Metal roof cost in State College, PA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (2,000 sq ft of roof)
- $10,300 – $32,800
- Per sq ft of roof
- $5.05 – $16
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +1%
- US $21,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #103
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install a metal roof in State College, plan on $10,300 to $32,800 for 2,000 sq ft of roof, all in. Per sq ft of roof, that is $5.05 to $16 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint lands close to the national one. Roofers earn a median of $26.79 an hour in the State College area, 1% above the US median of $26.65.
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Estimated cost for 2,000 sq ft of roof in State College, PA, standard level
$17,100 to $26,100
About $8.40 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 | $10,600 | $13,800 |
| Permits and fees | $250 | $380 |
| Total | $17,100 | $26,100 |
Cost breakdown for 2,000 sq ft of roof in State College, PA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,000 | $9,050 | $16,100 | 42% |
| Labor | $8,150 | $12,200 | $16,300 | 57% |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $310 | $480 | 1% |
| Total | $10,300 | $21,600 | $32,800 | 100% |
Where the State College price comes from
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 State College the blended ratio comes out at 1.02. BLS does not publish this trade for the metro, so we used the Pennsylvania statewide median.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the State College metro is 100.7 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 2,000 sq ft of roof comes to $9,050, compared with $9,000 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (96.8) and land at $150 to $480.
Data note: 90% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in State College. The wage table below marks each row.
State College labor market for metal roof
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 State College is 1.02 times the national level.
Roofers (47-2181) carry 70% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the State College metro, so we used the Pennsylvania statewide median: $26.79 an hour against $26.65 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $22.75 and $29.98 an hour.
Sheet metal workers (47-2211) carry 20% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the State College metro, so we used the Pennsylvania statewide median: $29.52 an hour against $29.71 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $24.35 and $42.12 an hour.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 10% of the weighting: a median of $25.68 an hour, 13% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.13 and $30.00 an hour. About 620 work in the metro. That is 90.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the roofers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($29.98 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $1,000. At the 25th percentile ($22.75) it shrinks by about $1,250. The total moves by 4.7% or 5.9%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 68,840 jobs in the State College area. That makes it the 263rd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.04% 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% | $22.13 | $25.68 | $30.00 | $22.66 | 1.13 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.02 | |||||
Planning more than one job in State College?
Because every project leans on different trades, State College's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, attic insulation runs +2% and vinyl siding level.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $6,200 – $12,700 | +2% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,300 – $4,250 | +2% |
| Attic insulation | 1,000 sq ft | $1,050 – $4,100 | +2% |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $8,400 – $25,200 | level |
Climate in State College: timing your metal roof job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for State College (in the city). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
March through November is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in State College (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.
State College gets about 42 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 44 inches of snow. The wettest months are June, August and September (4.2 inches in August). Inside the workable window, March and November are the driest, at 3.4 and 3.0 inches. The station averages about 6 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 | 34 | 21 | 2.9 | Cold |
| Feb | 37 | 22 | 2.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 46 | 28 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Apr | 59 | 39 | 3.5 | Workable |
| May | 69 | 50 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Jun | 77 | 59 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Jul | 81 | 63 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Aug | 79 | 62 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Sep | 72 | 54 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 61 | 43 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Nov | 49 | 34 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Dec | 38 | 26 | 3.2 | Cold |
State College: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for State College 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
$10,300 to $19,300
Corrugated or exposed-fastener steel panels
Standard
$17,100 to $26,100
Standing seam steel
Premium
$23,800 to $32,800
Aluminum or premium finish, complex roof
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small (1,200 sq ft of roof) | $6,250 – $11,700 | $10,300 – $15,800 | $14,400 – $19,900 |
| average (2,000 sq ft of roof) | $10,300 – $19,300 | $17,100 – $26,100 | $23,800 – $32,800 |
| large (2,800 sq ft of roof) | $14,300 – $26,900 | $23,800 – $36,400 | $33,200 – $45,800 |
Specs and site conditions that change a State College bid
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).
Metal and gauge
Galvalume and galvanized steel are budget-friendly; copper and zinc are the top of the range.
How State College compares
Same job, same size (2,000 sq ft of roof), priced for the nearest metros. Chambersburg is the priciest of the group at $22,700. Altoona is the cheapest at $19,500.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| State College, PAthis page | $10,300 – $32,800 | $21,600 | |
| Altoona, PA35 miles | $8,950 – $30,100 | $19,500 | −9% |
| Harrisburg, PA60 miles | $9,800 – $31,900 | $20,800 | −3% |
| Chambersburg, PA70 miles | $11,100 – $34,400 | $22,700 | +5% |
| York, PA90 miles | $9,950 – $32,200 | $21,100 | −2% |
| Hagerstown, MD95 miles | $10,500 – $32,700 | $21,600 | level |
| Pennsylvania (statewide) | $10,200 – $32,500 | $21,300 | −1% |
| United States | $10,200 – $32,500 | $21,300 | −1% |
Across 300 US metros, State College comes in at #103 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, State College is 1% above the Pennsylvania figure.
Other Pennsylvania metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA | 2,897,830 jobs | $11,100 – $33,900 | $22,500 | +4% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 1,114,490 jobs | $9,800 – $31,900 | $20,800 | −3% |
| Allentown, PA | 377,180 jobs | $10,600 – $33,400 | $22,000 | +2% |
| Harrisburg, PA | 335,010 jobs | $9,800 – $31,900 | $20,800 | −3% |
| Scranton, PA | 255,620 jobs | $9,700 – $31,600 | $20,600 | −4% |
| Lancaster, PA | 252,230 jobs | $9,850 – $32,000 | $20,900 | −3% |
Cities with a workforce like State College's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is State College against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yuma, AZ | 68,880 jobs | $8,900 – $29,500 | $19,200 | −11% |
| Traverse City, MI | 68,440 jobs | $9,650 – $30,800 | $20,200 | −6% |
| Wausau, WI | 69,530 jobs | $10,900 – $33,300 | $22,100 | +2% |
| Dover, DE | 68,080 jobs | $10,300 – $32,400 | $21,400 | −1% |
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 $17,100 to $26,100 for State College, PA is attached.
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Metal roof in State College: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a metal roof in State College?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, expect $10,300 to $32,800 in the State College area. A standard-spec job lands at $17,100 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 State College?
About $5.05 to $16 per sq ft of roof for materials and labor, plus $150 to $480 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $5 to $16.
+Is metal roof cheaper in State College or Altoona?
Altoona is 35 miles away. The midpoint for 2,000 sq ft of roof there is $19,500, which is 9% less than State College ($21,600). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in State College?
About 57% at the midpoint, or $12,200 out of $21,600. Materials are 42% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 56%.
+What would average (2,000 sq ft of roof) cost in State College?
$10,300 to $32,800. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does metal roof need a permit in State College?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $150 to $480 for fees in the State College area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is State College expensive for metal roof compared with the rest of Pennsylvania?
State College is 1% 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 State College?
BLS has no published metro figure here, so we use the statewide median of $26.79 an hour, compared with $26.65 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.75 to $29.98.
+What do basic and premium metal roof work cost in State College?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, basic work runs $10,300 to $19,300 and premium work $23,800 to $32,800. 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 State College?
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 State College
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.