Metal roof cost in Milwaukee, 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 – $33,700
- Per sq ft of roof
- $5.50 – $16.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +5%
- US $21,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #76
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install a metal roof in Milwaukee, plan on $11,100 to $33,700 for 2,000 sq ft of roof, all in. Per sq ft of roof, that is $5.50 to $16.50 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 5% higher than the national one. Roofers earn a median of $28.91 an hour in the Milwaukee area, 8% above the US median of $26.65.
Estimate your metal roof cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Milwaukee, WI, standard level
$17,900 to $26,900
About $8.80 to $13.50 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 | $15,500 |
| Permits and fees | $250 | $380 |
| Total | $17,900 | $26,900 |
Cost breakdown for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Milwaukee, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,900 | $8,450 | $15,000 | 38% |
| Labor | $9,100 | $13,600 | $18,200 | 61% |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $320 | $480 | 1% |
| Total | $11,100 | $22,400 | $33,700 | 100% |
Why Milwaukee 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, Milwaukee wages are 1.14 times the national level. Labor makes up about 61% of the midpoint estimate (56% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Milwaukee metro is 93.8 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 2,000 sq ft of roof comes to $8,450, compared with $9,000 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (96.9) and land at $150 to $480.
Climate in Milwaukee: timing your metal roof job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Mt Mary College (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through November is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Milwaukee (8 of 12 months). 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.
Milwaukee gets about 34 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 40 inches of snow. The wettest months are April, May and June (4.8 inches in June). Inside the workable window, October and November are the driest, at 2.7 and 2.0 inches. The station averages about 16 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 | 30 | 14 | 1.5 | Cold |
| Feb | 34 | 17 | 1.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 44 | 26 | 1.8 | Cold |
| Apr | 56 | 36 | 3.7 | Workable |
| May | 68 | 48 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Jun | 78 | 58 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Jul | 83 | 63 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Aug | 81 | 62 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Sep | 74 | 53 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 61 | 42 | 2.7 | Workable |
| Nov | 47 | 30 | 2.0 | Workable |
| Dec | 35 | 21 | 1.7 | Cold |
Cost by quality level and size in Milwaukee
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Milwaukee 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
$11,100 to $20,100
Corrugated or exposed-fastener steel panels
Standard
$17,900 to $26,900
Standing seam steel
Premium
$24,600 to $33,700
Aluminum or premium finish, complex roof
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small (1,200 sq ft of roof) | $6,750 – $12,200 | $10,800 – $16,300 | $14,900 – $20,400 |
| average (2,000 sq ft of roof) | $11,100 – $20,100 | $17,900 – $26,900 | $24,600 – $33,700 |
| large (2,800 sq ft of roof) | $15,500 – $28,100 | $24,900 – $37,500 | $34,400 – $46,900 |
How Milwaukee compares
Of the five closest metros, 2 are cheaper than Milwaukee. Sheboygan is the lowest at about $22,200 (midpoint, 2,000 sq ft of roof), 55 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WIthis page | $11,100 – $33,700 | $22,400 | |
| Racine, WI10 miles | $11,100 – $33,600 | $22,300 | level |
| Kenosha, WI20 miles | $11,100 – $35,200 | $23,200 | +3% |
| Sheboygan, WI55 miles | $11,000 – $33,500 | $22,200 | −1% |
| Janesville, WI65 miles | $11,200 – $33,800 | $22,500 | level |
| Rockford, IL70 miles | $11,600 – $34,700 | $23,100 | +3% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $11,000 – $33,500 | $22,200 | −1% |
| United States | $10,200 – $32,500 | $21,300 | −5% |
Across 300 US metros, Milwaukee comes in at #76 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, Milwaukee is 1% above the Wisconsin figure.
Other Wisconsin metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $11,100 – $33,600 | $22,300 | 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% |
Cities with a workforce like Milwaukee's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Milwaukee against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City, UT | 826,210 jobs | $9,400 – $30,500 | $20,000 | −11% |
| Jacksonville, FL | 765,930 jobs | $8,900 – $29,500 | $19,200 | −14% |
| Cleveland, OH | 1,031,130 jobs | $10,600 – $32,700 | $21,600 | −3% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | 763,060 jobs | $9,050 – $30,000 | $19,500 | −13% |
Planning more than one job in Milwaukee?
Because every project leans on different trades, Milwaukee's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, roof replacement runs +4% and attic insulation −2%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $6,450 – $12,900 | +4% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,350 – $4,300 | +4% |
| Attic insulation | 1,000 sq ft | $1,000 – $3,900 | −2% |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $8,650 – $26,000 | +3% |
Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee is 1.14 times the national level.
For roofers (47-2181, weighted 70%) the local median is $28.91 an hour, which is 8% above the national $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $23.24 and $34.00 an hour. BLS counts 980 of them working in the area, 11.9 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 $37.90 an hour, which is 28% above the national $29.71. The middle half of them earn between $25.09 and $48.97 an hour. BLS counts 1,020 of them working in the area, 12.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 7.7), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 10% of the weighting: a median of $27.61 an hour, 22% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.17 and $37.52 an hour. About 4,740 work in the metro. That is 57.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the roofers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($34.00 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $1,600. At the 25th percentile ($23.24) it shrinks by about $1,800. The total moves by 7.2% or 8.0%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 820,780 jobs in the Milwaukee-Waukesha area. That makes it the 38th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.53% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roofers (47-2181) | 70% | $23.24 | $28.91 | $34.00 | $26.65 | 1.08 | metro |
| Sheet metal workers (47-2211) | 20% | $25.09 | $37.90 | $48.97 | $29.71 | 1.28 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 10% | $22.17 | $27.61 | $37.52 | $22.66 | 1.22 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.14 | |||||
Metal roof: what moves the price in Milwaukee
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.
Labor
Metal roof labor is $4-$8 per sq ft, or $400-$800 per roofing square, and standing seam needs specialist crews.
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 $17,900 to $26,900 for Milwaukee, WI is attached.
Take this estimate with you: PDF report, $9
The report lays out the metal roof numbers for Milwaukee, 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 Milwaukee: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a metal roof in Milwaukee?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, expect $11,100 to $33,700 in the Milwaukee area. A standard-spec job lands at $17,900 to $26,900. 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 Milwaukee?
About $5.50 to $16.50 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 Milwaukee or Racine?
Racine is 10 miles away. The midpoint for 2,000 sq ft of roof there is $22,300, which is 0% less than Milwaukee ($22,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Milwaukee?
About 61% at the midpoint, or $13,600 out of $22,400. Materials are 38% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 56%.
+What would average (2,000 sq ft of roof) cost in Milwaukee?
$11,100 to $33,700. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does metal roof need a permit in Milwaukee?
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 Milwaukee area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Milwaukee expensive for metal roof compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Milwaukee is 1% 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 Milwaukee?
The BLS median is $28.91 an hour in the Milwaukee area, compared with $26.65 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.24 to $34.00.
+What do basic and premium metal roof work cost in Milwaukee?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, basic work runs $11,100 to $20,100 and premium work $24,600 to $33,700. 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 Milwaukee?
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 Milwaukee
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.