Explore
Residential & commercial
Roofer
The hardest money in construction, earned in the sun.
Typical pay
$38k-$80k
How you get in
On the job, weeks to months
Outlook
Steady; storm markets spike demand
Roofers tear off and install roofing systems. It is the most physically punishing trade and among the fastest to enter, with real fall risk and pay that rises quickly if you stay.
A day in the life
- 5:30aLoad the truck, beat the heat to the job
- 6:30aTear-off — shovels, debris, dumpster
- 9:00aDry in the deck before any weather moves in
- 11:30aLunch in whatever shade exists
- 12:30pShingle courses, chalk lines, nail guns
- 4:00pClean the site, magnet sweep for nails
How to get in
Hired on a crew
Duration
2-8 weeks to be useful
Cost
$0 — paid from day one
Credential
OSHA 10 and fall protection training
- Get hired as a laborer doing tear-off
- Learn layout, flashing and the sequence of a roof
- Take OSHA 10 and fall protection seriously — this is the trade where it matters
- Move to installer, then crew lead
Specialize in commercial or metal
Duration
1-3 years
Cost
$0-$3,000 in manufacturer training
Credential
Manufacturer certifications
- Start residential to learn the basics
- Move to commercial flat roofing — TPO, EPDM, modified bitumen
- Get manufacturer-certified so you can offer warranties
- Commercial pays better and is less seasonal
Start your own crew
Duration
2-5 years of experience first
Cost
$15,000-$60,000 for truck, tools and insurance
Credential
Contractor license in most states, plus liability and workers comp
- Learn to estimate accurately — this is what kills new roofing businesses
- Get licensed, bonded and insured; workers comp for roofing is expensive
- Build a crew you trust on a roof
- Chase storm and insurance work for the highest margins
What people love
- · Hired with zero experience
- · Pay rises fast once you are productive
- · Storm work pays extremely well
- · Very low barrier to starting your own crew
What wears people down
- · Genuine fall risk — the deadliest common trade
- · Brutal heat and physical toll
- · Weather stops work and pay
- · Hard on the body long term