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Roofer apprentice: pay, job outlook and how to get started

Updated October 29, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$44,160median pay per year, or $21.23 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $30,140lowest 10% earn less
  2. $37,03025th percentile
  3. $44,160median
  4. $48,97075th percentile
  5. $62,400top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

A roofer apprentice or helper falls under the BLS category Helpers--Roofers, which had a median pay of $44,160 a year[1]. Employment is projected to dip 0.1% from 2025 to 2035, while all occupations are projected to grow 3.5%[2][3].

Job growth, 2025–35
-0.1%[2]
Openings per year
600[6]
Typical entry education
No formal educational credential[7]

How much do roofer helpers make?

The median pay was $44,160 a year, or $21.23 an hour[1]. Half of the workers made more than that and half made less[1]. The average was $45,150 a year, or $21.71 an hour[8]. The median for all occupations was $50,980 a year[5].

Point in the range Annual Hourly
Lowest-paid 10% earned less than[4][9] $30,140 $14.49
Lowest-paid 25% earned less than[4][9] $37,030 $17.80
Median[1] $44,160 $21.23
Highest-paid 25% earned more than[4][9] $48,970 $23.54
Highest-paid 10% earned more than[4][9] $62,400 $30.00

BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[10]. The figures cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed, bonuses not tied to production, and the cost of benefits such as health insurance[11]. About 6,030 people held these jobs in May 2025[12].

Pay by state and city

Utah had the highest published median, at $72,860 a year, based on 120 jobs[13]. Colorado followed at $55,860, then California at $55,470[13]. Mississippi had the lowest published median, at $31,090[13]. BLS published figures for 26 states[13].

Florida had the most jobs, with 1,240[14]. California had 1,200 and Texas had 590[14].

Among metro areas, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA had the highest median at $58,090[15]. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ followed at $46,780, then Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL at $41,690[15]. Miami had the most jobs of any metro area, at 330[16].

Show median pay in 26 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
Utah[13]$72,860120
Colorado$55,860n/a
California$55,4701,200
Georgia$47,610n/a
Ohio$46,600490
Virginia$46,030110
Washington$44,520110
Oregon$44,33070
North Carolina$44,120270
Louisiana$43,68070
New Jersey$42,670n/a
Iowa$42,650n/a
Michigan$41,750n/a
Pennsylvania$41,32070
Oklahoma$38,95070
Texas$38,430590
Tennessee$38,380160
Florida$38,3501,240
South Carolina$37,86040
Alabama$37,67060
New Mexico$37,640130
Nevada$37,43030
Arkansas$35,950110
Missouri$35,800n/a
Maryland$34,830n/a
Mississippi$31,090n/a

How to start as a roofer apprentice

BLS lists no formal educational credential, no related work experience and short-term on-the-job training for this occupation[7].

These details come from a BLS profile of construction laborers and helpers that covers a wider group than roofer helpers[21]. Some workers in that group take apprenticeships that combine job training with classroom instruction[22]. Workers in this occupation report titles such as roofer helper, roofer apprentice and roofing apprentice[23].

What roofer helpers do

O*NET says helpers do less skilled tasks to assist roofers. They use, supply or hold materials and tools, and they clean the work area[24]. Typical tasks include:

Where they work

The BLS profile for the wider group says construction laborers and helpers are frequently outside, whatever the weather. Some work at great heights or in tight spaces, and travel to jobsites may be required[26]. In that wider group, specialty trade contractors were the largest employer at 32%[27].

Injury and illness rates for construction laborers rank among the top across occupations. Following safety rules and wearing protective gear such as hardhats and steel-toed shoes lowers the risk[28].

Most helpers in the group work full time, and schedules vary. Some work only in certain seasons, since cold weather can limit building in northern areas[29]. Few helpers are self-employed[30]. For roofer helpers, the share was 1.7% in 2025[31].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of roofer helpers to fall 0.1% between 2025 and 2035, with about 6,100 jobs at both ends of the period[2]. The projection for all occupations is growth of 3.5%[3]. Those counts include self-employed workers[2].

About 600 openings a year are projected on average[6]. Openings include jobs left by workers who retire or change occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 3.1% of workers leave the workforce entirely and 6.1% switch to a different occupation[32].

BLS lists one factor behind the outlook. Construction laborers are increasingly given helper tasks because they can support several trades, including roofers, which lowers the helper share[33].

Is it a good fit?

The facts describe a job with a low barrier to entry. It needs no formal credential or related experience, and training is short[7]. The median of $44,160 is below the $50,980 median for all occupations, but the highest-paid 10% earned more than $62,400[1][5][4]. Employment is projected to dip slightly while all occupations grow[2][3]. The occupation is small, with about 600 openings a year[6]. In the wider group of construction laborers and helpers, work is often outdoors and sometimes at great heights[26].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[34].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a roofer helper make an hour?
The median was $21.23 an hour in May 2025[1]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $14.49 and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $30.00[9].
What education do you need to be a roofer helper?
BLS lists no formal educational credential[7]. Some employers may prefer a high school diploma or the equivalent[17].
How long does it take to start as a roofer apprentice?
BLS lists short-term on-the-job training and no related work experience[7].
Are roofer helper jobs in demand?
Employment is projected to fall 0.1% between 2025 and 2035, while all occupations are projected to grow 3.5%[2][3]. About 600 openings a year are projected[6].
What is the highest paying state for roofer helpers?
Utah had the highest published median, at $72,860, followed by Colorado at $55,860 and California at $55,470[13]. Utah's figure rests on 120 jobs[13].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Helpers--Roofers in the US was $44,160 per year and $21.23 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Helpers--Roofers is projected to decline 0.1% from 2025 to 2035, from about 6,100 to 6,100 jobs (a change of +0). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Helpers--Roofers: 10th percentile $30,140, 25th percentile $37,030, 75th percentile $48,970, 90th percentile $62,400. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 600 openings for Helpers--Roofers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Helpers--Roofers: education needed for entry: No formal educational credential; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Helpers--Roofers was $45,150 per year and $21.71 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Helpers--Roofers: 10th percentile $14.49, 25th percentile $17.80, 75th percentile $23.54, 90th percentile $30.00. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 6,030 people were employed as Helpers--Roofers in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. Median annual wage for Helpers--Roofers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Helpers--Roofers jobs: Florida 1,240; California 1,200; Texas 590; Ohio 490; North Carolina 270. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Helpers--Roofers (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $58,090; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $46,780; Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $41,690; Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $39,850; Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL $39,620; Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $38,090. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Helpers--Roofers jobs: Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 330 (median $41,690); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 240 (median $39,850); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 150 (median $38,090); Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL 140 (median $39,620); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 130 (median $46,780); San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA 100 (median $58,090). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Construction Laborers and Helpers" covers Helpers--Roofers together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. O*NET 47-3016.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Roofer Apprentice, Roofer Helper, Roofing Apprentice. O*NET OnLine
  24. O*NET description of Helpers--Roofers. O*NET OnLine
  25. O*NET task list for Helpers--Roofers. O*NET OnLine
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of construction laborers and helpers in 2025: Specialty trade contractors 32%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. BLS Employment Projections: 1.7% of Helpers--Roofers were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  32. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Helpers--Roofers: 3.1% of workers leave the labor force each year and 6.1% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  33. BLS Employment Projections, factor affecting employment of Helpers--Roofers: Occupational substitution - share decreases as construction laborers are increasingly assigned helpers tasks because they can support various trades, including roofers. BLS Employment Projections
  34. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.