Wood fence cost in Worcester, MA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $3,350 – $8,250
- Per linear ft
- $22 – $54
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +9%
- US $5,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #36
- 1 = most expensive
A wood fence in Worcester, MA usually costs $3,350 to $8,250 for 150 linear ft. That works out to about $22 to $54 per linear ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $460 more. Carpenters earn a median of $35.10 an hour in the Worcester area, 21% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Worcester, MA, standard level
$4,850 to $6,800
About $31.50 to $44.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 48% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,350 | $3,500 |
| Labor | $2,450 | $3,150 |
| Permits and fees | $75 | $120 |
| Total | $4,850 | $6,800 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Worcester, MA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,450 | $2,900 | $4,350 | 50% |
| Labor | $1,850 | $2,800 | $3,750 | 48% |
| Permits and fees | $40 | $95 | $150 | 2% |
| Total | $3,350 | $5,800 | $8,250 | 100% |
Why Worcester prices look the way they do
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: carpenters at 60%, construction laborers at 40%. Weighted together, Worcester wages are 1.24 times the national level. Labor makes up about 48% of the midpoint estimate (42% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Worcester is at 97.0 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $3,000 nationally becomes $2,900 here (midpoint, 150 linear ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 102.5: $40 to $150.
Worcester: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Worcester. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from backyard (100 linear ft) to full lot (300 linear ft).
Basic
$3,350 to $5,300
Pine pickets or split rail, 4 ft
Standard
$4,850 to $6,800
6-ft cedar or treated privacy fence
Premium
$6,300 to $8,250
Premium hardwood or 8-ft privacy fence
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $2,250 – $3,550 | $3,250 – $4,550 | $4,250 – $5,550 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $3,350 – $5,300 | $4,850 – $6,800 | $6,300 – $8,250 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $4,450 – $7,050 | $6,400 – $9,000 | $8,350 – $11,000 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $6,700 – $10,600 | $9,600 – $13,500 | $12,500 – $16,400 |
Optional extras in Worcester
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.11 for Worcester, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.24) and goods price index (0.97). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add one gate (flat) | $170 – $890 |
Planning more than one job in Worcester?
Jobs that often go together with wood fence are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Worcester wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, chain-link fence comes out highest (+15%) and vinyl fence lowest (+3%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,600 – $9,500 | +3% |
| Chain-link fence | 150 linear ft | $1,650 – $7,150 | +15% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $4,100 – $12,100 | +7% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $8,150 – $16,400 | +8% |
What local crews earn in Worcester
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 Worcester the blend is 1.24.
Carpenters (47-2031), 60% of the weighting: a median of $35.10 an hour, 21% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $28.63 and $43.40 an hour. About 1,590 work in the metro. That is 45.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 40%) the local median is $29.52 an hour, which is 30% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $23.23 and $43.40 an hour. BLS counts 1,650 of them working in the area, 47.2 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 $380 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $300. That is a swing of roughly 5.2% to 6.6% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Worcester has 349,880 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 73rd by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 60% | $28.63 | $35.10 | $43.40 | $29.12 | 1.21 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $23.23 | $29.52 | $43.40 | $22.66 | 1.30 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.24 | |||||
Worcester weather and the wood fence calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Worcester Rgnl 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 Worcester 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.
Worcester gets about 48 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 73 inches of snow. The wettest months are September, October and December (4.8 inches in October). Inside the workable window, May and July are the driest, at 3.6 and 3.9 inches. The station averages about 3 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 | 32 | 17 | 3.5 | Cold |
| Feb | 35 | 19 | 3.3 | Cold |
| Mar | 43 | 26 | 4.2 | Cold |
| Apr | 56 | 37 | 4.1 | Workable |
| May | 67 | 47 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Jun | 75 | 56 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 80 | 62 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Aug | 78 | 61 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Sep | 71 | 53 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 59 | 42 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 48 | 33 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Dec | 38 | 23 | 4.3 | Cold |
Is Worcester cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, 3 are cheaper than Worcester. Manchester is the lowest at about $5,300 (midpoint, 150 linear ft), 45 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worcester, MAthis page | $3,350 – $8,250 | $5,800 | |
| Amherst, MA35 miles | $3,250 – $8,000 | $5,600 | −3% |
| Springfield, MA40 miles | $3,400 – $8,350 | $5,900 | +1% |
| Manchester, NH45 miles | $3,000 – $7,600 | $5,300 | −9% |
| Boston, MA50 miles | $3,450 – $8,500 | $6,000 | +3% |
| Hartford, CT55 miles | $3,200 – $7,900 | $5,550 | −5% |
| Massachusetts (statewide) | $3,450 – $8,450 | $5,950 | +2% |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,650 | $5,350 | −8% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Worcester ranks #36 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Worcester is 2% below the Massachusetts figure.
Elsewhere in Massachusetts
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston, MA | 2,703,890 jobs | $3,450 – $8,500 | $6,000 | +3% |
| Springfield, MA | 201,240 jobs | $3,400 – $8,350 | $5,900 | +1% |
| Barnstable, MA | 94,110 jobs | $3,300 – $8,150 | $5,700 | −1% |
| Amherst, MA | 65,670 jobs | $3,250 – $8,000 | $5,600 | −3% |
| Pittsfield, MA | 56,810 jobs | $3,100 – $7,700 | $5,400 | −7% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Worcester against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Rock, AR | 358,210 jobs | $2,650 – $6,700 | $4,650 | −20% |
| Durham, NC | 344,020 jobs | $2,850 – $7,200 | $5,050 | −13% |
| Greensboro, NC | 365,410 jobs | $2,750 – $7,000 | $4,850 | −16% |
| North Port, FL | 339,940 jobs | $2,850 – $7,200 | $5,000 | −14% |
Wood fence: what moves the price in Worcester
Style
Split-rail and picket styles are cheaper to build than privacy fence, which uses more boards and takes more labor.
Height and permits
Fences over about 6 ft often need a permit and a setback check. Permits run $40-$150.
Slope and soil
Hills, rock, and tree roots slow post digging.
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Multi-page report for Worcester, MA: 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 fence in Worcester: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a wood fence in Worcester?
For 150 linear ft, expect $3,350 to $8,250 in the Worcester area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,850 to $6,800. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for wood fence in Worcester?
About $22 to $54 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $40 to $150 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $20 to $50.
+Is wood fence cheaper in Worcester or Amherst?
Amherst is 35 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $5,600, which is 3% less than Worcester ($5,800). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Worcester?
About 48% at the midpoint, or $2,800 out of $5,800. Materials are 50% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 42%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in Worcester?
$4,450 to $11,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does wood fence need a permit in Worcester?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $40 to $150 for fees in the Worcester area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Worcester expensive for wood fence compared with the rest of Massachusetts?
Worcester is 2% below the Massachusetts statewide estimate ($5,950 at the midpoint). We cover 6 metros in Massachusetts; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Worcester?
The BLS median is $35.10 an hour in the Worcester area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.63 to $43.40.
+What do basic and premium wood fence work cost in Worcester?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $3,350 to $5,300 and premium work $6,300 to $8,250. Basic means: pine pickets or split rail, 4 ft. Premium means: premium hardwood or 8-ft privacy fence.
+When is the best time to install a wood fence in Worcester?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through November. May and July 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 one gate" add in Worcester?
$170 to $890, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Wood fence near Worcester
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 a Wood Fence Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: 2026 Building Permit Costs | Fees & Cost Calculator (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: How Much Does a Vinyl Fence 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