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Wood deck cost in Syracuse, NY

Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.

Typical range (300 sq ft)
$7,650 – $15,300
Per sq ft
$25.50 – $50.50
before permit
Versus US midpoint
+1%
US $11,400
Rank of 300 metros
#75
1 = most expensive

A wood deck in Syracuse, NY usually costs $7,650 to $15,300 for 300 sq ft. That works out to about $25.50 to $50.50 per sq ft before permits. That is within a few percent of the national midpoint, so there is little local premium or discount. Carpenters earn a median of $29.93 an hour in the Syracuse area, 3% above 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.

Quality level

Cedar or upgraded pine, stairs and a railing

Add-ons

Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Syracuse, NY, standard level

$9,950 to $13,000

About $33 to $43 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 44% of the bill.

Cost breakdown
PartLowHigh
Materials$5,450$7,100
Labor$4,400$5,800
Permits and fees$75$110
Total$9,950$13,000
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Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Syracuse, NY

Part of the jobLowMidpointHighShare
Materials$4,200$6,300$8,35055%
Labor$3,400$5,100$6,80044%
Permits and fees$50$95$1401%
Total$7,650$11,500$15,300100%

What is behind the Syracuse number

The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 80% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $29.93 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Syracuse is 1.03 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 44% of the total.

Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Syracuse is at 99.7 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $6,300 nationally becomes $6,300 here (midpoint, 300 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 95.7: $50 to $140.

What local crews earn in Syracuse

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 Syracuse the blend is 1.03.

Carpenters (47-2031), 80% of the weighting: a median of $29.93 an hour, in line with the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $24.13 and $36.26 an hour. About 1,490 work in the metro. That is 49.6 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.

For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 20%) the local median is $23.64 an hour, which is 4% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.52 and $34.90 an hour. BLS counts 1,660 of them working in the area, 55.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.

A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $860 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $790. That is a swing of roughly 6.9% to 7.5% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.

Syracuse has 300,130 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 85th by size among the 300 metros on this site.

Median hourly wages behind the labor line (BLS OEWS, May 2025)
TradeWeight25th pctMedian75th pctUS medianRatioLevel used
Carpenters (47-2031)80%$24.13$29.93$36.26$29.121.03metro
Construction laborers (47-2061)20%$21.52$23.64$34.90$22.661.04metro
Blended100%1.03

Syracuse weather and the wood deck calendar

Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Syracuse Hancock Intl Ap (5 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.

For exterior installation, the comfortable months in Syracuse are April through November: 8 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March and December have an average daytime high under 45°F.

In January, February, March 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.

Syracuse gets about 40 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 128 inches of snow. The wettest months are July, August and October (3.9 inches in October). Inside the workable window, September and November are the driest, at 3.4 and 3.2 inches. The station averages about 10 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.

Monthly normals, Syracuse Hancock Intl Ap (NOAA, 1991-2020)
MonthAvg high °FAvg low °FPrecip (in)For this job
Jan32172.6Cold
Feb34182.5Cold
Mar42253.0Cold
Apr56363.5Workable
May69473.4Workable
Jun77573.6Workable
Jul82623.9Workable
Aug80603.7Workable
Sep73533.4Workable
Oct60423.9Workable
Nov48333.2Workable
Dec37243.3Cold

Add-ons priced for Syracuse

Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.01 for Syracuse, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.03) and goods price index (1.00). The estimator above can add them to your total.

Add-on prices
Add-onLocal range
Add stairs (flat)$1,400 – $2,650

Syracuse: what basic, standard and premium work costs

The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Syracuse. 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

$7,650 to $10,700

Pressure-treated pine, low to the ground, simple rectangle

Standard

$9,950 to $13,000

Cedar or upgraded pine, stairs and a railing

Premium

$12,200 to $15,300

Hardwood decking, multi-level, built-in features

Cost by size and quality level
SizeBasicStandardPremium
10x12 (120 sq ft)$3,100 – $4,350$4,000 – $5,300$4,950 – $6,200
12x12 (144 sq ft)$3,700 – $5,200$4,800 – $6,300$5,950 – $7,450
16x20 (320 sq ft)$8,150 – $11,400$10,600 – $13,900$13,100 – $16,300
20x20 (400 sq ft)$10,200 – $14,300$13,200 – $17,300$16,300 – $20,400

How Syracuse compares

Same job, same size (300 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Binghamton is the priciest of the group at $11,500. Rochester is the cheapest at $11,300.

Comparison with nearby areas
AreaRangeMidpointvs. here
Syracuse, NYthis page$7,650 – $15,300$11,500
Utica, NY55 miles$7,500 – $15,100$11,300−1%
Binghamton, NY60 miles$7,650 – $15,300$11,500level
Rochester, NY70 miles$7,500 – $15,100$11,300−2%
Albany, NY115 miles$7,600 – $15,300$11,500level
Scranton, PA115 miles$7,600 – $15,200$11,400−1%
New York (statewide)$8,500 – $17,000$12,800+11%
United States$7,550 – $15,200$11,400−1%

Out of the 300 metros we cover, Syracuse ranks #75 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Syracuse is 10% below the New York figure.

Elsewhere in New York

New York metros compared with Syracuse
MetroSizeRangeMidpointvs. here
New York, NY9,492,000 jobs$8,800 – $17,600$13,200+15%
Buffalo, NY534,550 jobs$7,700 – $15,500$11,600+1%
Rochester, NY494,280 jobs$7,500 – $15,100$11,300−2%
Albany, NY449,410 jobs$7,600 – $15,300$11,500level
Poughkeepsie, NY268,970 jobs$8,200 – $16,500$12,300+8%
Utica, NY118,390 jobs$7,500 – $15,100$11,300−1%

Metros of a similar size

Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Syracuse against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.

Metros closest to this one by total employment
MetroSizeRangeMidpointvs. here
Provo, UT304,660 jobs$7,050 – $14,200$10,600−7%
McAllen, TX296,700 jobs$6,250 – $12,600$9,450−18%
Cape Coral, FL304,790 jobs$6,850 – $13,700$10,300−10%
Toledo, OH291,530 jobs$7,350 – $14,700$11,000−4%

Planning more than one job in Syracuse?

Jobs that often go together with wood deck are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Syracuse wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, paver patio comes out highest (+5%) and composite deck lowest (+2%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.

Related projects with local prices
ProjectSizeRangevs. US
Composite deck300 sq ft$12,300 – $24,600+2%
Concrete patio300 sq ft$1,250 – $4,100+3%
Paver patio300 sq ft$3,150 – $5,700+5%
Detached garage576 sq ft$29,900 – $59,900+3%

Specs and site conditions that change a Syracuse bid

  • 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 $9,950 to $13,000 for Syracuse, NY is attached.

Take this estimate with you: PDF report, $9

Multi-page report for Syracuse, NY: 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 Syracuse: your questions

+How much does it cost to build a wood deck in Syracuse?

For 300 sq ft, expect $7,650 to $15,300 in the Syracuse area. A standard-spec job lands at $9,950 to $13,000. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.

+What is the price per sq ft for wood deck in Syracuse?

About $25.50 to $50.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $50 to $140 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $25 to $50.

+Is wood deck cheaper in Syracuse or Utica?

Utica is 55 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $11,300, which is 1% less than Syracuse ($11,500). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.

+How much of the bill is labor in Syracuse?

About 44% at the midpoint, or $5,100 out of $11,500. Materials are 55% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 44%.

+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Syracuse?

$8,150 to $16,300. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.

+Does wood deck need a permit in Syracuse?

Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $50 to $140 for fees in the Syracuse area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).

+Is Syracuse expensive for wood deck compared with the rest of New York?

Syracuse is 10% below the New York statewide estimate ($12,800 at the midpoint). We cover 9 metros in New York; see the state page to compare them.

+What do carpenters earn in Syracuse?

The BLS median is $29.93 an hour in the Syracuse area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $24.13 to $36.26.

+What do basic and premium wood deck work cost in Syracuse?

For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $7,650 to $10,700 and premium work $12,200 to $15,300. 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 Syracuse?

Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through November. 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 Syracuse?

$1,400 to $2,650, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.

Wood deck near Syracuse

Wood deck: all pricesWood deck in New YorkAll projects in SyracuseNew York cost hub

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.