Metal roof cost in Decatur, AL
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (2,000 sq ft of roof)
- $8,600 – $28,900
- Per sq ft of roof
- $4.25 – $14
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −12%
- US $21,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #267
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a metal roof in the Decatur area: $8,600 to $28,900 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 12% lower than the US figure. Roofers earn a median of $22.25 an hour in the Decatur area, 17% below the US median of $26.65.
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Estimated cost for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Decatur, AL, standard level
$14,700 to $22,800
About $7.25 to $11 per sq ft of roof before permits. Labor is about 52% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $6,000 | $11,400 |
| Labor | $8,500 | $11,100 |
| Permits and fees | $220 | $340 |
| Total | $14,700 | $22,800 |
Cost breakdown for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Decatur, AL
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,950 | $8,700 | $15,400 | 46% |
| Labor | $6,550 | $9,800 | $13,100 | 52% |
| Permits and fees | $130 | $280 | $440 | 2% |
| Total | $8,600 | $18,800 | $28,900 | 100% |
Where the Decatur price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 3 trades: roofers at 70%, sheet metal workers at 20%, construction laborers at 10%. Weighted together, Decatur wages are 0.82 times the national level. Labor makes up about 52% of the midpoint estimate (56% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Decatur 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 87.2: $130 to $440.
Who does the work: Decatur 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 Decatur the blend is 0.82.
Roofers (47-2181), 70% of the weighting: a median of $22.25 an hour, 17% below the US median of $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $22.00 and $26.72 an hour. About 30 work in the metro. That is 4.9 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 $22.57 an hour, 24% below the US median of $29.71. The middle half of them earn between $19.37 and $25.50 an hour. About 50 work in the metro. That is 8.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 7.7 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 10%) the local median is $18.11 an hour, which is 20% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $15.52 and $23.05 an hour. BLS counts 690 of them working in the area, 112.7 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 $1,400 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $80. That is a swing of roughly 0.4% to 7.5% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Decatur has 61,240 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 283rd 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% | $22.00 | $22.25 | $26.72 | $26.65 | 0.83 | metro |
| Sheet metal workers (47-2211) | 20% | $19.37 | $22.57 | $25.50 | $29.71 | 0.76 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 10% | $15.52 | $18.11 | $23.05 | $22.66 | 0.80 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.82 | |||||
How Decatur compares
Of the five closest metros, 1 is cheaper than Decatur. Tuscaloosa is the lowest at about $18,700 (midpoint, 2,000 sq ft of roof), 105 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decatur, ALthis page | $8,600 – $28,900 | $18,800 | |
| Huntsville, AL30 miles | $8,650 – $29,100 | $18,900 | +1% |
| Birmingham, AL75 miles | $8,650 – $29,100 | $18,900 | +1% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL105 miles | $8,550 – $28,800 | $18,700 | level |
| Chattanooga, TN105 miles | $8,900 – $29,500 | $19,200 | +3% |
| Nashville, TN115 miles | $9,350 – $30,400 | $19,900 | +6% |
| Alabama (statewide) | $8,550 – $28,800 | $18,700 | level |
| United States | $10,200 – $32,500 | $21,300 | +14% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Decatur ranks #267 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Decatur is 0% above the Alabama figure.
Elsewhere in Alabama
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | 520,290 jobs | $8,650 – $29,100 | $18,900 | +1% |
| Huntsville, AL | 266,650 jobs | $8,650 – $29,100 | $18,900 | +1% |
| 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 | level |
| Daphne, AL | 87,120 jobs | $8,600 – $29,000 | $18,800 | level |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Decatur against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe, NM | 61,770 jobs | $8,800 – $29,400 | $19,100 | +2% |
| Dothan, AL | 60,720 jobs | $8,400 – $28,500 | $18,500 | −2% |
| Pueblo, CO | 61,780 jobs | $8,800 – $29,300 | $19,000 | +2% |
| Sheboygan, WI | 60,630 jobs | $11,000 – $33,500 | $22,200 | +19% |
The best months for metal roof in Decatur
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Decatur Pryor Fld (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 Decatur are September through June: 10 of 12. Outside them, July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Decatur gets about 49 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are February, March and December (5.2 inches in December). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 3.2 and 3.2 inches. The station averages about 64 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 | 51 | 32 | 4.6 | Workable |
| Feb | 55 | 35 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Mar | 64 | 42 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Apr | 73 | 50 | 4.5 | Workable |
| May | 81 | 59 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Jun | 88 | 67 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Jul | 90 | 70 | 4.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 90 | 68 | 3.0 | Hot |
| Sep | 85 | 61 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 75 | 50 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Nov | 62 | 39 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Dec | 54 | 35 | 5.2 | Workable |
Related projects, priced for Decatur
Jobs that often go together with metal roof are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Decatur 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% |
Pick a size, pick a tier: metal roof pricing in Decatur
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Decatur. 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
$8,600 to $16,700
Corrugated or exposed-fastener steel panels
Standard
$14,700 to $22,800
Standing seam steel
Premium
$20,800 to $28,900
Aluminum or premium finish, complex roof
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small (1,200 sq ft of roof) | $5,200 – $10,100 | $8,900 – $13,800 | $12,600 – $17,500 |
| average (2,000 sq ft of roof) | $8,600 – $16,700 | $14,700 – $22,800 | $20,800 – $28,900 |
| large (2,800 sq ft of roof) | $12,000 – $23,300 | $20,500 – $31,800 | $29,000 – $40,300 |
Specs and site conditions that change a Decatur bid
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).
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Metal roof in Decatur: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a metal roof in Decatur?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, expect $8,600 to $28,900 in the Decatur area. A standard-spec job lands at $14,700 to $22,800. 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 Decatur?
About $4.25 to $14 per sq ft of roof for materials and labor, plus $130 to $440 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $5 to $16.
+Is metal roof cheaper in Decatur or Huntsville?
Huntsville is 30 miles away. The midpoint for 2,000 sq ft of roof there is $18,900, which is 1% more than Decatur ($18,800). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Decatur?
About 52% at the midpoint, or $9,800 out of $18,800. Materials are 46% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 56%.
+What would average (2,000 sq ft of roof) cost in Decatur?
$8,600 to $28,900. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does metal roof need a permit in Decatur?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $130 to $440 for fees in the Decatur area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Decatur expensive for metal roof compared with the rest of Alabama?
Decatur is 0% 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 Decatur?
The BLS median is $22.25 an hour in the Decatur area, compared with $26.65 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.00 to $26.72.
+What do basic and premium metal roof work cost in Decatur?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, basic work runs $8,600 to $16,700 and premium work $20,800 to $28,900. 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 Decatur?
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 Decatur
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.