Metal roof cost in Rockford, IL
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (2,000 sq ft of roof)
- $11,600 – $34,700
- Per sq ft of roof
- $5.75 – $17
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +8%
- US $21,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #54
- 1 = most expensive
A metal roof in Rockford, IL usually costs $11,600 to $34,700 for 2,000 sq ft of roof. That works out to about $5.75 to $17 per sq ft of roof before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $1,800 more. Roofers earn a median of $31.30 an hour in the Rockford area, 17% above the US median of $26.65.
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Estimated cost for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Rockford, IL, standard level
$18,500 to $27,700
About $9.15 to $13.50 per sq ft of roof before permits. Labor is about 62% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,800 | $11,000 |
| Labor | $12,500 | $16,300 |
| Permits and fees | $230 | $360 |
| Total | $18,500 | $27,700 |
Cost breakdown for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Rockford, IL
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,850 | $8,450 | $15,000 | 36% |
| Labor | $9,600 | $14,400 | $19,200 | 62% |
| Permits and fees | $140 | $300 | $460 | 1% |
| Total | $11,600 | $23,100 | $34,700 | 100% |
Where the Rockford price comes from
The wage side of the estimate leans on roofers, who do 70% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $31.30 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Rockford is 1.20 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 62% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Rockford is at 93.6 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $9,000 nationally becomes $8,450 here (midpoint, 2,000 sq ft of roof). Permits follow the all-items index of 92.2: $140 to $460.
What local crews earn in Rockford
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 Rockford the blend is 1.20.
Roofers (47-2181), 70% of the weighting: a median of $31.30 an hour, 17% above the US median of $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $23.18 and $41.67 an hour. About 180 work in the metro. That is 13.1 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 $37.81 an hour, 27% above the US median of $29.71. The middle half of them earn between $29.13 and $51.71 an hour. About 150 work in the metro. That is 10.9 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 $28.07 an hour, which is 24% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.55 and $38.91 an hour. BLS counts 830 of them working in the area, 60.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is about average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (roofers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $3,250 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $2,550. That is a swing of roughly 11.1% to 14.1% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Rockford has 137,650 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 161st 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% | $23.18 | $31.30 | $41.67 | $26.65 | 1.17 | metro |
| Sheet metal workers (47-2211) | 20% | $29.13 | $37.81 | $51.71 | $29.71 | 1.27 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 10% | $22.55 | $28.07 | $38.91 | $22.66 | 1.24 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.20 | |||||
Rockford 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, Rockford Gtr Rockford 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 Rockford are March through November: 9 of 12. Outside them, January, February and December have an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January, February 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.
Rockford gets about 37 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 37 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and August (5.2 inches in June). Inside the workable window, March and November are the driest, at 2.4 and 2.3 inches. The station averages about 15 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 | 29 | 15 | 1.6 | Cold |
| Feb | 33 | 18 | 1.6 | Cold |
| Mar | 47 | 28 | 2.4 | Workable |
| Apr | 60 | 39 | 3.8 | Workable |
| May | 71 | 50 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Jun | 81 | 60 | 5.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 84 | 64 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Aug | 82 | 62 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Sep | 75 | 54 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Oct | 62 | 42 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Nov | 47 | 31 | 2.3 | Workable |
| Dec | 34 | 20 | 1.9 | Cold |
Rockford against nearby metros and the rest of Illinois
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 $22,300 to $23,200 across Rockford and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rockford, ILthis page | $11,600 – $34,700 | $23,100 | |
| Janesville, WI25 miles | $11,200 – $33,800 | $22,500 | −3% |
| Madison, WI60 miles | $11,100 – $33,600 | $22,300 | −4% |
| Kenosha, WI60 miles | $11,100 – $35,200 | $23,200 | level |
| Racine, WI70 miles | $11,100 – $33,600 | $22,300 | −3% |
| Milwaukee, WI70 miles | $11,100 – $33,700 | $22,400 | −3% |
| Illinois (statewide) | $13,400 – $39,400 | $26,400 | +14% |
| United States | $10,200 – $32,500 | $21,300 | −8% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Rockford ranks #54 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Rockford is 12% below the Illinois figure.
Elsewhere in Illinois
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL | 4,513,280 jobs | $14,100 – $41,300 | $27,700 | +20% |
| Peoria, IL | 166,020 jobs | $13,100 – $37,600 | $25,300 | +9% |
| Champaign, IL | 105,500 jobs | $11,500 – $34,400 | $23,000 | −1% |
| Springfield, IL | 100,810 jobs | $13,300 – $37,900 | $25,600 | +11% |
| Bloomington, IL | 88,110 jobs | $13,200 – $37,700 | $25,400 | +10% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Rockford against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 139,260 jobs | $9,800 – $31,000 | $20,400 | −12% |
| Evansville, IN | 135,250 jobs | $10,900 – $33,300 | $22,100 | −4% |
| Huntington, WV | 140,740 jobs | $9,700 – $31,100 | $20,400 | −12% |
| Flint, MI | 135,040 jobs | $12,300 – $35,900 | $24,100 | +4% |
Specs and site conditions that change a Rockford bid
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.
Labor
Metal roof labor is $4-$8 per sq ft, or $400-$800 per roofing square, and standing seam needs specialist crews.
Planning more than one job in Rockford?
Jobs that often go together with metal roof are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Rockford wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, roof replacement comes out highest (+9%) and attic insulation lowest (−2%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $6,800 – $13,400 | +9% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,400 – $4,350 | +5% |
| Attic insulation | 1,000 sq ft | $1,000 – $3,900 | −2% |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $9,050 – $27,200 | +8% |
Rockford: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Rockford. 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
$11,600 to $20,800
Corrugated or exposed-fastener steel panels
Standard
$18,500 to $27,700
Standing seam steel
Premium
$25,400 to $34,700
Aluminum or premium finish, complex roof
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small (1,200 sq ft of roof) | $7,000 – $12,600 | $11,200 – $16,800 | $15,400 – $21,000 |
| average (2,000 sq ft of roof) | $11,600 – $20,800 | $18,500 – $27,700 | $25,400 – $34,700 |
| large (2,800 sq ft of roof) | $16,200 – $29,100 | $25,800 – $38,700 | $35,500 – $48,300 |
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Detailed metal roof report for Rockford, IL, $9
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Metal roof in Rockford: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a metal roof in Rockford?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, expect $11,600 to $34,700 in the Rockford area. A standard-spec job lands at $18,500 to $27,700. 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 Rockford?
About $5.75 to $17 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 Rockford or Janesville?
Janesville is 25 miles away. The midpoint for 2,000 sq ft of roof there is $22,500, which is 3% less than Rockford ($23,100). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Rockford?
About 62% at the midpoint, or $14,400 out of $23,100. Materials are 36% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 56%.
+What would average (2,000 sq ft of roof) cost in Rockford?
$11,600 to $34,700. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does metal roof need a permit in Rockford?
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 Rockford area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Rockford expensive for metal roof compared with the rest of Illinois?
Rockford is 12% below the Illinois statewide estimate ($26,400 at the midpoint). We cover 6 metros in Illinois; see the state page to compare them.
+What do roofers earn in Rockford?
The BLS median is $31.30 an hour in the Rockford area, compared with $26.65 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.18 to $41.67.
+What do basic and premium metal roof work cost in Rockford?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, basic work runs $11,600 to $20,800 and premium work $25,400 to $34,700. 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 Rockford?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through November. March and November 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 Rockford
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.