Metal roof cost in Madison, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (2,000 sq ft of roof)
- $11,100 – $33,600
- Per sq ft of roof
- $5.45 – $16.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +5%
- US $21,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #81
- 1 = most expensive
A metal roof in Madison, WI usually costs $11,100 to $33,600 for 2,000 sq ft of roof. That works out to about $5.45 to $16.50 per sq ft of roof before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $990 more. Roofers earn a median of $29.24 an hour in the Madison area, 10% above the US median of $26.65.
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Estimated cost for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Madison, WI, standard level
$17,800 to $26,800
About $8.80 to $13 per sq ft of roof before permits. Labor is about 61% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,800 | $11,100 |
| Labor | $11,800 | $15,400 |
| Permits and fees | $250 | $380 |
| Total | $17,800 | $26,800 |
Cost breakdown for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Madison, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,900 | $8,450 | $15,000 | 38% |
| Labor | $9,050 | $13,600 | $18,100 | 61% |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $320 | $490 | 1% |
| Total | $11,100 | $22,300 | $33,600 | 100% |
Where the Madison price comes from
Labor is 61% 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 Madison the blended ratio comes out at 1.13.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Madison 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 97.3: $150 to $490.
Specs and site conditions that change a Madison bid
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.
Other metals
Tin runs $600-$1,800 per roofing square (100 sq ft) installed and aluminum $700-$1,700 per square (HomeGuide).
What local crews earn in Madison
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 Madison the blend is 1.13.
Roofers (47-2181), 70% of the weighting: a median of $29.24 an hour, 10% above the US median of $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $23.70 and $33.39 an hour. About 270 work in the metro. That is 6.6 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 $35.79 an hour, 20% above the US median of $29.71. The middle half of them earn between $24.55 and $50.20 an hour. About 340 work in the metro. That is 8.3 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 $27.40 an hour, which is 21% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.70 and $31.94 an hour. BLS counts 2,370 of them working in the area, 58.1 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 $1,300 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $1,750. That is a swing of roughly 7.8% to 5.9% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Madison has 408,070 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 61st 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% | $23.70 | $29.24 | $33.39 | $26.65 | 1.10 | metro |
| Sheet metal workers (47-2211) | 20% | $24.55 | $35.79 | $50.20 | $29.71 | 1.20 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 10% | $22.70 | $27.40 | $31.94 | $22.66 | 1.21 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.13 | |||||
Madison weather and the metal roof calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Madison Dane Rgnl 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 Madison are April through November: 8 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March and December have an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January, February, March 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.
Madison gets about 37 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 52 inches of snow. The wettest months are June, July and August (5.3 inches in June). Inside the workable window, October and November are the driest, at 2.8 and 2.2 inches. The station averages about 9 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 | 27 | 12 | 1.5 | Cold |
| Feb | 31 | 15 | 1.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 44 | 25 | 2.3 | Cold |
| Apr | 57 | 36 | 3.8 | Workable |
| May | 69 | 47 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Jun | 79 | 57 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 82 | 62 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Aug | 80 | 60 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Sep | 73 | 51 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Oct | 60 | 40 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 45 | 29 | 2.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 32 | 18 | 1.6 | Cold |
Madison: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Madison. 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
$11,100 to $20,100
Corrugated or exposed-fastener steel panels
Standard
$17,800 to $26,800
Standing seam steel
Premium
$24,600 to $33,600
Aluminum or premium finish, complex roof
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small (1,200 sq ft of roof) | $6,700 – $12,200 | $10,800 – $16,200 | $14,900 – $20,300 |
| average (2,000 sq ft of roof) | $11,100 – $20,100 | $17,800 – $26,800 | $24,600 – $33,600 |
| large (2,800 sq ft of roof) | $15,400 – $28,000 | $24,800 – $37,400 | $34,300 – $46,800 |
What nearby projects cost in Madison
Jobs that often go together with metal roof are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Madison wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, roof replacement comes out highest (+5%) 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 | $6,500 – $13,000 | +5% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,350 – $4,300 | +3% |
| Attic insulation | 1,000 sq ft | $990 – $3,900 | −2% |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $8,600 – $25,800 | +2% |
Madison against nearby metros and the rest of Wisconsin
Same job, same size (2,000 sq ft of roof), priced for the nearest metros. Rockford is the priciest of the group at $23,100. Dubuque is the cheapest at $19,900.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison, WIthis page | $11,100 – $33,600 | $22,300 | |
| Janesville, WI40 miles | $11,200 – $33,800 | $22,500 | +1% |
| Rockford, IL60 miles | $11,600 – $34,700 | $23,100 | +4% |
| Dubuque, IA80 miles | $9,450 – $30,400 | $19,900 | −11% |
| Oshkosh, WI85 miles | $10,500 – $32,300 | $21,400 | −4% |
| La Crosse, WI85 miles | $11,000 – $33,400 | $22,200 | −1% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $11,000 – $33,500 | $22,200 | level |
| United States | $10,200 – $32,500 | $21,300 | −4% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Madison ranks #81 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Madison is 0% above the Wisconsin figure.
Elsewhere in Wisconsin
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $11,100 – $33,700 | $22,400 | level |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $10,900 – $33,300 | $22,100 | −1% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $11,400 – $34,200 | $22,800 | +2% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $10,500 – $32,300 | $21,400 | −4% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $10,200 – $31,800 | $21,000 | −6% |
| La Crosse, WI | 84,380 jobs | $11,000 – $33,400 | $22,200 | −1% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Madison against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, LA | 409,690 jobs | $9,000 – $29,400 | $19,200 | −14% |
| Albuquerque, NM | 404,700 jobs | $8,900 – $29,500 | $19,200 | −14% |
| Knoxville, TN | 424,600 jobs | $9,000 – $29,700 | $19,300 | −13% |
| Bridgeport, CT | 404,180 jobs | $13,400 – $38,700 | $26,100 | +17% |
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Detailed metal roof report for Madison, WI, $9
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Metal roof in Madison: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a metal roof in Madison?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, expect $11,100 to $33,600 in the Madison area. A standard-spec job lands at $17,800 to $26,800. 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 Madison?
About $5.45 to $16.50 per sq ft of roof for materials and labor, plus $150 to $490 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $5 to $16.
+Is metal roof cheaper in Madison or Janesville?
Janesville is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 2,000 sq ft of roof there is $22,500, which is 1% more than Madison ($22,300). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Madison?
About 61% at the midpoint, or $13,600 out of $22,300. Materials are 38% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 56%.
+What would average (2,000 sq ft of roof) cost in Madison?
$11,100 to $33,600. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does metal roof need a permit in Madison?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $150 to $490 for fees in the Madison area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Madison expensive for metal roof compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Madison is 0% 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 Madison?
The BLS median is $29.24 an hour in the Madison area, compared with $26.65 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.70 to $33.39.
+What do basic and premium metal roof work cost in Madison?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, basic work runs $11,100 to $20,100 and premium work $24,600 to $33,600. 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 Madison?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through November. October 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 Madison
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.