Roofers in the US earn $58,140 on average — with foremen, commercial specialists, and business owners earning $65,000-$150,000+.
Pay at a Glance (BLS Data)
Bureau of Labor Statistics wage estimates for roofers, across all industries:
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $37,460 | $18.01 |
| 25th | $46,260 | $22.24 |
| 50th (median) | $55,440 | $26.65 |
| 75th | $65,390 | $31.44 |
| 90th | $81,720 | $39.29 |
| Average (mean) | $58,140 | $27.95 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for Roofers (all industries). Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. “Not published” means BLS withheld the estimate, usually because wages are above its top reporting limit.
Average Roofer Salary in 2026
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Average salary | $58,140 |
| Median salary | $55,440 |
| Entry level | $30,000-$38,000 |
| Experienced (5-10 years) | $45,000-$60,000 |
| Foreman/Supervisor | $60,000-$85,000 |
| Hourly rate | $23.04 |
Roofer Salary by Experience Level
| Level | Years | Salary Range | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helper/Laborer | 0-1 | $28,000-$34,000 | $13-$16 |
| Entry Level Roofer | 1-2 | $34,000-$42,000 | $16-$20 |
| Journeyman Roofer | 2-5 | $42,000-$55,000 | $20-$26 |
| Senior Roofer | 5-10 | $52,000-$68,000 | $25-$33 |
| Foreman | 7+ | $60,000-$85,000 | $29-$41 |
| Estimator | 5+ | $55,000-$80,000 | Varies |
Roofer Salary by State
| Rank | State | Avg Salary | Starting Salary | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Illinois | $77,650 | $46,600 | $77,900 |
| 2 | New Jersey | $74,380 | $45,230 | $76,600 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $72,990 | $50,790 | $72,750 |
| 4 | Minnesota | $72,920 | $46,020 | $74,490 |
| 5 | New York | $69,350 | $47,000 | $66,020 |
| 6 | Washington | $68,870 | $47,860 | $60,640 |
| 7 | District of Columbia | $68,740 | $47,470 | $61,750 |
| 8 | Connecticut | $68,490 | $47,730 | $62,070 |
| 9 | Alaska | $68,450 | $48,630 | $66,750 |
| 10 | California | $67,420 | $48,620 | $63,600 |
| 11 | New Hampshire | $63,820 | $46,920 | $59,830 |
| 12 | Rhode Island | $63,580 | $43,450 | $61,630 |
| 13 | Maryland | $61,640 | $45,760 | $60,090 |
| 14 | Oregon | $61,510 | $45,880 | $58,970 |
| 15 | Michigan | $61,450 | $41,910 | $59,530 |
| 16 | Hawaii | $61,430 | $45,860 | $59,580 |
| 17 | North Dakota | $60,540 | $46,050 | $59,740 |
| 18 | Indiana | $59,810 | $39,830 | $57,980 |
| 19 | Wisconsin | $58,060 | $39,130 | $59,370 |
| 20 | Nevada | $57,460 | $37,960 | $51,090 |
| 21 | Montana | $57,010 | $46,020 | $59,030 |
| 22 | Pennsylvania | $56,470 | $40,480 | $55,710 |
| 23 | Vermont | $56,330 | $45,380 | $59,040 |
| 24 | Missouri | $56,320 | $38,470 | $48,570 |
| 25 | Colorado | $56,170 | $45,820 | $51,750 |
| 26 | Ohio | $55,670 | $39,940 | $49,390 |
| 27 | Delaware | $55,280 | $35,640 | $59,440 |
| 28 | Idaho | $54,300 | $35,780 | $57,790 |
| 29 | Maine | $53,700 | $44,890 | $50,120 |
| 30 | Kansas | $53,370 | $37,240 | $47,190 |
| 31 | Louisiana | $52,790 | $36,140 | $48,760 |
| 32 | Iowa | $52,070 | $37,070 | $48,660 |
| 33 | Utah | $51,580 | $30,160 | $48,680 |
| 34 | Virginia | $51,520 | $38,220 | $48,420 |
| 35 | West Virginia | $51,080 | $28,660 | $51,170 |
| 36 | Kentucky | $50,680 | $38,220 | $46,940 |
| 37 | Arizona | $50,600 | $35,910 | $47,340 |
| 38 | South Carolina | $50,180 | $36,030 | $45,760 |
| 39 | North Carolina | $50,030 | $36,760 | $49,010 |
| 40 | Wyoming | $49,680 | $37,110 | $45,650 |
| 41 | Oklahoma | $49,120 | $30,800 | $43,680 |
| 42 | Florida | $48,870 | $33,240 | $47,590 |
| 43 | Georgia | $48,440 | $32,070 | $46,940 |
| 44 | New Mexico | $47,980 | $35,880 | $45,300 |
| 45 | Nebraska | $47,930 | $37,480 | $46,460 |
| 46 | Alabama | $47,860 | $36,120 | $45,670 |
| 47 | Texas | $47,200 | $34,120 | $46,030 |
| 48 | South Dakota | $46,980 | $34,550 | $47,710 |
| 49 | Tennessee | $46,740 | $32,180 | $45,690 |
| 50 | Arkansas | $45,780 | $31,200 | $47,470 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $45,280 | $35,280 | $44,940 |
| — | National | $58,140 | $37,460 | $55,440 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 estimates, fetched 2026-09-29. Figures cover Roofers (cross-industry). Some states are omitted where BLS did not publish a reliable estimate.
Roofer Salary by Specialty
| Specialty | Average Salary | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial/Flat Roof | $55,000 | Very High |
| Industrial Roofing | $58,000 | High |
| Slate/Tile Specialist | $60,000 | Moderate |
| Metal Roofing | $52,000 | Growing |
| Residential Shingle | $42,000 | High |
| Solar Panel Install | $48,000 | Growing |
| Waterproofing Tech | $50,000 | Moderate |
| Green/Living Roofs | $52,000 | Growing |
Union vs. Non-Union Roofer Pay
| Type | Average Wage | Benefits | Total Comp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Union | $30-$50/hour | Excellent | $70,000-$110,000 |
| Non-Union | $18-$30/hour | Varies | $38,000-$65,000 |
Union roofers in major cities can earn $40-$55/hour plus full benefits.
Seasonal and Weather Considerations
Roofing work is highly seasonal in many regions:
| Season | Work Availability | Typical Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | High | 40-50/week |
| Summer | Very High | 50-60/week |
| Fall | High | 40-50/week |
| Winter | Low (cold climates) | 20-30/week |
Many roofers earn most of their income during peak seasons with heavy overtime.
Piece Work vs. Hourly Pay
Some residential roofers are paid per “square” (100 sq ft):
| Pay Structure | Typical Rate | Daily Earning Potential |
|---|---|---|
| Per square (shingle) | $15-$35/square | $200-$500 |
| Per square (commercial) | $8-$20/square | $150-$400 |
| Hourly | $18-$35/hour | $144-$280 |
Fast, experienced crews can significantly out-earn hourly rates with piece work.
How to Become a Roofer
| Step | Duration | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| On-the-job training | 3-6 months | Paid |
| Apprenticeship (union) | 2-3 years | Paid |
| OSHA 10/30 certification | 1-4 days | $25-$200 |
| Manufacturer certifications | 1-3 days each | $0-$500 |
| Foreman/supervisor training | Varies | Employer-provided |
Roofer Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 5% change for roofers through 2035 — slight decline.
However, factors creating opportunity:
- Storm damage repairs (climate events)
- Solar panel installations
- Commercial building maintenance
- Retirement of experienced workers
- Energy efficiency retrofits
How to Maximize Roofer Earnings
- Specialize in commercial/industrial — Higher pay, more consistent hours
- Join a union — typically higher total compensation
- Learn multiple systems — TPO, EPDM, metal, tile
- Get manufacturer certified — GAF, CertainTeed, etc.
- Move to high-paying states — Illinois, Northeast, West Coast
- Become a foreman — paid more than journeymen
- Start your own company — Owners can earn $100,000-$300,000+
Physical Demands and Safety
Roofing is one of the most physically demanding trades:
- Heavy lifting (shingles, equipment)
- Working at heights
- Extreme weather exposure
- High injury rate in construction
Higher wages partly compensate for these difficult conditions.
Related Salaries
Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, union wage data, job posting analysis. Updated March 2026.
Related Salary Guides
See every profession in our salary by profession guides.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024.” bls.gov/oes
- Internal Revenue Service. “Tax Information for Individuals.” irs.gov
- Social Security Administration. “Benefits and Eligibility Information.” ssa.gov/benefits
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