Inground pool cost in Bellingham, WA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (450 sq ft)
- $44,200 – $138,000
- Per sq ft
- $98 – $306
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +22%
- US $74,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #10
- 1 = most expensive
Bellingham homeowners pay roughly $44,200 to $138,000 to install an inground pool at 450 sq ft, or $98 to $306 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Bellingham is 22% higher. Construction laborers earn a median of $28.06 an hour in the Bellingham area, 24% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 450 sq ft in Bellingham, WA, standard level
$72,300 to $110,000
About $160 to $243 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 59% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $29,600 | $45,100 |
| Labor | $42,600 | $64,500 |
| Permits and fees | $170 | $250 |
| Total | $72,300 | $110,000 |
Cost breakdown for 450 sq ft in Bellingham, WA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $18,000 | $37,300 | $56,700 | 41% |
| Labor | $26,100 | $53,500 | $80,900 | 59% |
| Permits and fees | $100 | $210 | $310 | 0% |
| Total | $44,200 | $91,100 | $138,000 | 100% |
What is behind the Bellingham number
Labor is 59% 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 Bellingham the blended ratio comes out at 1.38.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Bellingham metro is 105.0 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 450 sq ft comes to $37,300, compared with $35,600 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (103.3) and land at $100 to $310.
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 Bellingham. The wage table below marks each row.
How Bellingham compares
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 $81,500 to $93,300 across Bellingham and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham, WAthis page | $44,200 – $138,000 | $91,100 | |
| Bremerton, WA90 miles | $41,700 – $130,500 | $86,000 | −6% |
| Seattle, WA95 miles | $45,300 – $141,500 | $93,300 | +3% |
| Olympia, WA140 miles | $43,800 – $136,500 | $90,200 | −1% |
| Yakima, WA175 miles | $39,600 – $123,500 | $81,500 | −10% |
| Spokane, WA200 miles | $40,200 – $125,500 | $82,900 | −9% |
| Washington (statewide) | $42,400 – $132,500 | $87,400 | −4% |
| United States | $36,100 – $113,000 | $74,500 | −18% |
Across 300 US metros, Bellingham comes in at #10 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $105,000; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $62,300 (midpoints, 450 sq ft). Statewide, Bellingham is 4% above the Washington figure.
Other Washington metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | 2,086,210 jobs | $45,300 – $141,500 | $93,300 | +3% |
| Spokane, WA | 255,820 jobs | $40,200 – $125,500 | $82,900 | −9% |
| Olympia, WA | 130,300 jobs | $43,800 – $136,500 | $90,200 | −1% |
| Kennewick, WA | 129,490 jobs | $42,300 – $132,000 | $87,300 | −4% |
| Yakima, WA | 97,010 jobs | $39,600 – $123,500 | $81,500 | −10% |
| Bremerton, WA | 93,740 jobs | $41,700 – $130,500 | $86,000 | −6% |
Cities with a workforce like Bellingham's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Bellingham against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bremerton, WA | 93,740 jobs | $41,700 – $130,500 | $86,000 | −6% |
| Panama City, FL | 90,610 jobs | $32,700 – $102,500 | $67,500 | −26% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $39,100 – $122,000 | $80,500 | −12% |
| St. George, UT | 90,500 jobs | $34,200 – $107,000 | $70,600 | −22% |
Cost by quality level and size in Bellingham
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Bellingham 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
$44,200 to $81,700
Vinyl-liner pool, small size
Standard
$72,300 to $110,000
Fiberglass pool, standard size
Premium
$100,500 to $138,000
Concrete or gunite, large with custom features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small pool (400 sq ft) | $39,300 – $72,600 | $64,300 – $97,600 | $89,300 – $122,500 |
| average (512 sq ft) | $50,300 – $92,900 | $82,300 – $125,000 | $114,000 – $157,000 |
| large (800 sq ft) | $78,500 – $145,000 | $128,500 – $195,000 | $178,500 – $245,000 |
What nearby projects cost in Bellingham
Because every project leans on different trades, Bellingham's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, French drain runs +24% and wood deck +12%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $4,300 – $12,800 | +13% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,500 – $6,350 | +17% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,450 – $4,800 | +19% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $8,450 – $17,000 | +12% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $740 – $2,600 | +24% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $8,650 – $15,700 | +19% |
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 Bellingham is 1.38 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 40% of the weighting: a median of $28.06 an hour, 24% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.41 and $36.85 an hour. About 1,030 work in the metro. That is 112.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 30%) the local median is $44.00 an hour, which is 53% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $37.44 and $55.46 an hour. BLS counts 400 of them working in the area, 43.8 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 Bellingham metro, so we used the Washington statewide median: $40.00 an hour against $29.87 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $35.14 and $49.11 an hour.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 10%) the local median is $49.40 an hour, which is 61% above the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $30.53 and $69.49 an hour. BLS counts 540 of them working in the area, 59.1 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 ($36.85 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $6,000. At the 25th percentile ($22.41) it shrinks by about $3,850. The total moves by 6.6% or 4.2%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 91,390 jobs in the Bellingham area. That makes it the 217th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.06% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $22.41 | $28.06 | $36.85 | $22.66 | 1.24 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $37.44 | $44.00 | $55.46 | $28.78 | 1.53 | metro |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 20% | $35.14 | $40.00 | $49.11 | $29.87 | 1.34 | state |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $30.53 | $49.40 | $69.49 | $30.67 | 1.61 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.38 | |||||
Specs and site conditions that change a Bellingham 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.
When to schedule inground pool in Bellingham
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Bellingham Intl 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 Bellingham (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.
Bellingham gets about 35 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, November and December (5.2 inches in November). Inside the workable window, July and August are the driest, at 0.9 and 1.1 inches.
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 | 46 | 34 | 4.5 | Cold |
| Feb | 49 | 35 | 2.9 | Cold |
| Mar | 53 | 38 | 3.4 | Cold |
| Apr | 58 | 42 | 2.8 | Workable |
| May | 64 | 47 | 2.2 | Workable |
| Jun | 68 | 52 | 1.6 | Workable |
| Jul | 73 | 55 | 0.9 | Workable |
| Aug | 73 | 55 | 1.1 | Workable |
| Sep | 68 | 50 | 2.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 59 | 43 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 51 | 38 | 5.2 | Cold |
| Dec | 46 | 34 | 4.3 | 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 $72,300 to $110,000 for Bellingham, WA is attached.
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Inground pool in Bellingham: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an inground pool in Bellingham?
For 450 sq ft, expect $44,200 to $138,000 in the Bellingham area. A standard-spec job lands at $72,300 to $110,000. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for inground pool in Bellingham?
About $98 to $306 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $100 to $310 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $80 to $250.
+Is inground pool cheaper in Bellingham or Bremerton?
Bremerton is 90 miles away. The midpoint for 450 sq ft there is $86,000, which is 6% less than Bellingham ($91,100). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Bellingham?
About 59% at the midpoint, or $53,500 out of $91,100. Materials are 41% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would average (512 sq ft) cost in Bellingham?
$50,300 to $157,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does inground pool need a permit in Bellingham?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $100 to $310 for fees in the Bellingham area (our national range of $100 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Bellingham expensive for inground pool compared with the rest of Washington?
Bellingham is 4% above the Washington statewide estimate ($87,400 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Washington; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Bellingham?
The BLS median is $28.06 an hour in the Bellingham area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.41 to $36.85.
+What do basic and premium inground pool work cost in Bellingham?
For 450 sq ft, basic work runs $44,200 to $81,700 and premium work $100,500 to $138,000. 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 Bellingham?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. July and August 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 Bellingham
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.