Roofers: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Roofers fall under the Construction and Extraction category in the U.S. occupational classification. Roofers earn a median salary of $50,970 per year, ranking in the top 61% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +5.9% job growth through 2034, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Entry into this field typically requires an apprenticeship, technical certification, or postsecondary training, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do roofers earn?

The median annual wage for roofers is $50,970. That puts roofers at #491 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is roofers a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for roofers is +5.9%, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 166K positions in 2024 to 176K in 2034, a net change of 10K. Average growth signals a healthy, resilient occupation that mirrors broader U.S. employment trends. Job availability tends to track regional economic conditions.

What do roofers do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working roofers, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Install partially overlapping layers of material over roof insulation surfaces, using chalk lines, gauges on shingling hatchets, or lines on shingles.
2. 2.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.
3. 3.Apply alternate layers of hot asphalt or tar and roofing paper to roofs.
4. 4.Mop or pour hot asphalt or tar onto roof bases.
5. 5.Install attic ventilation systems, such as turbine vents, gable or ridge vents, or conventional or solar-powered exhaust fans.
6. 6.Install skylights on roofs to increase natural light inside structures or to reduce energy costs.
7. 7.Remove snow, water, or debris from roofs prior to applying roofing materials.
8. 8.Set up scaffolding to provide safe access to roofs.

Top skills for roofers

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become roofer?

Roofers typically enter the field through a formal apprenticeship, technical certification, or vocational training program — a strong fit for teens who prefer hands-on learning over traditional college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers
  $106,580 median
• First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
  $78,690 median
• Roof Bolters, Mining
  $76,640 median
• Boilermakers
  $73,340 median
• Construction and Building Inspectors
  $72,120 median
• Pile Driver Operators
  $70,510 median

Common questions parents ask about roofers