U.S. Skilled Trade Career Profile
Roofer Career Guide
Start your career as a skilled Roofer in the United States
Updated Reviewed by Career In Trades Editorial Team
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Career Overview
Roofers are skilled construction professionals who install, repair, replace, and maintain roofs on residential, commercial, and other buildings. They work with a variety of roofing materials, including asphalt shingles, metal, bitumen, single-ply membranes, insulation, flashing, and waterproofing systems.
The work combines construction skills with careful measurement, material preparation, waterproofing, inspection, and repair. Roofers frequently work outdoors and at elevated heights, making balance, physical stamina, attention to detail, and safe work practices especially important.
A college degree is generally not required to enter the occupation. Most roofers learn through on-the-job training, while others complete registered apprenticeship programs that combine paid work experience with technical instruction.
Demand for roofers is supported by the ongoing need to replace and repair existing roofs, install roofs on new buildings, and perform some rooftop solar-related work. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of roofers to grow 5% from 2025 to 2035.
What Does a Roofer Do
- Inspect roofs to determine repair and replacement needs
- Install shingles, metal, membranes, and other roofing materials
- Repair damaged, leaking, or deteriorated roofing systems
- Apply waterproof coatings, sealants, and roofing membranes
- Measure and cut shingles, flashing, insulation, and roofing materials
- Install insulation, vapor barriers, flashing, and weatherproofing systems
How to Become a Roofer
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Meet Basic Entry Requirements
A college degree is not required to become a roofer. BLS lists no formal educational credential as the typical entry-level requirement, although some employers and apprenticeship programs may prefer applicants who have completed high school or earned a GED.
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Find an Entry-Level Roofing Job or Apprenticeship
Apply for an entry-level roofing position or registered apprenticeship. Most roofers learn their trade through on-the-job training, while apprenticeships combine structured instruction with paid hands-on experience.
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Learn Roofing Materials and Installation
Learn how to measure, cut, position, and install common roofing materials such as asphalt shingles, metal roofing, membranes, insulation, flashing, sealants, and waterproofing systems.
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Learn Roofing Safety and Fall Protection
Develop safe work practices for ladders, scaffolds, elevated surfaces, material handling, and fall protection. Proper personal protective equipment and jobsite safety procedures are essential because roofers routinely work at heights.
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Build Professional Roofing Experience
Gain experience inspecting roofs, identifying leaks and damage, preparing roof surfaces, installing roofing systems, applying waterproofing materials, and completing repairs under experienced workers or supervisors.
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Advance to Experienced or Supervisory Roles
With experience, roofers may advance to experienced roofer, crew leader, foreman, estimator, superintendent, or contractor roles. Workers who operate their own roofing business may need contractor licensing depending on state and local requirements.
Skills & Requirements
- Roof installation and repair
- Roof inspection and leak detection
- Measurement and material cutting
- Waterproofing and flashing installation
- Construction tool operation
- Balance and working-at-heights safety
- Manual dexterity and physical stamina
- Teamwork and coordination
Salary Breakdown
Entry-level and experienced salary figures are approximate national estimates intended to illustrate potential earning progression. Actual pay varies by location, experience, licensing level, union status, industry, employer, and overtime. The salary figure shown at the top of this page is the May 2024 national median annual wage reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Job Outlook & Demand
Employment prospects for roofers are expected to remain positive over the next decade as residential, commercial, and institutional buildings continue to require roof installation, replacement, repair, and maintenance.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of roofers to grow 5% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3% for all occupations. Employment is projected to increase from about 166,900 workers in 2025 to about 175,600 in 2035.
About 12,000 openings for roofers are projected each year on average over the decade. Many openings will result from workers transferring to other occupations or leaving the labor force.
Demand will also be supported by replacement and repair of existing roofs, installation of roofs on new buildings, and some rooftop solar photovoltaic installation activity.
Work Environment
Roofers work primarily outdoors on residential, commercial, and other buildings. The occupation is physically demanding and commonly requires climbing, bending, kneeling, lifting materials, and maintaining balance while working on elevated surfaces.
Roofers may work in hot or cold temperatures, although roofing work is often suspended during severe or unsafe weather conditions. Some roofers work independently, but many work as part of a roofing crew.
Fall protection and other safety equipment are especially important. Roofers face risks from falls, ladders, scaffolds, hot roofing materials, heavy lifting, and heat exposure, so following established safety procedures is a critical part of the occupation.
Examples of Major Employers
Tecta America
LocationRosemont, Illinois
Baker Roofing Company
LocationCary, North Carolina
CentiMark Corporation
LocationCanonsburg, Pennsylvania
Nations Roof
LocationMobile, Alabama
Kalkreuth Roofing and Sheet Metal
LocationWheeling, West Virginia
Flynn Group of Companies
LocationPhoenix, Arizona
Frequently Asked Questions
Do roofers need a license?
Licensing requirements vary by state and locality. Individual employees may not need a roofing license in some states, while contractors who operate roofing businesses may need a contractor or specialty roofing license. Always check the requirements of the state and local jurisdiction where you plan to work.
How much do roofers make?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for roofers was $55,440 in May 2025, equivalent to about $26.65 per hour. Earnings vary by experience, location, employer, and type of roofing work.
How long does it take to become a roofer?
Most roofers learn through on-the-job training rather than a college degree program. BLS classifies the occupation as requiring moderate-term on-the-job training. Some workers instead enter through a registered apprenticeship, which provides structured classroom and paid hands-on training.
Do you need a college degree to become a roofer?
No. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists no formal educational credential as the typical entry-level education for roofers. Many roofers learn their skills directly on the job, although some employers or apprenticeship programs may prefer applicants with a high school diploma or GED.
Is roofing a physically demanding career?
Yes. Roofing frequently involves climbing, bending, kneeling, lifting materials, maintaining balance, and working outdoors at heights. Roofers must use appropriate fall-protection equipment and follow jobsite safety procedures.
Career Data Sources
Career information is reviewed using government, certification, and industry sources. Data may change after publication.
- Roofers — Occupational Outlook Handbook — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Data: 2025) Supports: Salary, employment, education, training, job outlook, and work environment. Accessed September 21, 2026.
- Roofers — 47-2181.00 — O*NET OnLine / U.S. Department of Labor (Data: 2026) Supports: Job duties, skills, knowledge, work activities, training, and apprenticeship information. Accessed September 21, 2026.
Note: Salary figures displayed on this page use the national median annual wage reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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