Vinyl fence cost in Wausau, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $4,300 – $8,650
- Per linear ft
- $28.50 – $57
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −6%
- US $6,850
- Rank of 300 metros
- #195
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install a vinyl fence in Wausau, plan on $4,300 to $8,650 for 150 linear ft, all in. Per linear ft, that is $28.50 to $57 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 6% lower than the national one. Building materials run about 6% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 93.8).
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Wausau, WI, standard level
$5,600 to $7,350
About $37 to $48 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 23% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,350 | $5,500 |
| Labor | $1,150 | $1,750 |
| Permits and fees | $70 | $110 |
| Total | $5,600 | $7,350 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Wausau, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $3,500 | $4,900 | $6,350 | 76% |
| Labor | $730 | $1,450 | $2,200 | 23% |
| Permits and fees | $35 | $90 | $140 | 1% |
| Total | $4,300 | $6,450 | $8,650 | 100% |
Where the Wausau price comes from
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 50% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $24.03 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Wausau is 0.97 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 23% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Wausau metro is 93.8 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 150 linear ft comes to $4,900, compared with $5,250 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (92.7) and land at $35 to $140.
Wausau against nearby metros and the rest of Wisconsin
Same job, same size (150 linear ft), priced for the nearest metros. Oshkosh is the priciest of the group at $6,850.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wausau, WIthis page | $4,300 – $8,650 | $6,450 | |
| Eau Claire, WI75 miles | $4,400 – $8,950 | $6,650 | +3% |
| Oshkosh, WI80 miles | $4,500 – $9,250 | $6,850 | +6% |
| Appleton, WI80 miles | $4,400 – $9,050 | $6,750 | +4% |
| Green Bay, WI90 miles | $4,350 – $8,900 | $6,650 | +3% |
| La Crosse, WI105 miles | $4,400 – $8,950 | $6,700 | +3% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $4,400 – $9,000 | $6,700 | +4% |
| United States | $4,550 – $9,150 | $6,850 | +6% |
Across 300 US metros, Wausau comes in at #195 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $8,350; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $6,000 (midpoints, 150 linear ft). Statewide, Wausau is 3% below the Wisconsin figure.
Other Wisconsin metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $4,400 – $9,050 | $6,700 | +4% |
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $4,400 – $9,000 | $6,700 | +4% |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $4,350 – $8,900 | $6,650 | +3% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $4,400 – $9,050 | $6,750 | +4% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $4,500 – $9,250 | $6,850 | +6% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $4,400 – $8,950 | $6,650 | +3% |
Cities with a workforce like Wausau's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Wausau against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Janesville, WI | 69,870 jobs | $4,450 – $9,200 | $6,850 | +6% |
| Yuma, AZ | 68,880 jobs | $4,300 – $8,550 | $6,400 | −1% |
| Lexington Park, MD | 70,650 jobs | $4,550 – $9,150 | $6,850 | +6% |
| State College, PA | 68,840 jobs | $4,600 – $9,250 | $6,900 | +7% |
Extras that change the Wausau total
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Wausau by the average of the local wage index (0.97) and goods index (0.94), a factor of 0.95. Tick any of them in the estimator above to add them to your total. Treat these as planning figures: an add-on touches different trades than the main job, so the scaling is an approximation.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add one gate (flat) | $140 – $740 |
| Remove old fence | $1,450 – $2,850 |
What nearby projects cost in Wausau
Because every project leans on different trades, Wausau's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, concrete slab runs +1% and wood fence −6%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence | 150 linear ft | $2,850 – $7,200 | −6% |
| Chain-link fence | 150 linear ft | $1,500 – $6,000 | −2% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,700 – $11,000 | −3% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,500 – $5,200 | +1% |
Cost by quality level and size in Wausau
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Wausau 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 4 common sizes.
Basic
$4,300 to $6,050
4-ft picket or ranch rail
Standard
$5,600 to $7,350
6-ft privacy fence, standard white
Premium
$6,900 to $8,650
Tall or colored privacy, many corners and gates
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $2,850 – $4,050 | $3,750 – $4,950 | $4,650 – $5,800 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $4,300 – $6,050 | $5,600 – $7,350 | $6,900 – $8,650 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $5,700 – $8,000 | $7,450 – $9,750 | $9,150 – $11,500 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $8,550 – $12,000 | $11,100 – $14,600 | $13,700 – $17,200 |
Climate in Wausau: timing your vinyl fence job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Wausau Dwtn Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through October is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Wausau (7 of 12 months). January, February, March, November and December have an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January, February, March, November and December the average high stays below 45°F. Sealants, adhesives and some materials, such as vinyl, are harder to install well in the cold, and short daylight cuts the working day.
Wausau gets about 34 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 64 inches of snow. The wettest months are June, July and August (4.7 inches in June). Inside the workable window, April and October are the driest, at 3.1 and 3.1 inches. The station averages about 5 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 | 23 | 7 | 1.2 | Cold |
| Feb | 27 | 10 | 1.1 | Cold |
| Mar | 40 | 21 | 1.8 | Cold |
| Apr | 54 | 32 | 3.1 | Workable |
| May | 67 | 45 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Jun | 76 | 55 | 4.7 | Workable |
| Jul | 80 | 59 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Aug | 78 | 57 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Sep | 70 | 49 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Oct | 56 | 37 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Nov | 40 | 25 | 1.9 | Cold |
| Dec | 28 | 14 | 1.5 | Cold |
Why two Wausau quotes can differ
Type and height
A vinyl picket fence is $30-$45 per linear foot; a 6-ft privacy fence $40-$60, and 8-ft goes to $85 (HomeGuide).
Gates
A vinyl gate costs $150-$780 installed, more for large or complex ones.
Removal
Taking down an old fence is $10-$20 per linear foot extra, with disposal.
Wausau labor market for vinyl fence
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 2 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Wausau is 0.97 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 50%) the local median is $24.03 an hour, which is 17% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.14 and $29.66 an hour. BLS counts 370 of them working in the area, 53.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 50% of the weighting: a median of $25.30 an hour, 12% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.07 and $30.00 an hour. About 510 work in the metro. That is 73.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($29.66 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $150. At the 25th percentile ($23.14) it shrinks by about $25. The total moves by 2.2% or 0.4%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 69,530 jobs in the Wausau area. That makes it the 261st largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.04% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 50% | $23.14 | $24.03 | $29.66 | $29.12 | 0.83 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 50% | $22.07 | $25.30 | $30.00 | $22.66 | 1.12 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.97 | |||||
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 $5,600 to $7,350 for Wausau, WI is attached.
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Vinyl fence in Wausau: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a vinyl fence in Wausau?
For 150 linear ft, expect $4,300 to $8,650 in the Wausau area. A standard-spec job lands at $5,600 to $7,350. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for vinyl fence in Wausau?
About $28.50 to $57 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $35 to $140 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $30 to $60.
+Is vinyl fence cheaper in Wausau or Eau Claire?
Eau Claire is 75 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $6,650, which is 3% more than Wausau ($6,450). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Wausau?
About 23% at the midpoint, or $1,450 out of $6,450. Materials are 76% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 22%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in Wausau?
$5,700 to $11,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does vinyl fence need a permit in Wausau?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $35 to $140 for fees in the Wausau area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Wausau expensive for vinyl fence compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Wausau is 3% below the Wisconsin statewide estimate ($6,700 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Wisconsin; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Wausau?
The BLS median is $24.03 an hour in the Wausau area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.14 to $29.66.
+What do basic and premium vinyl fence work cost in Wausau?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $4,300 to $6,050 and premium work $6,900 to $8,650. Basic means: 4-ft picket or ranch rail. Premium means: tall or colored privacy, many corners and gates.
+When is the best time to install a vinyl fence in Wausau?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. April 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.
+What does "add one gate" add in Wausau?
$140 to $740, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Vinyl fence near Wausau
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 a Vinyl Fence Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: 2026 Building Permit Costs | Fees & Cost Calculator (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 are as cited ($25-$45/ft). HomeGuide reports basic labor at $5-$15/ft, so materials are most of the installed price.