In short
Most roofers learn on the job as helpers, with no formal education required, and some go through apprenticeships. Fall protection and safety training, such as an OSHA 10 course, are important because roofing has a high injury rate. Roofers earned a median $55,440 in May 2025, per BLS, with about 12,000 openings a year. Experienced roofers can move into estimating or start crews.
| Middle pay | $55,440 a year, roughly $26.65 an hour (May 2025) |
|---|---|
| How most people start | No diploma needed to start, then moderate-term on-the-job training |
| People in the trade | About 166,900 nationwide (2025) |
| Growth to 2035 | BLS expects 5.3% growth |
| Openings a year | Around 12,000, counting retirements |
From the BLS Employment Projections table (2025 to 2035) and May 2025 wage survey. These are U.S. numbers. Local shops may pay above or below them, and apprentices start well under the middle figure.
Types of roofing
- Shingle roofs on homes
- Low-slope commercial roofs: membranes, modified bitumen
- Metal roofing
- Tile and slate
Find construction training
Tell us your ZIP and we will send programs nearby.
Straight answers
Do you need experience to be a roofer?
No. Most roofers learn on the job.
Is roofing dangerous?
It has one of the higher injury rates in construction, mostly from falls. Proper fall protection is critical.
Is roofing seasonal?
In colder areas, work slows in winter.