Hiring guide · Skilled Trades & Construction
How to Hire a Roofer
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring roofers, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $55,440), recruit through registered apprenticeship programs and union halls, verify OSHA 10-Hour Construction where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for roofers
There are about 166,900 roofers employed in the U.S., with roughly 12,000 openings each year. Employment is projected to change +5.3% from 2025–35 (faster than average). Expect competition for qualified candidates: speed and a strong offer matter.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $37,460–$46,260 | $18.01–$22.24 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $55,440 | $26.65 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $65,390 | $31.44 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $81,720 | $39.29 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- No formal educational credential (typical entry level)
- Licensing or certification required in your state
- Shingle and membrane installation
- Teamwork
Nice-to-haves
- OSHA 10-Hour Construction
- Fall protection training
- Manufacturer installer certifications
- Experience with pneumatic roofing nailers
Where to find roofers
- Registered apprenticeship programs and union halls
- Trade and technical school placement offices
- Pre-apprenticeship and veterans programs
- Referrals from current crew members
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: Roofing Installer, Commercial Roofer, Shingler, Roofing Technician
Screening checklist
- Verify state licenses (apprentice registration, journeyworker, master) where required
- OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 cards and prior safety record
- Valid driver’s license and driving record if operating company vehicles
- A practical skills test or supervised trial task
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “How do you set up fall protection on a new job?”
What a strong answer includes: Walk through inspection, anchor placement and tying off.
2. “What’s your experience with shingle or flat-roof systems?”
What a strong answer includes: Be specific about materials and job types.
3. “How do you find the source of a roof leak?”
What a strong answer includes: Describe working uphill from the stain and checking flashing and penetrations.
4. “Can you work in summer heat and early mornings?”
What a strong answer includes: Show you understand the conditions and plan for them.
5. “Do you have reliable transportation?”
What a strong answer includes: Crews often start early at different job sites.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Install Architectural Shingles (see the steps)
- Set Up Personal Fall Arrest on a Sloped Roof (see the steps)
- Flash Around a Chimney (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as Square, Pitch, Underlayment
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Roofer 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Roofer training. Show them the path forward: Roofing Helper → Roofer → Lead Roofer or Foreman → Estimator or Roofing Contractor.
Hiring roofers: FAQ
How much should I pay a roofer?
The U.S. median wage for roofers is $55,440 per year ($26.65/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($46,260), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($65,390). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should a roofer have?
BLS lists “no formal educational credential” as the typical entry-level education. Look for OSHA 10-Hour Construction and Fall protection training where relevant, plus skills such as shingle and membrane installation, flashing and leak prevention, and fall protection setup.
How long does it take to train a new roofer?
Becoming qualified typically takes 3–12 months on the job. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “moderate-term on-the-job training.”