Metal roof cost in Appleton, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (2,000 sq ft of roof)
- $11,400 – $34,200
- Per sq ft of roof
- $5.60 – $17
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +7%
- US $21,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #63
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a metal roof in the Appleton area: $11,400 to $34,200 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 7% higher than the US figure. Roofers earn a median of $29.75 an hour in the Appleton area, 12% above the US median of $26.65.
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Estimated cost for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Appleton, WI, standard level
$18,200 to $27,400
About $9 to $13.50 per sq ft of roof before permits. Labor is about 62% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,800 | $11,100 |
| Labor | $12,200 | $15,900 |
| Permits and fees | $240 | $370 |
| Total | $18,200 | $27,400 |
Cost breakdown for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Appleton, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,900 | $8,450 | $15,000 | 37% |
| Labor | $9,350 | $14,000 | $18,700 | 62% |
| Permits and fees | $140 | $300 | $460 | 1% |
| Total | $11,400 | $22,800 | $34,200 | 100% |
Why Appleton prices look the way they do
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, Appleton wages are 1.17 times the national level. Labor makes up about 62% of the midpoint estimate (56% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Appleton is at 93.8 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $9,000 nationally becomes $8,450 here (midpoint, 2,000 sq ft of roof). Permits follow the all-items index of 92.4: $140 to $460.
Pick a size, pick a tier: metal roof pricing in Appleton
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Appleton. 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
$11,400 to $20,500
Corrugated or exposed-fastener steel panels
Standard
$18,200 to $27,400
Standing seam steel
Premium
$25,100 to $34,200
Aluminum or premium finish, complex roof
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small (1,200 sq ft of roof) | $6,900 – $12,400 | $11,000 – $16,600 | $15,200 – $20,700 |
| average (2,000 sq ft of roof) | $11,400 – $20,500 | $18,200 – $27,400 | $25,100 – $34,200 |
| large (2,800 sq ft of roof) | $15,900 – $28,600 | $25,400 – $38,100 | $35,000 – $47,700 |
Appleton against nearby metros and the rest of Wisconsin
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 $21,400 to $22,800 across Appleton and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton, WIthis page | $11,400 – $34,200 | $22,800 | |
| Oshkosh, WI20 miles | $10,500 – $32,300 | $21,400 | −6% |
| Green Bay, WI20 miles | $10,900 – $33,300 | $22,100 | −3% |
| Sheboygan, WI50 miles | $11,000 – $33,500 | $22,200 | −2% |
| Wausau, WI80 miles | $10,900 – $33,300 | $22,100 | −3% |
| Milwaukee, WI100 miles | $11,100 – $33,700 | $22,400 | −2% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $11,000 – $33,500 | $22,200 | −2% |
| United States | $10,200 – $32,500 | $21,300 | −6% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Appleton ranks #63 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Appleton is 2% above the Wisconsin figure.
Elsewhere in Wisconsin
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $11,100 – $33,700 | $22,400 | −2% |
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $11,100 – $33,600 | $22,300 | −2% |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $10,900 – $33,300 | $22,100 | −3% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $10,500 – $32,300 | $21,400 | −6% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $10,200 – $31,800 | $21,000 | −8% |
| La Crosse, WI | 84,380 jobs | $11,000 – $33,400 | $22,200 | −3% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Appleton against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth, MN | 124,710 jobs | $12,700 – $37,000 | $24,800 | +9% |
| Amarillo, TX | 123,930 jobs | $8,650 – $28,700 | $18,700 | −18% |
| Crestview, FL | 125,050 jobs | $8,900 – $29,500 | $19,200 | −16% |
| Rochester, MN | 122,980 jobs | $11,200 – $34,100 | $22,600 | −1% |
The best months for metal roof in Appleton
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Appleton (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 Appleton are April through October: 7 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March, November and December have an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January, February, March, November 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.
Appleton gets about 33 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 49 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and July (4.7 inches in June). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 3.2 and 2.8 inches. The station averages about 6 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 | 25 | 10 | 1.4 | Cold |
| Feb | 29 | 12 | 1.1 | Cold |
| Mar | 41 | 22 | 1.9 | Cold |
| Apr | 54 | 34 | 3.2 | Workable |
| May | 67 | 46 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Jun | 77 | 57 | 4.7 | Workable |
| Jul | 82 | 61 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Aug | 79 | 60 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Sep | 72 | 51 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 58 | 39 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 43 | 28 | 2.1 | Cold |
| Dec | 31 | 17 | 1.8 | Cold |
Who does the work: Appleton 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 Appleton the blend is 1.17.
Roofers (47-2181), 70% of the weighting: a median of $29.75 an hour, 12% above the US median of $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $23.42 and $32.31 an hour. About 120 work in the metro. That is 9.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 8.7 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
Sheet metal workers (47-2211), 20% of the weighting: a median of $39.14 an hour, 32% above the US median of $29.71. The middle half of them earn between $27.81 and $47.49 an hour. About 400 work in the metro. That is 32.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 7.7 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 10%) the local median is $28.49 an hour, which is 26% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.86 and $36.28 an hour. BLS counts 1,030 of them working in the area, 82.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (roofers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $810 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $2,000. That is a swing of roughly 8.8% to 3.5% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Appleton has 124,230 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 174th 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% | $23.42 | $29.75 | $32.31 | $26.65 | 1.12 | metro |
| Sheet metal workers (47-2211) | 20% | $27.81 | $39.14 | $47.49 | $29.71 | 1.32 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 10% | $21.86 | $28.49 | $36.28 | $22.66 | 1.26 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.17 | |||||
Why two Appleton quotes can differ
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.
Planning more than one job in Appleton?
Jobs that often go together with metal roof are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Appleton wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, roof replacement comes out highest (+6%) and attic insulation lowest (−2%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $6,600 – $13,100 | +6% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,400 – $4,350 | +5% |
| Attic insulation | 1,000 sq ft | $1,000 – $3,900 | −2% |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $8,700 – $26,000 | +3% |
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 $18,200 to $27,400 for Appleton, WI is attached.
Detailed metal roof report for Appleton, WI, $9
The report lays out the metal roof numbers for Appleton, WI 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 Appleton: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a metal roof in Appleton?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, expect $11,400 to $34,200 in the Appleton area. A standard-spec job lands at $18,200 to $27,400. 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 Appleton?
About $5.60 to $17 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 Appleton or Oshkosh?
Oshkosh is 20 miles away. The midpoint for 2,000 sq ft of roof there is $21,400, which is 6% less than Appleton ($22,800). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Appleton?
About 62% at the midpoint, or $14,000 out of $22,800. Materials are 37% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 56%.
+What would average (2,000 sq ft of roof) cost in Appleton?
$11,400 to $34,200. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does metal roof need a permit in Appleton?
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 Appleton area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Appleton expensive for metal roof compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Appleton is 2% above the Wisconsin statewide estimate ($22,200 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Wisconsin; see the state page to compare them.
+What do roofers earn in Appleton?
The BLS median is $29.75 an hour in the Appleton area, compared with $26.65 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.42 to $32.31.
+What do basic and premium metal roof work cost in Appleton?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, basic work runs $11,400 to $20,500 and premium work $25,100 to $34,200. 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 Appleton?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. September and October 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 Appleton
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.