Metal roof cost in San Diego, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (2,000 sq ft of roof)
- $11,700 – $36,500
- Per sq ft of roof
- $5.75 – $18
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +13%
- US $21,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #25
- 1 = most expensive
A metal roof in San Diego, CA usually costs $11,700 to $36,500 for 2,000 sq ft of roof. That works out to about $5.75 to $18 per sq ft of roof before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $2,750 more. Roofers earn a median of $29.90 an hour in the San Diego area, 12% above the US median of $26.65.
Estimate your metal roof cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 2,000 sq ft of roof in San Diego, CA, standard level
$19,100 to $29,000
About $9.40 to $14.50 per sq ft of roof before permits. Labor is about 58% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $6,700 | $12,700 |
| Labor | $12,100 | $15,900 |
| Permits and fees | $290 | $440 |
| Total | $19,100 | $29,000 |
Cost breakdown for 2,000 sq ft of roof in San Diego, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,150 | $9,700 | $17,300 | 40% |
| Labor | $9,350 | $14,000 | $18,700 | 58% |
| Permits and fees | $170 | $360 | $560 | 2% |
| Total | $11,700 | $24,100 | $36,500 | 100% |
Why San Diego prices look the way they do
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, San Diego wages are 1.17 times the national level. Labor makes up about 58% of the midpoint estimate (56% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. San Diego is at 108.0 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $9,000 nationally becomes $9,700 here (midpoint, 2,000 sq ft of roof). Permits follow the all-items index of 111.9: $170 to $560.
Pick a size, pick a tier: metal roof pricing in San Diego
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to San Diego. 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
$11,700 to $21,600
Corrugated or exposed-fastener steel panels
Standard
$19,100 to $29,000
Standing seam steel
Premium
$26,600 to $36,500
Aluminum or premium finish, complex roof
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small (1,200 sq ft of roof) | $7,050 – $13,100 | $11,600 – $17,600 | $16,100 – $22,100 |
| average (2,000 sq ft of roof) | $11,700 – $21,600 | $19,100 – $29,000 | $26,600 – $36,500 |
| large (2,800 sq ft of roof) | $16,200 – $30,100 | $26,600 – $40,500 | $37,000 – $50,900 |
Related projects, priced for San Diego
Jobs that often go together with metal roof are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same San Diego wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, vinyl siding comes out highest (+15%) and attic insulation lowest (+6%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $6,850 – $13,900 | +12% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,450 – $4,750 | +13% |
| Attic insulation | 1,000 sq ft | $1,050 – $4,250 | +6% |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $9,650 – $29,000 | +15% |
What local crews earn in San Diego
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 San Diego the blend is 1.17.
Roofers (47-2181), 70% of the weighting: a median of $29.90 an hour, 12% above the US median of $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $28.47 and $35.44 an hour. About 1,830 work in the metro. That is 11.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 8.7 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Sheet metal workers (47-2211), 20% of the weighting: a median of $38.50 an hour, 30% above the US median of $29.71. The middle half of them earn between $29.99 and $48.73 an hour. About 1,480 work in the metro. That is 9.6 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 $27.49 an hour, which is 21% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $23.31 and $34.32 an hour. BLS counts 8,850 of them working in the area, 57.5 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (roofers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $1,750 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $450. That is a swing of roughly 1.9% to 7.3% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad has 1,538,060 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 18th 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% | $28.47 | $29.90 | $35.44 | $26.65 | 1.12 | metro |
| Sheet metal workers (47-2211) | 20% | $29.99 | $38.50 | $48.73 | $29.71 | 1.30 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 10% | $23.31 | $27.49 | $34.32 | $22.66 | 1.21 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.17 | |||||
Why two San Diego quotes can differ
Metal and gauge
Galvalume and galvanized steel are budget-friendly; copper and zinc are the top of the range.
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).
Is San Diego cheap or dear? The local comparison
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 $19,200 to $24,100 across San Diego and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego, CAthis page | $11,700 – $36,500 | $24,100 | |
| El Centro, CA80 miles | $11,600 – $35,900 | $23,800 | −1% |
| Los Angeles, CA110 miles | $11,600 – $36,200 | $23,900 | −1% |
| Riverside, CA110 miles | $11,200 – $34,900 | $23,100 | −4% |
| Oxnard, CA165 miles | $11,200 – $35,300 | $23,300 | −3% |
| Yuma, AZ165 miles | $8,900 – $29,500 | $19,200 | −20% |
| California (statewide) | $11,700 – $36,400 | $24,100 | level |
| United States | $10,200 – $32,500 | $21,300 | −11% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, San Diego ranks #25 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, San Diego is 0% above the California figure.
Elsewhere in California
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 6,271,560 jobs | $11,600 – $36,200 | $23,900 | −1% |
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $13,700 – $40,700 | $27,200 | +13% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $11,200 – $34,900 | $23,100 | −4% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $14,000 – $40,800 | $27,400 | +14% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $11,600 – $36,100 | $23,900 | −1% |
| Fresno, CA | 476,890 jobs | $11,400 – $35,600 | $23,500 | −2% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is San Diego against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver, CO | 1,609,350 jobs | $10,200 – $32,800 | $21,500 | −11% |
| Tampa, FL | 1,447,120 jobs | $8,850 – $29,400 | $19,100 | −21% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $11,200 – $34,900 | $23,100 | −4% |
| Orlando, FL | 1,411,730 jobs | $8,800 – $29,400 | $19,100 | −21% |
San Diego weather and the metal roof calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, San Diego Montgomery Fld (in the city). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
Weather is not a serious constraint for exterior installation in San Diego: no month in the averages is cold enough (an average daytime high under 45°F) or hot enough (an average daytime high of 90°F or more) to rule it out, so the workable window is all year.
San Diego gets about 11 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, February and March (2.6 inches in February). The station averages about 16 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 | 67 | 46 | 2.3 | Workable |
| Feb | 67 | 47 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Mar | 69 | 50 | 1.6 | Workable |
| Apr | 71 | 52 | 0.8 | Workable |
| May | 72 | 57 | 0.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 75 | 60 | 0.1 | Workable |
| Jul | 80 | 64 | 0.1 | Workable |
| Aug | 82 | 65 | 0.0 | Workable |
| Sep | 81 | 64 | 0.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 78 | 58 | 0.5 | Workable |
| Nov | 73 | 50 | 0.9 | Workable |
| Dec | 67 | 45 | 1.6 | Workable |
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 $19,100 to $29,000 for San Diego, CA is attached.
Take this estimate with you: PDF report, $9
Multi-page report for San Diego, CA: 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.
Metal roof in San Diego: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a metal roof in San Diego?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, expect $11,700 to $36,500 in the San Diego area. A standard-spec job lands at $19,100 to $29,000. 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 San Diego?
About $5.75 to $18 per sq ft of roof for materials and labor, plus $170 to $560 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $5 to $16.
+Is metal roof cheaper in San Diego or El Centro?
El Centro is 80 miles away. The midpoint for 2,000 sq ft of roof there is $23,800, which is 1% less than San Diego ($24,100). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in San Diego?
About 58% at the midpoint, or $14,000 out of $24,100. Materials are 40% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 56%.
+What would average (2,000 sq ft of roof) cost in San Diego?
$11,700 to $36,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does metal roof need a permit in San Diego?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $170 to $560 for fees in the San Diego area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is San Diego expensive for metal roof compared with the rest of California?
San Diego is 0% above the California statewide estimate ($24,100 at the midpoint). We cover 23 metros in California; see the state page to compare them.
+What do roofers earn in San Diego?
The BLS median is $29.90 an hour in the San Diego area, compared with $26.65 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.47 to $35.44.
+What do basic and premium metal roof work cost in San Diego?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, basic work runs $11,700 to $21,600 and premium work $26,600 to $36,500. Basic means: corrugated or exposed-fastener steel panels. Premium means: aluminum or premium finish, complex roof.
+Is there a bad season to install a metal roof in San Diego?
Not from a temperature point of view. NOAA's 1991-2020 normals show no month with a freezing-level overnight low or a 90°F-plus average high, so timing is mostly about contractor availability and rain.
Metal roof near San Diego
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.