Metal roof cost in Allentown, PA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (2,000 sq ft of roof)
- $10,600 – $33,400
- Per sq ft of roof
- $5.20 – $16.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +3%
- US $21,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #99
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a metal roof in the Allentown area: $10,600 to $33,400 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 runs 3% higher than the US figure. Roofers earn a median of $27.95 an hour in the Allentown area, 5% above the US median of $26.65.
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Estimated cost for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Allentown, PA, standard level
$17,400 to $26,500
About $8.60 to $13 per sq ft of roof before permits. Labor is about 57% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $6,250 | $11,900 |
| Labor | $10,900 | $14,300 |
| Permits and fees | $250 | $390 |
| Total | $17,400 | $26,500 |
Cost breakdown for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Allentown, PA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,000 | $9,050 | $16,100 | 41% |
| Labor | $8,400 | $12,600 | $16,800 | 57% |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $320 | $500 | 1% |
| Total | $10,600 | $22,000 | $33,400 | 100% |
Why Allentown prices look the way they do
Labor is 57% 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 Allentown the blended ratio comes out at 1.05.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Allentown is at 100.6 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $9,000 nationally becomes $9,050 here (midpoint, 2,000 sq ft of roof). Permits follow the all-items index of 100.0: $150 to $500.
Is Allentown cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, 3 are cheaper than Allentown. Scranton is the lowest at about $20,600 (midpoint, 2,000 sq ft of roof), 45 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown, PAthis page | $10,600 – $33,400 | $22,000 | |
| Reading, PA40 miles | $9,800 – $31,800 | $20,800 | −5% |
| Scranton, PA45 miles | $9,700 – $31,600 | $20,600 | −6% |
| Trenton, NJ50 miles | $14,100 – $40,300 | $27,200 | +24% |
| Philadelphia, PA60 miles | $11,100 – $33,900 | $22,500 | +2% |
| Lancaster, PA70 miles | $9,850 – $32,000 | $20,900 | −5% |
| Pennsylvania (statewide) | $10,200 – $32,500 | $21,300 | −3% |
| United States | $10,200 – $32,500 | $21,300 | −3% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Allentown ranks #99 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Allentown is 3% above the Pennsylvania figure.
Elsewhere in Pennsylvania
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA | 2,897,830 jobs | $11,100 – $33,900 | $22,500 | +2% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 1,114,490 jobs | $9,800 – $31,900 | $20,800 | −5% |
| Harrisburg, PA | 335,010 jobs | $9,800 – $31,900 | $20,800 | −5% |
| Scranton, PA | 255,620 jobs | $9,700 – $31,600 | $20,600 | −6% |
| Lancaster, PA | 252,230 jobs | $9,850 – $32,000 | $20,900 | −5% |
| York, PA | 183,590 jobs | $9,950 – $32,200 | $21,100 | −4% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Allentown against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tucson, AZ | 389,630 jobs | $8,550 – $28,800 | $18,700 | −15% |
| Dayton, OH | 372,660 jobs | $10,000 – $31,400 | $20,700 | −6% |
| Boise, ID | 391,790 jobs | $10,400 – $32,500 | $21,500 | −2% |
| Greensboro, NC | 365,410 jobs | $9,150 – $30,100 | $19,600 | −11% |
Cost by quality level and size in Allentown
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Allentown. 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
$10,600 to $19,700
Corrugated or exposed-fastener steel panels
Standard
$17,400 to $26,500
Standing seam steel
Premium
$24,300 to $33,400
Aluminum or premium finish, complex roof
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small (1,200 sq ft of roof) | $6,400 – $11,900 | $10,500 – $16,100 | $14,700 – $20,200 |
| average (2,000 sq ft of roof) | $10,600 – $19,700 | $17,400 – $26,500 | $24,300 – $33,400 |
| large (2,800 sq ft of roof) | $14,700 – $27,500 | $24,300 – $37,000 | $33,800 – $46,500 |
The best months for metal roof in Allentown
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Allentown Intl Ap (5 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For exterior installation, the comfortable months in Allentown are March through November: 9 of 12. Outside them, 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.
Allentown gets about 47 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 33 inches of snow. The wettest months are July, August and September (5.3 inches in July). Inside the workable window, March and November are the driest, at 3.6 and 3.2 inches. 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 | 38 | 22 | 3.3 | Cold |
| Feb | 42 | 23 | 2.8 | Cold |
| Mar | 51 | 31 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Apr | 63 | 40 | 3.7 | Workable |
| May | 74 | 51 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Jun | 82 | 60 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Jul | 86 | 65 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Aug | 84 | 63 | 4.6 | Workable |
| Sep | 77 | 55 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Oct | 66 | 44 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Nov | 54 | 34 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 43 | 27 | 3.9 | Cold |
Who does the work: Allentown 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 Allentown the blend is 1.05.
Roofers (47-2181), 70% of the weighting: a median of $27.95 an hour, 5% above the US median of $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $23.45 and $34.80 an hour. About 140 work in the metro. That is 3.7 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 $31.40 an hour, 6% above the US median of $29.71. The middle half of them earn between $24.61 and $51.36 an hour. About 190 work in the metro. That is 5.0 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 $23.70 an hour, which is 5% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.27 and $30.00 an hour. BLS counts 1,670 of them working in the area, 44.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (roofers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $2,150 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $1,400. That is a swing of roughly 6.5% to 9.8% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton has 377,180 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 69th 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% | $23.45 | $27.95 | $34.80 | $26.65 | 1.05 | metro |
| Sheet metal workers (47-2211) | 20% | $24.61 | $31.40 | $51.36 | $29.71 | 1.06 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 10% | $22.27 | $23.70 | $30.00 | $22.66 | 1.05 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.05 | |||||
Metal roof: what moves the price in Allentown
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.
Related projects, priced for Allentown
Jobs that often go together with metal roof are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Allentown wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, roof replacement comes out highest (+3%) and attic insulation lowest (−4%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $6,300 – $12,900 | +3% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,300 – $4,300 | +2% |
| Attic insulation | 1,000 sq ft | $950 – $3,850 | −4% |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $8,450 – $25,400 | +1% |
Get 3 local quotes
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Metal roof in Allentown: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a metal roof in Allentown?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, expect $10,600 to $33,400 in the Allentown area. A standard-spec job lands at $17,400 to $26,500. 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 Allentown?
About $5.20 to $16.50 per sq ft of roof for materials and labor, plus $150 to $500 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $5 to $16.
+Is metal roof cheaper in Allentown or Reading?
Reading is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 2,000 sq ft of roof there is $20,800, which is 5% less than Allentown ($22,000). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Allentown?
About 57% at the midpoint, or $12,600 out of $22,000. Materials are 41% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 56%.
+What would average (2,000 sq ft of roof) cost in Allentown?
$10,600 to $33,400. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does metal roof need a permit in Allentown?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $150 to $500 for fees in the Allentown area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Allentown expensive for metal roof compared with the rest of Pennsylvania?
Allentown is 3% above the Pennsylvania statewide estimate ($21,300 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Pennsylvania; see the state page to compare them.
+What do roofers earn in Allentown?
The BLS median is $27.95 an hour in the Allentown area, compared with $26.65 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.45 to $34.80.
+What do basic and premium metal roof work cost in Allentown?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, basic work runs $10,600 to $19,700 and premium work $24,300 to $33,400. 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 Allentown?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through November. March 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 Allentown
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.