Construction Costs in Scranton, PA 2026

Estimate renovation and building costs in Scranton. Labor input: $30.00/hr, the BLS OEWS May 2025 median wage for carpenters, construction laborers and construction supervisors in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro; HammerIO's modeled material cost index is 119.

$30.00

Median construction wage/hr (BLS May 2025)

119

Material Cost Index

$422,379

Typical Home Value (est.)

111

Cost of Living Index

Construction trade wages, Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro (BLS OEWS May 2025)

Median hourly wages published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metropolitan area, which includes Scranton, compared with the U.S. median for each occupation. These are what employees earn, not what contractors bill: a contractor's hourly rate adds overhead, insurance, equipment and profit. The calculator below scales its labor share by the local-to-national ratio for carpenters, construction laborers and construction supervisors (1.00 here).

Occupation (SOC)Metro medianPA medianU.S. medianvs U.S.
Carpenters (47-2031)$28.96$28.54$29.12-1%
Construction Laborers (47-2061)$23.22$23.75$22.66+2%
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (47-1011)$37.82$39.20$38.42-2%
Electricians (47-2111)$33.44$32.50$30.38+10%
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (47-2152)$29.40$32.73$30.67-4%
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers (49-9021)$29.69$30.00$29.33+1%
Roofers (47-2181)$23.86$26.79$26.65-10%
Painters, Construction and Maintenance (47-2141)$23.89$25.06$23.75+1%
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers (47-2081)$22.91$29.40$28.33-19%
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers (47-2051)$27.89$29.62$27.41+2%
Brickmasons and Blockmasons (47-2021)n/a$33.44$29.87+12%
Tile and Stone Setters (47-2044)n/a$33.77$26.77+26%
Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles (47-2042)n/a$28.87$27.15+6%
Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall (47-2131)n/a$24.33$23.62+3%
Sheet Metal Workers (47-2211)$31.37$29.52$29.71+6%

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates for CBSA 42540 (Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA). "n/a" means BLS suppressed the metro estimate; the state column still applies and "vs U.S." then compares the state median. Retrieved September 2026 via the BLS Public Data API.

Scranton Overview

Population

76,997

Climate Zone

Cool-Humid (Zone 5)

Seismic Risk

low

Median Household Income

$85,636

Scranton Remodeling Cost Estimator

Leave blank for typical kitchen remodel size

Cost Breakdown

Materials$24,990
Labor$15,364
Permits (4%)$1,614

Estimated Total Cost

$41,968

Mid-range Kitchen Remodel — 280 sq ft in Scranton

Materials

$24,990

60% of total

Labor

$15,364

37% of total

Permits

$1,614

~$2,620 modeled allowance

12% Above National Average

The same kitchen remodel at the national average would cost approximately $37,492. HammerIO's model places Scranton above the national baseline because of its modeled labor and material factors.

View Pennsylvania Statewide Costs

Compare Scranton costs with the Pennsylvania state average and other cities.

Project Cost Comparison: Scranton vs National Average

Project TypeScranton EstimateNational BaselineDifference
Kitchen Remodel$52,175$35,000+49%
Bathroom Remodel$22,500$18,000+25%
Roof Replacement$19,000$15,000+27%
Whole House Paint$4,800$3,800+26%
Flooring Install$9,000$7,000+29%
Deck Build$15,000$12,000+25%

Material Prices in Scranton

Concrete

$165 /cubic yard

$2 below the estimated Pennsylvania average of $167/yd³

Lumber

$5.98 /board foot

$0.56 below the estimated Pennsylvania average of $6.54/BF

Popular Projects in Scranton

🧱

#1 Siding Replacement

Common project type to budget for in Scranton

🚗

#2 Garage Build

Common project type to budget for in Scranton

❄️

#3 HVAC Upgrade

Common project type to budget for in Scranton

Construction Cost Overview for Scranton, PA

Construction and renovation costs in Scranton, PA are modeled here with a cost of living index of 111 and a material cost index of 119 (where 100 represents the national baseline). With a BLS OEWS May 2025 median construction wage of $30.00 per hour (carpenters, laborers and supervisors, Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro) and a typical home value estimate of $422,379, homeowners in Scranton should plan their renovation budgets carefully using local pricing data.

Scranton sits in IECC Climate Zone 5 (Cool-Humid), which influences insulation requirements, HVAC sizing, and overall material choices for both new construction and remodeling projects. Low seismic risk in the model. The median household income of $85,636 in Scranton means that a mid-range kitchen remodel at $52,175 represents approximately 61% of annual household income.

HammerIO uses a modeled permit allowance of $2,620 for Scranton; actual fees vary by project scope, valuation, and the local fee schedule. Major renovations involving structural, electrical, or plumbing work generally require permits, so confirm with the local building department. Scheduling outside peak season may improve contractor availability and pricing flexibility.

Other Cities in Pennsylvania

Allentown, PA

BLS wage: $30.66/hr • Material Index: 107 • Kitchen: $45,853

Bethlehem, PA

BLS wage: $30.66/hr • Material Index: 105 • Kitchen: $44,940

Erie, PA

BLS wage: $29.28/hr • Material Index: 113 • Kitchen: $49,157

Harrisburg, PA

BLS wage: $31.00/hr • Material Index: 105 • Kitchen: $44,957

Lancaster, PA

BLS wage: $30.50/hr • Material Index: 116 • Kitchen: $50,630

Philadelphia, PA

BLS wage: $34.09/hr • Material Index: 126 • Kitchen: $55,770

Pittsburgh, PA

BLS wage: $31.22/hr • Material Index: 117 • Kitchen: $51,201

Reading, PA

BLS wage: $29.25/hr • Material Index: 103 • Kitchen: $43,943

York, PA

BLS wage: $30.53/hr • Material Index: 95 • Kitchen: $39,738

Methodology & Construction Data Sources

How we calculate Scranton construction costs: These are planning estimates from HammerIO's cost model: national project baselines adjusted by modeled regional labor and material factors for Scranton. Public data sources below are used as benchmarks and context; the city figures are estimates, not official statistics or contractor quotes.

  1. Labor rates, the calculator uses BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025) median hourly wages for the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro, scaling its labor share by the local-to-national ratio (1.00) for carpenters, construction laborers and construction supervisors. These are employee wages, not contractor billing rates; the full trade table is above.
  2. Materials pricing trends are checked against the BLS Producer Price Index (PPI) for Construction Materials, (national price indexes for materials such as lumber, concrete, and steel); the city material index is a modeled regional adjustment.
  3. Building permit costs are shown as a modeled allowance; confirm actual fees with the Scranton building department's current fee schedule.
  4. Regional cost adjustment uses HammerIO's modeled labor-rate and material-index factors for Scranton; it is not a licensed proprietary city cost index.
  5. Building codes and standards cross-referenced with EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rules and OSHA Construction Safety Standards.

Authoritative construction cost data sources:

Cost Disclaimer: Estimates are modeled planning ranges for Scranton, not local quotes. Actual project costs depend on site conditions, design complexity, contractor availability, material grades, and permitting timelines. Always obtain 3+ contractor bids before committing to any project. Actual prices can differ substantially from these estimates.

Reviewed by Rowan Ashby · Last updated 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a kitchen remodel cost in Scranton, PA?
HammerIO's planning model estimates a mid-range kitchen remodel in Scranton, PA at approximately $52,175. Budget renovations start around $36,523, while premium remodels with custom cabinetry and high-end appliances can reach $78,263 or more. The labor input is $30.00/hour, the BLS OEWS May 2025 median wage for carpenters, construction laborers and construction supervisors in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro; contractor billing rates run higher and vary.
What is the average construction labor rate in Scranton?
The BLS OEWS May 2025 median hourly wage for general construction work in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro is $30.00 (average of the carpenter, construction laborer and construction supervisor medians), 0% below the U.S. median of $30.07 for the same occupations. Electricians: $33.44/hr; Plumbers: $29.40/hr. These are published employee wages, not contractor quotes; a contractor's billed hourly rate adds overhead, insurance, equipment and profit, so ask for trade-specific pricing in each bid.
Do I need a building permit for home renovations in Scranton?
Most significant renovations in Scranton, PA require building permits. HammerIO uses a modeled permit allowance of about $2,620; actual fees depend on the local fee schedule and project scope. Projects involving structural changes, electrical rewiring, plumbing modifications, or additions almost always require permits. Cosmetic updates like interior painting, replacing fixtures, or installing new flooring typically do not.
How does Scranton's cost of living affect construction costs?
HammerIO's model assigns Scranton a cost of living index of 111 (national baseline = 100). Higher-cost areas tend to have higher labor rates, material delivery costs, and permit fees. The model's material cost index for Scranton is 119, an estimate of regional material pricing rather than a published local statistic.
What are the most popular home improvement projects in Scranton?
HammerIO highlights Siding Replacement, Garage Build, HVAC Upgrade as common projects to budget for in Scranton, PA; this is a planning shortlist, not survey data. Resale cost recovery varies widely by project type, scope, and local market, so compare kitchen, bathroom, and roof budgets against local home values and buyer expectations before choosing upgrades.

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