Metal roof cost in Birmingham, AL
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (2,000 sq ft of roof)
- $8,650 – $29,100
- Per sq ft of roof
- $4.25 – $14.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −11%
- US $21,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #249
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a metal roof in the Birmingham area: $8,650 to $29,100 for 2,000 sq ft of roof. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint runs 11% lower than the US figure. Roofers earn a median of $22.41 an hour in the Birmingham area, 16% below the US median of $26.65.
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Estimated cost for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Birmingham, AL, standard level
$14,800 to $23,000
About $7.30 to $11.50 per sq ft of roof before permits. Labor is about 52% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $6,000 | $11,400 |
| Labor | $8,600 | $11,200 |
| Permits and fees | $230 | $360 |
| Total | $14,800 | $23,000 |
Cost breakdown for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Birmingham, AL
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,950 | $8,700 | $15,400 | 46% |
| Labor | $6,600 | $9,900 | $13,200 | 52% |
| Permits and fees | $140 | $300 | $460 | 2% |
| Total | $8,650 | $18,900 | $29,100 | 100% |
Where the Birmingham price comes from
Labor is 52% of the midpoint bill here, against 56% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is roofers (70%), sheet metal workers (20%), construction laborers (10%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Birmingham the blended ratio comes out at 0.83.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Birmingham is at 96.4 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $9,000 nationally becomes $8,700 here (midpoint, 2,000 sq ft of roof). Permits follow the all-items index of 91.6: $140 to $460.
How Birmingham compares
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 2,000 sq ft of roof range from $18,600 to $18,900 across Birmingham and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, ALthis page | $8,650 – $29,100 | $18,900 | |
| Tuscaloosa, AL60 miles | $8,550 – $28,800 | $18,700 | −1% |
| Decatur, AL75 miles | $8,600 – $28,900 | $18,800 | −1% |
| Montgomery, AL80 miles | $8,650 – $29,000 | $18,800 | level |
| Huntsville, AL90 miles | $8,650 – $29,100 | $18,900 | level |
| Auburn, AL100 miles | $8,500 – $28,800 | $18,600 | −1% |
| Alabama (statewide) | $8,550 – $28,800 | $18,700 | −1% |
| United States | $10,200 – $32,500 | $21,300 | +13% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Birmingham ranks #249 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Birmingham is 1% above the Alabama figure.
Elsewhere in Alabama
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huntsville, AL | 266,650 jobs | $8,650 – $29,100 | $18,900 | level |
| Mobile, AL | 172,550 jobs | $8,500 – $28,800 | $18,600 | −1% |
| Montgomery, AL | 165,550 jobs | $8,650 – $29,000 | $18,800 | level |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 108,460 jobs | $8,550 – $28,800 | $18,700 | −1% |
| Daphne, AL | 87,120 jobs | $8,600 – $29,000 | $18,800 | −1% |
| Auburn, AL | 72,710 jobs | $8,500 – $28,800 | $18,600 | −1% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Birmingham against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo, NY | 534,550 jobs | $11,200 – $34,600 | $22,900 | +21% |
| Omaha, NE | 498,100 jobs | $9,500 – $30,400 | $20,000 | +6% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | 598,260 jobs | $9,200 – $29,900 | $19,600 | +4% |
| Rochester, NY | 494,280 jobs | $10,800 – $33,700 | $22,200 | +18% |
The best months for metal roof in Birmingham
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Birmingham Ap (5 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For exterior installation, the comfortable months in Birmingham are September through June: 10 of 12. Outside them, July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Birmingham gets about 57 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 1 inches of snow. The wettest months are March, April and July (5.7 inches in March). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 4.0 and 3.3 inches. The station averages about 65 days a year at 90°F or above.
We do not adjust the estimate by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. It is still worth asking contractors whether an off-peak start date changes their bid.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 55 | 35 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Feb | 59 | 38 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Mar | 67 | 45 | 5.7 | Workable |
| Apr | 75 | 52 | 5.1 | Workable |
| May | 82 | 61 | 4.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 88 | 69 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Jul | 91 | 72 | 5.4 | Hot |
| Aug | 91 | 71 | 4.3 | Hot |
| Sep | 86 | 65 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 76 | 54 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Nov | 65 | 43 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 57 | 38 | 4.9 | Workable |
Why two Birmingham quotes can differ
Labor
Metal roof labor is $4-$8 per sq ft, or $400-$800 per roofing square, and standing seam needs specialist crews.
Other metals
Tin runs $600-$1,800 per roofing square (100 sq ft) installed and aluminum $700-$1,700 per square (HomeGuide).
Panel type
Corrugated sheet metal is $5-$12 per sq ft installed; standing seam is $9-$16 (HomeGuide).
Who does the work: Birmingham trade wages
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 3 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For Birmingham the blend is 0.83.
Roofers (47-2181), 70% of the weighting: a median of $22.41 an hour, 16% below the US median of $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $20.90 and $27.09 an hour. About 260 work in the metro. That is 5.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 8.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Sheet metal workers (47-2211), 20% of the weighting: a median of $23.12 an hour, 22% below the US median of $29.71. The middle half of them earn between $18.51 and $28.91 an hour. About 530 work in the metro. That is 10.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 7.7 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 10%) the local median is $18.45 an hour, which is 19% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $15.51 and $22.60 an hour. BLS counts 4,780 of them working in the area, 91.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (roofers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $1,500 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $480. That is a swing of roughly 2.5% to 7.8% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Birmingham has 520,290 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 50th by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roofers (47-2181) | 70% | $20.90 | $22.41 | $27.09 | $26.65 | 0.84 | metro |
| Sheet metal workers (47-2211) | 20% | $18.51 | $23.12 | $28.91 | $29.71 | 0.78 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 10% | $15.51 | $18.45 | $22.60 | $22.66 | 0.81 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.83 | |||||
Related projects, priced for Birmingham
Jobs that often go together with metal roof are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Birmingham wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, attic insulation comes out highest (−4%) and roof replacement lowest (−12%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $5,300 – $11,100 | −12% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,150 – $3,800 | −10% |
| Attic insulation | 1,000 sq ft | $960 – $3,850 | −4% |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $7,500 – $22,500 | −11% |
Cost by quality level and size in Birmingham
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Birmingham. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from small (1,200 sq ft of roof) to large (2,800 sq ft of roof).
Basic
$8,650 to $16,800
Corrugated or exposed-fastener steel panels
Standard
$14,800 to $23,000
Standing seam steel
Premium
$20,900 to $29,100
Aluminum or premium finish, complex roof
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small (1,200 sq ft of roof) | $5,250 – $10,200 | $8,950 – $13,900 | $12,700 – $17,600 |
| average (2,000 sq ft of roof) | $8,650 – $16,800 | $14,800 – $23,000 | $20,900 – $29,100 |
| large (2,800 sq ft of roof) | $12,100 – $23,500 | $20,600 – $32,000 | $29,200 – $40,500 |
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Detailed metal roof report for Birmingham, AL, $9
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Metal roof in Birmingham: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a metal roof in Birmingham?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, expect $8,650 to $29,100 in the Birmingham area. A standard-spec job lands at $14,800 to $23,000. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft of roof and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft of roof for metal roof in Birmingham?
About $4.25 to $14.50 per sq ft of roof for materials and labor, plus $140 to $460 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $5 to $16.
+Is metal roof cheaper in Birmingham or Tuscaloosa?
Tuscaloosa is 60 miles away. The midpoint for 2,000 sq ft of roof there is $18,700, which is 1% less than Birmingham ($18,900). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Birmingham?
About 52% at the midpoint, or $9,900 out of $18,900. Materials are 46% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 56%.
+What would average (2,000 sq ft of roof) cost in Birmingham?
$8,650 to $29,100. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does metal roof need a permit in Birmingham?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $140 to $460 for fees in the Birmingham area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Birmingham expensive for metal roof compared with the rest of Alabama?
Birmingham is 1% above the Alabama statewide estimate ($18,700 at the midpoint). We cover 9 metros in Alabama; see the state page to compare them.
+What do roofers earn in Birmingham?
The BLS median is $22.41 an hour in the Birmingham area, compared with $26.65 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $20.90 to $27.09.
+What do basic and premium metal roof work cost in Birmingham?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, basic work runs $8,650 to $16,800 and premium work $20,900 to $29,100. Basic means: corrugated or exposed-fastener steel panels. Premium means: aluminum or premium finish, complex roof.
+When is the best time to install a metal roof in Birmingham?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through June. September 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.
Metal roof near Birmingham
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 a Metal Roof Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: 2026 Building Permit Costs | Fees & Cost Calculator (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 HomeGuide's $4-$8/sq ft labor range for metal roofs.