Roofers
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.
Also called: Aluminum Shingle Roofer, Asbestos Shingle Roofer, Commercial Roofer, Commercial Roofing Technician (Commercial Roofing Tech), Composition Roofer, Cool Roofing Installer
Median pay
$55,440
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$37,460 – $81,720
People employed
135,490
Holland code
RCE
Realistic · Conventional · Enterprising
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
- 2.Do you work well under tight deadlines?
- 3.Are you OK with hours that change?
- 4.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
- 5.Are you OK with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
- 6.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 7.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
- 8.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
The hard parts
- Work outdoors in all weather
- Tight deadlines are common
- Long hours on your feet
Roofers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What roofers do
- 01Estimate materials and labor required to complete roofing jobs.
- 02Inspect problem roofs to determine the best repair procedures.
- 03Waterproof or damp-proof walls, floors, roofs, foundations, or basements by painting or spraying surfaces with waterproof coatings or by attaching waterproofing membranes to surfaces.
- 04Cover exposed nailheads with roofing cement or caulking to prevent water leakage or rust.
- 05Apply reflective roof coatings, such as special paints or single-ply roofing sheets, to existing roofs to reduce solar heat absorption.
- 06Remove snow, water, or debris from roofs prior to applying roofing materials.
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Active Learning
- Reading Comprehension
Knowledge
- Building and Construction
- Mechanical
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Cautiousness
Education and first steps
O*NET has no education survey data for this job.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: over 1 month, up to and including 3 months.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from roofers
- Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters84% · −14%
- Helpers--Roofers79% · −20%
- Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining75% · +4%
- Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic73% · +15%
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers73% · −3%
Change into roofers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Helpers--Roofers85% · $44,160
- Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters79% · $47,550
- Fence Erectors77% · $47,980
- Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters76% · $42,360
- Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons75% · $40,470
Majors that lead here
- Roofer
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.