The Industry | Roofing industry careers | Frequently asked questions
Q. Why should I consider roofing as a career?
A. Roofing is a skilled and well-paid trade offering attractive growth and advancement opportunities for young men and women, as well as people experienced in other fields who are seeking new challenges. Roofing is one of the United States' essential industries with a tradition of skilled craftsmanship that provides comfort and protection to people and property.
Q. How available are jobs in the roofing industry?
A. Roofing contractors across the United States are looking for thousands of new workers to keep up with strong industry growth that is projected to continue well into the future. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 1999, the worker shortfall during the next 10 years is estimated at upward of 50,000. Roofing work is not as susceptible to the downturns in the economy as other construction trades because 75 percent of all roofing work completed is in maintenance and repair, not new construction.
Q. What do I need to apply for an entry-level position in roofing?
A. Good physical condition and a good sense of balance are essential for roofing workers. A high-school education or its equivalent is helpful, as are courses in mechanical drawing and basic mathematics.
Q. What training is available to me as an entry-level roofing worker?
A. Entry-level roofing workers gain experience and develop their skills through on-the-job training working alongside experienced workers. Many contractors also offer in-house training through the use of NRCA training modules. Roofing workers can opt to go through an approved apprenticeship programs*, which are offered by roofing contractors or by joining an apprenticeship program sponsored by a local of the
United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers.
Q. What basic skills will I learn?
A. Roofing workers learn to install and repair a variety of roof systems—built up, asphalt, thermoplastic, metal, shingle, shake, slate, tile … and more—often incorporating skills regularly used in plumbing, carpentry, electrical and other fields.
Q. What sort of job/career path can I look forward to if I want to get ahead?
A. As roofing workers learn the skills of the trade, they have ample opportunities to progress steadily through the ranks of roofing positions—earning higher pay and more benefits as their skills and responsibilities increase. A typical career path for roofing workers is advancing from trainee to mechanic journeyman and on to foreman, supervisor and more senior management positions.
Q. What does it take to succeed in roofing?
A. To find your path to success and financial security in the roofing industry, you must be willing to work hard; have a positive mental attitude and eagerness to learn; like being physically and mentally active in an outdoor "fresh-air" setting; enjoy working with your hands; be comfortable working at heights; and enjoy working as part of a team.
Q. Once I learn the basics, will I have other learning/growth opportunities?
A. Training/education are ongoing in roofing; even experienced roofing workers have continuous opportunities to learn new skills resulting from the constant introduction of new and improved roofing products and high-tech equipment, systems and application techniques.
Q. What do roofing workers find to be the most satisfying aspects of their jobs?
A. Research indicates that roofing workers enjoy working in an outdoor, fresh-air setting vs. a more-traditional factory or office environment; the challenge of working at a craft where the work and work sites vary constantly; opportunities to progress steadily through the ranks of roofing positions; continuous opportunities to learn new skills; and a sense of teamwork and pride drawn from working as part of a crew to successfully implement roofing projects.
Q. How much can I expect to earn as a roofing worker?
A. Roofing wages compare well with related construction trades. Roofing workers have the opportunity to earn as much as or more than people with college degrees. Roofing wages vary depending on the geographic location, the skills a worker may have and the experience in the field. The most current data available from the
NRCA Salary and Benefits Survey 2000 reflects the average annual salary, including bonuses, for roofing helpers is $24,810, for a journeyman is $36,836, for a foremen is $44,067 and for a field superintendent is $54,855. Estimators' average annual salary (including bonus) is $57,192, and salesmen report to be at $61,102. Roofing workers' salaries can reach as high as $70,000 to $80,000 a year or more.
Q. What kinds of benefits can I look forward to?
A. Along with good pay, many roofing contractors offer attractive benefit packages, including life and health insurance, bonuses, profit sharing/401(k) plans and more.
Q. What roofing opportunities are available to minorities and women?
A. Roofing workers are a racially and ethnically diverse mix of people, with increasing numbers of minorities and women being welcomed into the industry's work force. Indeed, advancement opportunities in roofing are based on performance and equally available to all.
Q. English is not my first language. Will I have a problem?
A. Many roofing crews are bilingual or multilingual, easily accommodating those for whom English is a second language.
Q. I'm interested in finding out more about job/career opportunities in roofing. Where can I get more information?
A. NRCA has established a 24-hour, toll-free telephone hotline number you can call-staffed by English- and Spanish-speaking operators. Callers can obtain free copies of:
- A brochure—in English or Spanish—detailing the advantages of roofing as a skilled craft and what it takes to get started and succeed
- A list of roofing contractors in the state where you live who have registered job openings with NRCA—including telephone numbers and other contact information
Q. What is the 24-hour, toll-free telephone hotline number?
A. The number is: (888) ROOF-321 ([888] 766-3321)
*As registered with the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training of the U.S. Department of Labor.
