Gutters cost in Wausau, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (160 linear ft)
- $1,350 – $4,250
- Per linear ft
- $8.40 – $25.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +2%
- US $2,750
- Rank of 300 metros
- #89
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install gutters in Wausau, plan on $1,350 to $4,250 for 160 linear ft, all in. Per linear ft, that is $8.40 to $25.50 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint lands close to the national one. Sheet metal workers earn a median of $37.18 an hour in the Wausau area, 25% above the US median of $29.71.
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Estimated cost for 160 linear ft in Wausau, WI, standard level
$2,200 to $3,400
About $13.50 to $20.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 43% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $1,850 |
| Labor | $1,000 | $1,400 |
| Permits and fees | $55 | $130 |
| Total | $2,200 | $3,400 |
Cost breakdown for 160 linear ft in Wausau, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $600 | $1,500 | $2,400 | 54% |
| Labor | $740 | $1,200 | $1,650 | 43% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $95 | $190 | 3% |
| Total | $1,350 | $2,800 | $4,250 | 100% |
Why Wausau prices look the way they do
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 3 trades: sheet metal workers at 40%, roofers at 30%, construction laborers at 30%. Weighted together, Wausau wages are 1.16 times the national level. Labor makes up about 43% of the midpoint estimate (38% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Wausau 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 (92.7) and land at $0 to $190.
Data note: 30% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Wausau. The wage table below marks each row.
Climate in Wausau: timing your gutters job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Wausau Dwtn Ap (5 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 Wausau (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.
Wausau gets about 34 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 64 inches of snow. The wettest months are June, July and August (4.7 inches in June). Inside the workable window, April and October are the driest, at 3.1 and 3.1 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 | 1.2 | Cold |
| Feb | 27 | 10 | 1.1 | Cold |
| Mar | 40 | 21 | 1.8 | Cold |
| Apr | 54 | 32 | 3.1 | Workable |
| May | 67 | 45 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Jun | 76 | 55 | 4.7 | Workable |
| Jul | 80 | 59 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Aug | 78 | 57 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Sep | 70 | 49 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Oct | 56 | 37 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Nov | 40 | 25 | 1.9 | Cold |
| Dec | 28 | 14 | 1.5 | Cold |
Wausau against nearby metros and the rest of Wisconsin
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 $2,700 to $2,900 across Wausau and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wausau, WIthis page | $1,350 – $4,250 | $2,800 | |
| Eau Claire, WI75 miles | $1,350 – $4,250 | $2,800 | −1% |
| Oshkosh, WI80 miles | $1,250 – $4,100 | $2,700 | −4% |
| Appleton, WI80 miles | $1,400 – $4,350 | $2,900 | +3% |
| Green Bay, WI90 miles | $1,350 – $4,250 | $2,800 | level |
| La Crosse, WI105 miles | $1,350 – $4,300 | $2,800 | +1% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $1,350 – $4,300 | $2,850 | +1% |
| United States | $1,300 – $4,200 | $2,750 | −2% |
Across 300 US metros, Wausau comes in at #89 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, Wausau is 1% below the Wisconsin figure.
Other Wisconsin metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $1,350 – $4,300 | $2,850 | +2% |
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $1,350 – $4,300 | $2,800 | +1% |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $1,350 – $4,250 | $2,800 | level |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $1,400 – $4,350 | $2,900 | +3% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $1,250 – $4,100 | $2,700 | −4% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $1,350 – $4,250 | $2,800 | −1% |
Cities with a workforce like Wausau's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Wausau against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Janesville, WI | 69,870 jobs | $1,350 – $4,250 | $2,800 | level |
| Yuma, AZ | 68,880 jobs | $1,150 – $3,900 | $2,500 | −10% |
| Lexington Park, MD | 70,650 jobs | $1,300 – $4,250 | $2,750 | −1% |
| State College, PA | 68,840 jobs | $1,300 – $4,250 | $2,800 | level |
Specs and site conditions that change a Wausau bid
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.
Stories
Two-story homes add $1-$3 per linear foot for ladders and fall protection.
Wausau 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 Wausau is 1.16 times the national level.
For sheet metal workers (47-2211, weighted 40%) the local median is $37.18 an hour, which is 25% above the national $29.71. The middle half of them earn between $23.60 and $42.90 an hour. BLS counts 170 of them working in the area, 24.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 7.7), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Roofers (47-2181) carry 30% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Wausau metro, so we used the Wisconsin statewide median: $28.54 an hour against $26.65 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $23.01 and $31.41 an hour.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 30% of the weighting: a median of $25.30 an hour, 12% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.07 and $30.00 an hour. About 510 work in the metro. That is 73.3 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 ($42.90 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $80. At the 25th percentile ($23.60) it shrinks by about $190. The total moves by 2.9% or 6.8%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 69,530 jobs in the Wausau area. That makes it the 261st 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% | $23.60 | $37.18 | $42.90 | $29.71 | 1.25 | metro |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 30% | $23.01 | $28.54 | $31.41 | $26.65 | 1.07 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $22.07 | $25.30 | $30.00 | $22.66 | 1.12 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.16 | |||||
What nearby projects cost in Wausau
Because every project leans on different trades, Wausau's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, French drain runs +16% and vinyl siding −5%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $6,350 – $12,700 | +2% |
| Metal roof | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $10,900 – $33,300 | +4% |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $7,950 – $23,900 | −5% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $700 – $2,450 | +16% |
| Attic insulation | 1,000 sq ft | $980 – $3,850 | −3% |
Cost by quality level and size in Wausau
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Wausau 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 $2,500
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) | $1,000 – $1,900 | $1,650 – $2,550 | $2,350 – $3,250 |
| average house (160 linear ft) | $1,350 – $2,500 | $2,200 – $3,400 | $3,100 – $4,250 |
| large house (240 linear ft) | $2,000 – $3,700 | $3,300 – $5,000 | $4,600 – $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 Wausau, WI is attached.
Detailed gutters report for Wausau, WI, $9
The report lays out the gutters numbers for Wausau, 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 Wausau: your questions
+How much does it cost to install gutters in Wausau?
For 160 linear ft, expect $1,350 to $4,250 in the Wausau 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 Wausau?
About $8.40 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 Wausau or Eau Claire?
Eau Claire is 75 miles away. The midpoint for 160 linear ft there is $2,800, which is 1% less than Wausau ($2,800). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Wausau?
About 43% at the midpoint, or $1,200 out of $2,800. Materials are 54% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 38%.
+What would average house (160 linear ft) cost in Wausau?
$1,350 to $4,250. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does gutters need a permit in Wausau?
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 Wausau area (our national range of $0 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Wausau expensive for gutters compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Wausau is 1% below 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 Wausau?
The BLS median is $37.18 an hour in the Wausau area, compared with $29.71 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.60 to $42.90.
+What do basic and premium gutters work cost in Wausau?
For 160 linear ft, basic work runs $1,350 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 Wausau?
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 Wausau
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.