Roofer salary
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What a roofer does
Roofers install and repair roofing systems on homes and commercial buildings. Physically demanding, weather-dependent and better paid than most entry construction work.
Day-to-day duties
- Strip and dispose of old roofing
- Install underlayment, shingles, membrane or tile
- Flash chimneys, valleys and penetrations
- Diagnose and repair leaks
- Work safely at height with fall protection
Skills employers look for
- Comfort working at height in heat
- Physical stamina
- Precision on flashing and detail work
- Fall protection discipline
Requirements Entry level
- No formal education required
- On-the-job training
- Working at height in extreme heat and cold
- Fall protection training — this trade has a high injury rate
How to get started
- 1 Start as a roofing labourer
- 2 Learn tear-off, then installation
- 3 Specialise in commercial membrane or tile
- 4 Move to crew lead or contracting
Job outlook: Storm damage and replacement cycles create steady work, and demand spikes sharply in regions after severe weather.
Common questions about roofers
What does a roofer do?
Roofers install and repair roofing systems on homes and commercial buildings. Physically demanding, weather-dependent and better paid than most entry construction work. Day to day, that means strip and dispose of old roofing, install underlayment, shingles, membrane or tile, flash chimneys, valleys and penetrations and diagnose and repair leaks.
How do you become a roofer?
The usual route is: (1) start as a roofing labourer, (2) learn tear-off, then installation, (3) specialise in commercial membrane or tile, (4) move to crew lead or contracting. Employers typically look for no formal education required, on-the-job training and working at height in extreme heat and cold.
Do you need a certification to work as a roofer?
Usually not. Most employers hire roofers without a specific licence, and train on the job.
Are roofers in demand?
Storm damage and replacement cycles create steady work, and demand spikes sharply in regions after severe weather.
Is roofing dangerous work?
It carries one of the higher injury rates in construction — falls, heat exposure and repetitive strain. Reputable employers take fall protection seriously and provide harnesses and training. If a prospective employer is casual about safety equipment, that tells you something worth acting on.
Where are roofers most in demand?
See the metro and rural areas with the highest concentration of this work, ranked from Bureau of Labor Statistics employment data.
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Pay figures are estimates for guidance only, not an offer or guarantee. Advertised ranges come from job postings on LocalWork; government figures come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Actual pay depends on experience, certifications, shift and employer.