Inground pool cost in Olympia, WA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (450 sq ft)
- $43,800 – $136,500
- Per sq ft
- $97 – $303
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +21%
- US $74,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #12
- 1 = most expensive
Olympia homeowners pay roughly $43,800 to $136,500 to install an inground pool at 450 sq ft, or $97 to $303 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Olympia is 21% higher. Construction laborers earn a median of $25.52 an hour in the Olympia area, 13% above the US median of $22.66.
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 Olympia, WA, standard level
$71,600 to $109,000
About $159 to $241 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 58% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $29,600 | $45,100 |
| Labor | $41,900 | $63,400 |
| Permits and fees | $170 | $250 |
| Total | $71,600 | $109,000 |
Cost breakdown for 450 sq ft in Olympia, WA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $18,000 | $37,300 | $56,700 | 41% |
| Labor | $25,700 | $52,600 | $79,600 | 58% |
| Permits and fees | $100 | $210 | $310 | 0% |
| Total | $43,800 | $90,200 | $136,500 | 100% |
What is behind the Olympia number
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, Olympia wages are 1.36 times the national level. Labor makes up about 58% of the midpoint estimate (52% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Olympia 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 (103.7) 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 Olympia. The wage table below marks each row.
When to schedule inground pool in Olympia
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Olympia 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 Olympia (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.
Olympia gets about 51 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 4 inches of snow. The wettest months are January, November and December (8.2 inches in November). Inside the workable window, July and August are the driest, at 0.5 and 1.0 inches. The station averages about 7 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 | 46 | 33 | 7.8 | Cold |
| Feb | 49 | 32 | 5.1 | Cold |
| Mar | 54 | 35 | 5.7 | Cold |
| Apr | 59 | 38 | 3.7 | Cold |
| May | 66 | 43 | 2.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 71 | 47 | 1.5 | Workable |
| Jul | 78 | 51 | 0.5 | Workable |
| Aug | 78 | 51 | 1.0 | Workable |
| Sep | 72 | 46 | 2.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 60 | 41 | 5.1 | Workable |
| Nov | 51 | 36 | 8.2 | Cold |
| Dec | 45 | 33 | 7.8 | Cold |
Pick a size, pick a tier: inground pool pricing in Olympia
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Olympia 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
$43,800 to $80,900
Vinyl-liner pool, small size
Standard
$71,600 to $109,000
Fiberglass pool, standard size
Premium
$99,500 to $136,500
Concrete or gunite, large with custom features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small pool (400 sq ft) | $38,900 – $71,900 | $63,700 – $96,700 | $88,400 – $121,500 |
| average (512 sq ft) | $49,800 – $92,000 | $81,500 – $123,500 | $113,000 – $155,500 |
| large (800 sq ft) | $77,700 – $143,500 | $127,000 – $193,000 | $176,500 – $242,500 |
How Olympia compares
Same job, same size (450 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Seattle is the priciest of the group at $93,300. Yakima is the cheapest at $81,500.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olympia, WAthis page | $43,800 – $136,500 | $90,200 | |
| Bremerton, WA50 miles | $41,700 – $130,500 | $86,000 | −5% |
| Seattle, WA60 miles | $45,300 – $141,500 | $93,300 | +3% |
| Portland, OR95 miles | $42,200 – $132,000 | $87,100 | −3% |
| Yakima, WA105 miles | $39,600 – $123,500 | $81,500 | −10% |
| Bellingham, WA140 miles | $44,200 – $138,000 | $91,100 | +1% |
| Washington (statewide) | $42,400 – $132,500 | $87,400 | −3% |
| United States | $36,100 – $113,000 | $74,500 | −17% |
Across 300 US metros, Olympia comes in at #12 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $105,000; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $62,300 (midpoints, 450 sq ft). Statewide, Olympia is 3% 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 | −8% |
| Kennewick, WA | 129,490 jobs | $42,300 – $132,000 | $87,300 | −3% |
| Yakima, WA | 97,010 jobs | $39,600 – $123,500 | $81,500 | −10% |
| Bremerton, WA | 93,740 jobs | $41,700 – $130,500 | $86,000 | −5% |
| Bellingham, WA | 91,390 jobs | $44,200 – $138,000 | $91,100 | +1% |
Cities with a workforce like Olympia's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Olympia against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville, NC | 131,430 jobs | $32,800 – $102,500 | $67,600 | −25% |
| Waco, TX | 129,860 jobs | $31,800 – $99,500 | $65,600 | −27% |
| South Bend, IN | 131,670 jobs | $38,700 – $120,500 | $79,700 | −12% |
| Kennewick, WA | 129,490 jobs | $42,300 – $132,000 | $87,300 | −3% |
Related projects, priced for Olympia
Because every project leans on different trades, Olympia's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, French drain runs +24% and wood deck +5%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $4,200 – $12,500 | +10% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,400 – $6,200 | +14% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,400 – $4,700 | +17% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,950 – $16,000 | +5% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $740 – $2,600 | +24% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $8,650 – $15,700 | +19% |
Why two Olympia 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.
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 Olympia is 1.36 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 40% of the weighting: a median of $25.52 an hour, 13% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.90 and $33.85 an hour. About 730 work in the metro. That is 56.0 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 $49.55 an hour, which is 72% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $33.47 and $54.71 an hour. BLS counts 260 of them working in the area, 20.0 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 Olympia 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 $38.48 an hour, which is 25% above the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $28.18 and $48.74 an hour. BLS counts 310 of them working in the area, 23.8 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 ($33.85 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $5,700. At the 25th percentile ($21.90) it shrinks by about $2,450. The total moves by 6.3% or 2.7%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 130,300 jobs in the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater area. That makes it the 167th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.08% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $21.90 | $25.52 | $33.85 | $22.66 | 1.13 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $33.47 | $49.55 | $54.71 | $28.78 | 1.72 | 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% | $28.18 | $38.48 | $48.74 | $30.67 | 1.25 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.36 | |||||
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 $71,600 to $109,000 for Olympia, WA is attached.
Detailed inground pool report for Olympia, WA, $9
Multi-page report for Olympia, WA: 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 Olympia: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an inground pool in Olympia?
For 450 sq ft, expect $43,800 to $136,500 in the Olympia area. A standard-spec job lands at $71,600 to $109,000. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for inground pool in Olympia?
About $97 to $303 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 Olympia or Bremerton?
Bremerton is 50 miles away. The midpoint for 450 sq ft there is $86,000, which is 5% less than Olympia ($90,200). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Olympia?
About 58% at the midpoint, or $52,600 out of $90,200. Materials are 41% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would average (512 sq ft) cost in Olympia?
$49,800 to $155,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does inground pool need a permit in Olympia?
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 Olympia area (our national range of $100 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Olympia expensive for inground pool compared with the rest of Washington?
Olympia is 3% 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 Olympia?
The BLS median is $25.52 an hour in the Olympia area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.90 to $33.85.
+What do basic and premium inground pool work cost in Olympia?
For 450 sq ft, basic work runs $43,800 to $80,900 and premium work $99,500 to $136,500. 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 Olympia?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are May 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 Olympia
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.