Metal roof cost in Cedar Rapids, IA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (2,000 sq ft of roof)
- $9,800 – $31,000
- Per sq ft of roof
- $4.85 – $15.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −4%
- US $21,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #139
- 1 = most expensive
A metal roof in Cedar Rapids, IA usually costs $9,800 to $31,000 for 2,000 sq ft of roof. That works out to about $4.85 to $15.50 per sq ft of roof before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $920 less. Building materials run about 6% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 93.7).
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Estimated cost for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Cedar Rapids, IA, standard level
$16,200 to $24,600
About $7.95 to $12 per sq ft of roof before permits. Labor is about 57% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,800 | $11,100 |
| Labor | $10,100 | $13,200 |
| Permits and fees | $230 | $350 |
| Total | $16,200 | $24,600 |
Cost breakdown for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Cedar Rapids, IA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,850 | $8,450 | $15,000 | 41% |
| Labor | $7,800 | $11,700 | $15,600 | 57% |
| Permits and fees | $130 | $290 | $440 | 1% |
| Total | $9,800 | $20,400 | $31,000 | 100% |
What is behind the Cedar Rapids number
The wage side of the estimate leans on roofers, who do 70% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $23.00 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Cedar Rapids is 0.97 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 57% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Cedar Rapids is at 93.7 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 89.0: $130 to $440.
Planning more than one job in Cedar Rapids?
Jobs that often go together with metal roof are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Cedar Rapids wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, attic insulation comes out highest (level) and roof replacement lowest (−9%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $5,500 – $11,400 | −9% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,300 – $4,150 | level |
| Attic insulation | 1,000 sq ft | $1,050 – $4,000 | level |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $8,250 – $24,700 | −2% |
Cedar Rapids: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Cedar Rapids. 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
$9,800 to $18,300
Corrugated or exposed-fastener steel panels
Standard
$16,200 to $24,600
Standing seam steel
Premium
$22,500 to $31,000
Aluminum or premium finish, complex roof
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small (1,200 sq ft of roof) | $5,950 – $11,100 | $9,800 – $14,900 | $13,600 – $18,800 |
| average (2,000 sq ft of roof) | $9,800 – $18,300 | $16,200 – $24,600 | $22,500 – $31,000 |
| large (2,800 sq ft of roof) | $13,700 – $25,500 | $22,500 – $34,400 | $31,400 – $43,200 |
What local crews earn in Cedar Rapids
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 Cedar Rapids the blend is 0.97.
Roofers (47-2181), 70% of the weighting: a median of $23.00 an hour, 14% below the US median of $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $22.42 and $29.18 an hour. About 120 work in the metro. That is 8.6 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 8.7 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
Sheet metal workers (47-2211), 20% of the weighting: a median of $39.47 an hour, 33% above the US median of $29.71. The middle half of them earn between $29.27 and $43.97 an hour. About 190 work in the metro. That is 13.6 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 $23.40 an hour, which is 3% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.73 and $28.57 an hour. BLS counts 990 of them working in the area, 71.1 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 $1,950 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $180. That is a swing of roughly 0.9% to 9.5% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Cedar Rapids has 139,260 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 160th 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% | $22.42 | $23.00 | $29.18 | $26.65 | 0.86 | metro |
| Sheet metal workers (47-2211) | 20% | $29.27 | $39.47 | $43.97 | $29.71 | 1.33 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 10% | $21.73 | $23.40 | $28.57 | $22.66 | 1.03 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.97 | |||||
Why two Cedar Rapids quotes can differ
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.
How Cedar Rapids 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 $19,800 to $22,200 across Cedar Rapids and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IAthis page | $9,800 – $31,000 | $20,400 | |
| Iowa City, IA40 miles | $9,450 – $30,400 | $19,900 | −2% |
| Dubuque, IA45 miles | $9,450 – $30,400 | $19,900 | −2% |
| Waterloo, IA55 miles | $9,400 – $30,200 | $19,800 | −3% |
| Davenport, IA75 miles | $9,700 – $30,900 | $20,300 | −1% |
| La Crosse, WI115 miles | $11,000 – $33,400 | $22,200 | +9% |
| Iowa (statewide) | $9,450 – $30,400 | $19,900 | −2% |
| United States | $10,200 – $32,500 | $21,300 | +5% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Cedar Rapids ranks #139 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Cedar Rapids is 2% above the Iowa figure.
Elsewhere in Iowa
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA | 404,130 jobs | $9,550 – $30,600 | $20,100 | −2% |
| Davenport, IA | 180,450 jobs | $9,700 – $30,900 | $20,300 | −1% |
| Iowa City, IA | 93,760 jobs | $9,450 – $30,400 | $19,900 | −2% |
| Waterloo, IA | 84,260 jobs | $9,400 – $30,200 | $19,800 | −3% |
| Sioux City, IA | 75,010 jobs | $9,350 – $30,100 | $19,700 | −3% |
| Dubuque, IA | 58,470 jobs | $9,450 – $30,400 | $19,900 | −2% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Cedar Rapids against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huntington, WV | 140,740 jobs | $9,700 – $31,100 | $20,400 | level |
| Rockford, IL | 137,650 jobs | $11,600 – $34,700 | $23,100 | +13% |
| Vallejo, CA | 144,130 jobs | $11,300 – $35,400 | $23,400 | +15% |
| Evansville, IN | 135,250 jobs | $10,900 – $33,300 | $22,100 | +8% |
Cedar Rapids 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, Cedar Rapids Muni 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 Cedar Rapids 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.
Cedar Rapids gets about 36 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are May, June and July (5.6 inches in June). Inside the workable window, March and November are the driest, at 2.0 and 2.0 inches. The station averages about 12 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 | 28 | 11 | 0.9 | Cold |
| Feb | 33 | 16 | 1.2 | Cold |
| Mar | 46 | 27 | 2.0 | Workable |
| Apr | 60 | 38 | 3.6 | Workable |
| May | 71 | 50 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 80 | 60 | 5.6 | Workable |
| Jul | 83 | 63 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Aug | 81 | 60 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Sep | 75 | 52 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Oct | 62 | 40 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 46 | 28 | 2.0 | Workable |
| Dec | 33 | 17 | 1.6 | Cold |
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Metal roof in Cedar Rapids: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a metal roof in Cedar Rapids?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, expect $9,800 to $31,000 in the Cedar Rapids area. A standard-spec job lands at $16,200 to $24,600. 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 Cedar Rapids?
About $4.85 to $15.50 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 Cedar Rapids or Iowa City?
Iowa City is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 2,000 sq ft of roof there is $19,900, which is 2% less than Cedar Rapids ($20,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Cedar Rapids?
About 57% at the midpoint, or $11,700 out of $20,400. Materials are 41% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 56%.
+What would average (2,000 sq ft of roof) cost in Cedar Rapids?
$9,800 to $31,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does metal roof need a permit in Cedar Rapids?
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 Cedar Rapids area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Cedar Rapids expensive for metal roof compared with the rest of Iowa?
Cedar Rapids is 2% above the Iowa statewide estimate ($19,900 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Iowa; see the state page to compare them.
+What do roofers earn in Cedar Rapids?
The BLS median is $23.00 an hour in the Cedar Rapids area, compared with $26.65 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.42 to $29.18.
+What do basic and premium metal roof work cost in Cedar Rapids?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, basic work runs $9,800 to $18,300 and premium work $22,500 to $31,000. 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 Cedar Rapids?
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 Cedar Rapids
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.