Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Roofers
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.
Table of contents
What they do
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.
- 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.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Roofers cut felt, shingles, or strips of flashing to fit angles formed by walls, vents, or intersecting roof surfaces. They inspect problem roofs to determine the best repair procedures.
A typical day for a Roofer will also include:
- Install vapor barriers or layers of insulation on flat roofs.
- Install partially overlapping layers of material over roof insulation surfaces, using chalk lines, gauges on shingling hatchets, or lines on shingles.
- 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.
- Estimate materials and labor required to complete roofing jobs.
- 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.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Roofers also cover exposed nailheads with roofing cement or caulking to prevent water leakage or rust. They may also install, repair, or replace single-ply roofing systems, using waterproof sheet materials such as modified plastics, elastomeric, or other asphaltic compositions.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Roofers apply gravel or pebbles over top layers of roofs, using rakes or stiff-bristled brooms. They might also apply plastic coatings, membranes, fiberglass, or felt over sloped roofs before applying shingles.
In addition, they cut felt, shingles, or strips of flashing to fit angles formed by walls, vents, or intersecting roof surfaces.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them remove snow, water, or debris from roofs prior to applying roofing materials.
To some Roofers, it is also their responsibility to glaze top layers to make a smooth finish or embed gravel in the bitumen for rough surfaces.
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
55% said they were satisfied with their job and 44% said they found their job meaningful.
So the typical day at work depends on the time of the year. For us, Spring and Summer are the busiest and we have to attend to back-to-back clients on a daily basis. The work slows down by the time winter arrives and we might have one or two roofing contracts in a week. So … Read More
I’ve been in the construction industry for over a decade now. From laborer to crane operator, I’ve done lots of jobs within this awesome industry but let me tell you that one of the hardest ones is being a roofer. You wake up very early in the morning. Do long shifts many times away from … Read More
In the roofing business, we like to be on the job no later than 7am. This helps us in two ways. We are able to maximize daylight hours and also – roofs are typically 80-100 degrees hotter than the outdoor air temperature. By performing work early in the day (especially during the summer) we’re able … Read More
From my experience working as a roofer, the day starts by getting up early. We always had the most work when the weather was good, from spring through fall. Being up on a roof there is rarely any shade, so we always tried to start as soon as the sun came up and it was … Read More
At our roofing and general contracting business, our day-to-day operations can vary slightly depending on the time of the year as our industry tends to experience some peaks and valleys. During the winter, our business can slow down a little bit as home renovations and improvements take a back seat to the cold weather. However, … Read More
My name is Brandon Foote. I am a commercial and residential roofing contractor in Huntsville, AL and I am the president of Advanced Roofing & Construction, LLC. I have worked in the roofing and construction industry for many years of my life and have experience in lots of areas including but not limited to: metal … Read More
Pros
Suitable for people who like practical and hands-on work.
Suitable for people who want to work in a supportive work environment.
This career is perfect for people who love to work outdoors.
It is easy to get into this career. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
Normal working hours (40 hours per week).
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to help and teach others.
Salary is below average.
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Roofers with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $27,220 to $33,810 per year or $13 to $16 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $72,100 | $35 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $56,860 | $27 |
| Median | $43,580 | $21 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $33,810 | $16 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $27,220 | $13 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Roofers based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Local Government | $66210 | $31.83 |
| Federal Executive Branch | $63390 | $30.48 |
| Building Equipment Contractors | $53610 | $25.78 |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools | $53480 | $25.71 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | $52890 | $25.43 |
| Nonresidential Building Construction | $48540 | $23.34 |
| Building Finishing Contractors | $47860 | $23.01 |
| Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors | $47080 | $22.63 |
| Residential Building Construction | $45890 | $22.06 |
| Real Estate | $42850 | $20.60 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Roofers work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Roofers including the average salary in that industry.
| Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors | 118430 | $47080 | $22.63 |
| Nonresidential Building Construction | 2680 | $48540 | $23.34 |
| Residential Building Construction | 2430 | $45890 | $22.06 |
| Employment Services | 1330 | $41650 | $20.02 |
| Building Finishing Contractors | 1250 | $47860 | $23.01 |
| Other Wood Product Manufacturing | 530 | $35580 | $17.11 |
| Building Equipment Contractors | 420 | $53610 | $25.78 |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools | 280 | $53480 | $25.71 |
| Local Government | 170 | $66210 | $31.83 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | 150 | $52890 | $25.43 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
How often do you use email in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
How often do you have group discussions in this job?
Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Roofer
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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