Roofing Career Path Exploration - Responsibilities, How to Become One, Pay and Benefits, Job Outlook, and Interview

Sep 13, 2026

Uploaded by Jake

Roofing Career Path Exploration presents a structured overview of becoming and working as a roofer, detailing core responsibilities such as maintaining, inspecting, repairing, and replacing residential and commercial roofs, including documenting conditions and performing weather-protective insulation. It explains entry routes through on-the-job training and apprenticeships, notes the role of certifications and required experience, and highlights key skills for safe work at height. Pay ranges and benefits are summarized alongside job outlook growth projections, reinforced by an interview with a practicing roofing professional.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryGeneral

FormatPDF

Pages5

Reading Time2 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Responsibilities of a Roofer

How to Become a Roofer

Pay and Benefits

Job Outlook

Interview with a Current Roofing Professional

Roofing Career Path Exploration Thomas Anglin and Edward J. Lazaros Center for Information and Communication Sciences, Ball State University [tanglin@bsu.edu](tanglin@bsu.edu) and [ejlazaros@bsu.edu](ejlazaros@bsu.edu) Introduction This article provides factual information for those interested in a career in roofing. Useful information, such as pay and benefits, have been provided in this article to help those trying to decide if a roofing career is a good fit. Details regarding this career will be presented in the following order: responsibilities, how to become one, pay and benefits, job outlook, and an interview with a current roofing professional. Responsibilities of a Roofer A roofer maintains, inspects, repairs, and replaces the roofs of residential homes and commercial buildings (Better Team, 2021, para. 1) . The U.S. Department of labor (2021) further specifies responsibilities of roofers to include installing insulation to protect buildings from weather. A roofer will need to document repairs performed and conditions of a roof (Skills Provisions, 2020). Roofers work outdoors under various weather conditions, and they may work limited hours during winter months in colder climates (U.S. Department of Labor, 2021) . How to Become a Roofer In order to become a roofer, applicants must be willing to learn the necessary skills to properly install and maintain roofs. According to the U.S. Department of Labor (2021), a roofer will often receive on the job training to learn the trade, since no formal education is required. Apprenticeships are available to teach new roofers installation techniques, quality management, material selection, roof inspection processes and roof installation skills (Career Explorer, 2021, para. 4). The wide variety of roof types means that it may take years for a roofer to become competent for all job scenarios. Certifications are available to demonstrate competency and knowledge of specific aspects of roofing (Stuart, 2020, para. 1) . Experience is required in order to sit for many of the certification exams. It is important for a roofer to be comfortable working at great heights for an extended period of time. A roofer relies on excellent balance when working on steep roofs to avoid falls (U.S. Department of Labor, 2021) . Other useful skills for a career in roofing include good attention to detail when following blueprints, basic math skills, manual dexterity to handle roofing materials, and the physical strength to lift materials and necessary tools (Stuart, 2020, para.5) . Pay and Benefits According to the U.S. Department of Labor (2021), the median yearly wage for a roofer was $43,[580 in May 2020. Salary.com](580 in May 2020. Salary.com) (2021) reports a median annual wage of $36,743 for roofers in April 2021. The typical pay range for a roofer as of April 2021 was between $33,168 and $41,154 ([Salary.com](Salary.com), 2021) . The pay and benefits of a roofer can vary based on experience, certifications, and location. Job Outlook The U.S. Department of Labor (2021) predicts a growth in roofing jobs from 161,600 in 2019 to 165,400 in 2029; this equates to a 2% job growth over the ten-year period. Career Outlook (2021) predicts a job growth from 160,600 roofing positions in 2018 to 179,000 jobs in 2028. This data indicates a stable employment market for those entertaining a career in roofing. Interview with Steven Daniel Walden from McGuff Roofing, Inc. of Muncie, Indiana which offers roof installation and repair services. They are located at 610 E Wyser Street. in Muncie, Indiana. They can be reached at (765) 808-0854. This interview was completed by Dr. Edward J. Lazaros on June 3, 2021. The interview along with the responses are listed in the following sections: Figure 1: Steven Daniel Walden pictured in front of a contractor’s truck 1. What previous experience prepared you for this position? “When I was younger, I started working construction. I started doin

FAQs

What responsibilities does a roofer typically handle?

A roofer maintains, inspects, repairs, and replaces roofs for residential and commercial buildings. The work can also include installing insulation, documenting repairs and roof conditions, and performing tasks outdoors in varying weather.

How does someone become a roofer and build competence?

Roofers often learn through on-the-job training because formal education is not required. Apprenticeships teach installation techniques and inspection processes, and certifications can demonstrate competency after gaining experience.

What factors influence roofing pay and benefits?

Pay and benefits vary based on experience, certifications, and location. The document also lists median wage figures and typical pay ranges reported for specific periods.

Sep 13, 2026

Uploaded by Jake