Inground pool cost in Huntington, WV
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (450 sq ft)
- $33,900 – $106,000
- Per sq ft
- $75 – $235
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −6%
- US $74,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #191
- 1 = most expensive
Huntington homeowners pay roughly $33,900 to $106,000 to install an inground pool at 450 sq ft, or $75 to $235 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Huntington is 6% lower. Construction laborers earn a median of $21.72 an hour in the Huntington area, 4% below the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 450 sq ft in Huntington, WV, standard level
$55,500 to $84,300
About $123 to $187 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 51% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $27,100 | $41,300 |
| Labor | $28,200 | $42,700 |
| Permits and fees | $140 | $210 |
| Total | $55,500 | $84,300 |
Cost breakdown for 450 sq ft in Huntington, WV
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,500 | $34,200 | $52,000 | 49% |
| Labor | $17,300 | $35,500 | $53,600 | 51% |
| Permits and fees | $90 | $180 | $270 | 0% |
| Total | $33,900 | $69,900 | $106,000 | 100% |
Where the Huntington price comes from
The wage side of the estimate leans on construction laborers, who do 40% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $21.72 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Huntington is 0.92 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 51% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Huntington metro is 96.3 (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 (88.4) and land at $90 to $270.
What nearby projects cost in Huntington
Because every project leans on different trades, Huntington's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, French drain runs −2% and paver patio −10%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,650 – $11,000 | −4% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,700 – $4,900 | −10% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,200 – $3,800 | −4% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,000 – $14,000 | −7% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $590 – $2,050 | −2% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,300 – $12,300 | −9% |
When to schedule inground pool in Huntington
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Huntington Tri State 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 Huntington (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.
Huntington gets about 45 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 20 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and July (5.1 inches in July). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 3.2 and 3.0 inches. The station averages about 25 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 | 43 | 26 | 3.1 | Cold |
| Feb | 47 | 29 | 3.4 | Cold |
| Mar | 57 | 36 | 4.2 | Cold |
| Apr | 69 | 46 | 3.9 | Workable |
| May | 76 | 54 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Jun | 83 | 62 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 86 | 66 | 5.1 | Workable |
| Aug | 86 | 65 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Sep | 80 | 58 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 69 | 46 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Nov | 57 | 37 | 3.1 | Cold |
| Dec | 47 | 30 | 3.6 | Cold |
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 Huntington is 0.92 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 40% of the weighting: a median of $21.72 an hour, 4% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.76 and $28.49 an hour. About 1,580 work in the metro. That is 112.3 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 $27.56 an hour, which is 4% below the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $22.17 and $37.01 an hour. BLS counts 1,040 of them working in the area, 73.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021), 20% of the weighting: a median of $22.16 an hour, 26% below the US median of $29.87. The middle half of them earn between $18.66 and $29.57 an hour. About 50 work in the metro. That is 3.6 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 $29.88 an hour, which is in line with the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $23.00 and $39.67 an hour. BLS counts 460 of them working in the area, 32.7 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 ($28.49 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $4,600. At the 25th percentile ($17.76) it shrinks by about $2,700. The total moves by 6.6% or 3.9%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 140,740 jobs in the Huntington-Ashland area. That makes it the 159th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.09% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $17.76 | $21.72 | $28.49 | $22.66 | 0.96 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $22.17 | $27.56 | $37.01 | $28.78 | 0.96 | metro |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 20% | $18.66 | $22.16 | $29.57 | $29.87 | 0.74 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $23.00 | $29.88 | $39.67 | $30.67 | 0.97 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.92 | |||||
Is Huntington cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (450 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Columbus is the priciest of the group at $81,700.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntington, WVthis page | $33,900 – $106,000 | $69,900 | |
| Charleston, WV60 miles | $34,400 – $107,500 | $71,000 | +2% |
| Lexington, KY100 miles | $35,000 – $109,500 | $72,100 | +3% |
| Columbus, OH110 miles | $39,600 – $123,500 | $81,700 | +17% |
| Cincinnati, OH115 miles | $37,500 – $117,000 | $77,300 | +11% |
| Kingsport, TN120 miles | $34,400 – $107,500 | $70,900 | +1% |
| West Virginia (statewide) | $32,800 – $102,500 | $67,700 | −3% |
| United States | $36,100 – $113,000 | $74,500 | +7% |
Across 300 US metros, Huntington comes in at #191 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $105,000; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $62,300 (midpoints, 450 sq ft). Statewide, Huntington is 3% above the West Virginia figure.
Other West Virginia metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston, WV | 103,450 jobs | $34,400 – $107,500 | $71,000 | +2% |
| Morgantown, WV | 67,370 jobs | $33,300 – $104,000 | $68,600 | −2% |
| Wheeling, WV | 58,130 jobs | $34,200 – $107,000 | $70,500 | +1% |
Cities with a workforce like Huntington's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Huntington against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vallejo, CA | 144,130 jobs | $43,400 – $135,500 | $89,500 | +28% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 139,260 jobs | $36,600 – $114,500 | $75,500 | +8% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | 146,260 jobs | $31,500 – $98,400 | $64,900 | −7% |
| Rockford, IL | 137,650 jobs | $42,200 – $131,500 | $87,000 | +24% |
Cost by quality level and size in Huntington
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Huntington 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
$33,900 to $62,700
Vinyl-liner pool, small size
Standard
$55,500 to $84,300
Fiberglass pool, standard size
Premium
$77,100 to $106,000
Concrete or gunite, large with custom features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small pool (400 sq ft) | $30,100 – $55,700 | $49,300 – $74,900 | $68,500 – $94,200 |
| average (512 sq ft) | $38,500 – $71,300 | $63,100 – $95,900 | $87,700 – $120,500 |
| large (800 sq ft) | $60,200 – $111,500 | $98,500 – $149,500 | $137,000 – $188,000 |
Specs and site conditions that change a Huntington 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 $55,500 to $84,300 for Huntington, WV is attached.
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Inground pool in Huntington: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an inground pool in Huntington?
For 450 sq ft, expect $33,900 to $106,000 in the Huntington area. A standard-spec job lands at $55,500 to $84,300. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for inground pool in Huntington?
About $75 to $235 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $90 to $270 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $80 to $250.
+Is inground pool cheaper in Huntington or Charleston?
Charleston is 60 miles away. The midpoint for 450 sq ft there is $71,000, which is 2% more than Huntington ($69,900). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Huntington?
About 51% at the midpoint, or $35,500 out of $69,900. Materials are 49% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would average (512 sq ft) cost in Huntington?
$38,500 to $120,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does inground pool need a permit in Huntington?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $90 to $270 for fees in the Huntington area (our national range of $100 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Huntington expensive for inground pool compared with the rest of West Virginia?
Huntington is 3% above the West Virginia statewide estimate ($67,700 at the midpoint). We cover 4 metros in West Virginia; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Huntington?
The BLS median is $21.72 an hour in the Huntington area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $17.76 to $28.49.
+What do basic and premium inground pool work cost in Huntington?
For 450 sq ft, basic work runs $33,900 to $62,700 and premium work $77,100 to $106,000. 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 Huntington?
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 Huntington
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.