Roofer

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Work Tasks

To protect buildings and their contents, ROOFERS install and repair roofs made of tar or asphalt and gravel, rubber, thermoplastic, and metal; and shingles made of slate, asphalt, fiberglass, wood, tile, or other material. They repair or replace old roofs on existing buildings or put roofs on new buildings. There are two types of roofs; flat and pitched (sloped). Some roofers work with both types; others specialize. Some roofers also waterproof and damp proof masonry and concrete walls and floors.

Salary, Size & Growth

• $39,000 average per year ($18.75 per hour)
• A medium occupation (99,300 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow slowly (0.4% per year)

Entry Requirements

Most ROOFERS learn their skills by working as helpers for experienced roofers. Safety training is increasing to reduce the number of accidents on the job and is one of the first classes that the worker takes. It can take several years to get experience working on all the various types of roofing applications. A high school education or its equivalent, and courses in mechanical drawing and basic mathematics will be helpful. Experience with metal-working will also be helpful for workers who install metal roofing. Some roofers train through 3-year apprenticeship programs administered by local union-management committees representing roofing contractors and the local organization of the United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers, and Allied Workers.