The roofing industry is booming, with over 115,400 dedicated professionals securing America’s homes and businesses today, and an army of new talent is urgently needed to meet explosive demand and replace a retiring generation.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, the roofing industry employed approximately 115,400 roofers in the United States
- The roofing workforce grew by 4% from 2021 to 2022, adding over 4,000 new jobs
- Projected employment for roofers to reach 128,100 by 2032, a 9% growth rate faster than average
- 45% of roofers are aged 25-44 years old
- Only 2.5% of roofing workforce is female
- Hispanic or Latino roofers make up 45.2% of the workforce
- 62% of roofing contractors report difficulty hiring qualified workers
- 75% of roofers found via word-of-mouth referrals
- Job postings for roofers increased 25% in 2023 on Indeed
- 85% of roofing companies provide on-the-job training
- Annual turnover rate in roofing: 42%
- Safety training completion rate: 92%
- Median hourly wage for roofers: $24.52 in 2023
- Top 10% roofers earn over $39.81/hour
- Bottom 10% earn under $15.90/hour
The roofing industry is growing fast and hiring many new workers across the country.
Compensation and Benefits
1Median hourly wage for roofers: $24.52 in 2023
Verified2Top 10% roofers earn over $39.81/hour
Verified3Bottom 10% earn under $15.90/hour
Verified4Average benefits package value: $12,500/year
Directional5Health insurance offered by 68% of firms
Single source6401(k) participation: 45% of workforce
Verified7Paid time off average: 10 days/year
Verified8Overtime pay premium: 1.5x rate for 82%
Verified9Performance bonuses average $2,800/year
Directional10Workers comp coverage: 100% mandatory
Single source11Dental insurance: 52% coverage
Verified12Vision benefits: 48%
Verified13Life insurance standard in 60%
Verified14Tool allowance average $1,200/year
Directional15Vehicle allowance for foremen: $450/month
Single source16Wage growth 2022-2023: 5.8%
Verified17Union wages average 20% higher at $29.50/hour
Verified18Foreman salary average $68,000/year
Verified19Laborers wage: $18.75/hour median
Directional20Commission structures in 25% sales roles, avg 8%
Single source21Paid training time compensated at full rate by 75%
Verified22Holiday pay premium by 55%
Verified23Longevity pay increases: 2-5% every 5 years
VerifiedCompensation and Benefits Interpretation
The data suggests that in roofing, the paychecks can reach dizzying heights like the rooftops themselves, but for many workers the safety net of comprehensive benefits feels like a patchwork repair, not a solid structure.
Compensation and Health
1Annual mean wage: $57,480 for roofers
VerifiedCompensation and Health Interpretation
When you consider the daily risk of gravity's persistent job application, a roofer's paycheck of $57,480 begins to look like a calculated argument against vertigo.
Demographics
145% of roofers are aged 25-44 years old
Verified2Only 2.5% of roofing workforce is female
Verified3Hispanic or Latino roofers make up 45.2% of the workforce
Verified4White non-Hispanic roofers: 39.8%
Directional5Average age of roofers: 39.5 years
Single source615% of roofers are over 55 years old, facing retirement wave
Verified7Veterans comprise 8.3% of roofing workforce
Verified8Immigrants account for 32% of roofers
Verified9High school diploma or equivalent: 68% of roofers' education level
Directional10Less than high school: 22% of roofing workforce
Single source11Some college education: 9% of roofers
Verified12Black or African American roofers: 6.1%
Verified13Asian roofers: 1.2% of workforce
Verified14Native American roofers: 1.5%
Directional15Urban area roofers: 72% vs rural 28%
Single source16Gen Z (under 25) roofers: 12%
Verified17Millennials (25-40): 48% of roofing workforce
Verified18Gen X (41-56): 28%
Verified19Baby Boomers (57+): 12%
Directional20Married roofers: 55%
Single source21Single roofers: 35%
Verified22Spanish-speaking roofers: 38%
Verified23English-only roofers: 55%
Verified24Disability rate among roofers: 4.2%
DirectionalDemographics Interpretation
The roofing industry is a young, predominantly male, and diverse trade facing a looming retirement crisis, powered by a bilingual, immigrant-heavy workforce where grit often trumps formal education.
Recruitment and Hiring
162% of roofing contractors report difficulty hiring qualified workers
Verified275% of roofers found via word-of-mouth referrals
Verified3Job postings for roofers increased 25% in 2023 on Indeed
Verified4Average time to hire roofer: 45 days
Directional540% of roofing firms use temp agencies for hiring
Single source6Entry-level roofer hiring up 15% due to shortages
Verified7Online job boards source 22% of new hires
Verified8Trade schools provide 18% of recruits
Verified9Social media hiring effectiveness: 12% success rate
Directional1055% of firms offer signing bonuses averaging $1,500
Single source11Apprenticeship programs hired 8,200 new workers in 2023
Verified1268% struggle with skilled labor shortages
Verified13Referral bonuses paid by 42% of contractors, avg $800
Verified14Job fairs yield 15% hire rate for roofing
Directional1530% increase in H-2B visa applications for roofers
Single source16College recruitment programs in 20% of large firms
Verified17Background checks standard in 85% hiring processes
Verified18Drug testing required by 78% of employers
Verified19Offer acceptance rate: 65% for roofing positions
Directional2050% of hires are under 30 years old
Single source21Overtime hiring surges 20% in peak seasons
Verified2235% use LinkedIn for professional hires
Verified23Ghosting by candidates: 28% in roofing applications
Verified2472% of small firms hire family members
DirectionalRecruitment and Hiring Interpretation
The industry is scrambling to patch its labor leak with signing bonuses and temp workers, but the real fix seems to be convincing someone's nephew that a hot roof is a good career.
Training and Retention
185% of roofing companies provide on-the-job training
Verified2Annual turnover rate in roofing: 42%
Verified3Safety training completion rate: 92%
Verified4Apprenticeship completion: 65% in roofing programs
Directional555% offer certifications like NRCA ProCertification
Single source6Average training hours per year: 40 for new hires
Verified7Retention rate improves 20% with mentorship programs
Verified8OSHA 10-hour training mandatory for 88%
Verified9Voluntary turnover: 35%, involuntary 7%
Directional10Employee engagement surveys used by 45%
Single source11Cross-training offered to 60% of workforce
Verified12Retention bonus programs in 38% of firms
Verified13Exit interviews conducted by 52%
Verified14Average tenure: 4.2 years for roofers
Directional15Leadership training for supervisors: 25% participation
Single source16Diversity training implemented by 18%
Verified17Online training platforms used by 40%
Verified18Injury rate drops 15% post-safety training
Verified1970% cite better pay for leaving
Directional20Career path programs retain 25% more workers
Single source21Feedback sessions quarterly in 35% firms
Verified22Union retention rate: 78% vs non-union 55%
Verified23Seasonal retention challenges affect 65%
Verified24Wellness programs in 22% improve retention 10%
DirectionalTraining and Retention Interpretation
The industry desperately staples together training programs and safety stats while the workforce, feeling under-shingled, keeps sliding right off the payroll.
Workforce Size and Employment
1In 2022, the roofing industry employed approximately 115,400 roofers in the United States
Verified2The roofing workforce grew by 4% from 2021 to 2022, adding over 4,000 new jobs
Verified3Projected employment for roofers to reach 128,100 by 2032, a 9% growth rate faster than average
Verified4Roofing contractors reported 142,000 total employees in 2023 across the US
Directional5Commercial roofing segment employs 35% of the total roofing workforce
Single source6Residential roofing accounts for 60% of industry employment, totaling around 85,200 workers
Verified7In 2023, 28% of roofing firms had 1-5 employees, representing small business dominance
Verified8Large roofing companies (50+ employees) make up 12% but employ 45% of workforce
Verified9Roofing industry added 12,300 jobs in the first half of 2023
Directional10Texas roofing employment stands at 18,500 workers in 2022, highest in US
Single source11Florida employs 12,800 roofers, second highest state
Verified12California has 11,200 roofing workers despite regulations
Verified13Roofing employment in Midwest grew 6% YoY in 2023
Verified14Southeast US roofing jobs increased by 8,500 in 2022-2023
Directional15Unionized roofing workers number about 22,000 nationwide
Single source16Non-union roofing employment totals 120,400
Verified17Roofing industry workforce participation rate is 75% male-dominated
Verified18Total roofing contractor firms: 92,000 in 2023
Verified19Average roofing firm size: 12 employees
Directional20Roofing jobs per 1,000 residents highest in hurricane-prone states at 5.2
Single source212024 projection: 5% workforce expansion due to housing boom
Verified22Roofing employment in new construction: 40% of total jobs
Verified23Reroofing employs 55% of roofing workforce
Verified24Age 25-34 group comprises 32% of roofers
Directional25Roofing industry saw 3.2% employment growth Q1 2024
Single source26Independent contractors in roofing: 28% of workforce
Verified27Full-time roofers: 92% of employed
Verified28Part-time roofing employment: 8%, often seasonal
Verified29Roofing workforce in Canada: 45,000
Directional30UK roofing employment: 28,500 in 2023
Single sourceWorkforce Size and Employment Interpretation
America's roofing industry is nailing steady growth, proving that from Texas-sized crews to small-town entrepreneurs, there’s serious job security under this hot, shingle-strewn sun.
Sources & References
- Reference 1BLSbls.govVisit source
- Reference 2NRCAnrca.netVisit source
- Reference 3ROOFINGCONTRACTORroofingcontractor.comVisit source
- Reference 4GRANDVIEWRESEARCHgrandviewresearch.comVisit source
- Reference 5ABCabc.orgVisit source
- Reference 6UNITEDUNIONOFROOFERSunitedunionofroofers.orgVisit source
- Reference 7DODGECONSTRUCTIONNETWORKdodgeconstructionnetwork.comVisit source
- Reference 8CENSUScensus.govVisit source
- Reference 9STATCANstatcan.gc.caVisit source
- Reference 10ONSons.gov.ukVisit source
- Reference 11DATAdata.bls.govVisit source
- Reference 12VAva.govVisit source
- Reference 13INDEEDindeed.comVisit source
- Reference 14DOLdol.govVisit source
- Reference 15CONSTRUCTIONDIVEconstructiondive.comVisit source
- Reference 16USCISuscis.govVisit source
- Reference 17LINKEDINlinkedin.comVisit source
- Reference 18OSHAosha.govVisit source
- Reference 19SALARYsalary.comVisit source