Roofers Salary
The median roofers salary in the United States is $55,440 per year ($26.65/hour). Salaries range from $37,460 at the entry level to $81,720+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 135,490 roofers jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to grow 5.9% through 2034.
Last updated: June 2026 Β· Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Salary Distribution
Job Growth (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
Education Required
Training Needed
Roofers Career Guide
Interview questions, resume templates, and a career ladder written specifically for rooferss.
Roofers install + repair roofs on residential + commercial buildings. Career splits: residential roofers (asphalt shingle, tile, metal), commercial roofers (TPO, EPDM, PVC, built-up), specialty (slate, copper, historical restoration), storm damage restoration (insurance work), industrial + solar installation. Path: high school + on-the-job apprenticeship + optional 3-year union apprenticeship (United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers + Allied Workers). Compensation: entry $32-46k residential; skilled crews $45-68k; commercial + specialty $58-85k; foreman $65-95k; contractor + shop owner $80-350k+. Union commercial contractors pay 30-50% more.
Core Skills Hiring Managers Screen For
How to Become a Roofers
- 1Age 18+ + high school diploma preferredPhysical fitness + comfort with heights.
- 2Apply to roofing contractorResidential (small local) or commercial (larger regional). Union hall for union work.
- 3On-the-job apprenticeship (3-4 years)Learn on the job. Some employers sponsor formal apprenticeship.
- 4OSHA + fall protection certificationsRequired. $60-200 per course.
- 5Optional: Union apprenticeship (Roofers Union β 3-4 year paid)Earn while learning. Progressive wage + journeyman status.
- 6Specialize (commercial, storm restoration, solar)Specialty commands 30-50% premium.
- 7Advance to foreman + contractor5-15 years. Higher pay + management + ownership.
Career Progression
- β’Basic tasks under supervision
- β’Learning + assisting
- β’Independent installation + repair
- β’Multi-system capability
- β’Complex commercial systems
- β’Specialty projects (slate, historic)
- β’Supervise crew of 4-10
- β’Job coordination + safety
- β’Business ownership
- β’Multi-crew + team
Interview Questions & Answers
5 free questions below. Career Kit unlocks 9 total plus resume bullets for every level.
Q1. Tell me about your roofing experience.situational
Q2. How do you handle safety on a steep-pitch roof?situational
Q3. Tell me about a difficult project.behavioral
Q4. Why our company?culture
Q5. How do you handle bad weather?situational
Resume Template β Journeyman Roofer (3-6 yrs)
Copy these bullets into your resume as a starting point. Career Kit includes bullets for every level of the ladder.
- βΈJourneyman Roofer, [Contractor], 4 years residential + commercial installation.
- βΈOSHA 10 + Fall Protection + Ladder Safety + Xactimate insurance certifications.
- βΈZero fall incidents + zero customer complaints on 120+ residential + 40+ commercial projects.
- βΈBilingual English + Spanish. Trained 3 new-hire helpers.
What Gets You Rejected
- βWeak safety awareness (huge liability).
- βHistory of fall incidents.
- βBad-mouthing prior contractor.
- βAttendance issues.
- βMissing certifications.
- βWeak measurement + estimating.
Salary Negotiation Levers
- βHourly rate + overtime premium.
- βUnion vs non-union (union pays 30-50% more).
- βSpecialty pay (commercial, slate, historic).
- βSign-on bonus $500-3k in high-demand.
- βPer diem + travel pay for storm restoration.
- βFull benefits + pension (union).
- βCertifications support (Xactimate for insurance work).
Roofers Resume Review β $29
Personalized resume review from someone who has hired rooferss. Purchase, email your resume to support@weblabra.com, and receive detailed written feedback within 7 days.
- β Occupation-specific critique (not generic)
- β Rewrite suggestions for weak bullets
- β Missing skills / keywords flagged
- β Formatting + ATS-readability feedback
- β 7-day turnaround, 100% refund if we miss it
Roofers Career Kit β $19
- β All 9 interview questions with expert answers
- β 10 real questions aggregated from Glassdoor, Blind, Reddit, LinkedIn
- β Interview format intel for 6 top employers
- β 3 copy-paste salary negotiation emails
- β Resume bullets for every level of the career ladder
- β 30β60β90 day plan for your first role
- β Cover letter templates specific to this occupation
- β Detailed salary negotiation script
- β Ranked list of certifications with cost + ROI
- β Downloadable PDF for offline access
- β Instant access, no expiration, no subscription
One-time purchase. 7-day refund guarantee.
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Roofers Salary by State
Best Cities (cost-adjusted) βSalary Map β Click a state for details
Top Paying States
| State | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $77,900 | +40.5% |
| New Jersey | $76,600 | +38.2% |
| Minnesota | $74,490 | +34.4% |
| Massachusetts | $72,750 | +31.2% |
| Alaska | $66,750 | +20.4% |
| New York | $66,020 | +19.1% |
| California | $63,600 | +14.7% |
| Connecticut | $62,070 | +12.0% |
| District of Columbia | $61,750 | +11.4% |
| Rhode Island | $61,630 | +11.2% |
Roofers Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Worcester, MA | $105,270 | +89.9% |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $82,100 | +48.1% |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $82,090 | +48.1% |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $81,310 | +46.7% |
| St. Cloud, MN | $79,250 | +42.9% |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $77,990 | +40.7% |
| Springfield, IL | $77,900 | +40.5% |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $76,650 | +38.3% |
| Peoria, IL | $76,610 | +38.2% |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $76,400 | +37.8% |