Inground pool cost in Seattle, WA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (450 sq ft)
- $45,300 – $141,500
- Per sq ft
- $100 – $313
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +25%
- US $74,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #7
- 1 = most expensive
An inground pool in Seattle, WA usually costs $45,300 to $141,500 for 450 sq ft. That works out to about $100 to $313 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $18,900 more. Construction laborers earn a median of $28.72 an hour in the Seattle area, 27% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 450 sq ft in Seattle, WA, standard level
$74,100 to $112,500
About $164 to $250 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 60% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $29,300 | $44,600 |
| Labor | $44,700 | $67,700 |
| Permits and fees | $180 | $270 |
| Total | $74,100 | $112,500 |
Cost breakdown for 450 sq ft in Seattle, WA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $17,800 | $37,000 | $56,100 | 40% |
| Labor | $27,400 | $56,200 | $84,900 | 60% |
| Permits and fees | $110 | $220 | $330 | 0% |
| Total | $45,300 | $93,300 | $141,500 | 100% |
What is behind the Seattle 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, Seattle wages are 1.45 times the national level. Labor makes up about 60% of the midpoint estimate (52% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Seattle is at 104.0 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $35,600 nationally becomes $37,000 here (midpoint, 450 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 111.1: $110 to $330.
Pick a size, pick a tier: inground pool pricing in Seattle
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Seattle. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from small pool (400 sq ft) to large (800 sq ft).
Basic
$45,300 to $83,700
Vinyl-liner pool, small size
Standard
$74,100 to $112,500
Fiberglass pool, standard size
Premium
$103,000 to $141,500
Concrete or gunite, large with custom features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small pool (400 sq ft) | $40,300 – $74,500 | $65,900 – $100,000 | $91,500 – $125,500 |
| average (512 sq ft) | $51,500 – $95,200 | $84,300 – $128,000 | $117,000 – $161,000 |
| large (800 sq ft) | $80,500 – $148,500 | $131,500 – $200,000 | $183,000 – $251,000 |
Seattle weather and the inground pool calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Seattle Sand Pt Wsfo (5 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For pouring concrete, the comfortable months in Seattle are April through November: 8 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March 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.
Seattle gets about 38 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 4 inches of snow. The wettest months are January, November and December (5.8 inches in November). Inside the workable window, July and August are the driest, at 0.8 and 1.0 inches. The station averages about 2 days a year at 90°F or above.
We do not adjust the estimate by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. It is still worth asking contractors whether an off-peak start date changes their bid.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 47 | 37 | 5.1 | Cold |
| Feb | 50 | 37 | 3.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 54 | 39 | 3.9 | Cold |
| Apr | 59 | 43 | 3.0 | Workable |
| May | 65 | 48 | 2.2 | Workable |
| Jun | 70 | 53 | 1.6 | Workable |
| Jul | 77 | 57 | 0.8 | Workable |
| Aug | 77 | 57 | 1.0 | Workable |
| Sep | 71 | 53 | 1.7 | Workable |
| Oct | 61 | 47 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Nov | 52 | 41 | 5.8 | Workable |
| Dec | 47 | 37 | 5.5 | Cold |
What local crews earn in Seattle
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 4 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For Seattle the blend is 1.45.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 40%) the local median is $28.72 an hour, which is 27% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $23.67 and $37.03 an hour. BLS counts 13,040 of them working in the area, 62.5 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is about average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 30% of the weighting: a median of $46.04 an hour, 60% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $36.13 and $58.78 an hour. About 4,860 work in the metro. That is 23.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021, weighted 20%) the local median is $47.04 an hour, which is 57% above the national $29.87. The middle half of them earn between $38.99 and $51.76 an hour. BLS counts 310 of them working in the area, 1.5 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 3.4), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 10% of the weighting: a median of $45.78 an hour, 49% above the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $29.83 and $60.93 an hour. About 6,350 work in the metro. That is 30.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.0 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (construction laborers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $5,700 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $3,450. That is a swing of roughly 3.7% to 6.1% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue has 2,086,210 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 13th by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $23.67 | $28.72 | $37.03 | $22.66 | 1.27 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $36.13 | $46.04 | $58.78 | $28.78 | 1.60 | metro |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 20% | $38.99 | $47.04 | $51.76 | $29.87 | 1.57 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $29.83 | $45.78 | $60.93 | $30.67 | 1.49 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.45 | |||||
Related projects, priced for Seattle
Jobs that often go together with inground pool are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Seattle wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, French drain comes out highest (+26%) and wood deck lowest (+14%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $4,450 – $13,100 | +15% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,700 – $6,750 | +23% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,450 – $4,950 | +22% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $8,600 – $17,200 | +14% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $750 – $2,650 | +26% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $9,200 – $16,300 | +25% |
Why two Seattle 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.
Seattle against nearby metros and the rest of Washington
Same job, same size (450 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Seattle is the priciest of the group. Yakima is the cheapest at $81,500.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WAthis page | $45,300 – $141,500 | $93,300 | |
| Bremerton, WA40 miles | $41,700 – $130,500 | $86,000 | −8% |
| Olympia, WA60 miles | $43,800 – $136,500 | $90,200 | −3% |
| Yakima, WA90 miles | $39,600 – $123,500 | $81,500 | −13% |
| Bellingham, WA95 miles | $44,200 – $138,000 | $91,100 | −2% |
| Portland, OR135 miles | $42,200 – $132,000 | $87,100 | −7% |
| Washington (statewide) | $42,400 – $132,500 | $87,400 | −6% |
| United States | $36,100 – $113,000 | $74,500 | −20% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Seattle ranks #7 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Seattle is 7% above the Washington figure.
Elsewhere in Washington
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spokane, WA | 255,820 jobs | $40,200 – $125,500 | $82,900 | −11% |
| Olympia, WA | 130,300 jobs | $43,800 – $136,500 | $90,200 | −3% |
| Kennewick, WA | 129,490 jobs | $42,300 – $132,000 | $87,300 | −7% |
| Yakima, WA | 97,010 jobs | $39,600 – $123,500 | $81,500 | −13% |
| Bremerton, WA | 93,740 jobs | $41,700 – $130,500 | $86,000 | −8% |
| Bellingham, WA | 91,390 jobs | $44,200 – $138,000 | $91,100 | −2% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Seattle against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $49,100 – $153,000 | $101,000 | +8% |
| Minneapolis, MN | 1,951,650 jobs | $44,500 – $139,000 | $91,700 | −2% |
| Phoenix, AZ | 2,375,760 jobs | $35,300 – $110,500 | $72,800 | −22% |
| Detroit, MI | 1,904,530 jobs | $39,000 – $122,000 | $80,500 | −14% |
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 $74,100 to $112,500 for Seattle, WA is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
Multi-page report for Seattle, 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 Seattle: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an inground pool in Seattle?
For 450 sq ft, expect $45,300 to $141,500 in the Seattle area. A standard-spec job lands at $74,100 to $112,500. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for inground pool in Seattle?
About $100 to $313 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $110 to $330 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $80 to $250.
+Is inground pool cheaper in Seattle or Bremerton?
Bremerton is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 450 sq ft there is $86,000, which is 8% less than Seattle ($93,300). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Seattle?
About 60% at the midpoint, or $56,200 out of $93,300. Materials are 40% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would average (512 sq ft) cost in Seattle?
$51,500 to $161,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does inground pool need a permit in Seattle?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $110 to $330 for fees in the Seattle area (our national range of $100 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Seattle expensive for inground pool compared with the rest of Washington?
Seattle is 7% 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 Seattle?
The BLS median is $28.72 an hour in the Seattle area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.67 to $37.03.
+What do basic and premium inground pool work cost in Seattle?
For 450 sq ft, basic work runs $45,300 to $83,700 and premium work $103,000 to $141,500. 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 Seattle?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through November. 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 Seattle
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.