Roofer
Also known as: roofing carpenter, cladding installer, asphalt roofer, roof tiler, tinsmith, felt roofer
About this occupation
Roofers cover structures with roofs. They install the weight-bearing elements of a roof, either flat or pitched, then cover it with a weatherproof layer.
Essential skills and knowledge
- construct wood roofs
- follow safety procedures when working at heights
- work ergonomically
- apply roll roofing
- inspect construction supplies
- roofing techniques
- secure working area
- install insulation material
- perform roof maintenance
- remove roofs
- recognise signs of wood rot
- interpret 2D plans
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Roofers (O*NET 47-2181.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Inspect problem roofs to determine the best repair procedures.
- Waterproof or damp-proof walls, floors, roofs, foundations, or basements by painting or spraying surfaces with waterproof coatings or by attaching waterproofing membranes to surfaces.
- Cover exposed nailheads with roofing cement or caulking to prevent water leakage or rust.
- Apply reflective roof coatings, such as special paints or single-ply roofing sheets, to existing roofs to reduce solar heat absorption.
- Remove snow, water, or debris from roofs prior to applying roofing materials.
- Cut felt, shingles, or strips of flashing to fit angles formed by walls, vents, or intersecting roof surfaces.
- Preparation
- Job Zone 2 of 5
- Interests
- Realistic, Conventional, Enterprising
Top skills: Coordination, Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Operation and Control, Time Management, Active Listening
US median pay: US$55,440 a year (2025), 135,490 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- WoodworkO*NET: Building and ConstructionExtremely important (4.7)
- MetalworkO*NET: MechanicalVery important (4.0)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsImportant (3.4)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageImportant (3.2)
- Technical DrawingO*NET: DesignImportant (3.0)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers
- Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall
- Plasterers and Stucco Masons
- Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles
- Insulation Workers, Mechanical
- Carpenters
- Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters
- Tile and Stone Setters
- Terrazzo Workers and Finishers
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.