Wood deck cost in Olympia, WA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $7,950 – $16,000
- Per sq ft
- $26.50 – $52.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +5%
- US $11,400
- Rank of 300 metros
- #48
- 1 = most expensive
Olympia homeowners pay roughly $7,950 to $16,000 to build a wood deck at 300 sq ft, or $26.50 to $52.50 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Olympia is 5% higher. Building materials run about 5% above the US average here (BEA goods price index 105.0).
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Olympia, WA, standard level
$10,400 to $13,600
About $34.50 to $45 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 44% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,750 | $7,500 |
| Labor | $4,550 | $5,950 |
| Permits and fees | $85 | $120 |
| Total | $10,400 | $13,600 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Olympia, WA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,400 | $6,600 | $8,800 | 55% |
| Labor | $3,500 | $5,250 | $7,000 | 44% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $100 | $160 | 1% |
| Total | $7,950 | $12,000 | $16,000 | 100% |
Where the Olympia price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: carpenters at 80%, construction laborers at 20%. Weighted together, Olympia wages are 1.06 times the national level. Labor makes up about 44% of the midpoint estimate (44% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Olympia metro is 105.0 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 300 sq ft comes to $6,600, compared with $6,300 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (103.7) and land at $50 to $160.
When to schedule wood deck in Olympia
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Olympia 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 Olympia: 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.
Olympia gets about 51 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 4 inches of snow. The wettest months are January, November and December (8.2 inches in November). The station averages about 7 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 | 46 | 33 | 7.8 | Workable |
| Feb | 49 | 32 | 5.1 | Workable |
| Mar | 54 | 35 | 5.7 | Workable |
| Apr | 59 | 38 | 3.7 | Workable |
| May | 66 | 43 | 2.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 71 | 47 | 1.5 | Workable |
| Jul | 78 | 51 | 0.5 | Workable |
| Aug | 78 | 51 | 1.0 | Workable |
| Sep | 72 | 46 | 2.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 60 | 41 | 5.1 | Workable |
| Nov | 51 | 36 | 8.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 45 | 33 | 7.8 | Workable |
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 Olympia is 1.06 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 80%) the local median is $30.41 an hour, which is 4% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $28.58 and $36.82 an hour. BLS counts 800 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 $25.52 an hour, 13% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.90 and $33.85 an hour. About 730 work in the metro. That is 56.0 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 ($36.82 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $870. At the 25th percentile ($28.58) it shrinks by about $250. The total moves by 7.3% or 2.1%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 130,300 jobs in the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater area. That makes it the 167th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.08% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 80% | $28.58 | $30.41 | $36.82 | $29.12 | 1.04 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $21.90 | $25.52 | $33.85 | $22.66 | 1.13 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.06 | |||||
Olympia: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Olympia 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
$7,950 to $11,200
Pressure-treated pine, low to the ground, simple rectangle
Standard
$10,400 to $13,600
Cedar or upgraded pine, stairs and a railing
Premium
$12,800 to $16,000
Hardwood decking, multi-level, built-in features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $3,200 – $4,500 | $4,200 – $5,500 | $5,200 – $6,500 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $3,850 – $5,400 | $5,000 – $6,600 | $6,200 – $7,750 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $8,500 – $11,900 | $11,100 – $14,500 | $13,600 – $17,000 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $10,600 – $14,900 | $13,800 – $18,100 | $17,000 – $21,300 |
What nearby projects cost in Olympia
Because every project leans on different trades, Olympia's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, concrete patio runs +17% and composite deck +6%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite deck | 300 sq ft | $12,700 – $25,500 | +6% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,400 – $4,700 | +17% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,400 – $6,200 | +14% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $31,900 – $63,900 | +10% |
Add-ons priced for Olympia
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Olympia by the average of the local wage index (1.06) and goods index (1.05), a factor of 1.06. 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) | $1,500 – $2,750 |
Specs and site conditions that change a Olympia 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.
Olympia against nearby metros and the rest of Washington
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 $11,900 to $12,900 across Olympia and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olympia, WAthis page | $7,950 – $16,000 | $12,000 | |
| Bremerton, WA50 miles | $8,050 – $16,200 | $12,100 | +1% |
| Seattle, WA60 miles | $8,600 – $17,200 | $12,900 | +8% |
| Portland, OR95 miles | $8,450 – $16,900 | $12,700 | +6% |
| Yakima, WA105 miles | $7,900 – $15,900 | $11,900 | −1% |
| Bellingham, WA140 miles | $8,450 – $17,000 | $12,700 | +6% |
| Washington (statewide) | $8,500 – $17,000 | $12,700 | +6% |
| United States | $7,550 – $15,200 | $11,400 | −5% |
Across 300 US metros, Olympia comes in at #48 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $14,900; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $9,050 (midpoints, 300 sq ft). Statewide, Olympia is 6% below the Washington figure.
Other Washington metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | 2,086,210 jobs | $8,600 – $17,200 | $12,900 | +8% |
| Spokane, WA | 255,820 jobs | $7,850 – $15,800 | $11,800 | −1% |
| Kennewick, WA | 129,490 jobs | $8,050 – $16,100 | $12,100 | +1% |
| Yakima, WA | 97,010 jobs | $7,900 – $15,900 | $11,900 | −1% |
| Bremerton, WA | 93,740 jobs | $8,050 – $16,200 | $12,100 | +1% |
| Bellingham, WA | 91,390 jobs | $8,450 – $17,000 | $12,700 | +6% |
Cities with a workforce like Olympia's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Olympia against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville, NC | 131,430 jobs | $6,750 – $13,600 | $10,200 | −15% |
| Waco, TX | 129,860 jobs | $6,550 – $13,200 | $9,900 | −17% |
| South Bend, IN | 131,670 jobs | $7,400 – $14,900 | $11,100 | −7% |
| Kennewick, WA | 129,490 jobs | $8,050 – $16,100 | $12,100 | +1% |
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 $10,400 to $13,600 for Olympia, WA is attached.
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Multi-page report for Olympia, WA: 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 Olympia: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a wood deck in Olympia?
For 300 sq ft, expect $7,950 to $16,000 in the Olympia area. A standard-spec job lands at $10,400 to $13,600. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for wood deck in Olympia?
About $26.50 to $52.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $50 to $160 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $25 to $50.
+Is wood deck cheaper in Olympia or Bremerton?
Bremerton is 50 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $12,100, which is 1% more than Olympia ($12,000). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Olympia?
About 44% at the midpoint, or $5,250 out of $12,000. Materials are 55% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 44%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Olympia?
$8,500 to $17,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does wood deck need a permit in Olympia?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $50 to $160 for fees in the Olympia area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Olympia expensive for wood deck compared with the rest of Washington?
Olympia is 6% below the Washington statewide estimate ($12,700 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Washington; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Olympia?
The BLS median is $30.41 an hour in the Olympia area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.58 to $36.82.
+What do basic and premium wood deck work cost in Olympia?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $7,950 to $11,200 and premium work $12,800 to $16,000. 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 Olympia?
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 Olympia?
$1,500 to $2,750, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Wood deck near Olympia
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