Metal roof cost in Olympia, WA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (2,000 sq ft of roof)
- $11,600 – $36,000
- Per sq ft of roof
- $5.75 – $18
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +12%
- US $21,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #34
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a metal roof in the Olympia area: $11,600 to $36,000 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 runs 12% higher than the US figure. Roofers earn a median of $27.84 an hour in the Olympia area, 4% above the US median of $26.65.
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Estimated cost for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Olympia, WA, standard level
$18,900 to $28,700
About $9.35 to $14 per sq ft of roof before permits. Labor is about 59% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $6,500 | $12,400 |
| Labor | $12,200 | $15,900 |
| Permits and fees | $260 | $410 |
| Total | $18,900 | $28,700 |
Cost breakdown for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Olympia, WA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,100 | $9,450 | $16,800 | 40% |
| Labor | $9,350 | $14,000 | $18,700 | 59% |
| Permits and fees | $160 | $340 | $520 | 1% |
| Total | $11,600 | $23,800 | $36,000 | 100% |
Where the Olympia 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, Olympia wages are 1.17 times the national level. Labor makes up about 59% of the midpoint estimate (56% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Olympia is at 105.0 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 103.7: $160 to $520.
The best months for metal roof in Olympia
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Olympia Ap (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 Olympia: 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.
Olympia gets about 51 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 4 inches of snow. The wettest months are January, November and December (8.2 inches in November). The station averages about 7 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 | 46 | 33 | 7.8 | Workable |
| Feb | 49 | 32 | 5.1 | Workable |
| Mar | 54 | 35 | 5.7 | Workable |
| Apr | 59 | 38 | 3.7 | Workable |
| May | 66 | 43 | 2.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 71 | 47 | 1.5 | Workable |
| Jul | 78 | 51 | 0.5 | Workable |
| Aug | 78 | 51 | 1.0 | Workable |
| Sep | 72 | 46 | 2.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 60 | 41 | 5.1 | Workable |
| Nov | 51 | 36 | 8.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 45 | 33 | 7.8 | Workable |
Specs and site conditions that change a Olympia 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.
Who does the work: Olympia 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 Olympia the blend is 1.17.
Roofers (47-2181), 70% of the weighting: a median of $27.84 an hour, 4% above the US median of $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $23.13 and $36.74 an hour. About 260 work in the metro. That is 20.0 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 $48.39 an hour, 63% above the US median of $29.71. The middle half of them earn between $36.25 and $67.27 an hour. About 100 work in the metro. That is 7.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 7.7 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 10%) the local median is $25.52 an hour, which is 13% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.90 and $33.85 an hour. BLS counts 730 of them working in the area, 56.0 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 $2,800 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $1,500. That is a swing of roughly 6.2% to 11.8% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater has 130,300 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 167th 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% | $23.13 | $27.84 | $36.74 | $26.65 | 1.04 | metro |
| Sheet metal workers (47-2211) | 20% | $36.25 | $48.39 | $67.27 | $29.71 | 1.63 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 10% | $21.90 | $25.52 | $33.85 | $22.66 | 1.13 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.17 | |||||
Olympia against nearby metros and the rest of Washington
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 $22,600 to $25,200 across Olympia and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olympia, WAthis page | $11,600 – $36,000 | $23,800 | |
| Bremerton, WA50 miles | $11,500 – $35,800 | $23,600 | −1% |
| Seattle, WA60 miles | $12,600 – $37,900 | $25,200 | +6% |
| Portland, OR95 miles | $11,400 – $35,700 | $23,600 | −1% |
| Yakima, WA105 miles | $10,800 – $34,400 | $22,600 | −5% |
| Bellingham, WA140 miles | $11,600 – $36,100 | $23,900 | level |
| Washington (statewide) | $11,900 – $36,500 | $24,200 | +2% |
| United States | $10,200 – $32,500 | $21,300 | −10% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Olympia ranks #34 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Olympia is 2% below the Washington figure.
Elsewhere in Washington
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | 2,086,210 jobs | $12,600 – $37,900 | $25,200 | +6% |
| Spokane, WA | 255,820 jobs | $11,000 – $34,800 | $22,900 | −4% |
| Kennewick, WA | 129,490 jobs | $11,700 – $36,200 | $24,000 | +1% |
| Yakima, WA | 97,010 jobs | $10,800 – $34,400 | $22,600 | −5% |
| Bremerton, WA | 93,740 jobs | $11,500 – $35,800 | $23,600 | −1% |
| Bellingham, WA | 91,390 jobs | $11,600 – $36,100 | $23,900 | level |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Olympia against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville, NC | 131,430 jobs | $8,950 – $29,700 | $19,300 | −19% |
| Waco, TX | 129,860 jobs | $9,000 – $29,500 | $19,200 | −19% |
| South Bend, IN | 131,670 jobs | $11,300 – $34,100 | $22,700 | −5% |
| Kennewick, WA | 129,490 jobs | $11,700 – $36,200 | $24,000 | +1% |
Cost by quality level and size in Olympia
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Olympia. 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
$11,600 to $21,400
Corrugated or exposed-fastener steel panels
Standard
$18,900 to $28,700
Standing seam steel
Premium
$26,300 to $36,000
Aluminum or premium finish, complex roof
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small (1,200 sq ft of roof) | $7,050 – $12,900 | $11,500 – $17,400 | $15,900 – $21,800 |
| average (2,000 sq ft of roof) | $11,600 – $21,400 | $18,900 – $28,700 | $26,300 – $36,000 |
| large (2,800 sq ft of roof) | $16,200 – $29,800 | $26,400 – $40,000 | $36,600 – $50,200 |
Planning more than one job in Olympia?
Jobs that often go together with metal roof are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Olympia wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, attic insulation comes out highest (+20%) and roof replacement lowest (+5%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $6,450 – $13,200 | +5% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,500 – $4,750 | +15% |
| Attic insulation | 1,000 sq ft | $1,250 – $4,750 | +20% |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $9,150 – $27,400 | +9% |
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 $18,900 to $28,700 for Olympia, WA is attached.
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Metal roof in Olympia: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a metal roof in Olympia?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, expect $11,600 to $36,000 in the Olympia area. A standard-spec job lands at $18,900 to $28,700. 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 Olympia?
About $5.75 to $18 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 Olympia or Bremerton?
Bremerton is 50 miles away. The midpoint for 2,000 sq ft of roof there is $23,600, which is 1% less than Olympia ($23,800). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Olympia?
About 59% at the midpoint, or $14,000 out of $23,800. Materials are 40% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 56%.
+What would average (2,000 sq ft of roof) cost in Olympia?
$11,600 to $36,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does metal roof need a permit in Olympia?
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 Olympia area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Olympia expensive for metal roof compared with the rest of Washington?
Olympia is 2% below the Washington statewide estimate ($24,200 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Washington; see the state page to compare them.
+What do roofers earn in Olympia?
The BLS median is $27.84 an hour in the Olympia area, compared with $26.65 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.13 to $36.74.
+What do basic and premium metal roof work cost in Olympia?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, basic work runs $11,600 to $21,400 and premium work $26,300 to $36,000. 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 Olympia?
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 Olympia
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.