Metal roof cost in Salem, OR
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (2,000 sq ft of roof)
- $10,100 – $33,000
- Per sq ft of roof
- $4.95 – $16
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +1%
- US $21,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #105
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a metal roof in the Salem area: $10,100 to $33,000 for 2,000 sq ft of roof. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint lands close to the US figure. Building materials run about 5% above the US average here (BEA goods price index 105.3).
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Estimated cost for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Salem, OR, standard level
$17,000 to $26,100
About $8.35 to $13 per sq ft of roof before permits. Labor is about 54% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $6,550 | $12,400 |
| Labor | $10,200 | $13,300 |
| Permits and fees | $260 | $410 |
| Total | $17,000 | $26,100 |
Cost breakdown for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Salem, OR
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,100 | $9,450 | $16,800 | 44% |
| Labor | $7,800 | $11,700 | $15,600 | 54% |
| Permits and fees | $160 | $340 | $520 | 2% |
| Total | $10,100 | $21,500 | $33,000 | 100% |
Why Salem prices look the way they do
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 3 trades: roofers at 70%, sheet metal workers at 20%, construction laborers at 10%. Weighted together, Salem wages are 0.98 times the national level. Labor makes up about 54% of the midpoint estimate (56% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Salem is at 105.3 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $9,000 nationally becomes $9,450 here (midpoint, 2,000 sq ft of roof). Permits follow the all-items index of 103.6: $160 to $520.
Who does the work: Salem trade wages
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 Salem the blend is 0.98.
Roofers (47-2181), 70% of the weighting: a median of $25.33 an hour, 5% below the US median of $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $23.09 and $30.18 an hour. About 390 work in the metro. That is 20.7 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 $29.27 an hour, in line with the US median of $29.71. The middle half of them earn between $23.34 and $36.46 an hour. About 270 work in the metro. That is 14.3 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 $26.20 an hour, which is 16% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.67 and $29.27 an hour. BLS counts 1,690 of them working in the area, 89.6 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (roofers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $1,550 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $710. That is a swing of roughly 3.3% to 7.1% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Salem has 188,620 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 122nd 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% | $23.09 | $25.33 | $30.18 | $26.65 | 0.95 | metro |
| Sheet metal workers (47-2211) | 20% | $23.34 | $29.27 | $36.46 | $29.71 | 0.99 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 10% | $22.67 | $26.20 | $29.27 | $22.66 | 1.16 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.98 | |||||
How Salem 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 $20,700 to $23,800 across Salem and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salem, ORthis page | $10,100 – $33,000 | $21,500 | |
| Portland, OR50 miles | $11,400 – $35,700 | $23,600 | +9% |
| Eugene, OR65 miles | $9,500 – $31,900 | $20,700 | −4% |
| Bend, OR110 miles | $10,900 – $34,600 | $22,700 | +5% |
| Olympia, WA140 miles | $11,600 – $36,000 | $23,800 | +11% |
| Yakima, WA150 miles | $10,800 – $34,400 | $22,600 | +5% |
| Oregon (statewide) | $11,000 – $34,800 | $22,900 | +6% |
| United States | $10,200 – $32,500 | $21,300 | −1% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Salem ranks #105 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Salem is 6% below the Oregon figure.
Elsewhere in Oregon
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland, OR | 1,208,410 jobs | $11,400 – $35,700 | $23,600 | +9% |
| Eugene, OR | 157,710 jobs | $9,500 – $31,900 | $20,700 | −4% |
| Bend, OR | 108,240 jobs | $10,900 – $34,600 | $22,700 | +5% |
| Medford, OR | 89,060 jobs | $9,650 – $32,100 | $20,900 | −3% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Salem against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pensacola, FL | 190,480 jobs | $8,700 – $29,100 | $18,900 | −12% |
| Salinas, CA | 186,430 jobs | $11,700 – $36,200 | $24,000 | +11% |
| Wilmington, NC | 191,280 jobs | $9,000 – $29,800 | $19,400 | −10% |
| Tallahassee, FL | 186,160 jobs | $8,750 – $29,200 | $19,000 | −12% |
The best months for metal roof in Salem
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Salem Mcnary Fld (5 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
Weather is not a serious constraint for exterior installation in Salem: no month in the averages is cold enough (an average daytime high under 45°F) or hot enough (an average daytime high of 90°F or more) to rule it out, so the workable window is all year.
Salem gets about 40 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, November and December (7.0 inches in December). The station averages about 18 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 | 48 | 36 | 6.1 | Workable |
| Feb | 52 | 36 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Mar | 57 | 38 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Apr | 62 | 41 | 3.1 | Workable |
| May | 69 | 46 | 2.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 75 | 51 | 1.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 84 | 55 | 0.3 | Workable |
| Aug | 84 | 55 | 0.4 | Workable |
| Sep | 78 | 51 | 1.5 | Workable |
| Oct | 65 | 44 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Nov | 54 | 39 | 6.0 | Workable |
| Dec | 47 | 35 | 7.0 | Workable |
Related projects, priced for Salem
Jobs that often go together with metal roof are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Salem wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, attic insulation comes out highest (+11%) and roof replacement lowest (+1%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $6,100 – $12,700 | +1% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,350 – $4,400 | +4% |
| Attic insulation | 1,000 sq ft | $1,150 – $4,400 | +11% |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $8,800 – $26,300 | +4% |
Salem: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Salem. 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
$10,100 to $19,300
Corrugated or exposed-fastener steel panels
Standard
$17,000 to $26,100
Standing seam steel
Premium
$23,800 to $33,000
Aluminum or premium finish, complex roof
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small (1,200 sq ft of roof) | $6,100 – $11,700 | $10,300 – $15,800 | $14,500 – $20,000 |
| average (2,000 sq ft of roof) | $10,100 – $19,300 | $17,000 – $26,100 | $23,800 – $33,000 |
| large (2,800 sq ft of roof) | $14,100 – $26,800 | $23,600 – $36,400 | $33,200 – $46,000 |
Specs and site conditions that change a Salem bid
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).
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Metal roof in Salem: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a metal roof in Salem?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, expect $10,100 to $33,000 in the Salem area. A standard-spec job lands at $17,000 to $26,100. 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 Salem?
About $4.95 to $16 per sq ft of roof for materials and labor, plus $160 to $520 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $5 to $16.
+Is metal roof cheaper in Salem or Portland?
Portland is 50 miles away. The midpoint for 2,000 sq ft of roof there is $23,600, which is 9% more than Salem ($21,500). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Salem?
About 54% at the midpoint, or $11,700 out of $21,500. Materials are 44% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 56%.
+What would average (2,000 sq ft of roof) cost in Salem?
$10,100 to $33,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does metal roof need a permit in Salem?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $160 to $520 for fees in the Salem area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Salem expensive for metal roof compared with the rest of Oregon?
Salem is 6% below the Oregon statewide estimate ($22,900 at the midpoint). We cover 5 metros in Oregon; see the state page to compare them.
+What do roofers earn in Salem?
The BLS median is $25.33 an hour in the Salem area, compared with $26.65 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.09 to $30.18.
+What do basic and premium metal roof work cost in Salem?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, basic work runs $10,100 to $19,300 and premium work $23,800 to $33,000. Basic means: corrugated or exposed-fastener steel panels. Premium means: aluminum or premium finish, complex roof.
+Is there a bad season to install a metal roof in Salem?
Not from a temperature point of view. NOAA's 1991-2020 normals show no month with a freezing-level overnight low or a 90°F-plus average high, so timing is mostly about contractor availability and rain.
Metal roof near Salem
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.