Inground pool cost in San Antonio, TX
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (450 sq ft)
- $32,200 – $101,000
- Per sq ft
- $71.50 – $223
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −11%
- US $74,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #256
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install an inground pool in San Antonio, plan on $32,200 to $101,000 for 450 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $71.50 to $223 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 11% lower than the national one. Construction laborers earn a median of $18.94 an hour in the San Antonio area, 16% below the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 450 sq ft in San Antonio, TX, standard level
$52,800 to $80,200
About $117 to $178 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 50% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $26,400 | $40,200 |
| Labor | $26,200 | $39,700 |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $230 |
| Total | $52,800 | $80,200 |
Cost breakdown for 450 sq ft in San Antonio, TX
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,000 | $33,300 | $50,600 | 50% |
| Labor | $16,100 | $33,000 | $49,800 | 50% |
| Permits and fees | $95 | $190 | $280 | 0% |
| Total | $32,200 | $66,500 | $101,000 | 100% |
What is behind the San Antonio number
Labor is 50% 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 San Antonio the blended ratio comes out at 0.85.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the San Antonio metro is 93.8 (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 (94.7) and land at $95 to $280.
What nearby projects cost in San Antonio
Because every project leans on different trades, San Antonio's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, retaining wall runs −9% and concrete patio −12%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,400 – $10,300 | −9% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,700 – $4,900 | −10% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,100 – $3,500 | −12% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $6,650 – $13,400 | −12% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $530 – $1,850 | −11% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,300 – $12,300 | −9% |
Is San Antonio cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (450 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Austin is the priciest of the group at $69,200. Laredo is the cheapest at $63,400.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Antonio, TXthis page | $32,200 – $101,000 | $66,500 | |
| Austin, TX80 miles | $33,500 – $105,000 | $69,200 | +4% |
| Laredo, TX125 miles | $30,700 – $96,000 | $63,400 | −5% |
| Corpus Christi, TX130 miles | $32,700 – $102,000 | $67,500 | +1% |
| Killeen, TX130 miles | $31,800 – $99,400 | $65,600 | −1% |
| College Station, TX155 miles | $31,000 – $97,100 | $64,100 | −4% |
| Texas (statewide) | $33,400 – $104,500 | $68,800 | +4% |
| United States | $36,100 – $113,000 | $74,500 | +12% |
Across 300 US metros, San Antonio comes in at #256 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $105,000; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $62,300 (midpoints, 450 sq ft). Statewide, San Antonio is 3% below the Texas figure.
Other Texas metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX | 4,049,800 jobs | $35,000 – $109,500 | $72,300 | +9% |
| Houston, TX | 3,289,720 jobs | $34,000 – $106,500 | $70,200 | +6% |
| Austin, TX | 1,293,690 jobs | $33,500 – $105,000 | $69,200 | +4% |
| El Paso, TX | 339,120 jobs | $30,700 – $96,100 | $63,400 | −5% |
| McAllen, TX | 296,700 jobs | $30,200 – $94,300 | $62,300 | −6% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 192,580 jobs | $32,700 – $102,000 | $67,500 | +1% |
Cities with a workforce like San Antonio's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is San Antonio against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $48,700 – $151,500 | $100,000 | +51% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 1,114,490 jobs | $38,100 – $119,000 | $78,500 | +18% |
| Las Vegas, NV | 1,136,960 jobs | $35,500 – $111,000 | $73,200 | +10% |
| Columbus, OH | 1,105,580 jobs | $39,600 – $123,500 | $81,700 | +23% |
San Antonio 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 San Antonio is 0.85 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 40% of the weighting: a median of $18.94 an hour, 16% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.61 and $21.87 an hour. About 8,400 work in the metro. That is 74.5 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 $23.44 an hour, which is 19% below the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $22.15 and $28.28 an hour. BLS counts 3,980 of them working in the area, 35.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is about average.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021), 20% of the weighting: a median of $27.20 an hour, 9% below the US median of $29.87. The middle half of them earn between $23.65 and $27.65 an hour. About 400 work in the metro. That is 3.5 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 3.4 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 10%) the local median is $27.97 an hour, which is 9% below the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $22.23 and $32.94 an hour. BLS counts 3,190 of them working in the area, 28.3 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 ($21.87 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $2,000. At the 25th percentile ($17.61) it shrinks by about $910. The total moves by 3.0% or 1.4%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 1,126,880 jobs in the San Antonio-New Braunfels area. That makes it the 28th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.72% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $17.61 | $18.94 | $21.87 | $22.66 | 0.84 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $22.15 | $23.44 | $28.28 | $28.78 | 0.81 | metro |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 20% | $23.65 | $27.20 | $27.65 | $29.87 | 0.91 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $22.23 | $27.97 | $32.94 | $30.67 | 0.91 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.85 | |||||
Climate in San Antonio: timing your inground pool job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for San Antonio Intl Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
October through May is the stretch where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in San Antonio (8 of 12 months). June, July, August and September have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Heat matters for concrete as well. With average highs of 90°F or more in June, July, August and September, crews often start early, wet the base and plan for faster set times.
San Antonio gets about 32 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are May, September and October (4.4 inches in May). Inside the workable window, January and February are the driest, at 2.0 and 1.7 inches. The station averages about 122 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 | 63 | 41 | 2.0 | Workable |
| Feb | 68 | 45 | 1.7 | Workable |
| Mar | 74 | 52 | 2.3 | Workable |
| Apr | 80 | 58 | 2.4 | Workable |
| May | 87 | 66 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 92 | 73 | 3.3 | Hot |
| Jul | 95 | 75 | 2.4 | Hot |
| Aug | 96 | 75 | 2.1 | Hot |
| Sep | 90 | 70 | 3.9 | Hot |
| Oct | 82 | 60 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 72 | 50 | 2.1 | Workable |
| Dec | 65 | 42 | 2.0 | Workable |
San Antonio: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for San Antonio 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
$32,200 to $59,600
Vinyl-liner pool, small size
Standard
$52,800 to $80,200
Fiberglass pool, standard size
Premium
$73,300 to $101,000
Concrete or gunite, large with custom features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small pool (400 sq ft) | $28,700 – $53,000 | $46,900 – $71,300 | $65,200 – $89,600 |
| average (512 sq ft) | $36,700 – $67,800 | $60,000 – $91,200 | $83,400 – $114,500 |
| large (800 sq ft) | $57,200 – $106,000 | $93,700 – $142,500 | $130,000 – $179,000 |
Specs and site conditions that change a San Antonio 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.
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 $52,800 to $80,200 for San Antonio, TX is attached.
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Inground pool in San Antonio: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an inground pool in San Antonio?
For 450 sq ft, expect $32,200 to $101,000 in the San Antonio area. A standard-spec job lands at $52,800 to $80,200. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for inground pool in San Antonio?
About $71.50 to $223 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 San Antonio or Austin?
Austin is 80 miles away. The midpoint for 450 sq ft there is $69,200, which is 4% more than San Antonio ($66,500). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in San Antonio?
About 50% at the midpoint, or $33,000 out of $66,500. Materials are 50% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would average (512 sq ft) cost in San Antonio?
$36,700 to $114,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does inground pool need a permit in San Antonio?
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 San Antonio area (our national range of $100 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is San Antonio expensive for inground pool compared with the rest of Texas?
San Antonio is 3% below the Texas statewide estimate ($68,800 at the midpoint). We cover 21 metros in Texas; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in San Antonio?
The BLS median is $18.94 an hour in the San Antonio area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $17.61 to $21.87.
+What do basic and premium inground pool work cost in San Antonio?
For 450 sq ft, basic work runs $32,200 to $59,600 and premium work $73,300 to $101,000. 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 San Antonio?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are October through May. January and February 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 San Antonio
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.