Metal roof cost in San Francisco, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (2,000 sq ft of roof)
- $13,700 – $40,700
- Per sq ft of roof
- $6.80 – $20
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +28%
- US $21,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #4
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a metal roof in the San Francisco area: $13,700 to $40,700 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 28% higher than the US figure. Roofers earn a median of $35.74 an hour in the San Francisco area, 34% above the US median of $26.65.
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Estimated cost for 2,000 sq ft of roof in San Francisco, CA, standard level
$21,800 to $32,600
About $11 to $16 per sq ft of roof before permits. Labor is about 63% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $6,700 | $12,800 |
| Labor | $14,800 | $19,400 |
| Permits and fees | $290 | $460 |
| Total | $21,800 | $32,600 |
Cost breakdown for 2,000 sq ft of roof in San Francisco, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,150 | $9,750 | $17,400 | 36% |
| Labor | $11,400 | $17,100 | $22,800 | 63% |
| Permits and fees | $170 | $380 | $580 | 1% |
| Total | $13,700 | $27,200 | $40,700 | 100% |
Where the San Francisco price comes from
Labor is 63% 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 San Francisco the blended ratio comes out at 1.43.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. San Francisco is at 108.5 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $9,000 nationally becomes $9,750 here (midpoint, 2,000 sq ft of roof). Permits follow the all-items index of 115.6: $170 to $580.
Who does the work: San Francisco 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 San Francisco the blend is 1.43.
Roofers (47-2181), 70% of the weighting: a median of $35.74 an hour, 34% above the US median of $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $29.86 and $37.91 an hour. About 2,610 work in the metro. That is 11.0 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 $49.35 an hour, 66% above the US median of $29.71. The middle half of them earn between $34.66 and $70.04 an hour. About 880 work in the metro. That is 3.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 7.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 10%) the local median is $34.91 an hour, which is 54% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $28.03 and $40.50 an hour. BLS counts 11,620 of them working in the area, 48.9 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 $680 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $1,850. That is a swing of roughly 6.8% to 2.5% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont has 2,373,920 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 12th 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% | $29.86 | $35.74 | $37.91 | $26.65 | 1.34 | metro |
| Sheet metal workers (47-2211) | 20% | $34.66 | $49.35 | $70.04 | $29.71 | 1.66 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 10% | $28.03 | $34.91 | $40.50 | $22.66 | 1.54 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.43 | |||||
The best months for metal roof in San Francisco
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, San Francisco Dwtn (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 Francisco: 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 Francisco gets about 23 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, February and December (4.8 inches in December). The station averages about 3 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 | 58 | 47 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Feb | 60 | 48 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Mar | 62 | 49 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Apr | 63 | 50 | 1.6 | Workable |
| May | 64 | 51 | 0.7 | Workable |
| Jun | 67 | 53 | 0.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 66 | 54 | 0.0 | Workable |
| Aug | 68 | 56 | 0.1 | Workable |
| Sep | 70 | 56 | 0.1 | Workable |
| Oct | 70 | 54 | 0.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 64 | 51 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Dec | 58 | 47 | 4.8 | Workable |
Pick a size, pick a tier: metal roof pricing in San Francisco
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to San Francisco. 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
$13,700 to $24,500
Corrugated or exposed-fastener steel panels
Standard
$21,800 to $32,600
Standing seam steel
Premium
$29,900 to $40,700
Aluminum or premium finish, complex roof
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small (1,200 sq ft of roof) | $8,300 – $14,900 | $13,200 – $19,800 | $18,100 – $24,700 |
| average (2,000 sq ft of roof) | $13,700 – $24,500 | $21,800 – $32,600 | $29,900 – $40,700 |
| large (2,800 sq ft of roof) | $19,200 – $34,200 | $30,500 – $45,500 | $41,700 – $56,800 |
Specs and site conditions that change a San Francisco bid
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).
Metal and gauge
Galvalume and galvanized steel are budget-friendly; copper and zinc are the top of the range.
Related projects, priced for San Francisco
Jobs that often go together with metal roof are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same San Francisco wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, vinyl siding comes out highest (+30%) and attic insulation lowest (+25%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $7,900 – $15,600 | +26% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,650 – $5,200 | +26% |
| Attic insulation | 1,000 sq ft | $1,300 – $4,950 | +25% |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $10,900 – $32,700 | +30% |
Is San Francisco 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 $23,300 to $27,200 across San Francisco and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CAthis page | $13,700 – $40,700 | $27,200 | |
| Vallejo, CA40 miles | $11,300 – $35,400 | $23,400 | −14% |
| Napa, CA50 miles | $11,700 – $36,200 | $24,000 | −12% |
| Santa Cruz, CA55 miles | $11,500 – $35,800 | $23,600 | −13% |
| Stockton, CA55 miles | $11,300 – $35,400 | $23,300 | −14% |
| Santa Rosa, CA65 miles | $11,700 – $36,200 | $23,900 | −12% |
| California (statewide) | $11,700 – $36,400 | $24,100 | −12% |
| United States | $10,200 – $32,500 | $21,300 | −22% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, San Francisco ranks #4 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, San Francisco is 13% 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 | −12% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $11,200 – $34,900 | $23,100 | −15% |
| San Diego, CA | 1,538,060 jobs | $11,700 – $36,500 | $24,100 | −12% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $14,000 – $40,800 | $27,400 | +1% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $11,600 – $36,100 | $23,900 | −12% |
| Fresno, CA | 476,890 jobs | $11,400 – $35,600 | $23,500 | −14% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is San Francisco against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix, AZ | 2,375,760 jobs | $9,000 – $29,600 | $19,300 | −29% |
| Seattle, WA | 2,086,210 jobs | $12,600 – $37,900 | $25,200 | −7% |
| Boston, MA | 2,703,890 jobs | $12,100 – $36,300 | $24,200 | −11% |
| Minneapolis, MN | 1,951,650 jobs | $12,800 – $38,100 | $25,500 | −7% |
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 $21,800 to $32,600 for San Francisco, CA is attached.
Detailed metal roof report for San Francisco, CA, $9
Multi-page report for San Francisco, 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 Francisco: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a metal roof in San Francisco?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, expect $13,700 to $40,700 in the San Francisco area. A standard-spec job lands at $21,800 to $32,600. 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 Francisco?
About $6.80 to $20 per sq ft of roof for materials and labor, plus $170 to $580 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $5 to $16.
+Is metal roof cheaper in San Francisco or Vallejo?
Vallejo is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 2,000 sq ft of roof there is $23,400, which is 14% less than San Francisco ($27,200). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in San Francisco?
About 63% at the midpoint, or $17,100 out of $27,200. Materials are 36% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 56%.
+What would average (2,000 sq ft of roof) cost in San Francisco?
$13,700 to $40,700. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does metal roof need a permit in San Francisco?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $170 to $580 for fees in the San Francisco area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is San Francisco expensive for metal roof compared with the rest of California?
San Francisco is 13% 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 Francisco?
The BLS median is $35.74 an hour in the San Francisco area, compared with $26.65 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $29.86 to $37.91.
+What do basic and premium metal roof work cost in San Francisco?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, basic work runs $13,700 to $24,500 and premium work $29,900 to $40,700. 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 Francisco?
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 Francisco
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.