Metal roof cost in Knoxville, TN
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (2,000 sq ft of roof)
- $9,000 – $29,700
- Per sq ft of roof
- $4.40 – $14.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −9%
- US $21,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #195
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install a metal roof in Knoxville, plan on $9,000 to $29,700 for 2,000 sq ft of roof, all in. Per sq ft of roof, that is $4.40 to $14.50 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 9% lower than the national one. Roofers earn a median of $21.65 an hour in the Knoxville area, 19% below the US median of $26.65.
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Estimated cost for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Knoxville, TN, standard level
$15,200 to $23,500
About $7.50 to $11.50 per sq ft of roof before permits. Labor is about 54% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,950 | $11,400 |
| Labor | $9,000 | $11,800 |
| Permits and fees | $240 | $370 |
| Total | $15,200 | $23,500 |
Cost breakdown for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Knoxville, TN
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,900 | $8,650 | $15,400 | 45% |
| Labor | $6,900 | $10,400 | $13,800 | 54% |
| Permits and fees | $140 | $300 | $460 | 2% |
| Total | $9,000 | $19,300 | $29,700 | 100% |
Where the Knoxville price comes from
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, Knoxville wages are 0.87 times the national level. Labor makes up about 54% of the midpoint estimate (56% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Knoxville metro is 96.2 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 2,000 sq ft of roof comes to $8,650, compared with $9,000 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (92.6) and land at $140 to $460.
Cost by quality level and size in Knoxville
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Knoxville 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
$9,000 to $17,300
Corrugated or exposed-fastener steel panels
Standard
$15,200 to $23,500
Standing seam steel
Premium
$21,400 to $29,700
Aluminum or premium finish, complex roof
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small (1,200 sq ft of roof) | $5,450 – $10,500 | $9,200 – $14,200 | $13,000 – $18,000 |
| average (2,000 sq ft of roof) | $9,000 – $17,300 | $15,200 – $23,500 | $21,400 – $29,700 |
| large (2,800 sq ft of roof) | $12,500 – $24,100 | $21,200 – $32,700 | $29,800 – $41,400 |
Knoxville 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 Knoxville is 0.87 times the national level.
For roofers (47-2181, weighted 70%) the local median is $21.65 an hour, which is 19% below the national $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $17.89 and $22.80 an hour. BLS counts 440 of them working in the area, 10.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 8.7), so the local bench is deeper than average.
For sheet metal workers (47-2211, weighted 20%) the local median is $29.49 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.71. The middle half of them earn between $22.26 and $33.04 an hour. BLS counts 270 of them working in the area, 6.4 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 $22.18 an hour, in line with the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.16 and $25.87 an hour. About 3,640 work in the metro. That is 85.7 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 ($22.80 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $360. At the 25th percentile ($17.89) it shrinks by about $1,200. The total moves by 1.9% or 6.1%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 424,600 jobs in the Knoxville area. That makes it the 59th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.27% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roofers (47-2181) | 70% | $17.89 | $21.65 | $22.80 | $26.65 | 0.81 | metro |
| Sheet metal workers (47-2211) | 20% | $22.26 | $29.49 | $33.04 | $29.71 | 0.99 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 10% | $18.16 | $22.18 | $25.87 | $22.66 | 0.98 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.87 | |||||
Metal roof: what moves the price in Knoxville
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).
Climate in Knoxville: timing your metal roof job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Knoxville Mcghee Tyson Ap (10 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
Weather is not a serious constraint for exterior installation in Knoxville: 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.
Knoxville gets about 52 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 5 inches of snow. The wettest months are March, July and December (5.3 inches in July). The station averages about 37 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 | 48 | 30 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Feb | 53 | 33 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Mar | 61 | 40 | 4.9 | Workable |
| Apr | 71 | 48 | 4.7 | Workable |
| May | 79 | 57 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Jun | 86 | 65 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 88 | 69 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Aug | 88 | 68 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Sep | 83 | 61 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Oct | 72 | 49 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 60 | 38 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 51 | 33 | 5.0 | Workable |
How Knoxville 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 $18,400 to $19,800 across Knoxville and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knoxville, TNthis page | $9,000 – $29,700 | $19,300 | |
| Asheville, NC95 miles | $9,250 – $30,300 | $19,800 | +2% |
| Dalton, GA95 miles | $8,850 – $29,500 | $19,200 | −1% |
| Chattanooga, TN95 miles | $8,900 – $29,500 | $19,200 | −1% |
| Johnson City, TN100 miles | $8,900 – $29,500 | $19,200 | −1% |
| Kingsport, TN100 miles | $8,350 – $28,500 | $18,400 | −5% |
| Tennessee (statewide) | $9,000 – $29,700 | $19,300 | level |
| United States | $10,200 – $32,500 | $21,300 | +10% |
Across 300 US metros, Knoxville comes in at #195 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, Knoxville is 0% above the Tennessee figure.
Other Tennessee metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville, TN | 1,099,300 jobs | $9,350 – $30,400 | $19,900 | +3% |
| Memphis, TN | 611,670 jobs | $9,100 – $29,900 | $19,500 | +1% |
| Chattanooga, TN | 268,750 jobs | $8,900 – $29,500 | $19,200 | −1% |
| Kingsport, TN | 119,560 jobs | $8,350 – $28,500 | $18,400 | −5% |
| Clarksville, TN | 103,220 jobs | $8,550 – $28,800 | $18,700 | −3% |
| Jackson, TN | 84,530 jobs | $9,050 – $29,900 | $19,500 | +1% |
Cities with a workforce like Knoxville's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Knoxville against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville, SC | 434,900 jobs | $8,700 – $29,200 | $18,900 | −2% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 409,690 jobs | $9,000 – $29,400 | $19,200 | −1% |
| New Orleans, LA | 445,550 jobs | $8,850 – $29,100 | $19,000 | −2% |
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $11,100 – $33,600 | $22,300 | +15% |
What nearby projects cost in Knoxville
Because every project leans on different trades, Knoxville's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, attic insulation runs −3% and roof replacement −12%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $5,300 – $11,100 | −12% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,200 – $4,000 | −5% |
| Attic insulation | 1,000 sq ft | $970 – $3,900 | −3% |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $7,800 – $23,400 | −7% |
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 $15,200 to $23,500 for Knoxville, TN is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
The report lays out the metal roof numbers for Knoxville, TN line by line, with the local wage and price inputs, permit and timing notes, a quote comparison sheet and the full method. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Metal roof in Knoxville: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a metal roof in Knoxville?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, expect $9,000 to $29,700 in the Knoxville area. A standard-spec job lands at $15,200 to $23,500. 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 Knoxville?
About $4.40 to $14.50 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 Knoxville or Asheville?
Asheville is 95 miles away. The midpoint for 2,000 sq ft of roof there is $19,800, which is 2% more than Knoxville ($19,300). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Knoxville?
About 54% at the midpoint, or $10,400 out of $19,300. Materials are 45% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 56%.
+What would average (2,000 sq ft of roof) cost in Knoxville?
$9,000 to $29,700. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does metal roof need a permit in Knoxville?
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 Knoxville area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Knoxville expensive for metal roof compared with the rest of Tennessee?
Knoxville is 0% above the Tennessee statewide estimate ($19,300 at the midpoint). We cover 8 metros in Tennessee; see the state page to compare them.
+What do roofers earn in Knoxville?
The BLS median is $21.65 an hour in the Knoxville area, compared with $26.65 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $17.89 to $22.80.
+What do basic and premium metal roof work cost in Knoxville?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, basic work runs $9,000 to $17,300 and premium work $21,400 to $29,700. 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 Knoxville?
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 Knoxville
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.