Roof replacement cost in Wausau, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (2,000 sq ft of roof)
- $6,350 – $12,700
- Per sq ft of roof
- $3.10 – $6.10
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +2%
- US $9,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #96
- 1 = most expensive
A new roof in Wausau, WI usually costs $6,350 to $12,700 for 2,000 sq ft of roof. That works out to about $3.10 to $6.10 per sq ft of roof before permits. That is within a few percent of the national midpoint, so there is little local premium or discount. Roofers earn a median of $28.54 an hour in the Wausau area, 7% above the US median of $26.65.
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Estimated cost for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Wausau, WI, standard level
$8,250 to $10,800
About $4 to $5.20 per sq ft of roof before permits. Labor is about 65% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,450 | $3,750 |
| Labor | $5,600 | $6,700 |
| Permits and fees | $200 | $350 |
| Total | $8,250 | $10,800 |
Cost breakdown for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Wausau, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,500 | $3,100 | $4,700 | 33% |
| Labor | $4,750 | $6,150 | $7,550 | 65% |
| Permits and fees | $95 | $280 | $460 | 3% |
| Total | $6,350 | $9,500 | $12,700 | 100% |
Where the Wausau price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: roofers at 85%, construction laborers at 15%. Weighted together, Wausau wages are 1.08 times the national level. Labor makes up about 65% of the midpoint estimate (61% at national prices). BLS does not publish this trade for the metro, so we used the Wisconsin statewide median.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Wausau is at 93.8 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $3,300 nationally becomes $3,100 here (midpoint, 2,000 sq ft of roof). Permits follow the all-items index of 92.7: $95 to $460.
Data note: 85% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Wausau. The wage table below marks each row.
Wausau: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Wausau. 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
$6,350 to $8,900
3-tab shingles, single layer, simple roof
Standard
$8,250 to $10,800
Architectural shingles, standard pitch and tear-off
Premium
$10,200 to $12,700
Heavy architectural, steep or cut-up roof, decking repairs
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small (1,200 sq ft of roof) | $3,850 – $5,400 | $5,050 – $6,600 | $6,200 – $7,800 |
| average (2,000 sq ft of roof) | $6,350 – $8,900 | $8,250 – $10,800 | $10,200 – $12,700 |
| large (2,800 sq ft of roof) | $8,850 – $12,300 | $11,500 – $15,000 | $14,100 – $17,600 |
| very large (3,600 sq ft of roof) | $11,300 – $15,800 | $14,700 – $19,100 | $18,000 – $22,500 |
Planning more than one job in Wausau?
Jobs that often go together with roof are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Wausau wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, metal roof comes out highest (+4%) and vinyl siding lowest (−5%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metal roof | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $10,900 – $33,300 | +4% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,350 – $4,250 | +2% |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $7,950 – $23,900 | −5% |
| Attic insulation | 1,000 sq ft | $980 – $3,850 | −3% |
What local crews earn in Wausau
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 Wausau the blend is 1.08.
Roofers (47-2181) carry 85% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Wausau metro, so we used the Wisconsin statewide median: $28.54 an hour against $26.65 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $23.01 and $31.41 an hour.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 15%) the local median is $25.30 an hour, which is 12% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.07 and $30.00 an hour. BLS counts 510 of them working in the area, 73.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is about average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (roofers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $520 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $1,000. That is a swing of roughly 10.6% to 5.5% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Wausau has 69,530 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 261st 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% | $23.01 | $28.54 | $31.41 | $26.65 | 1.07 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 15% | $22.07 | $25.30 | $30.00 | $22.66 | 1.12 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.08 | |||||
Wausau weather and the roof replacement calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Wausau Dwtn 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 Wausau 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.
Wausau gets about 34 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 64 inches of snow. The wettest months are June, July and August (4.7 inches in June). Inside the workable window, April and October are the driest, at 3.1 and 3.1 inches. The station averages about 5 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 | 23 | 7 | 1.2 | Cold |
| Feb | 27 | 10 | 1.1 | Cold |
| Mar | 40 | 21 | 1.8 | Cold |
| Apr | 54 | 32 | 3.1 | Workable |
| May | 67 | 45 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Jun | 76 | 55 | 4.7 | Workable |
| Jul | 80 | 59 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Aug | 78 | 57 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Sep | 70 | 49 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Oct | 56 | 37 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Nov | 40 | 25 | 1.9 | Cold |
| Dec | 28 | 14 | 1.5 | Cold |
Wausau against nearby metros and the rest of Wisconsin
Same job, same size (2,000 sq ft of roof), priced for the nearest metros. Appleton is the priciest of the group at $9,850. Eau Claire is the cheapest at $8,900.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wausau, WIthis page | $6,350 – $12,700 | $9,500 | |
| Eau Claire, WI75 miles | $5,900 – $12,000 | $8,900 | −6% |
| Oshkosh, WI80 miles | $6,300 – $12,600 | $9,450 | −1% |
| Appleton, WI80 miles | $6,600 – $13,100 | $9,850 | +4% |
| Green Bay, WI90 miles | $6,350 – $12,700 | $9,550 | level |
| La Crosse, WI105 miles | $6,400 – $12,800 | $9,650 | +1% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $6,400 – $12,800 | $9,600 | +1% |
| United States | $6,100 – $12,500 | $9,300 | −2% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Wausau ranks #96 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Wausau is 1% below the Wisconsin figure.
Elsewhere in Wisconsin
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $6,450 – $12,900 | $9,700 | +2% |
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $6,500 – $13,000 | $9,750 | +2% |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $6,350 – $12,700 | $9,550 | level |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $6,600 – $13,100 | $9,850 | +4% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $6,300 – $12,600 | $9,450 | −1% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $5,900 – $12,000 | $8,900 | −6% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Wausau against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Janesville, WI | 69,870 jobs | $6,650 – $13,200 | $9,900 | +4% |
| Yuma, AZ | 68,880 jobs | $5,450 – $11,300 | $8,400 | −12% |
| Lexington Park, MD | 70,650 jobs | $6,400 – $13,000 | $9,650 | +2% |
| State College, PA | 68,840 jobs | $6,200 – $12,700 | $9,450 | −1% |
Specs and site conditions that change a Wausau bid
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.
Tear-off and layers
Removing a second layer or rotted decking adds cost, and the contractor can only see decking damage after tear-off.
Tear-off
Removing the old roof is $1-$5 per sq ft depending on the material and number of layers (HomeGuide). Check that your quote includes it.
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 $8,250 to $10,800 for Wausau, WI is attached.
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Roof replacement in Wausau: your questions
+How much does it cost to replace a roof in Wausau?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, expect $6,350 to $12,700 in the Wausau area. A standard-spec job lands at $8,250 to $10,800. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft of roof and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft of roof for roof in Wausau?
About $3.10 to $6.10 per sq ft of roof for materials and labor, plus $95 to $460 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $3 to $6.
+Is roof cheaper in Wausau or Eau Claire?
Eau Claire is 75 miles away. The midpoint for 2,000 sq ft of roof there is $8,900, which is 6% less than Wausau ($9,500). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Wausau?
About 65% at the midpoint, or $6,150 out of $9,500. Materials are 33% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 61%.
+What would large (2,800 sq ft of roof) cost in Wausau?
$8,850 to $17,600. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does roof need a permit in Wausau?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $95 to $460 for fees in the Wausau area (our national range of $100 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Wausau expensive for roof compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Wausau is 1% below the Wisconsin statewide estimate ($9,600 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Wisconsin; see the state page to compare them.
+What do roofers earn in Wausau?
BLS has no published metro figure here, so we use the statewide median of $28.54 an hour, compared with $26.65 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.01 to $31.41.
+What do basic and premium roof work cost in Wausau?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, basic work runs $6,350 to $8,900 and premium work $10,200 to $12,700. 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 Wausau?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. April 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.
Roof replacement near Wausau
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.