Wood deck cost in State College, PA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $7,450 – $15,000
- Per sq ft
- $24.50 – $49.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −1%
- US $11,400
- Rank of 300 metros
- #107
- 1 = most expensive
A wood deck in State College, PA usually costs $7,450 to $15,000 for 300 sq ft. That works out to about $24.50 to $49.50 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 $26.77 an hour in the State College area, 8% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in State College, PA, standard level
$9,700 to $12,700
About $32 to $42 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 43% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,500 | $7,200 |
| Labor | $4,150 | $5,400 |
| Permits and fees | $75 | $120 |
| Total | $9,700 | $12,700 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in State College, PA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,250 | $6,350 | $8,450 | 57% |
| Labor | $3,150 | $4,750 | $6,350 | 43% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $95 | $150 | 1% |
| Total | $7,450 | $11,200 | $15,000 | 100% |
Why State College 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, State College wages are 0.96 times the national level. Labor makes up about 43% of the midpoint estimate (44% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. State College is at 100.7 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $6,300 nationally becomes $6,350 here (midpoint, 300 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 96.8: $50 to $150.
State College against nearby metros and the rest of Pennsylvania
Same job, same size (300 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. York is the priciest of the group at $11,500. Chambersburg is the cheapest at $10,600.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| State College, PAthis page | $7,450 – $15,000 | $11,200 | |
| Altoona, PA35 miles | $7,400 – $14,900 | $11,100 | −1% |
| Harrisburg, PA60 miles | $7,500 – $15,000 | $11,300 | level |
| Chambersburg, PA70 miles | $7,050 – $14,200 | $10,600 | −5% |
| York, PA90 miles | $7,650 – $15,300 | $11,500 | +2% |
| Hagerstown, MD95 miles | $7,150 – $14,400 | $10,800 | −4% |
| Pennsylvania (statewide) | $7,500 – $15,100 | $11,300 | +1% |
| United States | $7,550 – $15,200 | $11,400 | +1% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, State College ranks #107 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, State College is 1% below the Pennsylvania figure.
Elsewhere in Pennsylvania
| 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 | +1% |
| Harrisburg, PA | 335,010 jobs | $7,500 – $15,000 | $11,300 | level |
| Scranton, PA | 255,620 jobs | $7,600 – $15,200 | $11,400 | +2% |
| Lancaster, PA | 252,230 jobs | $7,400 – $14,800 | $11,100 | −1% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is State College against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yuma, AZ | 68,880 jobs | $6,800 – $13,600 | $10,200 | −9% |
| Traverse City, MI | 68,440 jobs | $7,250 – $14,500 | $10,900 | −3% |
| Wausau, WI | 69,530 jobs | $6,900 – $13,800 | $10,400 | −7% |
| Dover, DE | 68,080 jobs | $7,000 – $14,100 | $10,500 | −6% |
Planning more than one job in State College?
Jobs that often go together with wood deck are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same State College wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, paver patio comes out highest (+6%) and composite deck lowest (−2%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite deck | 300 sq ft | $11,800 – $23,700 | −2% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,300 – $4,150 | +4% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,200 – $5,750 | +6% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $28,900 – $58,100 | level |
What local crews earn in State College
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 State College the blend is 0.96.
Carpenters (47-2031), 80% of the weighting: a median of $26.77 an hour, 8% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $22.85 and $34.45 an hour. About 350 work in the metro. That is 50.8 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 $25.68 an hour, which is 13% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.13 and $30.00 an hour. BLS counts 620 of them working in the area, 90.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $1,050 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $530. That is a swing of roughly 4.8% to 9.3% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
State College has 68,840 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 263rd 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% | $22.85 | $26.77 | $34.45 | $29.12 | 0.92 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $22.13 | $25.68 | $30.00 | $22.66 | 1.13 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.96 | |||||
State College 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, State College (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 State College are March through November: 9 of 12. Outside them, 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.
State College gets about 42 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 44 inches of snow. The wettest months are June, August and September (4.2 inches in August). Inside the workable window, March and November are the driest, at 3.4 and 3.0 inches. The station averages about 6 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 | 34 | 21 | 2.9 | Cold |
| Feb | 37 | 22 | 2.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 46 | 28 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Apr | 59 | 39 | 3.5 | Workable |
| May | 69 | 50 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Jun | 77 | 59 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Jul | 81 | 63 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Aug | 79 | 62 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Sep | 72 | 54 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 61 | 43 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Nov | 49 | 34 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Dec | 38 | 26 | 3.2 | Cold |
Pick a size, pick a tier: wood deck pricing in State College
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to State College. 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
$7,450 to $10,500
Pressure-treated pine, low to the ground, simple rectangle
Standard
$9,700 to $12,700
Cedar or upgraded pine, stairs and a railing
Premium
$12,000 to $15,000
Hardwood decking, multi-level, built-in features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $3,000 – $4,250 | $3,950 – $5,150 | $4,850 – $6,050 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $3,600 – $5,050 | $4,700 – $6,150 | $5,800 – $7,250 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $7,950 – $11,100 | $10,300 – $13,500 | $12,700 – $15,900 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $9,900 – $13,900 | $12,900 – $16,900 | $15,900 – $19,900 |
Wood deck: what moves the price in State College
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.
Extras that change the State College total
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.98 for State College, which is the average of the area's wage index (0.96) and goods price index (1.01). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add stairs (flat) | $1,400 – $2,550 |
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 $9,700 to $12,700 for State College, PA is attached.
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Wood deck in State College: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a wood deck in State College?
For 300 sq ft, expect $7,450 to $15,000 in the State College area. A standard-spec job lands at $9,700 to $12,700. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for wood deck in State College?
About $24.50 to $49.50 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 State College or Altoona?
Altoona is 35 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $11,100, which is 1% less than State College ($11,200). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in State College?
About 43% at the midpoint, or $4,750 out of $11,200. Materials are 57% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 44%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in State College?
$7,950 to $15,900. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does wood deck need a permit in State College?
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 State College area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is State College expensive for wood deck compared with the rest of Pennsylvania?
State College 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 State College?
The BLS median is $26.77 an hour in the State College area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.85 to $34.45.
+What do basic and premium wood deck work cost in State College?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $7,450 to $10,500 and premium work $12,000 to $15,000. 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 State College?
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 State College?
$1,400 to $2,550, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Wood deck near State College
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