Gutters cost in State College, PA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (160 linear ft)
- $1,300 – $4,250
- Per linear ft
- $8.20 – $25.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +2%
- US $2,750
- Rank of 300 metros
- #99
- 1 = most expensive
State College homeowners pay roughly $1,300 to $4,250 to install gutters at 160 linear ft, or $8.20 to $25.50 per linear ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, State College is almost level. Sheet metal workers earn a median of $29.52 an hour in the State College area, 1% below the US median of $29.71.
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Estimated cost for 160 linear ft in State College, PA, standard level
$2,200 to $3,400
About $13.50 to $20.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 39% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,200 | $2,000 |
| Labor | $910 | $1,250 |
| Permits and fees | $60 | $140 |
| Total | $2,200 | $3,400 |
Cost breakdown for 160 linear ft in State College, PA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $640 | $1,600 | $2,600 | 58% |
| Labor | $660 | $1,100 | $1,500 | 39% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $95 | $190 | 3% |
| Total | $1,300 | $2,800 | $4,250 | 100% |
Why State College prices look the way they do
Labor is 39% 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 State College the blended ratio comes out at 1.04. BLS does not publish this trade for the metro, so we used the Pennsylvania statewide median.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the State College metro is 100.7 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 160 linear ft comes to $1,600, compared with $1,600 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (96.8) and land at $0 to $190.
Data note: 70% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in State College. The wage table below marks each row.
Local wages behind the labor line
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 State College is 1.04 times the national level.
Sheet metal workers (47-2211) carry 40% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the State College metro, so we used the Pennsylvania statewide median: $29.52 an hour against $29.71 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $24.35 and $42.12 an hour.
Roofers (47-2181) carry 30% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the State College metro, so we used the Pennsylvania statewide median: $26.79 an hour against $26.65 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $22.75 and $29.98 an hour.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 30% of the weighting: a median of $25.68 an hour, 13% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.13 and $30.00 an hour. About 620 work in the metro. That is 90.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the sheet metal workers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($42.12 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $180. At the 25th percentile ($24.35) it shrinks by about $70. The total moves by 6.3% or 2.6%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 68,840 jobs in the State College area. That makes it the 263rd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.04% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheet metal workers (47-2211) | 40% | $24.35 | $29.52 | $42.12 | $29.71 | 0.99 | state |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 30% | $22.75 | $26.79 | $29.98 | $26.65 | 1.01 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $22.13 | $25.68 | $30.00 | $22.66 | 1.13 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.04 | |||||
Gutters: what moves the price in State College
Seamless
Seamless costs $3-$5+ more per linear foot than sectional, but has fewer places to leak.
Stories
Two-story homes add $1-$3 per linear foot for ladders and fall protection.
Permit
Local building codes may add $50-$200, though most cities don't require one.
Related projects, priced for State College
Because every project leans on different trades, State College's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, French drain runs +2% and vinyl siding level.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $6,200 – $12,700 | +2% |
| Metal roof | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $10,300 – $32,800 | +1% |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $8,400 – $25,200 | level |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $610 – $2,150 | +2% |
| Attic insulation | 1,000 sq ft | $1,050 – $4,100 | +2% |
Is State College cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, 4 are cheaper than State College. Altoona is the lowest at about $2,650 (midpoint, 160 linear ft), 35 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| State College, PAthis page | $1,300 – $4,250 | $2,800 | |
| Altoona, PA35 miles | $1,250 – $4,050 | $2,650 | −5% |
| Harrisburg, PA60 miles | $1,300 – $4,200 | $2,750 | −1% |
| Chambersburg, PA70 miles | $1,300 – $4,250 | $2,800 | level |
| York, PA90 miles | $1,300 – $4,200 | $2,750 | −2% |
| Hagerstown, MD95 miles | $1,250 – $4,100 | $2,650 | −4% |
| Pennsylvania (statewide) | $1,300 – $4,200 | $2,750 | −2% |
| United States | $1,300 – $4,200 | $2,750 | −2% |
Across 300 US metros, State College comes in at #99 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, State College is 2% above the Pennsylvania figure.
Other Pennsylvania metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA | 2,897,830 jobs | $1,350 – $4,350 | $2,850 | +3% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 1,114,490 jobs | $1,250 – $4,200 | $2,750 | −2% |
| Allentown, PA | 377,180 jobs | $1,300 – $4,300 | $2,800 | +1% |
| Harrisburg, PA | 335,010 jobs | $1,300 – $4,200 | $2,750 | −1% |
| Scranton, PA | 255,620 jobs | $1,300 – $4,200 | $2,750 | −2% |
| Lancaster, PA | 252,230 jobs | $1,250 – $4,200 | $2,750 | −2% |
Cities with a workforce like State College's
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 | $1,150 – $3,900 | $2,500 | −9% |
| Traverse City, MI | 68,440 jobs | $1,250 – $4,050 | $2,650 | −5% |
| Wausau, WI | 69,530 jobs | $1,350 – $4,250 | $2,800 | level |
| Dover, DE | 68,080 jobs | $1,250 – $4,100 | $2,700 | −4% |
When to schedule gutters in State College
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for State College (in the city). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
March through November is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in State College (9 of 12 months). 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.
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 | 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 |
Pick a size, pick a tier: gutters pricing in State College
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for State College 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
$1,300 to $2,500
Vinyl or sectional aluminum, single story
Standard
$2,200 to $3,400
Seamless aluminum K-style, standard downspouts
Premium
$3,100 to $4,250
Steel or copper, two stories, custom length
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small house (120 linear ft) | $980 – $1,900 | $1,650 – $2,550 | $2,350 – $3,250 |
| average house (160 linear ft) | $1,300 – $2,500 | $2,200 – $3,400 | $3,100 – $4,250 |
| large house (240 linear ft) | $1,950 – $3,700 | $3,250 – $5,000 | $4,550 – $6,300 |
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 $2,200 to $3,400 for State College, PA is attached.
Detailed gutters report for State College, PA, $9
Multi-page report for State College, PA: 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.
Gutters in State College: your questions
+How much does it cost to install gutters in State College?
For 160 linear ft, expect $1,300 to $4,250 in the State College area. A standard-spec job lands at $2,200 to $3,400. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for gutters in State College?
About $8.20 to $25.50 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $190 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $8 to $25.
+Is gutters cheaper in State College or Altoona?
Altoona is 35 miles away. The midpoint for 160 linear ft there is $2,650, which is 5% less than State College ($2,800). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in State College?
About 39% at the midpoint, or $1,100 out of $2,800. Materials are 58% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 38%.
+What would average house (160 linear ft) cost in State College?
$1,300 to $4,250. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does gutters need a permit in State College?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $190 for fees in the State College area (our national range of $0 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is State College expensive for gutters compared with the rest of Pennsylvania?
State College is 2% above the Pennsylvania statewide estimate ($2,750 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Pennsylvania; see the state page to compare them.
+What do sheet metal workers earn in State College?
BLS has no published metro figure here, so we use the statewide median of $29.52 an hour, compared with $29.71 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $24.35 to $42.12.
+What do basic and premium gutters work cost in State College?
For 160 linear ft, basic work runs $1,300 to $2,500 and premium work $3,100 to $4,250. 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 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.
Gutters 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 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.