Inground pool cost in Milwaukee, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (450 sq ft)
- $41,200 – $128,500
- Per sq ft
- $91.50 – $285
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +14%
- US $74,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #38
- 1 = most expensive
An inground pool in Milwaukee, WI usually costs $41,200 to $128,500 for 450 sq ft. That works out to about $91.50 to $285 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $10,500 more. Construction laborers earn a median of $27.61 an hour in the Milwaukee area, 22% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 450 sq ft in Milwaukee, WI, standard level
$67,400 to $102,500
About $149 to $227 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 61% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $26,400 | $40,300 |
| Labor | $40,900 | $61,900 |
| Permits and fees | $160 | $230 |
| Total | $67,400 | $102,500 |
Cost breakdown for 450 sq ft in Milwaukee, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,000 | $33,300 | $50,600 | 39% |
| Labor | $25,100 | $51,400 | $77,600 | 61% |
| Permits and fees | $95 | $190 | $290 | 0% |
| Total | $41,200 | $84,900 | $128,500 | 100% |
Why Milwaukee prices look the way they do
The wage side of the estimate leans on construction laborers, who do 40% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $27.61 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Milwaukee is 1.33 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 61% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Milwaukee 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 96.9: $95 to $290.
What local crews earn in Milwaukee
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 Milwaukee the blend is 1.33.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 40%) the local median is $27.61 an hour, which is 22% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.17 and $37.52 an hour. BLS counts 4,740 of them working in the area, 57.7 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 30% of the weighting: a median of $38.19 an hour, 33% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $30.92 and $45.82 an hour. About 2,070 work in the metro. That is 25.2 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 $46.16 an hour, which is 55% above the national $29.87. The middle half of them earn between $31.34 and $47.70 an hour. BLS counts 280 of them working in the area, 3.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 3.4), so the local bench is about average.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 10% of the weighting: a median of $40.72 an hour, 33% above the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $29.98 and $51.92 an hour. About 2,760 work in the metro. That is 33.6 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 $6,750 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $3,700. That is a swing of roughly 4.4% to 8.0% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Milwaukee-Waukesha has 820,780 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 38th 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% | $22.17 | $27.61 | $37.52 | $22.66 | 1.22 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $30.92 | $38.19 | $45.82 | $28.78 | 1.33 | metro |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 20% | $31.34 | $46.16 | $47.70 | $29.87 | 1.55 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $29.98 | $40.72 | $51.92 | $30.67 | 1.33 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.33 | |||||
Milwaukee 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, Mt Mary College (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 Milwaukee are May through October: 6 of 12. Outside them, 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.
Milwaukee gets about 34 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 40 inches of snow. The wettest months are April, May and June (4.8 inches in June). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 3.0 and 2.7 inches. The station averages about 16 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 | 30 | 14 | 1.5 | Cold |
| Feb | 34 | 17 | 1.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 44 | 26 | 1.8 | Cold |
| Apr | 56 | 36 | 3.7 | Cold |
| May | 68 | 48 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Jun | 78 | 58 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Jul | 83 | 63 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Aug | 81 | 62 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Sep | 74 | 53 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 61 | 42 | 2.7 | Workable |
| Nov | 47 | 30 | 2.0 | Cold |
| Dec | 35 | 21 | 1.7 | Cold |
Related projects, priced for Milwaukee
Jobs that often go together with inground pool are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Milwaukee wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, French drain comes out highest (+17%) and wood deck lowest (level); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,900 – $11,500 | +2% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,450 – $6,300 | +16% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,300 – $4,500 | +11% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,600 – $15,200 | level |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $700 – $2,450 | +17% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $8,550 – $15,100 | +15% |
Specs and site conditions that change a Milwaukee 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.
Milwaukee: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Milwaukee. 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
$41,200 to $76,200
Vinyl-liner pool, small size
Standard
$67,400 to $102,500
Fiberglass pool, standard size
Premium
$93,600 to $128,500
Concrete or gunite, large with custom features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small pool (400 sq ft) | $36,700 – $67,700 | $60,000 – $91,000 | $83,300 – $114,500 |
| average (512 sq ft) | $46,900 – $86,600 | $76,700 – $116,500 | $106,500 – $146,500 |
| large (800 sq ft) | $73,200 – $135,500 | $120,000 – $182,000 | $166,500 – $228,500 |
How Milwaukee compares
Of the five closest metros, 4 are cheaper than Milwaukee. Janesville is the lowest at about $79,500 (midpoint, 450 sq ft), 65 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WIthis page | $41,200 – $128,500 | $84,900 | |
| Racine, WI10 miles | $40,600 – $126,500 | $83,500 | −2% |
| Kenosha, WI20 miles | $40,400 – $126,000 | $83,300 | −2% |
| Sheboygan, WI55 miles | $38,900 – $121,500 | $80,100 | −6% |
| Janesville, WI65 miles | $38,600 – $120,500 | $79,500 | −6% |
| Rockford, IL70 miles | $42,200 – $131,500 | $87,000 | +2% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $39,600 – $123,500 | $81,600 | −4% |
| United States | $36,100 – $113,000 | $74,500 | −12% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Milwaukee ranks #38 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Milwaukee is 4% above the Wisconsin figure.
Elsewhere in Wisconsin
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $40,700 – $127,000 | $83,800 | −1% |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $39,100 – $122,000 | $80,600 | −5% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $41,100 – $128,000 | $84,600 | level |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $39,100 – $122,000 | $80,500 | −5% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $40,400 – $126,000 | $83,200 | −2% |
| La Crosse, WI | 84,380 jobs | $39,700 – $124,000 | $81,700 | −4% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Milwaukee against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City, UT | 826,210 jobs | $35,700 – $111,500 | $73,500 | −13% |
| Jacksonville, FL | 765,930 jobs | $33,500 – $104,500 | $69,000 | −19% |
| Cleveland, OH | 1,031,130 jobs | $38,700 – $121,000 | $79,800 | −6% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | 763,060 jobs | $32,700 – $102,000 | $67,400 | −21% |
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Inground pool in Milwaukee: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an inground pool in Milwaukee?
For 450 sq ft, expect $41,200 to $128,500 in the Milwaukee area. A standard-spec job lands at $67,400 to $102,500. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for inground pool in Milwaukee?
About $91.50 to $285 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 Milwaukee or Racine?
Racine is 10 miles away. The midpoint for 450 sq ft there is $83,500, which is 2% less than Milwaukee ($84,900). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Milwaukee?
About 61% at the midpoint, or $51,400 out of $84,900. Materials are 39% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would average (512 sq ft) cost in Milwaukee?
$46,900 to $146,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does inground pool need a permit in Milwaukee?
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 Milwaukee area (our national range of $100 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Milwaukee expensive for inground pool compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Milwaukee is 4% 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 Milwaukee?
The BLS median is $27.61 an hour in the Milwaukee area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.17 to $37.52.
+What do basic and premium inground pool work cost in Milwaukee?
For 450 sq ft, basic work runs $41,200 to $76,200 and premium work $93,600 to $128,500. 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 Milwaukee?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are May 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 Milwaukee
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.