 84 | 61 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Jul | 86 | 65 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Aug | 86 | 63 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Sep | 81 | 56 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Oct | 70 | 44 | 2.5 | Workable |
| Nov | 59 | 34 | 3.1 | Cold |
| Dec | 50 | 29 | 3.8 | Cold |
What nearby projects cost in Johnson City
Because every project leans on different trades, Johnson City's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, retaining wall runs −5% and concrete patio −11%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,500 – $10,600 | −7% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,850 – $5,100 | −6% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,150 – $3,550 | −11% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $6,750 – $13,500 | −11% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $540 – $1,900 | −10% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,650 – $12,800 | −5% |
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 $54,000 to $82,100 for Johnson City, TN is attached.
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Inground pool in Johnson City: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an inground pool in Johnson City?
For 450 sq ft, expect $33,000 to $103,000 in the Johnson City area. A standard-spec job lands at $54,000 to $82,100. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for inground pool in Johnson City?
About $73 to $229 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $90 to $260 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $80 to $250.
+Is inground pool cheaper in Johnson City or Kingsport?
Kingsport is 25 miles away. The midpoint for 450 sq ft there is $70,900, which is 4% more than Johnson City ($68,000). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Johnson City?
About 49% at the midpoint, or $33,600 out of $68,000. Materials are 50% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would average (512 sq ft) cost in Johnson City?
$37,500 to $117,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does inground pool need a permit in Johnson City?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $90 to $260 for fees in the Johnson City area (our national range of $100 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Johnson City expensive for inground pool compared with the rest of Tennessee?
Johnson City is 4% below the Tennessee statewide estimate ($70,800 at the midpoint). We cover 8 metros in Tennessee; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Johnson City?
The BLS median is $19.79 an hour in the Johnson City area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $17.74 to $22.37.
+What do basic and premium inground pool work cost in Johnson City?
For 450 sq ft, basic work runs $33,000 to $61,000 and premium work $75,000 to $103,000. 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 Johnson City?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. September and October 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 Johnson 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.