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Roofer: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$55,440median pay per year, or $26.65 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $37,460lowest 10% earn less
  2. $46,26025th percentile
  3. $55,440median
  4. $65,39075th percentile
  5. $81,720top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

A roofer had a median pay of $55,440 a year in May 2025[1]. Jobs are projected to grow 5.3%[2], and no formal education is needed to start[3].

Job growth, 2025–35
+5.3%[2]
Openings per year
12,000[6]
Typical entry education
No formal educational credential[3]

How much do roofers make?

The median wage for roofers was $55,440 a year, or $26.65 an hour[1]. Half of roofers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average was $58,140 a year, or $27.95 an hour[7]. The median for all occupations was $50,980, so roofers were paid above that line[5].

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $37,460 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $81,720[4]. The middle half fell between $46,260 and $65,390[4].

Measure Annual Hourly
10th percentile[4][8] $37,460 $18.01
25th percentile[4][8] $46,260 $22.24
Median[1] $55,440 $26.65
75th percentile[4][8] $65,390 $31.44
90th percentile[4][8] $81,720 $39.29

A percentile is a boundary, and BLS does not publish a starting salary[9]. The figures cover wage and salary workers only. They leave out the self-employed, nonproduction bonuses and the cost of benefits[10]. About 19.8% of roofers were self-employed in 2025, so their earnings are not in these numbers[11].

Pay by state and city

Illinois had the highest median at $77,900 a year[12]. New Jersey followed at $76,600, then Minnesota at $74,490 and Massachusetts at $72,750[12]. Oklahoma had the lowest listed median at $43,680[12].

Florida had the most roofer jobs (23,550), then California (21,190), Washington (5,890), Texas (5,740) and Illinois (5,300)[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Worcester, MA had the top median at $105,270, then Trenton-Princeton, NJ at $82,100 and Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN at $82,090[14]. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA had the most jobs at 5,480, with a median of $63,560[15].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
Illinois[12]$77,9005,300
New Jersey$76,6001,860
Minnesota$74,4901,890
Massachusetts$72,7501,950
Alaska$66,750310
New York$66,0204,570
California$63,60021,190
Connecticut$62,070790
District of Columbia$61,750100
Rhode Island$61,630360
Washington$60,6405,890
Maryland$60,0902,050
New Hampshire$59,830270
North Dakota$59,740290
Hawaii$59,5801,110
Michigan$59,5303,090
Delaware$59,440230
Wisconsin$59,3702,400
Vermont$59,040210
Montana$59,030370
Oregon$58,9703,430
Indiana$57,9802,980
Idaho$57,7901,190
Pennsylvania$55,7103,830
Colorado$51,7503,340
West Virginia$51,170440
Nevada$51,0902,120
Maine$50,120610
Ohio$49,3904,610
North Carolina$49,0103,060
Louisiana$48,760760
Utah$48,6802,710
Iowa$48,660930
Missouri$48,5702,050
Virginia$48,4202,070
South Dakota$47,710400
Florida$47,59023,550
Arkansas$47,470950
Arizona$47,3403,420
Kansas$47,190900
Georgia$46,9402,160
Kentucky$46,9401,080
Nebraska$46,4601,730
Texas$46,0305,740
South Carolina$45,760850
Tennessee$45,6902,110
Alabama$45,6701,010
Wyoming$45,650330
New Mexico$45,3001,160
Mississippi$44,940480
Oklahoma$43,6801,260

How to become a roofer

Some roofers enter through an apprenticeship, which mixes on-the-job training with technical instruction[18][19]. Because some materials are used rarely, it can take several years to gain experience with every type of roofing[17].

Most employers want roofers to finish a safety certification that follows OSHA guidelines, either before or after being hired[20]. Some employers also want a driver's license so you can reach different jobsites[21]. Extra certifications can open more work or higher pay, and CareerOneStop lists them[22].

What roofers do

Roofers cover roofs with materials such as shingles, slate, asphalt, aluminum or wood. Some also spray roofs and walls with coatings[23]. Common tasks include:

Workers report job titles such as commercial roofer, flat roofer and roofing technician[25].

Where they work

Roofing contractors were the largest employer, at 72% of roofers in 2025[26]. The work is outdoors, often in extreme temperatures, and it involves climbing, bending, kneeling and heavy lifting[27]. Roofers usually stay off roofs in bad weather[27]. Some work alone, but many work in crews[28].

BLS says roofers are among the occupations with the highest injury and illness rates, and also among those with the highest rates of work-related deaths[29]. Risks include falls from scaffolds, ladders or roofs, burns from hot bitumen, and heat-related illness[30]. Safety equipment helps reduce the risk[30].

Most roofers work full time. Winter work can be limited in northern states, and summer can bring overtime[31]. The job calls for comfort at heights and good balance[32][33].

Job outlook

Employment is projected to grow 5.3% from 2025 to 2035, from about 166,900 to 175,600 jobs[2]. Growth for all occupations is projected at 3.5%[34]. That puts roofing above the average.

BLS projects about 12,000 openings a year[6]. Openings include jobs that come up when workers retire or move to other work, not just new jobs[6]. Each year, 2.3% of roofers leave the labor force and 4.2% move to a different occupation[35].

The wage survey counted about 135,490 wage and salary roofers in May 2025[36]. The projection counts are higher and include self-employed workers[2].

Is it a good fit?

The facts show a job with no formal education requirement and training done on the job[3]. Pay is above the all-occupation median, and growth is faster than average[1][5][2][34]. The tradeoff is physical. The work is demanding, and injury and fatality rates are among the highest[27][29]. People who are comfortable at heights and outdoors in hot or cold weather may find it fits[32][27].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[37].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a roofer make an hour?
The median was $26.65 an hour in May 2025[1]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $18.01 and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $39.29[8].
Do you need a degree to be a roofer?
No. No formal educational credential is typically needed[3][16].
How long does it take to become a roofer?
Roofers learn on the job. In the first few months they pick up measuring, cutting and fitting roofing materials, and it may take several years to gain experience with all types of roofing[17].
Is roofing in demand?
Employment is projected to grow 5.3%, against 3.5% for all occupations[2][34]. About 12,000 openings are projected each year[6].
What is the highest paying state for roofers?
Illinois had the highest median at $77,900 a year, followed by New Jersey at $76,600[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Roofers in the US was $55,440 per year and $26.65 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Roofers is projected to grow 5.3% from 2025 to 2035, from about 166,900 to 175,600 jobs (a change of +8,800). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Roofers: education needed for entry: No formal educational credential; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Roofers: 10th percentile $37,460, 25th percentile $46,260, 75th percentile $65,390, 90th percentile $81,720. 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 12,000 openings for 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 OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Roofers was $58,140 per year and $27.95 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Roofers: 10th percentile $18.01, 25th percentile $22.24, 75th percentile $31.44, 90th percentile $39.29. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. 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
  10. 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
  11. BLS Employment Projections: 19.8% of Roofers were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  12. Median annual wage for Roofers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Roofers jobs: Florida 23,550; California 21,190; Washington 5,890; Texas 5,740; Illinois 5,300. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Roofers (areas with at least 100 jobs): Worcester, MA $105,270; Trenton-Princeton, NJ $82,100; Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $82,090; Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT $81,310; St. Cloud, MN $79,250; Springfield, IL $77,900; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $76,650; Peoria, IL $76,610. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Roofers jobs: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 5,480 (median $63,560); Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 5,290 (median $48,030); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 3,900 (median $82,090); Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL 3,380 (median $47,170); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 3,100 (median $76,400); Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA 2,970 (median $64,090). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. O*NET description of Roofers. O*NET OnLine
  24. O*NET task list for Roofers. O*NET OnLine
  25. O*NET 47-2181.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Commercial Roofer, Flat Roofer, Journeyman Roofer, Metal Roofing Mechanic, Roof Mechanic, Roof Service Technician (Roof Service Tech), Roofer Mechanic, Roofing Technician (Roofing Tech). O*NET OnLine
  26. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of roofers in 2025: Roofing contractors 72%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  35. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Roofers: 2.3% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4.2% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  36. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 135,490 people were employed as Roofers in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  37. 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.

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.