Wood deck cost in Little Rock, AR
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $6,600 – $13,200
- Per sq ft
- $22 – $43.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −13%
- US $11,400
- Rank of 300 metros
- #275
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to build a wood deck in Little Rock, plan on $6,600 to $13,200 for 300 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $22 to $43.50 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 13% lower than the national one. Carpenters earn a median of $23.10 an hour in the Little Rock area, 21% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Little Rock, AR, standard level
$8,600 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 | $110 |
| Total | $8,600 | $11,200 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Little Rock, AR
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $3,950 | $5,900 | $7,850 | 60% |
| Labor | $2,600 | $3,900 | $5,250 | 40% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $90 | $130 | 1% |
| Total | $6,600 | $9,900 | $13,200 | 100% |
What is behind the Little Rock number
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: carpenters at 80%, construction laborers at 20%. Weighted together, Little Rock wages are 0.79 times the national level. Labor makes up about 40% of the midpoint estimate (44% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Little Rock metro is 93.6 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 300 sq ft comes to $5,900, compared with $6,300 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (89.4) and land at $45 to $130.
Wood deck: what moves the price in Little Rock
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.
Little Rock labor market for wood deck
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 Little Rock is 0.79 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 80%) the local median is $23.10 an hour, which is 21% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $20.08 and $27.36 an hour. BLS counts 1,080 of them working in the area, 30.1 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 $17.88 an hour, 21% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $16.75 and $20.34 an hour. About 2,790 work in the metro. That is 77.9 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 ($27.36 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $580. At the 25th percentile ($20.08) it shrinks by about $410. The total moves by 5.8% or 4.1%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 358,210 jobs in the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway area. That makes it the 72nd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.23% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 80% | $20.08 | $23.10 | $27.36 | $29.12 | 0.79 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $16.75 | $17.88 | $20.34 | $22.66 | 0.79 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.79 | |||||
Is Little Rock cheap or dear? The local comparison
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 300 sq ft range from $9,550 to $10,000 across Little Rock and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Rock, ARthis page | $6,600 – $13,200 | $9,900 | |
| Jonesboro, AR120 miles | $6,400 – $12,900 | $9,650 | −3% |
| Fort Smith, AR125 miles | $6,350 – $12,700 | $9,550 | −4% |
| Fayetteville, AR135 miles | $6,650 – $13,400 | $10,000 | +1% |
| Texarkana, TX135 miles | $6,350 – $12,700 | $9,550 | −4% |
| Monroe, LA145 miles | $6,600 – $13,200 | $9,900 | level |
| Arkansas (statewide) | $6,600 – $13,200 | $9,900 | level |
| United States | $7,550 – $15,200 | $11,400 | +15% |
Across 300 US metros, Little Rock comes in at #275 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $14,900; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $9,050 (midpoints, 300 sq ft). Statewide, Little Rock is 0% above the Arkansas figure.
Other Arkansas metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville, AR | 275,180 jobs | $6,650 – $13,400 | $10,000 | +1% |
| Fort Smith, AR | 95,560 jobs | $6,350 – $12,700 | $9,550 | −4% |
| Jonesboro, AR | 60,620 jobs | $6,400 – $12,900 | $9,650 | −3% |
Cities with a workforce like Little Rock's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Little Rock against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greensboro, NC | 365,410 jobs | $6,850 – $13,700 | $10,300 | +4% |
| Worcester, MA | 349,880 jobs | $8,150 – $16,400 | $12,300 | +24% |
| Dayton, OH | 372,660 jobs | $7,250 – $14,600 | $10,900 | +10% |
| Durham, NC | 344,020 jobs | $7,000 – $14,100 | $10,500 | +6% |
Climate in Little Rock: timing your wood deck job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Little Rock Ap Adams Fld (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
September through June is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Little Rock (10 of 12 months). July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Little Rock gets about 50 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 4 inches of snow. The wettest months are April, May and December (5.6 inches in April). Inside the workable window, January and September are the driest, at 3.5 and 3.0 inches. The station averages about 76 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 | 51 | 31 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Feb | 55 | 34 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Mar | 64 | 42 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Apr | 73 | 50 | 5.6 | Workable |
| May | 81 | 59 | 5.1 | Workable |
| Jun | 88 | 68 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Jul | 92 | 71 | 3.3 | Hot |
| Aug | 92 | 70 | 3.2 | Hot |
| Sep | 85 | 63 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 74 | 51 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Nov | 62 | 40 | 4.7 | Workable |
| Dec | 53 | 33 | 5.1 | Workable |
Little Rock: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Little Rock 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
$6,600 to $9,250
Pressure-treated pine, low to the ground, simple rectangle
Standard
$8,600 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 | $3,500 – $4,550 | $4,300 – $5,350 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $3,200 – $4,500 | $4,150 – $5,450 | $5,150 – $6,400 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $7,050 – $9,850 | $9,150 – $12,000 | $11,300 – $14,100 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $8,750 – $12,300 | $11,400 – $14,900 | $14,100 – $17,600 |
Extras that change the Little Rock total
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Little Rock 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 |
What nearby projects cost in Little Rock
Because every project leans on different trades, Little Rock's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, paver patio runs −11% and composite deck −15%.
| 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 | $2,700 – $4,850 | −11% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $25,100 – $50,400 | −13% |
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 $8,600 to $11,200 for Little Rock, AR is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
The report lays out the wood deck numbers for Little Rock, AR 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 Little Rock: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a wood deck in Little Rock?
For 300 sq ft, expect $6,600 to $13,200 in the Little Rock area. A standard-spec job lands at $8,600 to $11,200. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for wood deck in Little Rock?
About $22 to $43.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $45 to $130 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $25 to $50.
+Is wood deck cheaper in Little Rock or Jonesboro?
Jonesboro is 120 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $9,650, which is 3% less than Little Rock ($9,900). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Little Rock?
About 40% at the midpoint, or $3,900 out of $9,900. Materials are 60% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 44%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Little Rock?
$7,050 to $14,100. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does wood deck need a permit in Little Rock?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $45 to $130 for fees in the Little Rock area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Little Rock expensive for wood deck compared with the rest of Arkansas?
Little Rock is 0% above the Arkansas statewide estimate ($9,900 at the midpoint). We cover 4 metros in Arkansas; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Little Rock?
The BLS median is $23.10 an hour in the Little Rock area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $20.08 to $27.36.
+What do basic and premium wood deck work cost in Little Rock?
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.
+When is the best time to build a wood deck in Little Rock?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through June. January 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.
+What does "add stairs" add in Little Rock?
$1,200 to $2,250, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Wood deck near Little Rock
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