Wood deck cost in Arkansas
Statewide estimate from BLS wages and BEA prices. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Statewide range (300 sq ft)
- $6,600 – $13,200
- Per sq ft
- $22 – $43.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −13%
- US $11,400
- Metros covered
- 4
Across Arkansas, a wood deck costs about $6,600 to $13,200 for 300 sq ft. Statewide, that midpoint is 13% below the US figure of $11,400. Carpenters earn a median $22.96 an hour in Arkansas (US: $29.12).
Inside Arkansas, the metros we cover range from $9,550 (Fort Smith) to $10,000 (Fayetteville) at the midpoint. Pick your closest city in the table for a tighter number.
Estimate your wood deck cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Arkansas (statewide), standard level
$8,550 to $11,200
About $28.50 to $37 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 40% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,100 | $6,700 |
| Labor | $3,400 | $4,450 |
| Permits and fees | $70 | $100 |
| Total | $8,550 | $11,200 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Arkansas
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $3,950 | $5,900 | $7,850 | 60% |
| Labor | $2,600 | $3,900 | $5,200 | 40% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $85 | $130 | 1% |
| Total | $6,600 | $9,900 | $13,200 | 100% |
Wages behind the Arkansas number
Statewide wages come from BLS's state-level estimates, which blend big cities with small towns and rural areas. 2 trades drive the labor line for this job, and the weighted ratio against the national wage level is 0.79 for Arkansas.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 80%) the local median is $22.96 an hour, which is 21% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $19.93 and $27.65 an hour. BLS counts 4,030 of them working in the state, 30.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 20% of the weighting: a median of $18.09 an hour, 20% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $16.63 and $21.31 an hour. About 10,650 work in the state. That is 81.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
A crew paid at the 75th percentile for carpenters ($27.65 an hour) would add about $640 to the statewide midpoint; one at the 25th percentile ($19.93) would take off about $410. Use that as a rough guide to how far a bid can sit from our midpoint on wages alone.
BLS counts 1,303,630 jobs across Arkansas (May 2025), which is 0.8% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 80% | $19.93 | $22.96 | $27.65 | $29.12 | 0.79 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $16.63 | $18.09 | $21.31 | $22.66 | 0.80 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 0.79 | |||||
Quality levels and sizes in Arkansas
The cited range is cut into three overlapping bands (basic, standard and premium) and scaled to statewide Arkansas wages and prices. The grid prices the same bands at 4 common sizes.
Basic
$6,600 to $9,250
Pressure-treated pine, low to the ground, simple rectangle
Standard
$8,550 to $11,200
Cedar or upgraded pine, stairs and a railing
Premium
$10,600 to $13,200
Hardwood decking, multi-level, built-in features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $2,650 – $3,750 | $3,450 – $4,550 | $4,300 – $5,350 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $3,200 – $4,450 | $4,150 – $5,450 | $5,100 – $6,400 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $7,000 – $9,850 | $9,150 – $12,000 | $11,300 – $14,100 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $8,750 – $12,300 | $11,400 – $14,900 | $14,000 – $17,600 |
Which Arkansas city is cheapest for wood deck?
1 of the 4 metros sit above the statewide midpoint of $9,900, and the top-to-bottom gap is 5%. Each row prices the default size with that metro's own BLS wages and BEA price levels, so the gap between rows is real local variation rather than a flat markup.
| Metro | Range (300 sq ft) | Midpoint | vs. state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville, AR | $6,650 – $13,400 | $10,000 | +1% |
| Little Rock, AR | $6,600 – $13,200 | $9,900 | level |
| Jonesboro, AR | $6,400 – $12,900 | $9,650 | −2% |
| Fort Smith, AR | $6,350 – $12,700 | $9,550 | −4% |
Wood deck: what moves the price in Arkansas
Wood species
Pressure-treated pine is the cheapest at $25-$50 per sq ft installed. Ipe runs $50-$70 and bamboo $27-$52 (HomeGuide).
Height and stairs
A second-story deck needs more structure. New stairs run $1,400-$2,600 installed.
Railing
A wood or vinyl railing adds $20-$60 per linear foot.
Replacement versus new
Deck replacement costs $30-$55 per sq ft because of demolition and haul-away.
Permit
Deck permits average $50-$150. Many cities skip the permit for small, low, freestanding decks.
Weather windows across Arkansas
Season matters for wood deck. For each Arkansas metro below we took NOAA's 1991-2020 monthly normals from the nearest suitable station and counted comfortable months for exterior installation.
Fayetteville has the longest comfortable season of the metros we cover in Arkansas at 12 months; Jonesboro has the shortest at 9 (September through May). Rainfall runs from 47 inches a year in Fayetteville to 50 inches in Little Rock.
We do not adjust prices by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. Timing is still worth raising when you collect bids.
| Metro | Jan avg low °F | Jul avg high °F | Precip (in/yr) | Comfortable months |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Rock | 31 | 92 | 50 | 10: September through June |
| Fayetteville | 25 | 89 | 47 | 12: all year |
| Fort Smith | 30 | 94 | 47 | 10: September through June |
| Jonesboro | 31 | 91 | 49 | 9: September through May |
Optional extras in Arkansas
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Arkansas by the average of the local wage index (0.79) and goods index (0.94), a factor of 0.86. 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 stairs (flat) | $1,200 – $2,250 |
Other Arkansas jobs that often go with wood deck
The table prices neighboring jobs at their usual sizes using statewide Arkansas wages and prices. Against national midpoints, paver patio comes out highest (−12%) and composite deck lowest (−15%), because each job leans on different trades.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite deck | 300 sq ft | $10,200 – $20,500 | −15% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,100 – $3,400 | −14% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,650 – $4,800 | −12% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $25,100 – $50,400 | −13% |
Arkansas versus the states around it
Arkansas ranks 50 of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) for wood deck, where 1 is the most expensive. The costliest is Hawaii at $14,300 and the cheapest Oklahoma at $9,900, both for 300 sq ft at the midpoint. Arkansas sits at $9,900. The five states closest by workforce center are listed below.
| State | Distance | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | 220 miles away | $6,600 – $13,200 | $9,900 | level |
| Missouri | 230 miles away | $7,550 – $15,100 | $11,300 | +14% |
| Kansas | 280 miles away | $7,100 – $14,300 | $10,700 | +8% |
| Mississippi | 330 miles away | $6,750 – $13,500 | $10,100 | +2% |
| Tennessee | 360 miles away | $6,950 – $13,900 | $10,400 | +5% |
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 $8,550 to $11,200 for Arkansas is attached.
Detailed wood deck report for Arkansas, $9
The report lays out the wood deck numbers for Arkansas line by line, with the local wage and price inputs, permit and timing notes, a quote comparison sheet and the full method. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Wood deck in Arkansas: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a wood deck in Arkansas?
$6,600 to $13,200 for 300 sq ft, using statewide wages and prices. Metro areas inside Arkansas can sit above or below that.
+Which city in Arkansas is cheapest for wood deck?
Fort Smith at about $9,550 (midpoint, 300 sq ft). The priciest is Fayetteville at $10,000.
+Is wood deck cheaper in Arkansas than the US average?
It is 13% cheaper: $9,900 against $11,400 for 300 sq ft at the midpoint.
+What share of the price is labor in Arkansas?
About 40% ($3,900). Materials are 60%. Statewide labor for this job is weighted 0.79x the national wage level.
+What do carpenters earn in Arkansas?
The BLS statewide median is $22.96 an hour, against $29.12 for the US. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $19.93 to $27.65.
+Where does Arkansas rank for wood deck costs?
50th most expensive of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) at the midpoint, $9,900 for 300 sq ft. Rank 1 is the costliest.
+What do basic and premium wood deck work cost in Arkansas?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $6,600 to $9,250 and premium work $10,600 to $13,200. Basic means: pressure-treated pine, low to the ground, simple rectangle. Premium means: hardwood decking, multi-level, built-in features.
+Does the season matter for wood deck in Arkansas?
Yes where winters or summers are hard. Of the Arkansas metros we cover, Fayetteville has the most comfortable months (12 of 12) based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals. Our prices do not change by month, so ask contractors whether they charge more or less in busy and slow seasons.
+What does "add stairs" add in Arkansas?
$1,200 to $2,250, from a national range scaled by the statewide wage and goods indexes.
Wood deck by city in Arkansas
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 It Cost to Build a Deck? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: 2026 Building Permit Costs | Fees & Cost Calculator (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: How Much Does Composite Decking Cost? (2026) (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