Wood deck cost in Monroe, LA
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
- #276
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to build a wood deck in Monroe, 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 $23.27 an hour in the Monroe area, 20% below the US median of $29.12.
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 Monroe, LA, 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 | $65 | $100 |
| Total | $8,600 | $11,200 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Monroe, LA
| 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 | $40 | $85 | $130 | 1% |
| Total | $6,600 | $9,900 | $13,200 | 100% |
Where the Monroe price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: carpenters at 80%, construction laborers at 20%. Weighted together, Monroe 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 Monroe metro is 93.7 (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 (83.6) and land at $40 to $130.
Monroe 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 Monroe is 0.79 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 80%) the local median is $23.27 an hour, which is 20% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $18.57 and $26.63 an hour. BLS counts 360 of them working in the area, 41.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is about average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 20% of the weighting: a median of $17.24 an hour, 24% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $16.44 and $21.89 an hour. About 860 work in the metro. That is 98.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($26.63 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $460. At the 25th percentile ($18.57) it shrinks by about $640. The total moves by 4.6% or 6.5%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 87,500 jobs in the Monroe area. That makes it the 223rd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.06% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 80% | $18.57 | $23.27 | $26.63 | $29.12 | 0.80 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $16.44 | $17.24 | $21.89 | $22.66 | 0.76 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.79 | |||||
Optional extras in Monroe
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Monroe 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 |
Related projects, priced for Monroe
Because every project leans on different trades, Monroe's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, detached garage runs −13% and concrete patio −16%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite deck | 300 sq ft | $10,200 – $20,500 | −15% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,100 – $3,300 | −16% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,600 – $4,650 | −15% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $25,300 – $50,700 | −13% |
Climate in Monroe: timing your wood deck job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Monroe Rgnl Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
September through May is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Monroe (9 of 12 months). June, July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Monroe gets about 55 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are March, April and December (5.8 inches in April). Inside the workable window, September and November are the driest, at 3.5 and 4.2 inches. The station averages about 97 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 | 57 | 37 | 5.2 | Workable |
| Feb | 61 | 40 | 4.7 | Workable |
| Mar | 69 | 47 | 5.2 | Workable |
| Apr | 77 | 54 | 5.8 | Workable |
| May | 84 | 63 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 91 | 70 | 4.5 | Hot |
| Jul | 93 | 73 | 3.9 | Hot |
| Aug | 94 | 71 | 3.6 | Hot |
| Sep | 89 | 66 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Oct | 79 | 54 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Nov | 67 | 44 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 59 | 39 | 5.2 | Workable |
How Monroe compares
Same job, same size (300 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Jackson is the priciest of the group at $10,200. Texarkana is the cheapest at $9,550.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe, LAthis page | $6,600 – $13,200 | $9,900 | |
| Alexandria, LA95 miles | $6,550 – $13,100 | $9,800 | −1% |
| Shreveport, LA100 miles | $6,550 – $13,200 | $9,850 | level |
| Jackson, MS115 miles | $6,750 – $13,600 | $10,200 | +3% |
| Texarkana, TX135 miles | $6,350 – $12,700 | $9,550 | −4% |
| Little Rock, AR145 miles | $6,600 – $13,200 | $9,900 | level |
| Louisiana (statewide) | $6,700 – $13,400 | $10,100 | +2% |
| United States | $7,550 – $15,200 | $11,400 | +15% |
Across 300 US metros, Monroe comes in at #276 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $14,900; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $9,050 (midpoints, 300 sq ft). Statewide, Monroe is 2% below the Louisiana figure.
Other Louisiana metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans, LA | 445,550 jobs | $6,700 – $13,500 | $10,100 | +2% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 409,690 jobs | $6,950 – $13,900 | $10,400 | +5% |
| Lafayette, LA | 179,570 jobs | $6,600 – $13,200 | $9,900 | level |
| Shreveport, LA | 162,750 jobs | $6,550 – $13,200 | $9,850 | level |
| Lake Charles, LA | 101,690 jobs | $6,600 – $13,300 | $9,950 | level |
| Slidell, LA | 98,240 jobs | $6,600 – $13,300 | $9,950 | +1% |
Cities with a workforce like Monroe's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Monroe against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, IL | 88,110 jobs | $8,100 – $16,300 | $12,200 | +23% |
| Joplin, MO | 87,190 jobs | $6,800 – $13,700 | $10,200 | +3% |
| Florence, SC | 89,060 jobs | $6,850 – $13,800 | $10,300 | +4% |
| Daphne, AL | 87,120 jobs | $6,700 – $13,400 | $10,000 | +1% |
Monroe: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Monroe 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 | $3,450 – $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) | $7,050 – $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 |
Wood deck: what moves the price in Monroe
Permit
Deck permits average $50-$150. Many cities skip the permit for small, low, freestanding decks.
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.
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 Monroe, LA is attached.
Detailed wood deck report for Monroe, LA, $9
Multi-page report for Monroe, LA: low, typical and high cost, a line-item breakdown of materials and labor by trade, permit notes, the best months to schedule, a quote comparison sheet, red flags, questions for contractors, checklists and every source. 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 Monroe: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a wood deck in Monroe?
For 300 sq ft, expect $6,600 to $13,200 in the Monroe 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 Monroe?
About $22 to $43.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $40 to $130 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $25 to $50.
+Is wood deck cheaper in Monroe or Alexandria?
Alexandria is 95 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $9,800, which is 1% less than Monroe ($9,900). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Monroe?
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 Monroe?
$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 Monroe?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $40 to $130 for fees in the Monroe area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Monroe expensive for wood deck compared with the rest of Louisiana?
Monroe is 2% below the Louisiana statewide estimate ($10,100 at the midpoint). We cover 9 metros in Louisiana; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Monroe?
The BLS median is $23.27 an hour in the Monroe area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $18.57 to $26.63.
+What do basic and premium wood deck work cost in Monroe?
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 Monroe?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through May. September and November 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 Monroe?
$1,200 to $2,250, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Wood deck near Monroe
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