Inground pool cost in Madison, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (450 sq ft)
- $40,700 – $127,000
- Per sq ft
- $90 – $281
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +13%
- US $74,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #47
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install an inground pool in Madison, plan on $40,700 to $127,000 for 450 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $90 to $281 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 13% higher than the national one. Construction laborers earn a median of $27.40 an hour in the Madison area, 21% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 450 sq ft in Madison, WI, standard level
$66,500 to $101,000
About $148 to $224 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 60% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $26,400 | $40,300 |
| Labor | $40,000 | $60,500 |
| Permits and fees | $160 | $230 |
| Total | $66,500 | $101,000 |
Cost breakdown for 450 sq ft in Madison, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,000 | $33,300 | $50,600 | 40% |
| Labor | $24,500 | $50,300 | $76,000 | 60% |
| Permits and fees | $95 | $190 | $290 | 0% |
| Total | $40,700 | $83,800 | $127,000 | 100% |
Where the Madison price comes from
Labor is 60% 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 Madison the blended ratio comes out at 1.30.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Madison metro is 93.8 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 450 sq ft comes to $33,300, compared with $35,600 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (97.3) and land at $95 to $290.
Madison against nearby metros and the rest of Wisconsin
Same job, same size (450 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Rockford is the priciest of the group at $87,000. Dubuque is the cheapest at $74,000.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison, WIthis page | $40,700 – $127,000 | $83,800 | |
| Janesville, WI40 miles | $38,600 – $120,500 | $79,500 | −5% |
| Rockford, IL60 miles | $42,200 – $131,500 | $87,000 | +4% |
| Dubuque, IA80 miles | $35,900 – $112,000 | $74,000 | −12% |
| Oshkosh, WI85 miles | $39,100 – $122,000 | $80,500 | −4% |
| La Crosse, WI85 miles | $39,700 – $124,000 | $81,700 | −2% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $39,600 – $123,500 | $81,600 | −3% |
| United States | $36,100 – $113,000 | $74,500 | −11% |
Across 300 US metros, Madison comes in at #47 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $105,000; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $62,300 (midpoints, 450 sq ft). Statewide, Madison is 3% above the Wisconsin figure.
Other Wisconsin metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $41,200 – $128,500 | $84,900 | +1% |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $39,100 – $122,000 | $80,600 | −4% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $41,100 – $128,000 | $84,600 | +1% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $39,100 – $122,000 | $80,500 | −4% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $40,400 – $126,000 | $83,200 | −1% |
| La Crosse, WI | 84,380 jobs | $39,700 – $124,000 | $81,700 | −2% |
Cities with a workforce like Madison's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Madison against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, LA | 409,690 jobs | $33,500 – $104,500 | $69,100 | −17% |
| Albuquerque, NM | 404,700 jobs | $32,400 – $101,500 | $66,900 | −20% |
| Knoxville, TN | 424,600 jobs | $34,200 – $107,000 | $70,600 | −16% |
| Bridgeport, CT | 404,180 jobs | $39,900 – $124,500 | $82,300 | −2% |
Why two Madison 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.
What nearby projects cost in Madison
Because every project leans on different trades, Madison's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, French drain runs +17% and wood deck level.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,850 – $11,500 | +1% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,350 – $6,100 | +12% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,300 – $4,300 | +7% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,550 – $15,200 | level |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $700 – $2,450 | +17% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $8,150 – $14,500 | +11% |
Madison: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Madison 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
$40,700 to $75,200
Vinyl-liner pool, small size
Standard
$66,500 to $101,000
Fiberglass pool, standard size
Premium
$92,400 to $127,000
Concrete or gunite, large with custom features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small pool (400 sq ft) | $36,200 – $66,800 | $59,200 – $89,800 | $82,200 – $113,000 |
| average (512 sq ft) | $46,300 – $85,500 | $75,700 – $115,000 | $105,000 – $144,500 |
| large (800 sq ft) | $72,200 – $133,500 | $118,000 – $179,500 | $164,000 – $225,500 |
Climate in Madison: timing your inground pool job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Madison Dane Rgnl Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
May through September is the stretch where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in Madison (5 of 12 months). 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.
Madison gets about 37 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 52 inches of snow. The wettest months are June, July and August (5.3 inches in June). Inside the workable window, May and September are the driest, at 4.1 and 3.4 inches. The station averages about 9 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 | 27 | 12 | 1.5 | Cold |
| Feb | 31 | 15 | 1.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 44 | 25 | 2.3 | Cold |
| Apr | 57 | 36 | 3.8 | Cold |
| May | 69 | 47 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Jun | 79 | 57 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 82 | 62 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Aug | 80 | 60 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Sep | 73 | 51 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Oct | 60 | 40 | 2.8 | Cold |
| Nov | 45 | 29 | 2.2 | Cold |
| Dec | 32 | 18 | 1.6 | Cold |
Madison labor market for inground pool
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 Madison is 1.30 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 40% of the weighting: a median of $27.40 an hour, 21% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.70 and $31.94 an hour. About 2,370 work in the metro. That is 58.1 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 $39.93 an hour, which is 39% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $31.65 and $47.46 an hour. BLS counts 680 of them working in the area, 16.7 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021), 20% of the weighting: a median of $39.62 an hour, 33% above the US median of $29.87. The middle half of them earn between $29.34 and $46.79 an hour. About 150 work in the metro. That is 3.7 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 $40.94 an hour, which is 33% above the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $29.54 and $51.62 an hour. BLS counts 1,590 of them working in the area, 39.0 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 ($31.94 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $3,100. At the 25th percentile ($22.70) it shrinks by about $3,200. The total moves by 3.7% or 3.8%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 408,070 jobs in the Madison area. That makes it the 61st largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.26% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $22.70 | $27.40 | $31.94 | $22.66 | 1.21 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $31.65 | $39.93 | $47.46 | $28.78 | 1.39 | metro |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 20% | $29.34 | $39.62 | $46.79 | $29.87 | 1.33 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $29.54 | $40.94 | $51.62 | $30.67 | 1.33 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.30 | |||||
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Inground pool in Madison: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an inground pool in Madison?
For 450 sq ft, expect $40,700 to $127,000 in the Madison area. A standard-spec job lands at $66,500 to $101,000. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for inground pool in Madison?
About $90 to $281 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $95 to $290 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $80 to $250.
+Is inground pool cheaper in Madison or Janesville?
Janesville is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 450 sq ft there is $79,500, which is 5% less than Madison ($83,800). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Madison?
About 60% at the midpoint, or $50,300 out of $83,800. Materials are 40% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would average (512 sq ft) cost in Madison?
$46,300 to $144,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does inground pool need a permit in Madison?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $95 to $290 for fees in the Madison area (our national range of $100 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Madison expensive for inground pool compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Madison is 3% 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 Madison?
The BLS median is $27.40 an hour in the Madison area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.70 to $31.94.
+What do basic and premium inground pool work cost in Madison?
For 450 sq ft, basic work runs $40,700 to $75,200 and premium work $92,400 to $127,000. 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 Madison?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are May through September. May 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 Madison
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.