Above Ground Pool Cost: Average Prices & Cost Factors

An above-ground pool sits on a prepared patch of ground instead of in an excavated hole. Most are built from a steel, aluminum, or resin wall frame that holds a vinyl liner, and they come as kits sized by diameter for round pools or by length and width for ovals and rectangles. Because there is no digging or concrete shell, they cost a small fraction of an in-ground pool and can be set up in days.

Your total depends on the pool kit you buy, whether you pay someone to assemble it, how much leveling the yard needs, and which extras you add. A bare kit on flat ground is the cheapest version. A larger pool with a deck, heater, and regraded site costs far more.

Round pools are the most common shape. PoolGnome lists these ranges by size:

A 15-foot round pool suits a small yard and a couple of swimmers cooling off. At 24 feet, there is room for a group or for short laps. Rectangular and oval pools fit narrow yards better, but they need extra bracing along the long walls, which is part of why a 24 by 12 foot rectangle can cost more than a 24-foot round pool despite holding less water.

Wall height affects price as well. Taller walls hold deeper water and need a stronger frame, so the same diameter can come in several price tiers.

PoolGnome splits the cost into the kit itself and professional assembly.

These two ranges are not meant to be added together to get the installed total. Each one spans everything from small, basic pools to large, premium ones, so their extremes do not line up with the typical installed range at the top of this page. Use them to see roughly how much of a quote is materials and how much is labor.

Installation labor usually covers leveling the base, laying a sand or foam pad, assembling the wall and frame, hanging the liner, and connecting the pump and filter. It often does not include electrical work, which usually needs a licensed electrician, or major grading of the yard.

The ground under an above-ground pool has to be level. Water is heavy, and even a small slope can stress the wall, wrinkle the liner, or cause the pool to fail. A flat yard may need only sod removal and a sand base. A sloped yard may need significant grading or a retaining wall.

Placement also matters. Avoid spots over septic systems, underground utilities, or tree roots, and keep the pool clear of overhead power lines. Call 811 before any digging so buried lines can be marked. Check property line setbacks with your local building department, since many towns regulate where a pool can go.

Most owners add at least a cover to the kit, and many add a deck or heater over time.

• A wooden deck, priced per square foot, makes the pool easier to get into and look after. A partial deck around one side costs much less than a wraparound.
• A pool heater stretches the swimming season. The range is wide because it covers small electric units through larger gas or heat pump models.
• A basic cover keeps out debris and helps hold heat. Winter covers and safety covers are separate products.
• A replacement liner is the main repair cost over a pool's life. Liners wear out from sun, chemicals, and punctures, and replacing one is cheaper than replacing the pool.

All of the prices on this page come from one published source.

Because only one source supplied the figures, use them as a general guide. Local prices may differ with retailer, brand, season, and labor rates in your area. Some pool stores discount kits late in the summer, and installers may book up early in the spring.

Plan for ongoing costs beyond the purchase: water to fill the pool, chemicals, electricity for the pump and filter, replacement filter cartridges or sand, and opening and closing each season if you live where it freezes. These vary by pool size, climate, and how often you swim.

Safety rules can add cost too. Many localities require a barrier, such as a fence or a removable or lockable ladder, for pools above a certain depth. Electrical code generally requires ground-fault protection for pool equipment. Check local requirements and any homeowners insurance conditions before you buy, since some insurers have their own rules for pools.