CFChooseField
Construction and Trades

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.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Roofers
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Median pay

$50,970
Median annual pay for Roofers.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

5.9%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

12,700
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

166,700
Estimated U.S. employment for Roofers in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+9,800
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

No formal educational credential
Typical additional preparation: Moderate-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Active Listening
  2. 2Critical Thinking
  3. 3Monitoring
  4. 4Speaking
  5. 5Reading Comprehension
  6. 6Active Learning

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Building and Construction
  2. 2Customer and Personal Service
  3. 3English Language
  4. 4Public Safety and Security
  5. 5Education and Training
  6. 6Mathematics

Abilities

  1. 1Gross Body Equilibrium
  2. 2Extent Flexibility
  3. 3Problem Sensitivity
  4. 4Trunk Strength
  5. 5Near Vision
  6. 6Arm-Hand Steadiness

Career interests

  1. 1Realistic
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Enterprising
  4. 4Social
  5. 5Investigative
  6. 6Artistic

Work styles

  1. 1Dependability
  2. 2Cautiousness
  3. 3Attention to Detail
  4. 4Perseverance
  5. 5Stress Tolerance
  6. 6Integrity

Work activities

  1. 1Performing General Physical Activities
  2. 2Handling and Moving Objects
  3. 3Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  4. 4Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
  5. 5Getting Information
  6. 6Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Work context

  1. 1Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
  2. 2Exposed to High Places
  3. 3Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  4. 4Telephone Conversations
  5. 5Contact With Others
  6. 6Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

Representative tasks

  • Inspect problem roofs to determine the best repair procedures.
  • Remove snow, water, or debris from roofs prior to applying roofing materials.
  • Set up scaffolding to provide safe access to roofs.
  • Estimate materials and labor required to complete roofing jobs.
  • Cement or nail flashing strips of metal or shingle over joints to make them watertight.
  • 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.
  • Apply plastic coatings, membranes, fiberglass, or felt over sloped roofs before applying shingles.

Software and tools

Microsoft Word · hot technologyMicrosoft Windows · hot technologyMicrosoft Office software · hot technologyMicrosoft Excel · hot technologyAppliCad Roof WizardRoofLogicRoofing CalculatorRoof Pro Estimate Software Roof ProMaintenance record softwareWintac ProInsight Direct ServiceCEOExele TopView

The short answer

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.

The measurable national baseline is $50,970 median annual pay, 5.9% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034, and 12,700 projected openings per year. Use these figures as a national benchmark rather than a personal forecast; location, experience, employer, specialty, credentials, and hours can change individual outcomes.

Pay and the size of the opportunity

The national median-pay figure for Roofers is $50,970. Current employment is 166,700, with projected 2034 employment of 176,500. Pay describes the middle worker nationally, not a guaranteed starting salary, and the employment totals describe the occupation's scale rather than the number of jobs available to one applicant.

Demand, growth, and annual openings

BLS projects 5.9% employment growth for Roofers from 2024 to 2034 and about 12,700 openings per year. Growth measures whether the occupation is expanding, while annual openings also include replacement needs created when workers retire, change occupations, or leave the labor force.

Education and preparation

The typical BLS entry-education category is No formal educational credential. Related work experience is None, and the listed on-the-job training category is Moderate-term on-the-job training. These categories summarize a national pathway; licensing, certification, portfolios, apprenticeships, or local employer requirements may add to it.

What the work involves

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.

A representative O*NET task is: Inspect problem roofs to determine the best repair procedures. The broader activity profile emphasizes Performing General Physical Activities, Handling and Moving Objects, Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials.

Skills, knowledge, and tools

The strongest available O*NET skill signals are Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Monitoring. Leading knowledge areas are Building and Construction, Customer and Personal Service, English Language. These are national occupational signals, so a specific employer may emphasize a different mix. Examples of software or tools associated with the occupation include Microsoft Word, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Excel.

Common questions

What is the median pay for Roofers?

The national median annual pay in the current dataset is $50,970. Actual pay varies by location, experience, employer, specialty, credentials, and hours.

Is demand growing for Roofers?

BLS projects 5.9% employment growth from 2024 to 2034 and about 12,700 openings per year. Openings include both newly created positions and replacement demand.

What education is needed for Roofers?

The typical BLS entry-education category is No formal educational credential. Related experience, on-the-job training, licensing, or certification requirements may also apply.

What does Roofers involve?

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.

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

ChooseField compares fields using public labor-market and professional sources.