A roofing contractor or roofer is someone who has experience and knowledge in roof building.
Roofers work with a range of materials, including shingles, bitumen, and metal, to replace, repair, and put roofs of structures.
Roofing labor is physically demanding since it requires heavy lifting and climbing, bending, and kneeling, sometimes in inclement weather.
It requires a lot of work, and it also has its dangers as you are working on roofs, and you might wonder how much do roofers make due to the nature of this job.
According to ZipRecruiter, San Francisco, CA, pays Roofer the most- approximately 25.8% more than the national average. So what is the national average salary for roofers? Keep reading to find out!
Summary
| Guide | How Much Do Roofers Make? |
|---|---|
| Average Income | $70,920 per year |
| Highest Income | $70,000 and $75,000 per year |
| Education Qualification | Not needed |
| Training | Needed |
Who Are Roofers?
Roofing contractors construct and maintain roofs. To guarantee safety, roofers use and install materials like cement or clay and fix the parts that are damaged and need replacement or fix.
Roofers could have different focuses like on residential or commercial roofing as they are different types of buildings.
They use tools like scaffolds, mainly hand tools, and other equipment pieces to build and repair damaged roofs.
Roofers have to make sure that the roofs are secure and watertight so that they won’t leak water.
They also build vapor barriers and insulation systems. Roofers work with asphalt, wood, and metal to install and repair roofs on homes and businesses.
Though they primarily work on low-slope, steep-slope, and conventional flat or “built-up” structures, a few specialize in the new “green” roofs, which combine flora and soil with waterproof layers.
The typical roofer’s Salary varies depending on the company and area.
How Much Do Roofers Make?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, roofers earned an average of $22.03 per hour, or $45,820 per year, as of May 2019.
(BLS). Though salaries might dip below $12.76 per hour or $26,540 per year, the top paid earned more than $34.10 per hour or $70,920 per year.
More than 92 percent of the 129,690 roofers in the United States worked for foundation, structural, and building exterior contractors in 2019, earning an average of $22.08 per hour, or $45,920 per year.
Roofers hired by municipal governments, on the other hand, got paid the highest, on average, $32.39 per hour, or $67,370 per year.
Roofer jobs were most plentiful in Florida and California in 2019, accounting for 17 percent and 14 percent of all openings.
The former had an average pay of $17.85 per hour, or $37,140 per year, whereas the latter had an average wage of $25.47 per hour or $52,980 per year.
1. How Much Do Roofers Make in an Hour?
Roofers make a minimum of $10.34 in an hour and a maximum of $34.13 an hour.
2. How Much Do Roofers Make in a Month?
Roofers make a minimum of $1,792 in a month and a maximum of $5,917 a month.
3. How Much Do Roofers Make in a Year?
Roofers make a minimum of $21,500 a year and a maximum of $71,000 a year.
Highest Salary Of Roofers In 2023
According to the statistics from both of Bureau of Labor Statistics and internet websites that people provide their wages, we see that the highest-earning of roofers fluctuate between $70,000 and $75,000, which is way higher than the average pay of $45,000 in the United States of America.
This number is generally for senior roofers with immense experience or freelancers who work on their own terms and rates depending on the client, project, length, and other things.
Is Being A Roofer Good Or Bad?
Being a roofer has its advantages and disadvantages together.
You should absolutely take your time and weigh all of the advantages and disadvantages before making a decision that will significantly influence your future life.
If you still want to be a roofer, you should learn more about pay, employment prospects, future outlook, work-life balance, responsibilities, educational needs, and job satisfaction.
Overall, if you can handle the risk, the pay is not bad and could give you an average life, but of course, if you are not qualified to do it, this job will be a nightmare for you in the long run.
Pros & Cons of Being a Roofer
Pros
- Good work-life balance
- Do not have to work during evening or night
- Great future prospects
- You can start your own business
- Low stress job
- You can earn commission
Cons
- Have to deal with tough clients
- Dangerous
- Not a luxurious job
- Physical labor
How To Become A Roofer?
Here’s how you can become a Roofer:
- Many employers require to prefer roofers that have at least a high school diploma or GED certificate. So make sure you obtain it.
- You will have to attend a trade school next so that you gain knowledge of materials and strategies necessary for roof construction & other duties.
- Now sign up for an apprenticeship under someone to expand your knowledge and gain first-hand experience in this field.
- Some employers require you to have a roofer’s license. So obtain the license by appearing for a relevant exam pertaining to your state.
- Now start applying for any open position for roofers.
In addition, Roofers must have stamina and balance since they frequently work at heights while using various apparatus and equipment.
Roofers are also detail-oriented and multitasking experts.
To achieve success as a roofer, you must be able to handle hand tools such as shingle cutters and roofing hatchets, as well as stand for lengthy periods on ladders and scaffolds.
You’ll also know how to work with various roofing materials (such as wood and asphalt) for various roofing types and chores.
How Many Hours Does Roofer Work?
Roofers usually work between 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., that is, for 8-10 hours in a day, depending on the work load. So in a week, they end up working for up to 40 hours.
What is the Starting Pay of Roofer?
The starting pay of a Roofer is $12.76 per hour or $1,792 per month. Roofers do not make a lot of money; even at the peak of your career as a roofer, you will only make $5,917 a month maximum.
How Does a Roofing Career Looks Like?
Roofer Training Programs
To work as a roofing operative, no professional credentials are necessary.
To go into this field, you may take a college course, an apprenticeship, or on-the-job training.
Roofers can study their craft through a three-year apprenticeship that involves classroom teaching as well as paid on-the-job training.
Minimum age of 18 is required, as well as high school graduation and the physical capacity to perform the task.
Others learn their skills on the job, informally, as roofer’s assistants. It would help if you investigated these options to see which one is best for you.
Although some of these opportunities demand specific qualifications, many companies are more interested in people who are energetic, eager to learn, and can follow directions.
Roofing Marketing Guide
Conclusion
There are some personality attributes that bode well for this sort of employment, whether you work as a general contractor or for a specialized roofing firm.
As a roofer, it’s your responsibility to safeguard homeowners, their property, and your co-workers.
This needs a trustworthy, detail-oriented mentality. You must be willing to answer any, and all homeowner queries and leave their property in the same (if not better) condition as you found it.
The job, in general, pays well and if you own your own firm, it could get even better depending on your clients, how much your charge, and so on.
There is not much opportunity to grow your Salary or yourself in the short run, and once you hit the senior role, you will probably be stuck with the same pay for a long time.
FAQ
Is there a lot of difference in how much do roofers make depending on their experience?
Yes, there is a massive difference between an inexperienced roofer and an experienced roofer, so when you start, you should not expect a good salary.
Is there a limit on how much do roofers make when they hit the seniority level?
Generally, in a company, you should not expect to earn much more than the highest Salary we mentioned in this article, but there is no limit to that if you have your own firm.
How much do roofers make when they have their own firm?
Since you set the price up to and do not limit how many projects you can take because you can hire people, it all depends on you and your work.
Shefali Jain is a Content Writer & Editor at USWorkforce.org
After completing her graduation in hospitality, Shefali decided to follow her passion and started writing. Shefali has been writing for two years now and contributes to our website as a skilled editor and content writer with strong research skills. Writing product and service reviews, biographies, and book reviews are some of her key areas, among many others in which she specializes. In her time at the organization, she has written and edited content on a range of topics, including employment law, human resources, and business management.
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