Roofers
Construction and Extraction
Inspects damaged roofs to decide how to repair them, then clears snow, water, or debris before new material goes down. Scaffolding is set up for safe access. Layers of felt, membrane, or coating go on first; shingles or other coverings are cut to fit walls, vents, and roof angles and laid in overlapping rows, with metal or shingle flashing cemented or nailed over joints. Materials and labor are estimated before the job starts. Suits people who like outdoor, physical work at height and careful, weather-tight assembly done with a crew.
Typical education: High School Diploma or GED
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$55'440
Median Wage Market Position
$55'440
What you might do
- Lay overlapping shingles or other roofing materials
- Nail metal flashing over joints to keep water out
- Cut shingles and flashing to fit walls and vents
- Spread felt or membrane under the shingles
- Inspect damaged roofs to plan the repair
- Clear snow, water, or debris before roofing
Skills that matter
- Inspecting problem roofs to plan repairs
- Scaffolding setup for safe roof access
- Cutting shingles and flashing to fit
- Nailing flashing so joints stay watertight
- Estimating materials and labor for jobs
- Listening and coordinating with the roofing crew
AI & the future of this role
Roof work stays outdoors on steep, irregular surfaces where materials must fit each unique building. Physical placement, weather judgment, and on-site safety are hard to automate, so employment prospects look relatively strong even as planning tools improve.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details