Gutters cost in Milwaukee, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (160 linear ft)
- $1,350 – $4,300
- Per linear ft
- $8.55 – $26
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +4%
- US $2,750
- Rank of 300 metros
- #73
- 1 = most expensive
Milwaukee homeowners pay roughly $1,350 to $4,300 to install gutters at 160 linear ft, or $8.55 to $26 per linear ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Milwaukee is 4% higher. Sheet metal workers earn a median of $37.90 an hour in the Milwaukee area, 28% above the US median of $29.71.
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Estimated cost for 160 linear ft in Milwaukee, WI, standard level
$2,250 to $3,450
About $13.50 to $20.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 44% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $1,850 |
| Labor | $1,050 | $1,450 |
| Permits and fees | $60 | $140 |
| Total | $2,250 | $3,450 |
Cost breakdown for 160 linear ft in Milwaukee, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $600 | $1,500 | $2,400 | 53% |
| Labor | $770 | $1,250 | $1,750 | 44% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $95 | $190 | 3% |
| Total | $1,350 | $2,850 | $4,300 | 100% |
Where the Milwaukee price comes from
The wage side of the estimate leans on sheet metal workers, who do 40% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $37.90 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Milwaukee is 1.20 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 44% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Milwaukee metro is 93.8 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 160 linear ft comes to $1,500, compared with $1,600 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (96.9) and land at $0 to $190.
How Milwaukee compares
Of the five closest metros, 2 are cheaper than Milwaukee. Janesville is the lowest at about $2,800 (midpoint, 160 linear ft), 65 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WIthis page | $1,350 – $4,300 | $2,850 | |
| Racine, WI10 miles | $1,350 – $4,300 | $2,800 | −1% |
| Kenosha, WI20 miles | $1,400 – $4,550 | $3,000 | +5% |
| Sheboygan, WI55 miles | $1,400 – $4,350 | $2,850 | level |
| Janesville, WI65 miles | $1,350 – $4,250 | $2,800 | −2% |
| Rockford, IL70 miles | $1,400 – $4,350 | $2,850 | +1% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $1,350 – $4,300 | $2,850 | −1% |
| United States | $1,300 – $4,200 | $2,750 | −4% |
Across 300 US metros, Milwaukee comes in at #73 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, Milwaukee is 1% above the Wisconsin figure.
Other Wisconsin metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $1,350 – $4,300 | $2,800 | −1% |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $1,350 – $4,250 | $2,800 | −1% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $1,400 – $4,350 | $2,900 | +1% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $1,250 – $4,100 | $2,700 | −6% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $1,350 – $4,250 | $2,800 | −2% |
| La Crosse, WI | 84,380 jobs | $1,350 – $4,300 | $2,800 | −1% |
Cities with a workforce like Milwaukee's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Milwaukee against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City, UT | 826,210 jobs | $1,250 – $4,050 | $2,650 | −7% |
| Jacksonville, FL | 765,930 jobs | $1,150 – $3,900 | $2,550 | −11% |
| Cleveland, OH | 1,031,130 jobs | $1,350 – $4,250 | $2,800 | −1% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | 763,060 jobs | $1,200 – $4,000 | $2,600 | −9% |
Planning more than one job in Milwaukee?
Because every project leans on different trades, Milwaukee'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 | $6,450 – $12,900 | +4% |
| Metal roof | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $11,100 – $33,700 | +5% |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $8,650 – $26,000 | +3% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $700 – $2,450 | +17% |
| Attic insulation | 1,000 sq ft | $1,000 – $3,900 | −2% |
When to schedule gutters in Milwaukee
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Mt Mary College (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through November is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Milwaukee (8 of 12 months). January, February, March and December have an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January, February, March 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.
Milwaukee gets about 34 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 40 inches of snow. The wettest months are April, May and June (4.8 inches in June). Inside the workable window, October and November are the driest, at 2.7 and 2.0 inches. The station averages about 16 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 | 30 | 14 | 1.5 | Cold |
| Feb | 34 | 17 | 1.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 44 | 26 | 1.8 | Cold |
| Apr | 56 | 36 | 3.7 | Workable |
| May | 68 | 48 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Jun | 78 | 58 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Jul | 83 | 63 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Aug | 81 | 62 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Sep | 74 | 53 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 61 | 42 | 2.7 | Workable |
| Nov | 47 | 30 | 2.0 | Workable |
| Dec | 35 | 21 | 1.7 | Cold |
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 Milwaukee is 1.20 times the national level.
For sheet metal workers (47-2211, weighted 40%) the local median is $37.90 an hour, which is 28% above the national $29.71. The middle half of them earn between $25.09 and $48.97 an hour. BLS counts 1,020 of them working in the area, 12.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 7.7), so the local bench is deeper than average.
For roofers (47-2181, weighted 30%) the local median is $28.91 an hour, which is 8% above the national $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $23.24 and $34.00 an hour. BLS counts 980 of them working in the area, 11.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 8.7), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 30% of the weighting: a median of $27.61 an hour, 22% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.17 and $37.52 an hour. About 4,740 work in the metro. That is 57.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer 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 ($48.97 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $160. At the 25th percentile ($25.09) it shrinks by about $180. The total moves by 5.4% or 6.3%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 820,780 jobs in the Milwaukee-Waukesha area. That makes it the 38th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.53% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheet metal workers (47-2211) | 40% | $25.09 | $37.90 | $48.97 | $29.71 | 1.28 | metro |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 30% | $23.24 | $28.91 | $34.00 | $26.65 | 1.08 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $22.17 | $27.61 | $37.52 | $22.66 | 1.22 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.20 | |||||
Gutters: what moves the price in Milwaukee
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.
Material
Vinyl is $8-$12 per linear foot installed and aluminum $10-$20. Steel and copper run higher (HomeGuide).
Pick a size, pick a tier: gutters pricing in Milwaukee
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Milwaukee 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 $4,300
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 – $4,300 |
| large house (240 linear ft) | $2,050 – $3,800 | $3,350 – $5,100 | $4,650 – $6,400 |
Get 3 local quotes
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Detailed gutters report for Milwaukee, WI, $9
The report lays out the gutters numbers for Milwaukee, WI line by line, with the local wage and price inputs, permit and timing notes, a quote comparison sheet and the full method. 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 Milwaukee: your questions
+How much does it cost to install gutters in Milwaukee?
For 160 linear ft, expect $1,350 to $4,300 in the Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee?
About $8.55 to $26 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 Milwaukee or Racine?
Racine is 10 miles away. The midpoint for 160 linear ft there is $2,800, which is 1% less than Milwaukee ($2,850). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Milwaukee?
About 44% 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 Milwaukee?
$1,350 to $4,300. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does gutters need a permit in Milwaukee?
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 Milwaukee area (our national range of $0 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Milwaukee expensive for gutters compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Milwaukee is 1% above the Wisconsin statewide estimate ($2,850 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Wisconsin; see the state page to compare them.
+What do sheet metal workers earn in Milwaukee?
The BLS median is $37.90 an hour in the Milwaukee area, compared with $29.71 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $25.09 to $48.97.
+What do basic and premium gutters work cost in Milwaukee?
For 160 linear ft, basic work runs $1,350 to $2,550 and premium work $3,150 to $4,300. 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 Milwaukee?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through November. October 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 Milwaukee
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.