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: Commercial Roofer · Industrial Roofer · Metal Roofing Mechanic · Residential Roofer · Roof Mechanic · Roof Service Technician
Median pay (national)
$50,970
$37,060–$80,780 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
136,740
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+5.9%
~12,700 openings/yr
Typical entry
No formal educational credential
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for roofers shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $80,780 versus $37,060 at the bottom 10% — 2.2x. The median of $50,970 leaves roughly 58% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +5.9% from 2024 to 2034 — faster than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 12,700 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 54 states with released data, Minnesota pays the most for this role (median $77,730, +53% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $28,040 — a 177% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Speaking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
Tailor your resume to Roofers
Honest tailoring
See how your resume lines up with Roofers
Refit re-angles your real experience toward this role using the skills above — and never invents skills you don't have. A no-fabrication gate checks every change before you see it.
Free. No account needed to see your first re-fit.
Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
- Mathematics
- Learning Strategies
- Writing
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Inspect problem roofs to determine the best repair procedures.
- Estimate materials and labor required to complete roofing jobs.
- Install partially overlapping layers of material over roof insulation surfaces, using chalk lines, gauges on shingling hatchets, or lines on shingles.
- Cut felt, shingles, or strips of flashing to fit angles formed by walls, vents, or intersecting roof surfaces.
- Install, repair, or replace single-ply roofing systems, using waterproof sheet materials such as modified plastics, elastomeric, or other asphaltic compositions.
- Attach roofing paper to roofs in overlapping strips to form bases for other materials.
- 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.
- Apply reflective roof coatings, such as special paints or single-ply roofing sheets, to existing roofs to reduce solar heat absorption.
- Apply alternate layers of hot asphalt or tar and roofing paper to roofs.
- Cover exposed nailheads with roofing cement or caulking to prevent water leakage or rust.
Tools & technology
- Microsoft Windows
- AppliCad Roof Wizard
- ASR Software LWC-Plus
- ASR Software Taper-Plus
- ASR Software TopView LE
- ASR Software TopView ME
- CADAFIS
- DigiTools Roof CAD
- Energy cost evaluation software
- Exele TopView
- Humidity and vapor drive calculation software
- Insight Direct ServiceCEO
- Maintenance record software
- Roof Pro Estimate Software Roof Pro
- Roofing Calculator
- RoofLogic
Knowledge areas
- Building and Construction
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Education and Training
- Mathematics
- Design
- Mechanical