Career Trends: Roofers

Roofers replace, repair, and install the roofs of buildings using a variety of materials, including shingles, bitumen, and metal.

Roofing work can be physically demanding. It involves heavy lifting, as well as climbing, bending, and kneeling, frequently in very hot weather. Overtime may be required to finish a job, especially during busier summer months.

Although most roofers learn on the job, some learn their trade through an apprenticeship program. There are no specific education requirements for roofers.

Employment of roofers is projected to grow 13 percent from 2014 to 2024, faster than the average for all occupations. Most of the demand for roofers will stem from roof replacement needs and high job turnover.

This occupation supported 132,700 jobs in 2012 and 123,400 jobs in 2014, reflecting a decline of 7.0%. In 2012, this occupation was projected to increase by 11.5% in 2022 to 147,900 jobs. As of 2014, to keep pace with prediction, the expected number of jobs was 135,700, compared with an observed value of 123,400, 9.1% lower than expected. This indicates current employment trends are much worse than the 2012 trend within this occupation. In 2014, this occupation was projected to increase by 12.0% in 2024 to 139,300 jobs. Linear extrapolation of the 2012 projection for 2022 results in an expected number of 150,900 jobs for 2024, 8.3% higher than the 2014 projection for 2024. This indicates expectations for future employment trends are much worse than the 2012 trend within this occupation.