Roofer essential career information:
- 2012 median pay: $35,290
- 2012, number of jobs: 97,650
- Employment growth forecast, 2010-2020: 18 percent
- Entry level education requirements: Less than high school
Roofers; what they do:
A roofer career is not for the faint of heart. People interested in a roofer career need physical strength, an indifference to heights, skill and the ability to endure all weather conditions. Commercial roofers spends their days diligently repairing and installing roofs of homes, offices and other buildings using different materials such as shingles, metal, tile and asphalt.
Roofer careers include assessing roof damage and determining the most effective ways to fix it, replacing worn materials such as plywood and installing insulation layers as well as shingles or other materials to ensure the roof is watertight. Roofer careers also include cutting and aligning roofing materials to fit angles formed by vents or walls and covering screw heads to prevent leakage.
Roofers typically install low-slope and steep-slope roofs. Low-slope roofs are the most common roofs for industrial, commercial and apartment complexes. Most single-family homes have a steep-slope roof.
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Roofer job titles:
- Commercial Roofer
- Industrial Roofer
- Metal Roofer
- Roofing Mechanic
- Roofing Technician
- Sheet Metal Roofer
- Residential Roofer
Roofers Education, Certification and License Requirements
People interested in a roofer career typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and intensive training. Experienced roofers, contractors and unions offer apprenticeships that can take up to three years to complete. For each year an apprentice is in training, they must earn at least 144 hours of technical training and 2000 hours of on-site instruction.
Education includes learning to how to use machines, tools and equipment, reading blueprints, following safety requirements, as well as learning math and construction basics. After roofers complete their training they can work independently as a journey worker.
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Roofers Job Outlook
Forecast: 18 percent employment growth for roofers from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
The quick deterioration of roofs and the constant need to repair and replace them increases the demand for roofers. Severe weather, such as tornados and hurricanes, can greatly affect the lifespan of roofs. Different parts of the country experiencing these severe storms tend to have a higher demand for experienced roofers. However, other types of construction workers perform some roofing work which decreases employment for roofers.
Roofers Salary
- 2012 median annual wage: $35,290
- 2012 workers at the 75th percentile annual wage: $47,090
- 2012, workers at the 25th percentile annual wage: $27,630
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Major Employers
- Roofing Contractors Industry
- Self-employed
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Associate’s in Management Degree
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Bachelor’s in Construction Management Degree
