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Roofers in the US earn $47,920 on average — with foremen, commercial specialists, and business owners earning $65,000-$150,000+.
Average Roofer Salary in 2026
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Average salary | $47,920 |
| Median salary | $44,070 |
| 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
| State | Average Salary | Hourly Rate | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $71,100 | $34.18 | +48% |
| Alaska | $64,500 | $31.01 | +35% |
| New Jersey | $62,800 | $30.19 | +31% |
| Massachusetts | $61,200 | $29.42 | +28% |
| New York | $60,100 | $28.89 | +25% |
| California | $58,400 | $28.08 | +22% |
| Hawaii | $57,900 | $27.84 | +21% |
| Washington | $56,200 | $27.02 | +17% |
| Minnesota | $55,100 | $26.49 | +15% |
| Oregon | $54,300 | $26.11 | +13% |
| Texas | $44,200 | $21.25 | -8% |
| Florida | $42,800 | $20.58 | -11% |
| Georgia | $41,500 | $19.95 | -13% |
| Mississippi | $36,500 | $17.55 | -24% |
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 -1% change for roofers through 2032 — 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 — 40-60% 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 — 25-50% 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.
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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