Metal roof cost in Pennsylvania
Statewide estimate from BLS wages and BEA prices. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Statewide range (2,000 sq ft of roof)
- $10,200 – $32,500
- Per sq ft of roof
- $5 – $16
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- Level
- US $21,300
- Metros covered
- 12
What does it cost to install a metal roof in Pennsylvania? Plan on $10,200 to $32,500 for 2,000 sq ft of roof. Wages (1.01x the US blend), materials (price index 99.4) and permit costs (97.6) put the state above the national midpoint by 0%.
Inside Pennsylvania, the metros we cover range from $19,500 (Altoona) to $22,700 (Chambersburg) at the midpoint. Pick your closest city in the table for a tighter number.
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Estimated cost for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Pennsylvania (statewide), standard level
$16,900 to $25,800
About $8.30 to $12.50 per sq ft of roof before permits. Labor is about 57% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $6,150 | $11,700 |
| Labor | $10,500 | $13,700 |
| Permits and fees | $250 | $390 |
| Total | $16,900 | $25,800 |
Cost breakdown for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Pennsylvania
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,000 | $8,950 | $15,900 | 42% |
| Labor | $8,050 | $12,100 | $16,100 | 57% |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $320 | $490 | 1% |
| Total | $10,200 | $21,300 | $32,500 | 100% |
How Pennsylvania compares with nearby states
Pennsylvania ranks 23 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. Pennsylvania sits at $21,300. The five states closest by workforce center are listed below.
| State | Distance | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | 70 miles away | $10,700 – $33,900 | $22,300 | +4% |
| Delaware | 100 miles away | $10,400 – $32,600 | $21,500 | +1% |
| New Jersey | 100 miles away | $13,500 – $40,100 | $26,800 | +26% |
| District of Columbia | 110 miles away | $11,000 – $35,000 | $23,000 | +8% |
| New York | 140 miles away | $11,800 – $36,800 | $24,300 | +14% |
What roofers and the other trades earn in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's labor line is priced from 3 trades, each compared with its US median wage. After weighting by each trade's share of the work, the state comes out at 1.01 times the national level.
Roofers (47-2181), 70% of the weighting: a median of $26.79 an hour, in line with the US median of $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $22.75 and $29.98 an hour. About 3,830 work in the state. That is 6.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 8.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Sheet metal workers (47-2211), 20% of the weighting: a median of $29.52 an hour, in line with the US median of $29.71. The middle half of them earn between $24.35 and $42.12 an hour. About 3,260 work in the state. That is 5.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 7.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 10%) the local median is $23.75 an hour, which is 5% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.69 and $29.72 an hour. BLS counts 35,920 of them working in the state, 59.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
A crew paid at the 75th percentile for roofers ($29.98 an hour) would add about $1,000 to the statewide midpoint; one at the 25th percentile ($22.75) would take off about $1,250. Use that as a rough guide to how far a bid can sit from our midpoint on wages alone.
BLS counts 6,064,600 jobs across Pennsylvania (May 2025), which is 3.9% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roofers (47-2181) | 70% | $22.75 | $26.79 | $29.98 | $26.65 | 1.01 | state |
| Sheet metal workers (47-2211) | 20% | $24.35 | $29.52 | $42.12 | $29.71 | 0.99 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 10% | $21.69 | $23.75 | $29.72 | $22.66 | 1.05 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 1.01 | |||||
Metal roof cost by metro in Pennsylvania
4 of the 12 metros sit above the statewide midpoint of $21,300, and the top-to-bottom gap is 16%. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chambersburg, PA | $11,100 – $34,400 | $22,700 | +6% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $11,100 – $33,900 | $22,500 | +5% |
| Allentown, PA | $10,600 – $33,400 | $22,000 | +3% |
| State College, PA | $10,300 – $32,800 | $21,600 | +1% |
| York, PA | $9,950 – $32,200 | $21,100 | −1% |
| Lancaster, PA | $9,850 – $32,000 | $20,900 | −2% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $9,800 – $31,900 | $20,800 | −2% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $9,800 – $31,900 | $20,800 | −2% |
| Reading, PA | $9,800 – $31,800 | $20,800 | −2% |
| Erie, PA | $9,750 – $31,700 | $20,700 | −3% |
| Scranton, PA | $9,700 – $31,600 | $20,600 | −3% |
| Altoona, PA | $8,950 – $30,100 | $19,500 | −9% |
Pennsylvania seasons and metal roof
Weather decides when exterior installation can happen, and Pennsylvania is not uniform. The table uses NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals from the weather station nearest each metro we cover, and counts the months that are neither cold nor hot enough to complicate the job.
Philadelphia has the longest comfortable season of the metros we cover in Pennsylvania at 11 months (February through December); Erie has the shortest at 8 (April through November). Rainfall runs from 39 inches a year in Scranton to 47 inches in Allentown.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | 27 | 88 | 45 | 11: February through December |
| Pittsburgh | 22 | 83 | 41 | 9: March through November |
| Allentown | 22 | 86 | 47 | 9: March through November |
| Harrisburg | 22 | 85 | 45 | 9: March through November |
| Scranton | 20 | 85 | 39 | 9: March through November |
| Lancaster | 22 | 87 | 44 | 9: March through November |
| York | 21 | 88 | 46 | 11: February through December |
| Reading | 23 | 87 | 45 | 9: March through November |
| Erie | 21 | 81 | 43 | 8: April through November |
| State College | 21 | 81 | 42 | 9: March through November |
| Chambersburg | 23 | 85 | 44 | 9: March through November |
| Altoona | 19 | 81 | 45 | 9: March through November |
Related projects, priced for Pennsylvania
Each project weights the trades differently, so Pennsylvania's wage level does not push every price by the same amount. Compared with the US midpoint, attic insulation is +1% and vinyl siding level.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $6,150 – $12,500 | level |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,300 – $4,200 | level |
| Attic insulation | 1,000 sq ft | $1,000 – $4,050 | +1% |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $8,400 – $25,100 | level |
Why two Pennsylvania quotes can differ
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).
Basic, standard or premium: Pennsylvania prices
Bands overlap on purpose, since a good standard job can cost as much as a light premium one. Below are the three bands for the default size, then a grid from small (1,200 sq ft of roof) to large (2,800 sq ft of roof).
Basic
$10,200 to $19,100
Corrugated or exposed-fastener steel panels
Standard
$16,900 to $25,800
Standing seam steel
Premium
$23,600 to $32,500
Aluminum or premium finish, complex roof
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small (1,200 sq ft of roof) | $6,150 – $11,600 | $10,200 – $15,600 | $14,300 – $19,700 |
| average (2,000 sq ft of roof) | $10,200 – $19,100 | $16,900 – $25,800 | $23,600 – $32,500 |
| large (2,800 sq ft of roof) | $14,200 – $26,600 | $23,500 – $36,000 | $32,900 – $45,300 |
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Metal roof in Pennsylvania: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a metal roof in Pennsylvania?
$10,200 to $32,500 for 2,000 sq ft of roof, using statewide wages and prices. Metro areas inside Pennsylvania can sit above or below that.
+Which city in Pennsylvania is cheapest for metal roof?
Altoona at about $19,500 (midpoint, 2,000 sq ft of roof). The priciest is Chambersburg at $22,700.
+Is metal roof cheaper in Pennsylvania than the US average?
It is 0% more expensive: $21,300 against $21,300 for 2,000 sq ft of roof at the midpoint.
+What share of the price is labor in Pennsylvania?
About 57% ($12,100). Materials are 42%. Statewide labor for this job is weighted 1.01x the national wage level.
+What do roofers earn in Pennsylvania?
The BLS statewide median is $26.79 an hour, against $26.65 for the US. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.75 to $29.98.
+Where does Pennsylvania rank for metal roof costs?
23rd most expensive of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) at the midpoint, $21,300 for 2,000 sq ft of roof. Rank 1 is the costliest.
+What do basic and premium metal roof work cost in Pennsylvania?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, basic work runs $10,200 to $19,100 and premium work $23,600 to $32,500. Basic means: corrugated or exposed-fastener steel panels. Premium means: aluminum or premium finish, complex roof.
+Does the season matter for metal roof in Pennsylvania?
Yes where winters or summers are hard. Of the Pennsylvania metros we cover, Philadelphia has the most comfortable months (11 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 Pennsylvania
- Chambersburg, PA$22,700 midpoint
- Philadelphia, PA$22,500 midpoint
- Allentown, PA$22,000 midpoint
- State College, PA$21,600 midpoint
- York, PA$21,100 midpoint
- Lancaster, PA$20,900 midpoint
- Pittsburgh, PA$20,800 midpoint
- Harrisburg, PA$20,800 midpoint
- Reading, PA$20,800 midpoint
- Erie, PA$20,700 midpoint
- Scranton, PA$20,600 midpoint
- Altoona, PA$19,500 midpoint
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.