Metal roof cost in Trenton, NJ
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (2,000 sq ft of roof)
- $14,100 – $40,300
- Per sq ft of roof
- $6.95 – $20
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +28%
- US $21,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #5
- 1 = most expensive
Trenton homeowners pay roughly $14,100 to $40,300 to install a metal roof at 2,000 sq ft of roof, or $6.95 to $20 per sq ft of roof (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Trenton is 28% higher. Roofers earn a median of $39.47 an hour in the Trenton area, 48% above the US median of $26.65.
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Estimated cost for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Trenton, NJ, standard level
$21,900 to $32,400
About $11 to $16 per sq ft of roof before permits. Labor is about 66% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $6,200 | $11,800 |
| Labor | $15,500 | $20,300 |
| Permits and fees | $260 | $410 |
| Total | $21,900 | $32,400 |
Cost breakdown for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Trenton, NJ
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,000 | $9,000 | $16,000 | 33% |
| Labor | $11,900 | $17,900 | $23,800 | 66% |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $340 | $520 | 1% |
| Total | $14,100 | $27,200 | $40,300 | 100% |
Where the Trenton 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 $39.47 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Trenton is 1.49 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 66% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Trenton metro is 99.8 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 2,000 sq ft of roof comes to $9,000, compared with $9,000 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (103.2) and land at $150 to $520.
Data note: 20% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Trenton. The wage table below marks each row.
When to schedule metal roof in Trenton
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Trenton Mercer Co Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
March through November is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Trenton (9 of 12 months). 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.
Trenton gets about 46 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 27 inches of snow. The wettest months are June, July and August (4.4 inches in July). Inside the workable window, April and November are the driest, at 3.6 and 3.2 inches. The station averages about 22 days a year at 90°F or above.
Does the season change the price? Probably, but we do not have a sourced seasonal price curve, so the estimator shows a year-round figure and does not adjust by month. When you collect quotes, ask whether scheduling in a slower month gets a better rate.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 40 | 24 | 3.3 | Cold |
| Feb | 43 | 26 | 2.6 | Cold |
| Mar | 51 | 33 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Apr | 63 | 42 | 3.6 | Workable |
| May | 72 | 52 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Jun | 81 | 61 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 86 | 67 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Aug | 84 | 65 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Sep | 77 | 58 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 66 | 46 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 55 | 36 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 44 | 29 | 4.0 | Cold |
Is Trenton cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, all are cheaper than Trenton. Reading is the lowest at about $20,800 (midpoint, 2,000 sq ft of roof), 65 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trenton, NJthis page | $14,100 – $40,300 | $27,200 | |
| Philadelphia, PA40 miles | $11,100 – $33,900 | $22,500 | −17% |
| Allentown, PA50 miles | $10,600 – $33,400 | $22,000 | −19% |
| New York, NY55 miles | $13,100 – $39,700 | $26,400 | −3% |
| Reading, PA65 miles | $9,800 – $31,800 | $20,800 | −23% |
| Atlantic City, NJ70 miles | $13,600 – $39,300 | $26,400 | −3% |
| New Jersey (statewide) | $13,500 – $40,100 | $26,800 | −1% |
| United States | $10,200 – $32,500 | $21,300 | −22% |
Across 300 US metros, Trenton comes in at #5 from the top. The priciest is Worcester, MA at $29,600; the cheapest is Lubbock, TX at $17,000 (midpoints, 2,000 sq ft of roof). Statewide, Trenton is 1% above the New Jersey figure.
Other New Jersey metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City, NJ | 168,700 jobs | $13,600 – $39,300 | $26,400 | −3% |
| Vineland, NJ | 62,300 jobs | $13,700 – $39,600 | $26,600 | −2% |
Cities with a workforce like Trenton's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Trenton against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palm Bay, FL | 245,170 jobs | $9,000 – $29,700 | $19,400 | −29% |
| Augusta, GA | 231,930 jobs | $8,150 – $28,100 | $18,100 | −33% |
| Lancaster, PA | 252,230 jobs | $9,850 – $32,000 | $20,900 | −23% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | 225,520 jobs | $9,350 – $30,200 | $19,800 | −27% |
Local wages behind the labor line
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 3 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Trenton is 1.49 times the national level.
For roofers (47-2181, weighted 70%) the local median is $39.47 an hour, which is 48% above the national $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $26.89 and $45.35 an hour. BLS counts 140 of them working in the area, 5.8 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 8.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Sheet metal workers (47-2211) carry 20% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Trenton metro, so we used the New Jersey statewide median: $44.64 an hour against $29.71 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $28.07 and $57.63 an hour.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 10% of the weighting: a median of $34.58 an hour, 53% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $23.43 and $51.14 an hour. About 960 work in the metro. That is 40.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the roofers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($45.35 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $1,850. At the 25th percentile ($26.89) it shrinks by about $3,950. The total moves by 6.8% or 14.6%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 240,190 jobs in the Trenton-Princeton area. That makes it the 105th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.15% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roofers (47-2181) | 70% | $26.89 | $39.47 | $45.35 | $26.65 | 1.48 | metro |
| Sheet metal workers (47-2211) | 20% | $28.07 | $44.64 | $57.63 | $29.71 | 1.50 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 10% | $23.43 | $34.58 | $51.14 | $22.66 | 1.53 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.49 | |||||
Metal roof: what moves the price in Trenton
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).
Panel type
Corrugated sheet metal is $5-$12 per sq ft installed; standing seam is $9-$16 (HomeGuide).
Cost by quality level and size in Trenton
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Trenton wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 3 common sizes.
Basic
$14,100 to $24,600
Corrugated or exposed-fastener steel panels
Standard
$21,900 to $32,400
Standing seam steel
Premium
$29,800 to $40,300
Aluminum or premium finish, complex roof
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small (1,200 sq ft of roof) | $8,500 – $14,900 | $13,300 – $19,600 | $18,000 – $24,400 |
| average (2,000 sq ft of roof) | $14,100 – $24,600 | $21,900 – $32,400 | $29,800 – $40,300 |
| large (2,800 sq ft of roof) | $19,600 – $34,300 | $30,600 – $45,300 | $41,600 – $56,200 |
Related projects, priced for Trenton
Because every project leans on different trades, Trenton's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, roof replacement runs +30% and attic insulation +6%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $8,250 – $15,900 | +30% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,600 – $4,950 | +19% |
| Attic insulation | 1,000 sq ft | $1,100 – $4,200 | +6% |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $9,500 – $28,400 | +13% |
Get 3 local quotes
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Detailed metal roof report for Trenton, NJ, $9
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Metal roof in Trenton: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a metal roof in Trenton?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, expect $14,100 to $40,300 in the Trenton area. A standard-spec job lands at $21,900 to $32,400. 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 Trenton?
About $6.95 to $20 per sq ft of roof for materials and labor, plus $150 to $520 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $5 to $16.
+Is metal roof cheaper in Trenton or Philadelphia?
Philadelphia is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 2,000 sq ft of roof there is $22,500, which is 17% less than Trenton ($27,200). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Trenton?
About 66% at the midpoint, or $17,900 out of $27,200. Materials are 33% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 56%.
+What would average (2,000 sq ft of roof) cost in Trenton?
$14,100 to $40,300. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does metal roof need a permit in Trenton?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $150 to $520 for fees in the Trenton area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Trenton expensive for metal roof compared with the rest of New Jersey?
Trenton is 1% above the New Jersey statewide estimate ($26,800 at the midpoint). We cover 3 metros in New Jersey; see the state page to compare them.
+What do roofers earn in Trenton?
The BLS median is $39.47 an hour in the Trenton area, compared with $26.65 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $26.89 to $45.35.
+What do basic and premium metal roof work cost in Trenton?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, basic work runs $14,100 to $24,600 and premium work $29,800 to $40,300. 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 Trenton?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through November. April 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 Trenton
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.