Construction & Extraction
Roofers
Also called: Commercial Roofer, Flat Roofer, Journeyman Roofer, Metal Roofing Mechanic
US median pay
$55,440
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+5.3%
faster than average
Openings a year (US)
12,000
166,900 employed
Typical entry education
No formal educational credential
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
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.
What they do day to day
- 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.
- Install, repair, or replace single-ply roofing systems, using waterproof sheet materials such as modified plastics, elastomeric, or other asphaltic compositions.
- Attach roofing paper to roofs in overlapping strips to form bases for other materials.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Coordination3.8/5
- Time Management3.0/5
- Operation and Control3.0/5
- Operations Monitoring2.9/5
- Complex Problem Solving2.8/5
- Quality Control Analysis2.6/5
- Judgment and Decision Making2.6/5
- Social Perceptiveness2.5/5
Knowledge
- Building and Construction4.7/5
- Mechanical4.0/5
- Mathematics3.4/5
- English Language3.2/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.1/5
- Design3.0/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): No formal educational credential.
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.