A roofer installs and repairs the roofs that protect buildings from the elements. It is hands-on, in demand, and you can start with a high school diploma. Here is what the work involves, what it takes, and how to get in.
Pathly builds you a free, personalized roadmap and helps your counselor champion you along the way.
Roofers install, repair, and maintain roofs on homes, businesses, and other structures. You will perform physical tasks like climbing, carrying materials, and positioning shingles or other roofing materials. The work requires you to inspect roofs and materials for damage or wear, monitor conditions on the job site, and identify problems that need fixing. You will also communicate with supervisors and customers about the scope of work. Safety is critical since you work at heights and handle tools and materials that demand care and attention.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Roofers earn a median of $55,440 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is strong. Employment is projected to grow 6 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than average for all occupations, with about 12,700 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
Most roofers start with a high school diploma or equivalent and learn through on-the-job training. You will typically begin as a helper or apprentice, working alongside experienced roofers to learn the trade. During this time, you will develop practical skills in handling tools, reading blueprints, and understanding building codes and safety practices. Some roofers pursue formal apprenticeship programs that combine classroom instruction in mathematics, building construction, and safety with paid hands-on experience. The preparation period is moderate, so you can enter the field and start earning relatively quickly.
Roofers typically enter the field through apprenticeships or on-the-job training. If you are deciding between these paths or want to map out your next steps, Pathly can map the roofer path that fits you with your school counselor or career advisor to build a plan that fits your timeline.
Many roofers must be licensed, and professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
Licensing is handled at the state level and the requirements vary, so check the licensing board in your state. Pathly shows your state's specific steps inside your roadmap.
You are drawn to hands-on work and solving real problems. You think critically about how to approach a job, listen carefully to instructions, and stay alert to what is happening around you.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
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Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).