Wood deck cost in Baltimore, MD
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $7,700 – $15,500
- Per sq ft
- $25.50 – $51
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +2%
- US $11,400
- Rank of 300 metros
- #65
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a wood deck in the Baltimore area: $7,700 to $15,500 for 300 sq ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint lands close to the US figure. Building materials run about 2% above the US average here (BEA goods price index 102.4).
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Baltimore, MD, standard level
$10,100 to $13,200
About $33 to $43.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 44% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,600 | $7,300 |
| Labor | $4,400 | $5,750 |
| Permits and fees | $85 | $130 |
| Total | $10,100 | $13,200 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Baltimore, MD
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,300 | $6,450 | $8,600 | 56% |
| Labor | $3,350 | $5,050 | $6,750 | 44% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $100 | $160 | 1% |
| Total | $7,700 | $11,600 | $15,500 | 100% |
Where the Baltimore price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: carpenters at 80%, construction laborers at 20%. Weighted together, Baltimore wages are 1.02 times the national level. Labor makes up about 44% of the midpoint estimate (44% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Baltimore is at 102.4 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $6,300 nationally becomes $6,450 here (midpoint, 300 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 104.5: $50 to $160.
The best months for wood deck in Baltimore
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Md Sci Ctr Baltimore (in the city). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For exterior installation, the comfortable months in Baltimore are February through June and August through December: 10 of 12. Outside them, January has an average daytime high under 45°F, and July has an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
In January 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.
Baltimore gets about 44 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are July, August and September (4.7 inches in July). Inside the workable window, February and November are the driest, at 2.8 and 3.0 inches. The station averages about 43 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 | 44 | 30 | 3.1 | Cold |
| Feb | 47 | 32 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Mar | 55 | 39 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Apr | 67 | 48 | 3.5 | Workable |
| May | 76 | 58 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 85 | 68 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Jul | 90 | 73 | 4.7 | Hot |
| Aug | 87 | 71 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Sep | 80 | 65 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Oct | 69 | 53 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Nov | 58 | 43 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Dec | 48 | 35 | 3.7 | Workable |
Who does the work: Baltimore trade wages
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 2 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 Baltimore the blend is 1.02.
Carpenters (47-2031), 80% of the weighting: a median of $29.99 an hour, in line with the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $24.96 and $36.06 an hour. About 3,870 work in the metro. That is 28.5 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 20%) the local median is $22.34 an hour, which is in line with the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.72 and $26.66 an hour. BLS counts 10,520 of them working in the area, 77.5 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is about average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $830 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $680. That is a swing of roughly 5.9% to 7.1% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson has 1,356,680 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 22nd by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 80% | $24.96 | $29.99 | $36.06 | $29.12 | 1.03 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $18.72 | $22.34 | $26.66 | $22.66 | 0.99 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.02 | |||||
Why two Baltimore quotes can differ
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.
Wood species
Pressure-treated pine is the cheapest at $25-$50 per sq ft installed. Ipe runs $50-$70 and bamboo $27-$52 (HomeGuide).
Related projects, priced for Baltimore
Jobs that often go together with wood deck are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Baltimore wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, composite deck comes out highest (+2%) and concrete patio lowest (−1%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite deck | 300 sq ft | $12,300 – $24,700 | +2% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,250 – $3,950 | −1% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,000 – $5,450 | level |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $29,300 – $58,900 | +1% |
Baltimore: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Baltimore. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from 10x12 (120 sq ft) to 20x20 (400 sq ft).
Basic
$7,700 to $10,800
Pressure-treated pine, low to the ground, simple rectangle
Standard
$10,100 to $13,200
Cedar or upgraded pine, stairs and a railing
Premium
$12,400 to $15,500
Hardwood decking, multi-level, built-in features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $3,100 – $4,400 | $4,050 – $5,350 | $5,000 – $6,300 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $3,750 – $5,250 | $4,850 – $6,400 | $6,000 – $7,500 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $8,250 – $11,500 | $10,700 – $14,000 | $13,200 – $16,500 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $10,300 – $14,400 | $13,400 – $17,500 | $16,500 – $20,600 |
Optional extras in Baltimore
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.02 for Baltimore, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.02) and goods price index (1.02). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add stairs (flat) | $1,450 – $2,650 |
Is Baltimore cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (300 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Washington is the priciest of the group at $11,700. Dover is the cheapest at $10,500.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore, MDthis page | $7,700 – $15,500 | $11,600 | |
| York, PA45 miles | $7,650 – $15,300 | $11,500 | −1% |
| Lancaster, PA55 miles | $7,400 – $14,800 | $11,100 | −4% |
| Dover, DE60 miles | $7,000 – $14,100 | $10,500 | −9% |
| Washington, DC60 miles | $7,750 – $15,600 | $11,700 | +1% |
| Lexington Park, MD70 miles | $7,600 – $15,300 | $11,400 | −1% |
| Maryland (statewide) | $7,750 – $15,600 | $11,700 | +1% |
| United States | $7,550 – $15,200 | $11,400 | −2% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Baltimore ranks #65 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Baltimore is 1% below the Maryland figure.
Elsewhere in Maryland
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hagerstown, MD | 107,170 jobs | $7,150 – $14,400 | $10,800 | −7% |
| Lexington Park, MD | 70,650 jobs | $7,600 – $15,300 | $11,400 | −1% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Baltimore against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte, NC | 1,358,370 jobs | $6,950 – $14,000 | $10,500 | −10% |
| St. Louis, MO | 1,341,320 jobs | $8,250 – $16,500 | $12,400 | +7% |
| Orlando, FL | 1,411,730 jobs | $6,850 – $13,700 | $10,300 | −11% |
| Austin, TX | 1,293,690 jobs | $6,800 – $13,600 | $10,200 | −12% |
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 $10,100 to $13,200 for Baltimore, MD is attached.
Detailed wood deck report for Baltimore, MD, $9
Multi-page report for Baltimore, MD: 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 Baltimore: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a wood deck in Baltimore?
For 300 sq ft, expect $7,700 to $15,500 in the Baltimore area. A standard-spec job lands at $10,100 to $13,200. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for wood deck in Baltimore?
About $25.50 to $51 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $50 to $160 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $25 to $50.
+Is wood deck cheaper in Baltimore or York?
York is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $11,500, which is 1% less than Baltimore ($11,600). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Baltimore?
About 44% at the midpoint, or $5,050 out of $11,600. Materials are 56% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 44%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Baltimore?
$8,250 to $16,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does wood deck need a permit in Baltimore?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $50 to $160 for fees in the Baltimore area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Baltimore expensive for wood deck compared with the rest of Maryland?
Baltimore is 1% below the Maryland statewide estimate ($11,700 at the midpoint). We cover 3 metros in Maryland; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Baltimore?
The BLS median is $29.99 an hour in the Baltimore area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $24.96 to $36.06.
+What do basic and premium wood deck work cost in Baltimore?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $7,700 to $10,800 and premium work $12,400 to $15,500. 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 Baltimore?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are February through June and August through December. February 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 Baltimore?
$1,450 to $2,650, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Wood deck near Baltimore
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