What is a Roofer?
Job Description & Duties 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.
What Do Roofers Do On a Daily Basis?
- Punch holes in slate, tile, terra cotta, or wooden shingles, using punches and hammers.
- Install solar roofing systems that have energy-collecting photovoltaic panels built into roofing membranes, shingles, or tiles.
- Install attic ventilation systems, such as turbine vents, gable or ridge vents, or conventional or solar-powered exhaust fans.
- Set up scaffolding to provide safe access to roofs.
- Install vapor barriers or layers of insulation on flat roofs.
- Cement or nail flashing strips of metal or shingle over joints to make them watertight.
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What Every Roofer Should Know
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.
Types of Roofer
- Metal Worker
- Slater Apprentice
- Tar Roofer
- Roof Tile Layer
- Metal Roofer
Roofer Job Outlook
There were about 146,200 jobs for Roofer in 2016 (in the United States). 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. The BLS estimates 16,500 yearly job openings in this field.

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

Roofers who work in Illinois, New Jersey, or Rhode Island, make the highest salaries.
How much do Roofers make 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 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Roofers
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Roofers may use on a daily basis:
- 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
Learn what Roofer education requirements there are.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Roofer?

Where do Roofers Work?

Below are examples of industries where Roofers work:

References:
Image Credit: Margo Wright via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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