Construction Trades Workers

How to become a Roofer

Official title: Roofers

Also called: Commercial Roofer, Flat Roofer, Journeyman Roofer, Metal Roofing Mechanic, Roof Mechanic, Roof Service Technician (Roof Service Tech), Roofer Mechanic, Roofing Technician (Roofing Tech), Sheet Metal Roofer, Single Ply Roofer

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.

Main tasks

Inspect problem roofs to determine the best repair procedures.
Waterproof or damp-proof walls, floors, roofs, foundations, or basements by painting or spraying surfaces with waterproof coatings or by attaching waterproofing membranes to surfaces.
Cover exposed nailheads with roofing cement or caulking to prevent water leakage or rust.
Apply reflective roof coatings, such as special paints or single-ply roofing sheets, to existing roofs to reduce solar heat absorption.
Remove snow, water, or debris from roofs prior to applying roofing materials.
Cut felt, shingles, or strips of flashing to fit angles formed by walls, vents, or intersecting roof surfaces.
Install vapor barriers or layers of insulation on flat roofs.
Cover roofs or exterior walls of structures with slate, asphalt, aluminum, wood, gravel, gypsum, or related materials, using brushes, knives, punches, hammers, or other tools.

How to become one

There are typically no formal education requirements for roofers. Although most roofers learn on the job, some enter the occupation through an apprenticeship.

Typical education to start: No formal educational credential

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

Apprenticeship: Roofer.
Licence: A licence is required in 10 states.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $55,440 a year The middle half earn $46,260 to $65,390.
About 166,900 people work in this job now, and about 175,600 are projected by 2035. (+5.3%)
People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Questions people ask

How do I become a Roofer?

There are typically no formal education requirements for roofers. Although most roofers learn on the job, some enter the occupation through an apprenticeship.

How much does a Roofer earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $55,440 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $46,260 to $65,390.

Is a Roofer a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5% by 2035, from about 166,900 to about 175,600 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Roofer?

Usually not. Only 5% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Roofer.

Will AI change the work of a Roofer?

People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Sources

Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

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.