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Roofer

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What is a Roofer?

Roofer Job Description 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.

A Day in the Life of a Roofer

  • Set up scaffolding to provide safe access to roofs.
  • Inspect problem roofs to determine the best repair procedures.
  • Apply gravel or pebbles over top layers of roofs, using rakes or stiff-bristled brooms.
  • Cover exposed nailheads with roofing cement or caulking to prevent water leakage or rust.
  • Cement or nail flashing strips of metal or shingle over joints to make them watertight.
  • Apply alternate layers of hot asphalt or tar and roofing paper to roofs.

Things a Roofer Should Know How to Do

Roofers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

  • Metal Roofing Mechanic
  • Hot Tar Roofer
  • Tar Roofer
  • Metal Worker
  • Slater

Job Opportunities for Roofers

In the United States, there were 146,200 jobs for Roofer in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 11.1% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 16,200 new jobs for Roofer by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 16,500 job openings in this field each year.

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The states with the most job growth for Roofer are Utah, Colorado, and Arizona. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Alaska, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Salary for a Roofer

The typical yearly salary for Roofers is somewhere between $25,540 and $66,510.

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Roofers who work in Illinois, New Jersey, or Rhode Island, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Roofers in different U.S. states.

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $35,160
Alaska $51,560
Arizona $38,390
Arkansas $32,360
California $50,740
Colorado $42,070
Connecticut $55,630
Delaware $42,910
District of Columbia $44,570
Florida $34,900
Georgia $36,790
Hawaii $58,170
Idaho $39,280
Illinois $61,870
Indiana $43,990
Iowa $38,790
Kansas $40,840
Kentucky $42,110
Louisiana $33,630
Maine $36,570
Maryland $46,330
Massachusetts $57,920
Michigan $43,850
Minnesota $53,980
Mississippi $32,190
Missouri $52,150
Montana $38,540
Nebraska $33,390
Nevada $43,490
New Hampshire $38,620
New Jersey $58,870
New Mexico $31,510
New York $65,520
North Carolina $35,640
North Dakota $44,070
Ohio $41,240
Oklahoma $34,220
Oregon $41,790
Pennsylvania $49,650
Rhode Island $54,600
South Carolina $36,000
South Dakota $30,800
Tennessee $34,230
Texas $35,230
Utah $37,560
Vermont $35,300
Virginia $43,400
Washington $53,550
West Virginia $38,010
Wisconsin $43,140
Wyoming $38,600

What Tools & Technology do Roofers Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Roofers:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Word processing software
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Spreadsheet software
  • Maintenance record software
  • Insight Direct ServiceCEO
  • Wintac Pro
  • Roof Pro Estimate Software Roof Pro
  • RoofLogic
  • AppliCad Roof Wizard
  • Ziatek RoofDraw
  • Energy cost evaluation software
  • Exele TopView
  • Humidity and vapor drive calculation software
  • Roofing Calculator
  • DigiTools Roof CAD

How to Become a Roofer

What education is needed to be a Roofer?

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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Roofers Sector

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Below are examples of industries where Roofers work:

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References:

Image Credit: Margo Wright via Public domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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