Roof replacement cost in Worcester, MA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (2,000 sq ft of roof)
- $9,600 – $18,000
- Per sq ft of roof
- $4.75 – $8.75
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +49%
- US $9,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #1
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a new roof in the Worcester area: $9,600 to $18,000 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 49% higher than the US figure. Roofers earn a median of $50.61 an hour in the Worcester area, 90% above the US median of $26.65.
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Estimated cost for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Worcester, MA, standard level
$12,100 to $15,500
About $5.95 to $7.55 per sq ft of roof before permits. Labor is about 75% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,550 | $3,850 |
| Labor | $9,350 | $11,300 |
| Permits and fees | $230 | $390 |
| Total | $12,100 | $15,500 |
Cost breakdown for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Worcester, MA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,550 | $3,200 | $4,850 | 23% |
| Labor | $7,950 | $10,300 | $12,700 | 75% |
| Permits and fees | $100 | $310 | $510 | 2% |
| Total | $9,600 | $13,800 | $18,000 | 100% |
What is behind the Worcester number
Labor is 75% of the midpoint bill here, against 61% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is roofers (85%), construction laborers (15%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Worcester the blended ratio comes out at 1.81.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Worcester is at 97.0 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $3,300 nationally becomes $3,200 here (midpoint, 2,000 sq ft of roof). Permits follow the all-items index of 102.5: $100 to $510.
The best months for roof in Worcester
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Worcester 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 Worcester 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.
Worcester gets about 48 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 73 inches of snow. The wettest months are September, October and December (4.8 inches in October). Inside the workable window, May and July are the driest, at 3.6 and 3.9 inches. The station averages about 3 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 | 32 | 17 | 3.5 | Cold |
| Feb | 35 | 19 | 3.3 | Cold |
| Mar | 43 | 26 | 4.2 | Cold |
| Apr | 56 | 37 | 4.1 | Workable |
| May | 67 | 47 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Jun | 75 | 56 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 80 | 62 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Aug | 78 | 61 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Sep | 71 | 53 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 59 | 42 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 48 | 33 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Dec | 38 | 23 | 4.3 | Cold |
Why two Worcester quotes can differ
Permit
Roof replacement permits run $100-$500 depending on the location.
Shingle type
3-tab asphalt is $3-$5 per sq ft installed; architectural is $4-$6 (HomeGuide). Metal, tile and slate are separate projects with much higher ranges.
Roof area, not floor area
Pitch and complexity mean roof surface is larger than the house's footprint. A 1,500 sq ft ranch can have 1,800-2,200 sq ft of roof.
Who does the work: Worcester trade wages
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 2 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 Worcester the blend is 1.81.
Roofers (47-2181), 85% of the weighting: a median of $50.61 an hour, 90% above the US median of $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $28.54 and $51.10 an hour. About 350 work in the metro. That is 10.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 8.7 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 15%) the local median is $29.52 an hour, which is 30% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $23.23 and $43.40 an hour. BLS counts 1,650 of them working in the area, 47.2 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 $90 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $4,000. That is a swing of roughly 29.0% to 0.6% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Worcester has 349,880 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 73rd by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roofers (47-2181) | 85% | $28.54 | $50.61 | $51.10 | $26.65 | 1.90 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 15% | $23.23 | $29.52 | $43.40 | $22.66 | 1.30 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.81 | |||||
Planning more than one job in Worcester?
Jobs that often go together with roof are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Worcester wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, metal roof comes out highest (+39%) and attic insulation lowest (level); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metal roof | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $15,800 – $43,400 | +39% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,550 – $4,800 | +16% |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $9,300 – $27,800 | +11% |
| Attic insulation | 1,000 sq ft | $1,000 – $4,000 | level |
Pick a size, pick a tier: roof replacement pricing in Worcester
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Worcester. 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 very large (3,600 sq ft of roof).
Basic
$9,600 to $13,000
3-tab shingles, single layer, simple roof
Standard
$12,100 to $15,500
Architectural shingles, standard pitch and tear-off
Premium
$14,700 to $18,000
Heavy architectural, steep or cut-up roof, decking repairs
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small (1,200 sq ft of roof) | $5,800 – $7,900 | $7,350 – $9,450 | $8,950 – $11,000 |
| average (2,000 sq ft of roof) | $9,600 – $13,000 | $12,100 – $15,500 | $14,700 – $18,000 |
| large (2,800 sq ft of roof) | $13,400 – $18,100 | $16,900 – $21,600 | $20,400 – $25,000 |
| very large (3,600 sq ft of roof) | $17,200 – $23,200 | $21,700 – $27,600 | $26,100 – $32,000 |
How Worcester 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 $9,450 to $13,800 across Worcester and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worcester, MAthis page | $9,600 – $18,000 | $13,800 | |
| Amherst, MA35 miles | $7,400 – $14,500 | $10,900 | −21% |
| Springfield, MA40 miles | $7,650 – $14,900 | $11,300 | −18% |
| Manchester, NH45 miles | $6,200 – $12,700 | $9,450 | −32% |
| Boston, MA50 miles | $7,050 – $14,100 | $10,600 | −24% |
| Hartford, CT55 miles | $6,900 – $13,700 | $10,300 | −26% |
| Massachusetts (statewide) | $7,500 – $14,700 | $11,100 | −20% |
| United States | $6,100 – $12,500 | $9,300 | −33% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Worcester ranks #1 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Worcester is 25% above the Massachusetts figure.
Elsewhere in Massachusetts
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston, MA | 2,703,890 jobs | $7,050 – $14,100 | $10,600 | −24% |
| Springfield, MA | 201,240 jobs | $7,650 – $14,900 | $11,300 | −18% |
| Barnstable, MA | 94,110 jobs | $7,400 – $14,500 | $10,900 | −21% |
| Amherst, MA | 65,670 jobs | $7,400 – $14,500 | $10,900 | −21% |
| Pittsfield, MA | 56,810 jobs | $6,150 – $12,500 | $9,350 | −32% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Worcester against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Rock, AR | 358,210 jobs | $5,300 – $11,000 | $8,200 | −41% |
| Durham, NC | 344,020 jobs | $5,600 – $11,600 | $8,600 | −38% |
| Greensboro, NC | 365,410 jobs | $5,500 – $11,500 | $8,500 | −39% |
| North Port, FL | 339,940 jobs | $5,550 – $11,600 | $8,600 | −38% |
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 $12,100 to $15,500 for Worcester, MA is attached.
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Multi-page report for Worcester, MA: low, typical and high cost, a line-item breakdown of materials and labor by trade, permit notes, the best months to schedule, a quote comparison sheet, red flags, questions for contractors, checklists and every source. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Roof replacement in Worcester: your questions
+How much does it cost to replace a roof in Worcester?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, expect $9,600 to $18,000 in the Worcester area. A standard-spec job lands at $12,100 to $15,500. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft of roof and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft of roof for roof in Worcester?
About $4.75 to $8.75 per sq ft of roof for materials and labor, plus $100 to $510 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $3 to $6.
+Is roof cheaper in Worcester or Amherst?
Amherst is 35 miles away. The midpoint for 2,000 sq ft of roof there is $10,900, which is 21% less than Worcester ($13,800). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Worcester?
About 75% at the midpoint, or $10,300 out of $13,800. Materials are 23% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 61%.
+What would large (2,800 sq ft of roof) cost in Worcester?
$13,400 to $25,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does roof need a permit in Worcester?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $100 to $510 for fees in the Worcester area (our national range of $100 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Worcester expensive for roof compared with the rest of Massachusetts?
Worcester is 25% above the Massachusetts statewide estimate ($11,100 at the midpoint). We cover 6 metros in Massachusetts; see the state page to compare them.
+What do roofers earn in Worcester?
The BLS median is $50.61 an hour in the Worcester area, compared with $26.65 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.54 to $51.10.
+What do basic and premium roof work cost in Worcester?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, basic work runs $9,600 to $13,000 and premium work $14,700 to $18,000. Basic means: 3-tab shingles, single layer, simple roof. Premium means: heavy architectural, steep or cut-up roof, decking repairs.
+When is the best time to replace a roof in Worcester?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through November. May and July are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
Roof replacement near Worcester
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 Roof Replacement Cost? (2026) (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 = HomeGuide's asphalt shingle price of $80-$250 per roofing square (100 sq ft), i.e. $0.80-$2.50 per sq ft. The rest of the installed price covers roofer labor ($1.50-$3.00/sq ft), tear-off, disposal, underlayment and contractor overhead.