Gutters cost in Rochester, MN
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (160 linear ft)
- $1,350 – $4,350
- Per linear ft
- $8.60 – $26
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +4%
- US $2,750
- Rank of 300 metros
- #67
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install gutters in Rochester, plan on $1,350 to $4,350 for 160 linear ft, all in. Per linear ft, that is $8.60 to $26 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 4% higher than the national one. Sheet metal workers earn a median of $35.42 an hour in the Rochester area, 19% above the US median of $29.71.
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Estimated cost for 160 linear ft in Rochester, MN, standard level
$2,250 to $3,450
About $14 to $21 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 43% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $1,900 |
| Labor | $1,050 | $1,450 |
| Permits and fees | $55 | $130 |
| Total | $2,250 | $3,450 |
Cost breakdown for 160 linear ft in Rochester, MN
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $610 | $1,550 | $2,450 | 53% |
| Labor | $760 | $1,250 | $1,700 | 43% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $90 | $180 | 3% |
| Total | $1,350 | $2,850 | $4,350 | 100% |
Why Rochester prices look the way they do
Labor is 43% of the midpoint bill here, against 38% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is sheet metal workers (40%), roofers (30%), construction laborers (30%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Rochester the blended ratio comes out at 1.19.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Rochester metro is 95.4 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 160 linear ft comes to $1,550, compared with $1,600 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (90.8) and land at $0 to $180.
Related projects, priced for Rochester
Because every project leans on different trades, Rochester's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, French drain runs +17% and attic insulation +2%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $6,650 – $13,200 | +7% |
| Metal roof | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $11,200 – $34,100 | +6% |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $8,750 – $26,200 | +4% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $700 – $2,450 | +17% |
| Attic insulation | 1,000 sq ft | $1,050 – $4,050 | +2% |
Rochester labor market for gutters
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 3 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Rochester is 1.19 times the national level.
For sheet metal workers (47-2211, weighted 40%) the local median is $35.42 an hour, which is 19% above the national $29.71. The middle half of them earn between $32.29 and $35.42 an hour. BLS counts 60 of them working in the area, 4.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 7.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
For roofers (47-2181, weighted 30%) the local median is $29.78 an hour, which is 12% above the national $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $22.82 and $41.27 an hour. BLS counts 90 of them working in the area, 7.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 8.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 30% of the weighting: a median of $28.55 an hour, 26% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.36 and $43.11 an hour. About 990 work in the metro. That is 80.5 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the sheet metal workers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($35.42 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $0. At the 25th percentile ($32.29) it shrinks by about $45. The total moves by 0.0% or 1.5%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 122,980 jobs in the Rochester area. That makes it the 176th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheet metal workers (47-2211) | 40% | $32.29 | $35.42 | $35.42 | $29.71 | 1.19 | metro |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 30% | $22.82 | $29.78 | $41.27 | $26.65 | 1.12 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $22.36 | $28.55 | $43.11 | $22.66 | 1.26 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.19 | |||||
Specs and site conditions that change a Rochester bid
Permit
Local building codes may add $50-$200, though most cities don't require one.
Material
Vinyl is $8-$12 per linear foot installed and aluminum $10-$20. Steel and copper run higher (HomeGuide).
Seamless
Seamless costs $3-$5+ more per linear foot than sectional, but has fewer places to leak.
Climate in Rochester: timing your gutters job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Rochester Intl Ap (10 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through October is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Rochester (7 of 12 months). January, February, March, November and December have an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January, February, March, November 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.
Rochester gets about 35 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 53 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and July (5.3 inches in June). Inside the workable window, April and October are the driest, at 3.5 and 2.4 inches. The station averages about 5 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 | 23 | 7 | 1.0 | Cold |
| Feb | 27 | 11 | 1.0 | Cold |
| Mar | 40 | 23 | 2.0 | Cold |
| Apr | 55 | 35 | 3.5 | Workable |
| May | 68 | 47 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 78 | 58 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 80 | 61 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Aug | 78 | 58 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Sep | 72 | 50 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Oct | 58 | 38 | 2.4 | Workable |
| Nov | 42 | 26 | 1.8 | Cold |
| Dec | 28 | 14 | 1.3 | Cold |
Is Rochester cheap or dear? The local comparison
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 160 linear ft range from $2,600 to $3,100 across Rochester and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester, MNthis page | $1,350 – $4,350 | $2,850 | |
| La Crosse, WI65 miles | $1,350 – $4,300 | $2,800 | −1% |
| Eau Claire, WI85 miles | $1,350 – $4,250 | $2,800 | −3% |
| Minneapolis, MN90 miles | $1,500 – $4,700 | $3,100 | +8% |
| Waterloo, IA100 miles | $1,250 – $4,000 | $2,600 | −8% |
| Dubuque, IA125 miles | $1,250 – $4,000 | $2,650 | −8% |
| Minnesota (statewide) | $1,450 – $4,600 | $3,000 | +6% |
| United States | $1,300 – $4,200 | $2,750 | −4% |
Across 300 US metros, Rochester comes in at #67 from the top. The priciest is San Francisco, CA at $3,450; the cheapest is Longview, TX at $2,350 (midpoints, 160 linear ft). Statewide, Rochester is 5% below the Minnesota figure.
Other Minnesota metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis, MN | 1,951,650 jobs | $1,500 – $4,700 | $3,100 | +8% |
| Duluth, MN | 124,710 jobs | $1,450 – $4,550 | $3,000 | +6% |
| St. Cloud, MN | 103,920 jobs | $1,400 – $4,450 | $2,950 | +3% |
Cities with a workforce like Rochester's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Rochester against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amarillo, TX | 123,930 jobs | $1,150 – $3,800 | $2,450 | −14% |
| Midland, TX | 122,180 jobs | $1,150 – $3,800 | $2,500 | −13% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $1,400 – $4,350 | $2,900 | +1% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | 122,020 jobs | $1,450 – $4,650 | $3,050 | +7% |
Cost by quality level and size in Rochester
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Rochester 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 3 common sizes.
Basic
$1,350 to $2,550
Vinyl or sectional aluminum, single story
Standard
$2,250 to $3,450
Seamless aluminum K-style, standard downspouts
Premium
$3,150 to $4,350
Steel or copper, two stories, custom length
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small house (120 linear ft) | $1,050 – $1,950 | $1,700 – $2,600 | $2,400 – $3,300 |
| average house (160 linear ft) | $1,350 – $2,550 | $2,250 – $3,450 | $3,150 – $4,350 |
| large house (240 linear ft) | $2,050 – $3,800 | $3,350 – $5,100 | $4,650 – $6,400 |
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 $2,250 to $3,450 for Rochester, MN is attached.
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Gutters in Rochester: your questions
+How much does it cost to install gutters in Rochester?
For 160 linear ft, expect $1,350 to $4,350 in the Rochester area. A standard-spec job lands at $2,250 to $3,450. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for gutters in Rochester?
About $8.60 to $26 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $180 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $8 to $25.
+Is gutters cheaper in Rochester or La Crosse?
La Crosse is 65 miles away. The midpoint for 160 linear ft there is $2,800, which is 1% less than Rochester ($2,850). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Rochester?
About 43% at the midpoint, or $1,250 out of $2,850. Materials are 53% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 38%.
+What would average house (160 linear ft) cost in Rochester?
$1,350 to $4,350. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does gutters need a permit in Rochester?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $180 for fees in the Rochester area (our national range of $0 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Rochester expensive for gutters compared with the rest of Minnesota?
Rochester is 5% below the Minnesota statewide estimate ($3,000 at the midpoint). We cover 4 metros in Minnesota; see the state page to compare them.
+What do sheet metal workers earn in Rochester?
The BLS median is $35.42 an hour in the Rochester area, compared with $29.71 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $32.29 to $35.42.
+What do basic and premium gutters work cost in Rochester?
For 160 linear ft, basic work runs $1,350 to $2,550 and premium work $3,150 to $4,350. Basic means: vinyl or sectional aluminum, single story. Premium means: steel or copper, two stories, custom length.
+When is the best time to install gutters in Rochester?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. April and October are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
Gutters near Rochester
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 Gutter Installation Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- Home Genius Exteriors: How Much Does Gutter Installation Cost? (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
Note on derived figures: Materials = installed range minus the $4-$9 per linear foot labor figure from Home Genius Exteriors.