Wood deck cost in Bozeman, MT
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $7,600 – $15,200
- Per sq ft
- $25 – $50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- Level
- US $11,400
- Rank of 300 metros
- #83
- 1 = most expensive
Bozeman homeowners pay roughly $7,600 to $15,200 to build a wood deck at 300 sq ft, or $25 to $50 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Bozeman is almost level. Carpenters earn a median of $30.02 an hour in the Bozeman area, 3% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Bozeman, MT, standard level
$9,900 to $12,900
About $32.50 to $42.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 46% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,250 | $6,850 |
| Labor | $4,550 | $5,950 |
| Permits and fees | $80 | $120 |
| Total | $9,900 | $12,900 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Bozeman, MT
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,050 | $6,050 | $8,050 | 53% |
| Labor | $3,500 | $5,250 | $7,000 | 46% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $100 | $150 | 1% |
| Total | $7,600 | $11,400 | $15,200 | 100% |
Why Bozeman prices look the way they do
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: carpenters at 80%, construction laborers at 20%. Weighted together, Bozeman wages are 1.06 times the national level. Labor makes up about 46% of the midpoint estimate (44% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Bozeman metro is 96.0 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 300 sq ft comes to $6,050, compared with $6,300 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (102.5) and land at $50 to $150.
Local wages behind the labor line
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 Bozeman is 1.06 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 80%) the local median is $30.02 an hour, which is 3% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $28.28 and $36.07 an hour. BLS counts 900 of them working in the area, 124.6 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 20% of the weighting: a median of $26.77 an hour, 18% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $24.06 and $29.16 an hour. About 790 work in the metro. That is 109.4 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 ($36.07 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $820. At the 25th percentile ($28.28) it shrinks by about $240. The total moves by 7.2% or 2.1%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 72,210 jobs in the Bozeman area. That makes it the 256th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.05% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 80% | $28.28 | $30.02 | $36.07 | $29.12 | 1.03 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $24.06 | $26.77 | $29.16 | $22.66 | 1.18 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.06 | |||||
Bozeman: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Bozeman 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
$7,600 to $10,600
Pressure-treated pine, low to the ground, simple rectangle
Standard
$9,900 to $12,900
Cedar or upgraded pine, stairs and a railing
Premium
$12,200 to $15,200
Hardwood decking, multi-level, built-in features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $3,050 – $4,300 | $4,000 – $5,250 | $4,950 – $6,200 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $3,650 – $5,150 | $4,800 – $6,250 | $5,900 – $7,400 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $8,100 – $11,300 | $10,500 – $13,800 | $13,000 – $16,200 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $10,100 – $14,200 | $13,100 – $17,200 | $16,200 – $20,200 |
Extras that change the Bozeman total
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Bozeman by the average of the local wage index (1.06) and goods index (0.96), a factor of 1.01. 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) | $1,400 – $2,650 |
Is Bozeman cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (300 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Bozeman is the priciest of the group. Logan is the cheapest at $10,400.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MTthis page | $7,600 – $15,200 | $11,400 | |
| Billings, MT115 miles | $7,350 – $14,700 | $11,000 | −3% |
| Idaho Falls, ID145 miles | $7,000 – $14,100 | $10,500 | −8% |
| Missoula, MT185 miles | $7,250 – $14,600 | $10,900 | −4% |
| Logan, UT255 miles | $6,900 – $13,900 | $10,400 | −9% |
| Boise, ID300 miles | $6,950 – $14,000 | $10,500 | −8% |
| Montana (statewide) | $7,350 – $14,700 | $11,000 | −3% |
| United States | $7,550 – $15,200 | $11,400 | level |
Across 300 US metros, Bozeman comes in at #83 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $14,900; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $9,050 (midpoints, 300 sq ft). Statewide, Bozeman is 3% above the Montana figure.
Other Montana metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT | 93,800 jobs | $7,350 – $14,700 | $11,000 | −3% |
| Missoula, MT | 67,070 jobs | $7,250 – $14,600 | $10,900 | −4% |
Cities with a workforce like Bozeman's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Bozeman against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor, ME | 72,270 jobs | $7,250 – $14,500 | $10,900 | −5% |
| Redding, CA | 71,550 jobs | $8,400 – $16,800 | $12,600 | +10% |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | 72,280 jobs | $7,250 – $14,500 | $10,900 | −4% |
| Bismarck, ND | 71,270 jobs | $7,150 – $14,300 | $10,700 | −6% |
Planning more than one job in Bozeman?
Because every project leans on different trades, Bozeman's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, concrete patio runs +6% and composite deck +2%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite deck | 300 sq ft | $12,300 – $24,600 | +2% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,300 – $4,250 | +6% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,150 – $5,700 | +5% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $29,900 – $60,100 | +3% |
When to schedule wood deck in Bozeman
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Bozeman Montana State Univ (in the city). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
March through October is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Bozeman (8 of 12 months). January, February, November and December have an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January, February, 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.
Bozeman gets about 20 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 91 inches of snow. The wettest months are April, May and June (3.3 inches in June). Inside the workable window, July and August are the driest, at 1.3 and 1.3 inches. The station averages about 12 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 | 34 | 15 | 0.9 | Cold |
| Feb | 37 | 17 | 0.8 | Cold |
| Mar | 46 | 24 | 1.4 | Workable |
| Apr | 55 | 31 | 2.5 | Workable |
| May | 63 | 39 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 72 | 46 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 82 | 52 | 1.3 | Workable |
| Aug | 81 | 50 | 1.3 | Workable |
| Sep | 71 | 42 | 1.4 | Workable |
| Oct | 57 | 32 | 1.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 42 | 22 | 1.3 | Cold |
| Dec | 33 | 15 | 1.0 | Cold |
Why two Bozeman quotes can differ
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 $9,900 to $12,900 for Bozeman, MT is attached.
Detailed wood deck report for Bozeman, MT, $9
Multi-page report for Bozeman, MT: 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 Bozeman: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a wood deck in Bozeman?
For 300 sq ft, expect $7,600 to $15,200 in the Bozeman area. A standard-spec job lands at $9,900 to $12,900. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for wood deck in Bozeman?
About $25 to $50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $50 to $150 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $25 to $50.
+Is wood deck cheaper in Bozeman or Billings?
Billings is 115 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $11,000, which is 3% less than Bozeman ($11,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Bozeman?
About 46% at the midpoint, or $5,250 out of $11,400. Materials are 53% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 44%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Bozeman?
$8,100 to $16,200. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does wood deck need a permit in Bozeman?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $50 to $150 for fees in the Bozeman area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Bozeman expensive for wood deck compared with the rest of Montana?
Bozeman is 3% above the Montana statewide estimate ($11,000 at the midpoint). We cover 3 metros in Montana; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Bozeman?
The BLS median is $30.02 an hour in the Bozeman area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.28 to $36.07.
+What do basic and premium wood deck work cost in Bozeman?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $7,600 to $10,600 and premium work $12,200 to $15,200. 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 Bozeman?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through October. July and August 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 Bozeman?
$1,400 to $2,650, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Wood deck near Bozeman
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