Metal roof cost in Dayton, OH
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (2,000 sq ft of roof)
- $10,000 – $31,400
- Per sq ft of roof
- $4.90 – $15.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −3%
- US $21,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #128
- 1 = most expensive
Dayton homeowners pay roughly $10,000 to $31,400 to install a metal roof at 2,000 sq ft of roof, or $4.90 to $15.50 per sq ft of roof (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Dayton is 3% lower. Building materials run about 6% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 93.6).
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Estimated cost for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Dayton, OH, standard level
$16,400 to $25,000
About $8.10 to $12.50 per sq ft of roof before permits. Labor is about 58% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,800 | $11,000 |
| Labor | $10,400 | $13,500 |
| Permits and fees | $240 | $370 |
| Total | $16,400 | $25,000 |
Cost breakdown for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Dayton, OH
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,850 | $8,450 | $15,000 | 41% |
| Labor | $7,950 | $11,900 | $15,900 | 58% |
| Permits and fees | $140 | $300 | $460 | 1% |
| Total | $10,000 | $20,700 | $31,400 | 100% |
What is behind the Dayton number
Labor is 58% 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 Dayton the blended ratio comes out at 1.00.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Dayton metro is 93.6 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 2,000 sq ft of roof comes to $8,450, compared with $9,000 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (92.7) and land at $140 to $460.
When to schedule metal roof in Dayton
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Dayton Mcd (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 Dayton (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.
Dayton gets about 42 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 12 inches of snow. The wettest months are April, May and June (4.5 inches in April). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 3.0 and 3.0 inches. The station averages about 39 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 | 36 | 20 | 3.2 | Cold |
| Feb | 40 | 23 | 2.4 | Cold |
| Mar | 51 | 31 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Apr | 64 | 41 | 4.5 | Workable |
| May | 75 | 53 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 84 | 62 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Jul | 87 | 66 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Aug | 86 | 64 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Sep | 79 | 56 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 66 | 44 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Nov | 52 | 33 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Dec | 41 | 26 | 3.1 | Cold |
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 Dayton is 1.00 times the national level.
For roofers (47-2181, weighted 70%) the local median is $24.72 an hour, which is 7% below the national $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $22.20 and $29.78 an hour. BLS counts 320 of them working in the area, 8.6 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 8.7), so the local bench is about average.
For sheet metal workers (47-2211, weighted 20%) the local median is $34.77 an hour, which is 17% above the national $29.71. The middle half of them earn between $28.65 and $39.18 an hour. BLS counts 220 of them working in the area, 5.9 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 $25.48 an hour, 12% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.00 and $35.00 an hour. About 1,390 work in the metro. That is 37.3 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 ($29.78 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $1,600. At the 25th percentile ($22.20) it shrinks by about $790. The total moves by 7.7% or 3.8%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 372,660 jobs in the Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek area. That makes it the 70th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.24% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roofers (47-2181) | 70% | $22.20 | $24.72 | $29.78 | $26.65 | 0.93 | metro |
| Sheet metal workers (47-2211) | 20% | $28.65 | $34.77 | $39.18 | $29.71 | 1.17 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 10% | $22.00 | $25.48 | $35.00 | $22.66 | 1.12 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.00 | |||||
How Dayton 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 $19,600 to $20,800 across Dayton and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dayton, OHthis page | $10,000 – $31,400 | $20,700 | |
| Cincinnati, OH55 miles | $9,850 – $31,100 | $20,500 | −1% |
| Columbus, OH70 miles | $10,000 – $31,500 | $20,800 | +1% |
| Fort Wayne, IN100 miles | $9,350 – $30,200 | $19,800 | −4% |
| Indianapolis, IN105 miles | $9,800 – $31,100 | $20,500 | −1% |
| Lexington, KY120 miles | $9,150 – $30,000 | $19,600 | −5% |
| Ohio (statewide) | $9,900 – $31,200 | $20,500 | −1% |
| United States | $10,200 – $32,500 | $21,300 | +3% |
Across 300 US metros, Dayton comes in at #128 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, Dayton is 1% above the Ohio figure.
Other Ohio metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OH | 1,105,580 jobs | $10,000 – $31,500 | $20,800 | +1% |
| Cincinnati, OH | 1,101,030 jobs | $9,850 – $31,100 | $20,500 | −1% |
| Cleveland, OH | 1,031,130 jobs | $10,600 – $32,700 | $21,600 | +5% |
| Akron, OH | 319,560 jobs | $10,500 – $32,400 | $21,500 | +4% |
| Toledo, OH | 291,530 jobs | $10,900 – $33,100 | $22,000 | +6% |
| Canton, OH | 163,080 jobs | $10,900 – $33,200 | $22,000 | +6% |
Cities with a workforce like Dayton's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Dayton against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown, PA | 377,180 jobs | $10,600 – $33,400 | $22,000 | +6% |
| Greensboro, NC | 365,410 jobs | $9,150 – $30,100 | $19,600 | −5% |
| Tucson, AZ | 389,630 jobs | $8,550 – $28,800 | $18,700 | −10% |
| Little Rock, AR | 358,210 jobs | $8,650 – $28,700 | $18,700 | −10% |
Planning more than one job in Dayton?
Because every project leans on different trades, Dayton's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, attic insulation runs +2% and roof replacement −5%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $5,800 – $11,800 | −5% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,300 – $4,150 | −1% |
| Attic insulation | 1,000 sq ft | $1,050 – $4,050 | +2% |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $8,250 – $24,800 | −2% |
Why two Dayton quotes can differ
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).
Dayton: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Dayton 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
$10,000 to $18,500
Corrugated or exposed-fastener steel panels
Standard
$16,400 to $25,000
Standing seam steel
Premium
$22,800 to $31,400
Aluminum or premium finish, complex roof
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small (1,200 sq ft of roof) | $6,050 – $11,200 | $9,950 – $15,100 | $13,800 – $19,000 |
| average (2,000 sq ft of roof) | $10,000 – $18,500 | $16,400 – $25,000 | $22,800 – $31,400 |
| large (2,800 sq ft of roof) | $13,900 – $25,800 | $22,900 – $34,800 | $31,800 – $43,700 |
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 $16,400 to $25,000 for Dayton, OH is attached.
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Metal roof in Dayton: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a metal roof in Dayton?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, expect $10,000 to $31,400 in the Dayton area. A standard-spec job lands at $16,400 to $25,000. 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 Dayton?
About $4.90 to $15.50 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 Dayton or Cincinnati?
Cincinnati is 55 miles away. The midpoint for 2,000 sq ft of roof there is $20,500, which is 1% less than Dayton ($20,700). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Dayton?
About 58% at the midpoint, or $11,900 out of $20,700. Materials are 41% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 56%.
+What would average (2,000 sq ft of roof) cost in Dayton?
$10,000 to $31,400. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does metal roof need a permit in Dayton?
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 Dayton area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Dayton expensive for metal roof compared with the rest of Ohio?
Dayton is 1% above the Ohio statewide estimate ($20,500 at the midpoint). We cover 8 metros in Ohio; see the state page to compare them.
+What do roofers earn in Dayton?
The BLS median is $24.72 an hour in the Dayton area, compared with $26.65 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.20 to $29.78.
+What do basic and premium metal roof work cost in Dayton?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, basic work runs $10,000 to $18,500 and premium work $22,800 to $31,400. 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 Dayton?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through November. September and October 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 Dayton
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.