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Helpers--Roofers

Typical education: High school diplomaModerate pressure Bright Outlook

What they do

Help roofers by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying, or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.

Moderate pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $44,160 Median per year · $21.23/hr Most earn $30,140–$62,400

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Sweep and clean roofs to prepare them for the application of new roofing materials.
  • Remove old roofing materials.
  • Place tiles, nail them to roof boards, and cover nailheads with roofing cement.
  • Place tiles, nail them to roof boards, and cover nailheads with roofing cement.
  • Provide assistance to skilled roofers installing and repairing roofs, flashings, and surfaces.
  • Hoist tar and roofing materials to roofs, using ropes and pulleys, or carry materials up ladders.

Job outlook

Bright Outlook Rapid Growth

United States
About the same number of jobs by 2035, little or no change · about 600 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Roofing contractors92.5%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: None

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: High school diplomaExperience before this job: NoneEntry-level

This is an entry-level job. Most people can start as a roofer helper right out of high school, with no prior work experience needed, and learn the trade on the job.

  1. High school diploma

    4 years

    A high school diploma is the usual education for this job, and it's the only schooling most helpers need before they start working.

  2. Roofer Helper

    Starting job, no prior experience needed

    You carry shingles and tools, hold materials, clean up the work area, and learn roofing safety and techniques by watching experienced roofers.

Where it can lead

  1. Roofer

    A few months to 1 year as a roofer helper of experience first

    Roofers do the skilled work themselves, like installing and repairing roofing materials. Helpers who learn the job well and show they can work safely often move into this role, which usually takes about 1 to 3 months of on-the-job experience.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take shop or construction classesClasses in woodworking, building trades, or drafting give you hands-on experience with tools and materials that roofing crews use every day.
  • Take math and physical educationBasic measuring and geometry help with cutting and calculating materials, and staying fit helps with the physical demands of the job.
  • Get a yard work or labor jobPart-time work mowing, hauling, or helping with home repairs teaches you to work hard outdoors and to be reliable on a team.
  • Join a trades or skills clubGroups like a school's SkillsUSA chapter, if your school has one, let you practice trade skills and meet people in the field.
  • Learn workplace safety basicsReading up on ladder safety and fall protection shows employers you already understand the rules that matter most on a roof.

In college

  • Earn a construction safety certificateA short course such as the OSHA 10-Hour Construction course, often offered through community colleges or local training centers, shows employers you know job-site safety.
  • Take a construction or trades courseIntroductory construction technology or building trades classes teach you how roofs and buildings are put together, which helps you understand the crew's work.
  • Work a summer construction or labor jobWorking on a construction crew, even as a general laborer, gives you real experience with teamwork, tools, and job-site routines.
  • Join a student trades or construction organizationMany colleges have student chapters of trade or construction groups where you can meet employers and learn about job openings.
  • Keep a reliable work recordHolding a steady part-time job while in school shows employers you can show up consistently, which is often the first thing crew leaders look for.

Tips for getting started

  • Show up on time, work hard, and ask questions. Crew leaders often hire helpers they trust and then teach them the skilled work.
  • Learn basic safety rules early, such as using ladder and harness equipment correctly. Roofing is physically demanding, and safe habits matter a lot in this job.
  • Build physical stamina with regular exercise, since the work involves climbing, lifting, and being outside all day.

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

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