Wood fence cost in State College, PA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $3,050 – $7,700
- Per linear ft
- $20 – $50.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +1%
- US $5,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #93
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a wood fence in the State College area: $3,050 to $7,700 for 150 linear ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint lands close to the US figure. Building materials run about 1% above the US average here (BEA goods price index 100.7).
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in State College, PA, standard level
$4,450 to $6,300
About $29 to $41 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 42% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,400 | $3,600 |
| Labor | $1,950 | $2,550 |
| Permits and fees | $70 | $110 |
| Total | $4,450 | $6,300 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in State College, PA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,500 | $3,000 | $4,550 | 56% |
| Labor | $1,500 | $2,250 | $3,000 | 42% |
| Permits and fees | $40 | $90 | $150 | 2% |
| Total | $3,050 | $5,350 | $7,700 | 100% |
Where the State College price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: carpenters at 60%, construction laborers at 40%. Weighted together, State College wages are 1.00 times the national level. Labor makes up about 42% of the midpoint estimate (42% 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 $3,000 nationally becomes $3,000 here (midpoint, 150 linear ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 96.8: $40 to $150.
The best months for wood fence in State College
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 |
What nearby projects cost in State College
Jobs that often go together with wood fence are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same State College wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, chain-link fence comes out highest (+3%) and wood deck lowest (−1%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,600 – $9,250 | +1% |
| Chain-link fence | 150 linear ft | $1,550 – $6,350 | +3% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,850 – $11,500 | +1% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,450 – $15,000 | −1% |
Why two State College quotes can differ
Wood species
A 6-ft privacy fence is $25-$50 per linear foot installed; an 8-ft one goes up to $75. Tropical hardwood privacy fences run $35-$55 (HomeGuide).
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.
Extras that change the State College total
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.01 for State College, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.00) and goods price index (1.01). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add one gate (flat) | $150 – $800 |
Who does the work: State College trade wages
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 1.00.
Carpenters (47-2031), 60% 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 40%) 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 $360 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $180. That is a swing of roughly 3.4% to 6.6% 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) | 60% | $22.85 | $26.77 | $34.45 | $29.12 | 0.92 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $22.13 | $25.68 | $30.00 | $22.66 | 1.13 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.00 | |||||
How State College compares
Same job, same size (150 linear ft), priced for the nearest metros. York is the priciest of the group at $5,400. Hagerstown is the cheapest at $5,050.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| State College, PAthis page | $3,050 – $7,700 | $5,350 | |
| Altoona, PA35 miles | $3,000 – $7,550 | $5,250 | −2% |
| Harrisburg, PA60 miles | $3,050 – $7,650 | $5,350 | level |
| Chambersburg, PA70 miles | $2,850 – $7,300 | $5,100 | −5% |
| York, PA90 miles | $3,100 – $7,750 | $5,400 | +1% |
| Hagerstown, MD95 miles | $2,850 – $7,250 | $5,050 | −6% |
| Pennsylvania (statewide) | $3,050 – $7,650 | $5,350 | −1% |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,650 | $5,350 | −1% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, State College ranks #93 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, State College is 1% above the Pennsylvania figure.
Elsewhere in Pennsylvania
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA | 2,897,830 jobs | $3,100 – $7,750 | $5,450 | +1% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 1,114,490 jobs | $3,100 – $7,800 | $5,450 | +1% |
| Allentown, PA | 377,180 jobs | $3,050 – $7,700 | $5,400 | level |
| Harrisburg, PA | 335,010 jobs | $3,050 – $7,650 | $5,350 | level |
| Scranton, PA | 255,620 jobs | $3,050 – $7,700 | $5,350 | level |
| Lancaster, PA | 252,230 jobs | $3,000 – $7,550 | $5,300 | −2% |
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 | $2,750 – $7,000 | $4,850 | −9% |
| Traverse City, MI | 68,440 jobs | $2,950 – $7,350 | $5,150 | −4% |
| Wausau, WI | 69,530 jobs | $2,850 – $7,200 | $5,000 | −7% |
| Dover, DE | 68,080 jobs | $2,850 – $7,200 | $5,000 | −7% |
Cost by quality level and size 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 backyard (100 linear ft) to full lot (300 linear ft).
Basic
$3,050 to $4,900
Pine pickets or split rail, 4 ft
Standard
$4,450 to $6,300
6-ft cedar or treated privacy fence
Premium
$5,850 to $7,700
Premium hardwood or 8-ft privacy fence
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $2,050 – $3,300 | $3,000 – $4,250 | $3,950 – $5,200 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $3,050 – $4,900 | $4,450 – $6,300 | $5,850 – $7,700 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $4,050 – $6,500 | $5,900 – $8,350 | $7,750 – $10,200 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $6,050 – $9,750 | $8,800 – $12,500 | $11,600 – $15,200 |
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Wood fence in State College: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a wood fence in State College?
For 150 linear ft, expect $3,050 to $7,700 in the State College area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,450 to $6,300. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for wood fence in State College?
About $20 to $50.50 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 State College or Altoona?
Altoona is 35 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $5,250, which is 2% less than State College ($5,350). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in State College?
About 42% at the midpoint, or $2,250 out of $5,350. Materials are 56% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 42%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in State College?
$4,050 to $10,200. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does wood fence need a permit in State College?
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 State College area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is State College expensive for wood fence compared with the rest of Pennsylvania?
State College is 1% above the Pennsylvania statewide estimate ($5,350 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 fence work cost in State College?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $3,050 to $4,900 and premium work $5,850 to $7,700. 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 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 one gate" add in State College?
$150 to $800, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Wood fence 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 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