Wood deck cost in Altoona, PA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $7,400 – $14,900
- Per sq ft
- $24.50 – $49
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −2%
- US $11,400
- Rank of 300 metros
- #109
- 1 = most expensive
Altoona homeowners pay roughly $7,400 to $14,900 to build a wood deck at 300 sq ft, or $24.50 to $49 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Altoona is almost level. Carpenters earn a median of $27.58 an hour in the Altoona area, 5% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Altoona, PA, standard level
$9,650 to $12,600
About $32 to $42 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 42% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,500 | $7,200 |
| Labor | $4,100 | $5,350 |
| Permits and fees | $70 | $110 |
| Total | $9,650 | $12,600 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Altoona, PA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,250 | $6,350 | $8,450 | 57% |
| Labor | $3,150 | $4,700 | $6,300 | 42% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $90 | $130 | 1% |
| Total | $7,400 | $11,100 | $14,900 | 100% |
Where the Altoona price comes from
Labor is 42% of the midpoint bill here, against 44% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is carpenters (80%), construction laborers (20%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Altoona the blended ratio comes out at 0.95.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Altoona metro is 100.7 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 300 sq ft comes to $6,350, compared with $6,300 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (89.5) and land at $45 to $130.
Specs and site conditions that change a Altoona bid
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.
Replacement versus new
Deck replacement costs $30-$55 per sq ft because of demolition and haul-away.
Cost by quality level and size in Altoona
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Altoona 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
$7,400 to $10,400
Pressure-treated pine, low to the ground, simple rectangle
Standard
$9,650 to $12,600
Cedar or upgraded pine, stairs and a railing
Premium
$11,900 to $14,900
Hardwood decking, multi-level, built-in features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $3,000 – $4,200 | $3,900 – $5,100 | $4,800 – $6,050 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $3,600 – $5,050 | $4,650 – $6,100 | $5,750 – $7,200 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $7,900 – $11,100 | $10,300 – $13,500 | $12,700 – $15,900 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $9,850 – $13,800 | $12,800 – $16,800 | $15,800 – $19,800 |
When to schedule wood deck in Altoona
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Altoona 3 W (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
March through November is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Altoona (9 of 12 months). January, February and December have an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January, February 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.
Altoona gets about 45 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 38 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and September (4.4 inches in May). Inside the workable window, March and November are the driest, at 3.5 and 3.6 inches. The station averages about 6 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 | 19 | 2.9 | Cold |
| Feb | 37 | 20 | 2.6 | Cold |
| Mar | 46 | 28 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Apr | 60 | 39 | 3.8 | Workable |
| May | 70 | 49 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 77 | 57 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 81 | 61 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Aug | 80 | 60 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Sep | 73 | 53 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Oct | 61 | 42 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 49 | 33 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Dec | 38 | 24 | 3.4 | Cold |
Extras that change the Altoona total
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Altoona by the average of the local wage index (0.95) and goods index (1.01), a factor of 0.98. 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) | $1,350 – $2,550 |
How Altoona compares
Of the five closest metros, 2 are cheaper than Altoona. Chambersburg is the lowest at about $10,600 (midpoint, 300 sq ft), 50 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Altoona, PAthis page | $7,400 – $14,900 | $11,100 | |
| State College, PA35 miles | $7,450 – $15,000 | $11,200 | +1% |
| Chambersburg, PA50 miles | $7,050 – $14,200 | $10,600 | −5% |
| Harrisburg, PA65 miles | $7,500 – $15,000 | $11,300 | +1% |
| Hagerstown, MD65 miles | $7,150 – $14,400 | $10,800 | −3% |
| Pittsburgh, PA80 miles | $7,650 – $15,300 | $11,500 | +3% |
| Pennsylvania (statewide) | $7,500 – $15,100 | $11,300 | +1% |
| United States | $7,550 – $15,200 | $11,400 | +2% |
Across 300 US metros, Altoona comes in at #109 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $14,900; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $9,050 (midpoints, 300 sq ft). Statewide, Altoona is 1% below the Pennsylvania figure.
Other Pennsylvania metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA | 2,897,830 jobs | $7,600 – $15,200 | $11,400 | +2% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 1,114,490 jobs | $7,650 – $15,300 | $11,500 | +3% |
| Allentown, PA | 377,180 jobs | $7,550 – $15,200 | $11,400 | +2% |
| Harrisburg, PA | 335,010 jobs | $7,500 – $15,000 | $11,300 | +1% |
| Scranton, PA | 255,620 jobs | $7,600 – $15,200 | $11,400 | +2% |
| Lancaster, PA | 252,230 jobs | $7,400 – $14,800 | $11,100 | level |
Cities with a workforce like Altoona's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Altoona against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingston, NY | 59,140 jobs | $7,600 – $15,200 | $11,400 | +2% |
| Dubuque, IA | 58,470 jobs | $7,300 – $14,600 | $10,900 | −2% |
| Niles, MI | 59,970 jobs | $7,000 – $14,100 | $10,500 | −5% |
| Albany, GA | 58,390 jobs | $6,250 – $12,600 | $9,400 | −16% |
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 Altoona is 0.95 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 80%) the local median is $27.58 an hour, which is 5% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $22.09 and $36.73 an hour. BLS counts 360 of them working in the area, 61.4 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 $22.03 an hour, in line with the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.45 and $24.02 an hour. About 350 work in the metro. That is 59.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($36.73 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $1,250. At the 25th percentile ($22.09) it shrinks by about $750. The total moves by 11.2% or 6.7%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 58,650 jobs in the Altoona area. That makes it the 291st largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.04% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 80% | $22.09 | $27.58 | $36.73 | $29.12 | 0.95 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $18.45 | $22.03 | $24.02 | $22.66 | 0.97 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.95 | |||||
Related projects, priced for Altoona
Because every project leans on different trades, Altoona's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, paver patio runs +7% and concrete patio −4%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite deck | 300 sq ft | $11,700 – $23,500 | −3% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,200 – $3,800 | −4% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,200 – $5,800 | +7% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $28,100 – $56,300 | −3% |
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 $9,650 to $12,600 for Altoona, PA is attached.
Detailed wood deck report for Altoona, PA, $9
Multi-page report for Altoona, PA: 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 Altoona: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a wood deck in Altoona?
For 300 sq ft, expect $7,400 to $14,900 in the Altoona area. A standard-spec job lands at $9,650 to $12,600. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for wood deck in Altoona?
About $24.50 to $49 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $45 to $130 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $25 to $50.
+Is wood deck cheaper in Altoona or State College?
State College is 35 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $11,200, which is 1% more than Altoona ($11,100). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Altoona?
About 42% at the midpoint, or $4,700 out of $11,100. Materials are 57% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 44%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Altoona?
$7,900 to $15,900. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does wood deck need a permit in Altoona?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $45 to $130 for fees in the Altoona area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Altoona expensive for wood deck compared with the rest of Pennsylvania?
Altoona is 1% below the Pennsylvania statewide estimate ($11,300 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Pennsylvania; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Altoona?
The BLS median is $27.58 an hour in the Altoona area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.09 to $36.73.
+What do basic and premium wood deck work cost in Altoona?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $7,400 to $10,400 and premium work $11,900 to $14,900. 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 Altoona?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through November. March 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 Altoona?
$1,350 to $2,550, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Wood deck near Altoona
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