Construction and extraction
Roofer
Cover roofs of structures with shingles, slate, asphalt, aluminum, wood, or related materials. May spray roofs, sidings, and walls with material to bind, seal, insulate, or soundproof sections of structures.
Median pay
$55,440
Growth to 2035
+5%
about as fast as average
Openings a year
12,000
Time to qualify*
6 months
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Roofer
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- No formal educational credential
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Hazardous conditions
Roofer: 43% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Inspect problem roofs to determine the best repair procedures.
- Waterproof or damp-proof walls, floors, roofs, foundations, or basements by painting or spraying surfaces with waterproof coatings or by attaching waterproofing membranes to surfaces.
- Cover exposed nailheads with roofing cement or caulking to prevent water leakage or rust.
- Apply reflective roof coatings, such as special paints or single-ply roofing sheets, to existing roofs to reduce solar heat absorption.
- Remove snow, water, or debris from roofs prior to applying roofing materials.
- Cut felt, shingles, or strips of flashing to fit angles formed by walls, vents, or intersecting roof surfaces.
- Install vapor barriers or layers of insulation on flat roofs.
- Cover roofs or exterior walls of structures with slate, asphalt, aluminum, wood, gravel, gypsum, or related materials, using brushes, knives, punches, hammers, or other tools.
Also called: Commercial Roofer · Flat Roofer · Journeyman Roofer · Metal Roofing Mechanic · Roof Mechanic · Roof Service Technician (Roof Service Tech) · Roofer Mechanic · Roofing Technician (Roofing Tech)
Outlook and AI
Roofers held 166,900 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 175,600 by 2035 (+5%, about as fast as average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
- Roofer vs. Roofer helper
- Roofer vs. Drywall and ceiling tile installers
- Roofer vs. Insulation workers, floor, ceiling, and wall
- Roofer vs. Plasterers and stucco masons
- Roofer vs. Floor layers, except carpet, wood, and hard tiles
- Roofer vs. Insulation workers, mechanical
- Roofer vs. Carpenter
- Roofer vs. Helpers--brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, and tile and marble setters
- Roofer vs. Tile and stone setters
- Roofer vs. Terrazzo workers and finishers