Inground pool cost in Eau Claire, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (450 sq ft)
- $40,400 – $126,000
- Per sq ft
- $89.50 – $279
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +12%
- US $74,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #58
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for an inground pool in the Eau Claire area: $40,400 to $126,000 for 450 sq ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint runs 12% higher than the US figure. Construction laborers earn a median of $28.00 an hour in the Eau Claire area, 24% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 450 sq ft in Eau Claire, WI, standard level
$66,100 to $100,500
About $147 to $222 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 60% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $26,400 | $40,300 |
| Labor | $39,500 | $59,900 |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $220 |
| Total | $66,100 | $100,500 |
Cost breakdown for 450 sq ft in Eau Claire, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,000 | $33,300 | $50,600 | 40% |
| Labor | $24,300 | $49,700 | $75,100 | 60% |
| Permits and fees | $95 | $190 | $280 | 0% |
| Total | $40,400 | $83,200 | $126,000 | 100% |
What is behind the Eau Claire number
The wage side of the estimate leans on construction laborers, who do 40% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $28.00 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Eau Claire is 1.28 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 60% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Eau Claire is at 93.8 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $35,600 nationally becomes $33,300 here (midpoint, 450 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 92.8: $95 to $280.
The best months for inground pool in Eau Claire
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Eau Claire Rgnl Ap (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 Eau Claire are May through September: 5 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March, April, October, 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.
Eau Claire gets about 33 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 55 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and August (4.8 inches in June). Inside the workable window, July and September are the driest, at 3.6 and 3.6 inches. The station averages about 10 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 | 23 | 6 | 1.0 | Cold |
| Feb | 28 | 9 | 1.1 | Cold |
| Mar | 41 | 21 | 2.0 | Cold |
| Apr | 57 | 33 | 3.1 | Cold |
| May | 70 | 45 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 79 | 56 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Jul | 83 | 60 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Aug | 80 | 58 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Sep | 72 | 49 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Oct | 58 | 37 | 2.5 | Cold |
| Nov | 42 | 25 | 1.8 | Cold |
| Dec | 29 | 13 | 1.4 | Cold |
Who does the work: Eau Claire trade wages
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 Eau Claire the blend is 1.28.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 40%) the local median is $28.00 an hour, which is 24% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.33 and $36.35 an hour. BLS counts 640 of them working in the area, 74.4 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 $36.53 an hour, 27% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $29.77 and $45.13 an hour. About 260 work in the metro. That is 30.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021, weighted 20%) the local median is $39.35 an hour, which is 32% above the national $29.87. The middle half of them earn between $37.44 and $45.46 an hour. BLS counts 40 of them working in the area, 4.6 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 3.4), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 10% of the weighting: a median of $44.58 an hour, 45% above the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $30.62 and $48.23 an hour. About 210 work in the metro. That is 24.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.0 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
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 $3,850. That is a swing of roughly 4.7% to 6.9% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Eau Claire has 86,060 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 226th 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% | $22.33 | $28.00 | $36.35 | $22.66 | 1.24 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $29.77 | $36.53 | $45.13 | $28.78 | 1.27 | metro |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 20% | $37.44 | $39.35 | $45.46 | $29.87 | 1.32 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $30.62 | $44.58 | $48.23 | $30.67 | 1.45 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.28 | |||||
Why two Eau Claire 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.
Eau Claire: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Eau Claire. 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
$40,400 to $74,600
Vinyl-liner pool, small size
Standard
$66,100 to $100,500
Fiberglass pool, standard size
Premium
$91,800 to $126,000
Concrete or gunite, large with custom features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small pool (400 sq ft) | $35,900 – $66,400 | $58,800 – $89,200 | $81,600 – $112,000 |
| average (512 sq ft) | $45,900 – $84,900 | $75,200 – $114,000 | $104,500 – $143,500 |
| large (800 sq ft) | $71,700 – $132,500 | $117,500 – $178,000 | $163,000 – $224,000 |
Planning more than one job in Eau Claire?
Jobs that often go together with inground pool are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Eau Claire wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, French drain comes out highest (+15%) and wood deck lowest (−2%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,850 – $11,400 | level |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,300 – $6,000 | +10% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,250 – $4,200 | +4% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,400 – $14,800 | −2% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $690 – $2,400 | +15% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $8,050 – $14,400 | +10% |
Is Eau Claire cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (450 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Minneapolis is the priciest of the group at $91,700. Oshkosh is the cheapest at $80,500.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eau Claire, WIthis page | $40,400 – $126,000 | $83,200 | |
| Wausau, WI75 miles | $40,600 – $126,500 | $83,700 | +1% |
| Rochester, MN85 miles | $41,700 – $130,000 | $85,800 | +3% |
| La Crosse, WI85 miles | $39,700 – $124,000 | $81,700 | −2% |
| Minneapolis, MN100 miles | $44,500 – $139,000 | $91,700 | +10% |
| Oshkosh, WI140 miles | $39,100 – $122,000 | $80,500 | −3% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $39,600 – $123,500 | $81,600 | −2% |
| United States | $36,100 – $113,000 | $74,500 | −11% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Eau Claire ranks #58 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Eau Claire is 2% above the Wisconsin figure.
Elsewhere in Wisconsin
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $41,200 – $128,500 | $84,900 | +2% |
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $40,700 – $127,000 | $83,800 | +1% |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $39,100 – $122,000 | $80,600 | −3% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $41,100 – $128,000 | $84,600 | +2% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $39,100 – $122,000 | $80,500 | −3% |
| La Crosse, WI | 84,380 jobs | $39,700 – $124,000 | $81,700 | −2% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Eau Claire against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daphne, AL | 87,120 jobs | $31,900 – $99,800 | $65,800 | −21% |
| Jackson, TN | 84,530 jobs | $33,600 – $105,000 | $69,300 | −17% |
| Joplin, MO | 87,190 jobs | $35,500 – $111,000 | $73,300 | −12% |
| La Crosse, WI | 84,380 jobs | $39,700 – $124,000 | $81,700 | −2% |
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 $66,100 to $100,500 for Eau Claire, WI is attached.
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Inground pool in Eau Claire: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an inground pool in Eau Claire?
For 450 sq ft, expect $40,400 to $126,000 in the Eau Claire area. A standard-spec job lands at $66,100 to $100,500. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for inground pool in Eau Claire?
About $89.50 to $279 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 Eau Claire or Wausau?
Wausau is 75 miles away. The midpoint for 450 sq ft there is $83,700, which is 1% more than Eau Claire ($83,200). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Eau Claire?
About 60% at the midpoint, or $49,700 out of $83,200. Materials are 40% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would average (512 sq ft) cost in Eau Claire?
$45,900 to $143,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does inground pool need a permit in Eau Claire?
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 Eau Claire area (our national range of $100 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Eau Claire expensive for inground pool compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Eau Claire is 2% above the Wisconsin statewide estimate ($81,600 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Wisconsin; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Eau Claire?
The BLS median is $28.00 an hour in the Eau Claire area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.33 to $36.35.
+What do basic and premium inground pool work cost in Eau Claire?
For 450 sq ft, basic work runs $40,400 to $74,600 and premium work $91,800 to $126,000. 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 Eau Claire?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are May through September. July and September 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 Eau Claire
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.