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Roofers
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.
Other titles employers use
Commercial Roofer · Industrial Roofer · Metal Roofing Mechanic · Residential Roofer · Roof Mechanic · Roof Service Technician · Roofer · Roofing Technician
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Inspect problem roofs to determine the best repair procedures.
- Remove snow, water, or debris from roofs prior to applying roofing materials.
- Set up scaffolding to provide safe access to roofs.
- Estimate materials and labor required to complete roofing jobs.
- Cement or nail flashing strips of metal or shingle over joints to make them watertight.
- Install partially overlapping layers of material over roof insulation surfaces, using chalk lines, gauges on shingling hatchets, or lines on shingles.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical and organizing work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Coordination
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Operations Monitoring
Subjects to know
- Building and Construction
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Education and Training
Useful strengths
- Gross Body Equilibrium
- Problem Sensitivity
- Trunk Strength
- Extent Flexibility
- Near Vision
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 4.1 | Arm’s length or closer, most of the day |
| On your feet | 3.9 | Up and down through the day |
| Talking face to face | 4.6 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 4.1 | Handling tools, instruments or materials |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Most employers do not ask for a formal credential. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- High school or less 75%
- A certificate or some college 18%
- A doctorate or professional degree 7%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Operating system software
- Word processing software
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Analytical or scientific software
- Project management software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 33,610
- Job openings each year
- 2,860
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 16.2%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 33,610 | 2,860 | 16.2% |
| California | 25,800 | 2,180 | 14.7% |
| Washington | 8,230 | 770 | 11.2% |
| Texas | 7,990 | 660 | 10.7% |
| New York | 7,660 | 20 | 2.5% |
| Illinois | 6,750 | 520 | 2.0% |
| Ohio | 5,580 | 430 | 2.0% |
| Arizona | 4,830 | 410 | 15.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 4,740 | 370 | 2.8% |
| Oregon | 4,350 | 370 | 14.2% |
| Colorado | 3,820 | 320 | 12.0% |
| Utah | 3,430 | 310 | 30.4% |
| North Carolina | 3,400 | 280 | 9.0% |
| Maryland | 3,340 | 270 | 6.0% |
| Michigan | 3,260 | 250 | — |
| Indiana | 3,140 | 250 | 3.6% |
| Virginia | 2,850 | 220 | 1.8% |
| Wisconsin | 2,810 | 230 | 8.5% |
| Tennessee | 2,650 | 220 | 14.2% |
| Georgia | 2,570 | 220 | 13.2% |
| Missouri | 2,350 | 190 | 3.5% |
| Minnesota | 2,330 | 190 | 5.4% |
| Nevada | 1,970 | 160 | 8.8% |
| Iowa | 1,900 | 160 | 9.2% |
| Idaho | 1,670 | 150 | 22.8% |
| Nebraska | 1,570 | 130 | 9.0% |
| Alabama | 1,290 | 110 | 9.3% |
| Oklahoma | 1,290 | 100 | 4.9% |
| Kentucky | 1,250 | 100 | — |
| South Carolina | 1,210 | 90 | 1.7% |
| Louisiana | 1,200 | 100 | 6.2% |
| New Mexico | 1,160 | 100 | 12.6% |
| Kansas | 1,090 | 90 | 4.8% |
| Massachusetts | 990 | 80 | 6.5% |
| Connecticut | 980 | 80 | 10.1% |
| Arkansas | 910 | 70 | 5.8% |
| Montana | 790 | 70 | 21.5% |
| Puerto Rico | 750 | 60 | 10.3% |
| Maine | 730 | 60 | −1.4% |
| Mississippi | 700 | 60 | 20.7% |
| West Virginia | 600 | 50 | 7.1% |
| Vermont | 530 | 40 | 8.2% |
| South Dakota | 520 | 40 | 13.0% |
| North Dakota | 420 | 40 | 10.5% |
| Wyoming | 410 | 40 | 24.2% |
| New Hampshire | 380 | 30 | 8.6% |
| Delaware | 310 | 30 | 6.9% |
| Alaska | 280 | 20 | 7.7% |
| District of Columbia | 100 | 10 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
The University of Texas at San Antonio
- Degrees each year
- 76
- Admit rate
- 88%
- Annual cost after aid
- $9,000
Rowan University
- Degrees each year
- 56
- Admit rate
- 78%
- Annual cost after aid
- $19,000
Tuskegee University
- Degrees each year
- 12
- Admit rate
- 31%
- Annual cost after aid
- $35,000
Thomas Jefferson University
- Degrees each year
- 4
- Admit rate
- 86%
- Annual cost after aid
- $25,000
SUNY College of Technology at Delhi
- Degrees each year
- 2
- Admit rate
- 88%
- Annual cost after aid
- $19,000
Compare every college offering building/construction finishing, management, and inspection