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Trades/Roofing

Roofing

Roof installation, repair, and replacement

$51k/yr median+6% growth (10-yr)12,700 openings/yrFast entry (<1 yr)License required

Wages & Job Outlook

$51k

Median wage

per year

$37k

Entry wage

per year

$81k

Top 10%

per year

13K

Annual openings

jobs per year

📈+6% projected job growth over 10 years — faster than average.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024) and Occupational Outlook Handbook 2024–34 projections.

Work-Life & Stability

Environment

outdoor

Overtime

seasonal

Physical demand

very-high

Travel

Travel typically required

Hazard level

High hazard

Moderately cyclical · Classified as essential service

Overview

Roofers install, repair, and replace roofing systems including shingles, flat membranes, metal panels, and tile. The trade is physically demanding and seasonal in northern climates.

Day in the Life

Early morning start to beat afternoon heat. Crew loads materials (shingles, underlayment, flashing) and drives to residential reroof job. Day spent tearing off old shingles, inspecting decking, installing new system. PM: storm damage assessments and insurance estimates.

How to Get Started

On-the-Job Training

on-the-job

Most roofers start as laborers, learning directly from experienced crew members

Duration: 1–3 yearsCost: Low / minimal tuition

Registered Apprenticeship

apprenticeship

NRCA and union apprenticeship programs available in larger markets

Duration: 3 yearsCost: Low / minimal tuition

Certification-First

certification-first

Manufacturer certifications (GAF, CertainTeed) signal quality to customers

Duration: days to weeksCost: Low / minimal tuition

Find local roofing training near you

Programs, apprenticeship openings, and American Job Centers

Find training →

How to Pay for Your Training

Multiple funding programs can offset or eliminate the cost of training. Here are the most commonly applicable ones.

WIOA Individual Training Account (ITA)

Federally funded training voucher for eligible adults and dislocated workers. ITAs pay for approved programs at WIOA-eligible providers (ETPs). Amounts set by local Workforce Development Boards — typically $3,000–$12,000 per year depending on workforce area. Apply at your nearest American Job Center (CareerOneStop).

Up to $12,000

Apply →

Federal Pell Grant

Need-based federal grant up to $7,395/year for eligible students at accredited colleges and trade schools. Does not need to be repaid. Eligible programs include accredited community colleges, for-profit trade schools (UTI, Lincoln, etc.), and union training centers that are accredited institutions.

Up to $7,395

Apply →

Workforce Pell Grant (SAVES Act)

Starting July 1, 2026, Pell Grant eligibility expands to high-quality short-term workforce programs (8–15 weeks) at eligible institutions. For the first time, trade training programs under 600 hours are Pell-eligible — including many HVAC, electrical, and welding certificates. Students earn the same need-based amount as longer programs.

Up to $7,395

Apply →

GI Bill (Post-9/11, Chapter 33) — Apprenticeship

Post-9/11 GI Bill covers On-the-Job Training (OJT) and Registered Apprenticeship programs. Veterans receive a monthly housing allowance (MHA, based on E-5 w/dependents BAH at program location) that scales up as they advance through the apprenticeship. Covers full 3–5 year apprenticeship programs.

Up to $3,200

Apply →

See all programs you may qualify for →

Career Ladder

Roofing Laborer

$34k/yr

0–1 yrs exp.

Carries materials, cleans up, assists crew

Roofing Apprentice

$42k/yr

1–3 yrs exp.

Learning installation techniques under supervision

Journeyman Roofer

$55k/yr

3–8 yrs exp.

Works independently on all standard roofing systems

Roofing Foreman

$65k/yr

6+ yrs exp.

Leads crew, manages job sites, handles quality control

Roofing Contractor

$90k/yr

8+ yrs exp.

Owns roofing company, manages sales and operations

Licensing by State

State	Required?	License type	Issuing body
CA	Yes	C-39 Roofing Contractor	CSLB (Contractors State License Board)
TX	No	–	–
FL	Yes	Certified Roofing Contractor (CCC) or Registered Roofing Contractor (RC)	Florida DBPR / CILB
NY	No	–	–
IL	Yes	Roofing Contractor License (Limited or Unlimited)	IDFPR (Illinois Dept. of Financial and Professional Regulation)
PA	Yes	Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration	PA Office of Attorney General
OH	No	–	–
GA	Yes	Residential Basic / Residential-Light Commercial / General Contractor (no roofing-specific license)	Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors / Georgia Secretary of State
NC	Yes	General Contractor license (incl. specialty Roofing classification)	NCLBGC (NC Licensing Board for General Contractors)
MI	Yes	Maintenance & Alteration Contractor (Roofing classification) or Residential Builder	Michigan LARA / Bureau of Construction Codes
WA	Yes	Registered Specialty Contractor (Roofing)	Washington State Dept. of Labor & Industries (L&I)
AZ	Yes	CR-42 / C-42 / R-42 Roofing Contractor	Arizona Registrar of Contractors (AZ ROC)
VA	Yes	Contractor License Class A / B / C with Roofing (RFC) specialty	Virginia DPOR / Board for Contractors
NJ	Yes	Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration	NJ Division of Consumer Affairs (Office of the Attorney General)
TN	Yes	Contractor License (roofing as classification; no roofing-only license)	Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Dept. of Commerce & Insurance)

Time to Enter

Time to journeyman3 yrs

Fast-entry trade — earning wages in <1 year possible

Wages (BLS 2024)

Entry (10th pct)$37k

Median$51k

Top 10%$81k

BLS OEWS May 2024. Wages vary by state and employer.

Compare all trades side-by-side →Find training funding →

Own a roofing business?

Verified · 2 sources

What it's worth today — the starting point for weighing any exit.

First Page Sage

PE / strategic buyer

4×–7×

× EBITDA

Peak Business Valuation

Appraisal / small business

2×–4×

× SDE

The two lenses differ on purpose: PE / strategic buyers pay a multiple of EBITDA (management-run, platform-scale), while an appraisal / small-business value is a multiple of SDE (owner-operated). Most trades land between the two.

Full valuation breakdown →Explore exit paths →