Roofer: career path and pay in the US
Where a Roofer goes next, what each step typically pays in the United States, and how exposed the path is to AI replacement. 4 steps, from Roofer / Apprentice Roofer to Roofing Contractor / Business Owner.
Also for the United Kingdom: Roofer in the UK
The path
Step 1 · 0 to 2 years
Roofer / Apprentice Roofer
$45K to $65K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: Apprenticeship Program (in progress) - US/UK/EU, Health & Safety Certification (required) - Global, Roofing Safety Certification (required) - Global.
Step 2 · 2 to 5 years
Roofer / Journeyman Roofer
$50K to $75K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: Roofing Certification (optional) - Global, NVQ Level 3 Roofing - UK/EU, Health & Safety Certification - Global, Roofing Safety Certification - Global.
Step 3 · 5 to 10 years
Master Roofer / Roofing Supervisor
$60K to $85K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: Roofing Certification - Global, NVQ Level 4 Roofing - UK/EU, Health & Safety Certification - Global, Roofing Safety Certification - Global.
Step 4 · 10+ years
Roofing Contractor / Business Owner
$85K to $130K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: Roofing Certification - Global, NVQ Level 4 Roofing - UK/EU, Health & Safety Certification - Global, Roofing Safety Certification - Global.
Exposure and pay along the path
Exposure to AI, now to later
24% → 24%
Stays level across the path. Lower is better.
Typical pay, now to later
$45K to $65K → $85K to $130K
US estimates by job title, Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale US. Indeed publishes a hourly average for Roofer ($25.62); this band converts it at 40 hours a week. Indeed publishes a hourly average for Roofer ($25.62); this band converts it at 40 hours a week.
What the work involves
Cover roofs of structures with shingles, slate, asphalt, aluminum, wood, or related materials. May spray roofs, sidings, and walls with material to bind, seal, insulate, or soundproof sections of structures.
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Reading Comprehension
Knowledge areas
- Building and Construction
- Mechanical
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Design
Education people bring
Job Zone 2, job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed. Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Other paths from here
- Carpenter
- General Contractor
- Construction Manager
- Siding Installer
More Skilled Trades paths in the US
Related occupations in O*NET: Helpers--Roofers, Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers, Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall, Plasterers and Stucco Masons, Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles.
Your own role
How exposed is your job, task by task? Free score in under a minute.
SourcesSalary bands: Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale US, US national averages by job title, retrieved September 2026Skills, knowledge and education: O*NET 31.0 Database
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CC BY 4.0
Salary estimates by job title from Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale, retrieved September 2026. Each band runs from 20% below to 20% above the reported average, rounded to $5K. Exposure percentages and the skills listed under each step are this app's own editorial ratings, not published data.