Metal roof cost in Nebraska
Statewide estimate from BLS wages and BEA prices. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Statewide range (2,000 sq ft of roof)
- $9,200 – $29,800
- Per sq ft of roof
- $4.50 – $14.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −9%
- US $21,300
- Metros covered
- 2
Nebraska prices for metal roof: $9,200 to $29,800 for 2,000 sq ft of roof, or $4.50 to $14.50 per sq ft of roof without the permit. The state midpoint is 9% below the national one. Local wages for roofers are $22.34 an hour.
Inside Nebraska, the metros we cover range from $19,200 (Lincoln) to $20,000 (Omaha) at the midpoint.
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Estimated cost for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Nebraska (statewide), standard level
$15,400 to $23,600
About $7.55 to $11.50 per sq ft of roof before permits. Labor is about 55% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,850 | $11,100 |
| Labor | $9,300 | $12,200 |
| Permits and fees | $230 | $360 |
| Total | $15,400 | $23,600 |
Cost breakdown for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Nebraska
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,900 | $8,450 | $15,100 | 43% |
| Labor | $7,150 | $10,700 | $14,300 | 55% |
| Permits and fees | $140 | $290 | $450 | 2% |
| Total | $9,200 | $19,500 | $29,800 | 100% |
Metal roof cost by metro in Nebraska
1 of the 2 metros sit above the statewide midpoint of $19,500, and the top-to-bottom gap is 4%. Each row prices the default size with that metro's own BLS wages and BEA price levels, so the gap between rows is real local variation rather than a flat markup.
| Metro | Range (2,000 sq ft of roof) | Midpoint | vs. state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE | $9,500 – $30,400 | $20,000 | +2% |
| Lincoln, NE | $8,950 – $29,400 | $19,200 | −2% |
Nebraska versus the states around it
Nebraska ranks 37 of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) for metal roof, where 1 is the most expensive. The costliest is New Jersey at $26,800 and the cheapest Mississippi at $18,600, both for 2,000 sq ft of roof at the midpoint. Nebraska sits at $19,500. The five states closest by workforce center are listed below.
| State | Distance | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa | 190 miles away | $9,450 – $30,400 | $19,900 | +2% |
| South Dakota | 220 miles away | $8,900 – $29,400 | $19,100 | −2% |
| Kansas | 220 miles away | $9,150 – $29,800 | $19,500 | level |
| Missouri | 270 miles away | $9,600 – $30,900 | $20,200 | +4% |
| Minnesota | 320 miles away | $12,600 – $37,400 | $25,000 | +28% |
When Nebraska weather lets you install
Season matters for metal roof. For each Nebraska metro below we took NOAA's 1991-2020 monthly normals from the nearest suitable station and counted comfortable months for exterior installation.
Every Nebraska metro on the list has 9 comfortable months, though rainfall ranges from 29 inches a year in Lincoln to 32 in Omaha.
We do not adjust prices by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. Timing is still worth raising when you collect bids.
| Metro | Jan avg low °F | Jul avg high °F | Precip (in/yr) | Comfortable months |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha | 15 | 88 | 32 | 9: March through November |
| Lincoln | 14 | 89 | 29 | 9: March through November |
Nebraska labor market for metal roof
Statewide wages come from BLS's state-level estimates, which blend big cities with small towns and rural areas. 3 trades drive the labor line for this job, and the weighted ratio against the national wage level is 0.90 for Nebraska.
For roofers (47-2181, weighted 70%) the local median is $22.34 an hour, which is 16% below the national $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $19.03 and $26.75 an hour. BLS counts 1,730 of them working in the state, 16.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 8.7), so the local bench is deeper than average.
For sheet metal workers (47-2211, weighted 20%) the local median is $30.98 an hour, which is 4% above the national $29.71. The middle half of them earn between $22.13 and $42.46 an hour. BLS counts 440 of them working in the state, 4.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 7.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 10% of the weighting: a median of $22.72 an hour, in line with the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $19.38 and $26.71 an hour. About 8,530 work in the state. That is 83.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
A crew paid at the 75th percentile for roofers ($26.75 an hour) would add about $1,400 to the statewide midpoint; one at the 25th percentile ($19.03) would take off about $1,050. Use that as a rough guide to how far a bid can sit from our midpoint on wages alone.
BLS counts 1,024,370 jobs across Nebraska (May 2025), which is 0.7% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roofers (47-2181) | 70% | $19.03 | $22.34 | $26.75 | $26.65 | 0.84 | state |
| Sheet metal workers (47-2211) | 20% | $22.13 | $30.98 | $42.46 | $29.71 | 1.04 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 10% | $19.38 | $22.72 | $26.71 | $22.66 | 1.00 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 0.90 | |||||
Other Nebraska jobs that often go with metal roof
The table prices neighboring jobs at their usual sizes using statewide Nebraska wages and prices. Against national midpoints, attic insulation comes out highest (+10%) and roof replacement lowest (−11%), because each job leans on different trades.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $5,400 – $11,200 | −11% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,200 – $4,000 | −5% |
| Attic insulation | 1,000 sq ft | $1,150 – $4,350 | +10% |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $7,750 – $23,200 | −8% |
Quality levels and sizes in Nebraska
The cited range is cut into three overlapping bands (basic, standard and premium) and scaled to statewide Nebraska wages and prices. The grid prices the same bands at 3 common sizes.
Basic
$9,200 to $17,400
Corrugated or exposed-fastener steel panels
Standard
$15,400 to $23,600
Standing seam steel
Premium
$21,600 to $29,800
Aluminum or premium finish, complex roof
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small (1,200 sq ft of roof) | $5,550 – $10,600 | $9,300 – $14,300 | $13,100 – $18,100 |
| average (2,000 sq ft of roof) | $9,200 – $17,400 | $15,400 – $23,600 | $21,600 – $29,800 |
| large (2,800 sq ft of roof) | $12,800 – $24,300 | $21,400 – $33,000 | $30,100 – $41,600 |
Metal roof: what moves the price in Nebraska
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.
Other metals
Tin runs $600-$1,800 per roofing square (100 sq ft) installed and aluminum $700-$1,700 per square (HomeGuide).
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Detailed metal roof report for Nebraska, $9
Multi-page report for Nebraska: 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 Nebraska: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a metal roof in Nebraska?
$9,200 to $29,800 for 2,000 sq ft of roof, using statewide wages and prices. Metro areas inside Nebraska can sit above or below that.
+Which city in Nebraska is cheapest for metal roof?
Lincoln at about $19,200 (midpoint, 2,000 sq ft of roof). The priciest is Omaha at $20,000.
+Is metal roof cheaper in Nebraska than the US average?
It is 9% cheaper: $19,500 against $21,300 for 2,000 sq ft of roof at the midpoint.
+What share of the price is labor in Nebraska?
About 55% ($10,700). Materials are 43%. Statewide labor for this job is weighted 0.90x the national wage level.
+What do roofers earn in Nebraska?
The BLS statewide median is $22.34 an hour, against $26.65 for the US. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $19.03 to $26.75.
+Where does Nebraska rank for metal roof costs?
37th most expensive of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) at the midpoint, $19,500 for 2,000 sq ft of roof. Rank 1 is the costliest.
+What do basic and premium metal roof work cost in Nebraska?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, basic work runs $9,200 to $17,400 and premium work $21,600 to $29,800. Basic means: corrugated or exposed-fastener steel panels. Premium means: aluminum or premium finish, complex roof.
+Does the season matter for metal roof in Nebraska?
Yes where winters or summers are hard. Of the Nebraska metros we cover, Omaha has the most comfortable months (9 of 12) based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals. Our prices do not change by month, so ask contractors whether they charge more or less in busy and slow seasons.
Metal roof by city in Nebraska
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.