Wood deck cost in Portland, OR
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $8,450 – $16,900
- Per sq ft
- $28 – $56
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +12%
- US $11,400
- Rank of 300 metros
- #24
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to build a wood deck in Portland, plan on $8,450 to $16,900 for 300 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $28 to $56 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 12% higher than the national one. Carpenters earn a median of $35.44 an hour in the Portland area, 22% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Portland, OR, standard level
$11,000 to $14,400
About $36.50 to $47.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 47% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,750 | $7,500 |
| Labor | $5,150 | $6,750 |
| Permits and fees | $85 | $130 |
| Total | $11,000 | $14,400 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Portland, OR
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,400 | $6,650 | $8,850 | 52% |
| Labor | $3,950 | $5,950 | $7,950 | 47% |
| Permits and fees | $55 | $110 | $160 | 1% |
| Total | $8,450 | $12,700 | $16,900 | 100% |
Why Portland 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, Portland wages are 1.20 times the national level. Labor makes up about 47% of the midpoint estimate (44% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Portland metro is 105.2 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 300 sq ft comes to $6,650, compared with $6,300 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (105.4) and land at $55 to $160.
Climate in Portland: timing your wood deck job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Portland Intl Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
Weather is not a serious constraint for exterior installation in Portland: no month in the averages is cold enough (an average daytime high under 45°F) or hot enough (an average daytime high of 90°F or more) to rule it out, so the workable window is all year.
Portland gets about 37 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 4 inches of snow. The wettest months are January, November and December (5.8 inches in December). The station averages about 15 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 | 48 | 36 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Feb | 52 | 37 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Mar | 57 | 40 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Apr | 62 | 44 | 2.9 | Workable |
| May | 69 | 49 | 2.5 | Workable |
| Jun | 74 | 54 | 1.6 | Workable |
| Jul | 82 | 59 | 0.5 | Workable |
| Aug | 82 | 59 | 0.5 | Workable |
| Sep | 77 | 54 | 1.5 | Workable |
| Oct | 64 | 47 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Nov | 54 | 41 | 5.5 | Workable |
| Dec | 47 | 36 | 5.8 | Workable |
Add-ons priced for Portland
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Portland by the average of the local wage index (1.20) and goods index (1.05), a factor of 1.13. 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) | $1,600 – $2,950 |
What nearby projects cost in Portland
Because every project leans on different trades, Portland's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, concrete patio runs +16% and composite deck +14%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite deck | 300 sq ft | $13,800 – $27,600 | +14% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,400 – $4,650 | +16% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,450 – $6,250 | +15% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $33,300 – $66,900 | +15% |
Portland against nearby metros and the rest of Oregon
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 $11,800 to $12,700 across Portland and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland, ORthis page | $8,450 – $16,900 | $12,700 | |
| Salem, OR50 miles | $7,850 – $15,700 | $11,800 | −7% |
| Olympia, WA95 miles | $7,950 – $16,000 | $12,000 | −6% |
| Yakima, WA100 miles | $7,900 – $15,900 | $11,900 | −6% |
| Eugene, OR115 miles | $7,850 – $15,800 | $11,800 | −7% |
| Bend, OR125 miles | $7,900 – $15,800 | $11,900 | −6% |
| Oregon (statewide) | $7,950 – $15,900 | $11,900 | −6% |
| United States | $7,550 – $15,200 | $11,400 | −11% |
Across 300 US metros, Portland comes in at #24 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $14,900; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $9,050 (midpoints, 300 sq ft). Statewide, Portland is 7% above the Oregon figure.
Other Oregon metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salem, OR | 188,620 jobs | $7,850 – $15,700 | $11,800 | −7% |
| Eugene, OR | 157,710 jobs | $7,850 – $15,800 | $11,800 | −7% |
| Bend, OR | 108,240 jobs | $7,900 – $15,800 | $11,900 | −6% |
| Medford, OR | 89,060 jobs | $7,700 – $15,400 | $11,600 | −9% |
Cities with a workforce like Portland's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Portland against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin, TX | 1,293,690 jobs | $6,800 – $13,600 | $10,200 | −20% |
| Las Vegas, NV | 1,136,960 jobs | $7,500 – $15,000 | $11,300 | −11% |
| St. Louis, MO | 1,341,320 jobs | $8,250 – $16,500 | $12,400 | −2% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $8,950 – $17,900 | $13,400 | +6% |
Cost by quality level and size in Portland
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Portland 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
$8,450 to $11,800
Pressure-treated pine, low to the ground, simple rectangle
Standard
$11,000 to $14,400
Cedar or upgraded pine, stairs and a railing
Premium
$13,500 to $16,900
Hardwood decking, multi-level, built-in features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $3,400 – $4,800 | $4,450 – $5,850 | $5,500 – $6,850 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $4,100 – $5,750 | $5,300 – $6,950 | $6,550 – $8,200 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $9,000 – $12,600 | $11,700 – $15,300 | $14,400 – $18,100 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $11,200 – $15,800 | $14,600 – $19,100 | $18,000 – $22,500 |
Why two Portland quotes can differ
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.
Railing
A wood or vinyl railing adds $20-$60 per linear foot.
Portland 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 Portland is 1.20 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 80%) the local median is $35.44 an hour, which is 22% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $28.53 and $49.78 an hour. BLS counts 9,210 of them working in the area, 76.2 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 $26.08 an hour, 15% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.45 and $31.65 an hour. About 7,950 work in the metro. That is 65.8 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 ($49.78 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $1,950. At the 25th percentile ($28.53) it shrinks by about $940. The total moves by 15.4% or 7.4%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 1,208,410 jobs in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro area. That makes it the 25th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.78% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 80% | $28.53 | $35.44 | $49.78 | $29.12 | 1.22 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $21.45 | $26.08 | $31.65 | $22.66 | 1.15 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.20 | |||||
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 $11,000 to $14,400 for Portland, OR is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
Multi-page report for Portland, OR: 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 Portland: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a wood deck in Portland?
For 300 sq ft, expect $8,450 to $16,900 in the Portland area. A standard-spec job lands at $11,000 to $14,400. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for wood deck in Portland?
About $28 to $56 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $55 to $160 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $25 to $50.
+Is wood deck cheaper in Portland or Salem?
Salem is 50 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $11,800, which is 7% less than Portland ($12,700). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Portland?
About 47% at the midpoint, or $5,950 out of $12,700. Materials are 52% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 44%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Portland?
$9,000 to $18,100. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does wood deck need a permit in Portland?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $55 to $160 for fees in the Portland area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Portland expensive for wood deck compared with the rest of Oregon?
Portland is 7% above the Oregon statewide estimate ($11,900 at the midpoint). We cover 5 metros in Oregon; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Portland?
The BLS median is $35.44 an hour in the Portland area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.53 to $49.78.
+What do basic and premium wood deck work cost in Portland?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $8,450 to $11,800 and premium work $13,500 to $16,900. Basic means: pressure-treated pine, low to the ground, simple rectangle. Premium means: hardwood decking, multi-level, built-in features.
+Is there a bad season to build a wood deck in Portland?
Not from a temperature point of view. NOAA's 1991-2020 normals show no month with a freezing-level overnight low or a 90°F-plus average high, so timing is mostly about contractor availability and rain.
+What does "add stairs" add in Portland?
$1,600 to $2,950, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Wood deck near Portland
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