How Much Do Roofers Make? Hourly, Weekly, Monthly, and Yearly Salaries
Money might not be the first thing you think about when you’re 30 feet up on a roof. But whether you’re patching a leak or installing brand-new shingles, roofing can be surprisingly financially rewarding.
How much roofers make depends on a few things—like where they work, what they specialize in, and whether they run the crew or work under one. But on average, roofers in the United States earn $37,060-80,780 annually.
In this guide, we’ll cover average roofing wages, the best (and worst) paying states, and the income of business owners.
A breakdown of roofer income
Wondering how much you can make as a roofer? Here’s a breakdown of what you can realistically expect to earn—plus the key factors that influence your income.
Annual income for roofers
In the United States, roofers earn an average annual salary between $37,060 and $80,780, depending on experience and location. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median income for roofers was $50,970 in 2024.
If you’re just starting out and working as a laborer on residential shingle jobs, you’ll probably be paid in the 30K range. As you get more experience, like specializing in metal, slate, or commercial flat roofing systems, you can push past $75K. Possibly even higher in busy areas.
In the long run, here’s what tends to influence how much you make a year:
- Experience: Been roofing for a decade? You’ll earn more than the person who just learned how to use a chalk line.
- Specialization: Flat commercial roofs with membrane systems? Solar shingles? Specialized skills mean higher pay.
- Location: A roofer in Seattle or Boston will likely earn more than someone doing the same work in rural Alabama.
READ MORE: How to become a roofer in 5 steps
Monthly income for roofers
Breaking it down monthly, most full-time U.S. roofers bring in somewhere between $3,090 and $6,740 a month.
Of course, monthly income isn’t always steady. And especially if you’re working in an area with a seasonal climate (looking at you, northern states). Roofing might slow to a crawl during the winter, while in southern states the work might be steady all year round.
And if you’re good at upselling gutter installs or seasonal services like holiday light hanging, you can make up for the slow months with this different type of income.
Weekly income for roofers
Your weekly income will vary, depending on how much you earn hourly and how many hours you put in a week.
Let’s say you’re in the 25th percentile for pay rate ($21.23 per hour), meaning 25% of roofers earn less than you (and 75% earn more). This percentile is often used as a benchmark for entry-level.
Working a 40-hour week as a beginner roofer comes out to roughly $849 per week before taxes.
Roofing doesn’t always clock in at 40 hours, though, so how much you make per week will vary. During peak season, you might put in 50-60 hours per week, especially when the weather’s nice and jobs are coming in.
So, with overtime (which usually pays time-and-a-half), you could be hitting $1,400+ per week.On the other hand, a rainy week in April might mean just a couple of patch jobs and some admin work. Income can definitely fluctuate, especially if you’re not salaried or if you’re a subcontractor.
Hourly income for roofers
How much you make an hour will depend on your experience and where (city, state) you’re working. But in general, here’s a breakdown of hourly wage estimates for roofers by percentile:
| 10% | 25% | 50% (median) | 75% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $17.42 | $21.23 | $24.05 | $29.97 | $38.39 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
If you have certifications like OSHA 30 or GAF Certified Installer, your pay rate can go up. You’re seen as lower risk and more reliable to get jobs done right.
Geographic impact on roofer salaries
How much roofers make can vary depending on where they’re working. Geography plays a big role in your paycheck, and it’s all about local demand, how much homeowners are shelling out for roofs, and the cost of living.
Highest paying U.S. cities for roofers
If you’re willing to pack up and go where the money is, these are the cities where roofers earn the most:
| City | Mean Hourly Wage | Mean Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Worcester, MA | $44.72 | $93,020 |
| Danbury, CT | $39.38 | $81,900 |
| San Jose, CA | $38.72 | $80,540 |
| Springfield, MA | $36.94 | $76,830 |
| San Francisco, CA | $36.67 | $76,280 |
| New Haven, CT | $36.55 | $76,030 |
| Chicago, IL | $35.23 | $73,280 |
| Seattle, WA | $34.49 | $71,740 |
| New York, NY | $34.18 | $71,090 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $33.86 | $70,420 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Why’s the pay so good in these cities?
For starters, older homes mean more roofs that need repair and replacement. Not to mention the snow, ice, and harsh weather that shorten the lifespan of roofs.
You’ve also got wealthy homeowners and high-end neighborhoods where people are willing to pay more for premium roofing systems and the best workmanship.
Keep in mind, though—high pay often comes with a higher cost of living. You might make $76K in San Francisco, but the cost of living is 70% higher than the national average. Things sort of even out.
Average salary by state
Salaries vary by state, but some are more lucrative than others. First, here are the highest-paying states for roofers:
| State | Mean Hourly Wage | Mean Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $34.80 | $72,390 |
| Illinois | $33.71 | $70,110 |
| Connecticut | $33.26 | $69,170 |
| California | $33.17 | $69,000 |
| Alaska | $32.64 | $67,880 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
These states combine decent union representation, high demand, and customers who can afford roof replacements (not just patch jobs). Plus, colder climates and snowy winters wear down shingles faster.
And on the flip side, here are the lowest-paying states for roofers:
| State | Mean Hourly Wage | Mean Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | $18.91 | $39,330 |
| Mississippi | $19.13 | $39,790 |
| South Dakota | $19.49 | $40,540 |
| New Mexico | $20.35 | $42,320 |
| Wyoming | $20.76 | $43,190 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
The population density is lower in these states. Homes are smaller and there isn’t as much disposable income in rural communities. This doesn’t mean it’s impossible to find work, but you might have to hustle to earn more.
Other roofing benefits
Money talks, but it’s not the only thing that makes a roofing job worth showing up for every day. Here are some of the most valuable benefits that you can expect as a roofer.
Common benefits
- Health, dental, and vision insurance: Roofing is tough on the body, and having good health coverage is a must. Many companies offer insurance plans that help cover doctor visits, emergency care, dental cleanings, and eye exams.
- Retirement plans: Nobody wants to be on top of a house when they’re 65. Some roofing companies offer 401(k) options, and some will even match your contributions up to a certain percentage.
- Paid time off: Roofing is physically, mentally, and even emotionally hard. Having paid vacation days and sick days can make a big difference. More roofing companies are catching on and offering PTO to keep their crews rested.
- Profit sharing: If you’re lucky, you might find a roofing company that offers profit sharing, which means that when the company wins, the employees do too. And if you’re thinking about running your own business at some point, offering profit sharing could be what keeps your best roofers loyal.
Non-monetary benefits
- Job stability: Whether it’s aging shingles or a new build going up in town, roofing is a trade that stays in demand through every season and economy. People always need a roof over their heads.
- Room to grow or go solo: One of the biggest upsides in roofing is that you can eventually run the crew or your own company. Learn the trade, build your reputation, and before long, you can price your own jobs, hire a team, and be the boss.
- Physical work and fresh air: If you enjoy physical labor, working with your hands, and being outdoors, roofing checks all those boxes.
READ MORE: How to become a certified roofing contractor
Income potential for roofing business owners
By this point, you know how much a roofer makes as part of a crew. But once you’re the one signing checks and scheduling jobs, the game changes.
When you own the business, your ceiling is higher than working for someone else. The median revenue for residential roofing companies ranges from $500,000 to $4.9 million.
And as an owner, your earnings could range from $70,000 to $150,000 annually, depending on the number of projects, your pricing strategy, and the local market.
Additional revenue streams
If you’re smart about how you set up your roofing company, income won’t just come from replacing shingles. You can bring in money by offering:
- Gutter installs and cleanings
- Seasonal jobs like snow removal or hanging holiday lights
- Emergency calls for leaks and storm damage
- Skylight or solar panel prep work
Managing multiple projects with a solid crew and a scheduling system will help you juggle it all.
With scheduling software like Jobber, you can save time and get jobs done sooner. Simply assign the job to an available worker to get it on their schedule, with all details included. They’ll receive a notification.
Growing the business
In addition to multiple revenue streams, here are a few tips to grow your roofing business:
- Get better at quoting: Know your numbers and price for profit. Don’t race to the bottom just to land the job.
- Specialize: Become the go-to for metal roofing or flat commercial builds. Niches can command top dollar.
- Train your crew: The higher the quality of your team’s work, the more you can charge customers. And you’ll be more hands-off so you can focus on growing the business.
- Create a referral program: Customer referrals are one of the best ways to get more leads. And it’s also easy on your wallet since you’re getting your current customers to do the work for you.
- Use tech like Jobber’s roofing contractor software to manage and organize your client details and job history from anywhere. Keep in touch with your customers with on-my-way texts and follow-up messages. And with one click, you can turn your quotes into professional invoices as soon as a job is done.
We would send out quotes to customers and they would go back to life as normal, three days later, they would respond to the quote because Jobber sent them a reminder.
With this new sense of urgency, we saw our new business skyrocket.
Tap into the earning potential of roofing
How much you can make as a roofer depends on the hours you put in, where you work, and how you grow. Whether you’re just starting out as part of a crew or thinking about launching your own business, this industry offers good earning potential and long-term opportunity.
Roofers across the country are paid $37,060-80,780 per year on average, with job security and benefits. And if you’re in a top-paying city or state, you could boost your earnings even faster.
And if you have an entrepreneurial spirit, running your own roofing company opens the door to earning six figures.