All About Roofers
Career 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.
Roofer Responsibilities
- 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.
- Remove snow, water, or debris from roofs prior to applying roofing materials.
- Glaze top layers to make a smooth finish or embed gravel in the bitumen for rough surfaces.
- Attach solar panels to existing roofs, according to specifications and without damaging roofing materials or the structural integrity of buildings.
- Set up scaffolding to provide safe access to roofs.
- Cut felt, shingles, or strips of flashing to fit angles formed by walls, vents, or intersecting roof surfaces.
Featured schools near , edit
What a Roofer Should Know
When polled, Roofers say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
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 Jobs
- Roof Mechanic
- Terra Cotta Roofer
- Hot Tar Roofer
- Asbestos Shingle Roofer
- Tin Roofer
Are There Job Opportunities for Roofers?
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.
What is the Average Salary of a Roofer
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.
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 do I Become a Roofer?
Are there Roofers education requirements?

What work experience do I need to become a Roofer?

Where 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.
Featured Schools
![]() |
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |