Occupation Summary

Roofers

O*NET 47-2181.00

Description:

Cover roofs of structures with shingles, slate, asphalt, aluminum, wood, or related materials. May spray roofs, sidings, and walls with material to bind, seal, insulate, or soundproof sections of structures.

Annual Wages:
$46,530.00
Employment Rate:
Employment is expected to increase by 10.72%.
Education Level:
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED). According to O*Net, the majority of people employed in this occupation have this level of education.
Endorsement:
Business and Industry

  1. Inspect problem roofs to determine the best repair procedures.
  2. Set up scaffolding to provide safe access to roofs.
  3. Cement or nail flashing strips of metal or shingle over joints to make them watertight.
  4. Install, repair, or replace single-ply roofing systems, using waterproof sheet materials such as modified plastics, elastomeric, or other asphaltic compositions.
  5. Cut felt, shingles, or strips of flashing to fit angles formed by walls, vents, or intersecting roof surfaces.
  6. Install vapor barriers or layers of insulation on flat roofs.
  7. Cover exposed nailheads with roofing cement or caulking to prevent water leakage or rust.
  8. Install partially overlapping layers of material over roof insulation surfaces, using chalk lines, gauges on shingling hatchets, or lines on shingles.
  9. Cover roofs or exterior walls of structures with slate, asphalt, aluminum, wood, gravel, gypsum, or related materials, using brushes, knives, punches, hammers, or other tools.
  10. Remove snow, water, or debris from roofs prior to applying roofing materials.
  11. Apply alternate layers of hot asphalt or tar and roofing paper to roofs.
  12. Spray roofs, sidings, or walls to bind, seal, insulate, or soundproof sections of structures, using spray guns, air compressors, or heaters.
  13. Waterproof or damp-proof walls, floors, roofs, foundations, or basements by painting or spraying surfaces with waterproof coatings or by attaching waterproofing membranes to surfaces.
  14. Mop or pour hot asphalt or tar onto roof bases.
  15. Apply plastic coatings, membranes, fiberglass, or felt over sloped roofs before applying shingles.
  16. Smooth rough spots to prepare surfaces for waterproofing, using hammers, chisels, or rubbing bricks.
  17. Glaze top layers to make a smooth finish or embed gravel in the bitumen for rough surfaces.
  18. Apply gravel or pebbles over top layers of roofs, using rakes or stiff-bristled brooms.
  19. Punch holes in slate, tile, terra cotta, or wooden shingles, using punches and hammers.
  20. Apply modular soil- and plant-containing grids over existing roof membranes to create green roofs.
  21. Apply reflective roof coatings, such as special paints or single-ply roofing sheets, to existing roofs to reduce solar heat absorption.
  22. Attach solar panels to existing roofs, according to specifications and without damaging roofing materials or the structural integrity of buildings.
  23. Install attic ventilation systems, such as turbine vents, gable or ridge vents, or conventional or solar-powered exhaust fans.
  24. Install layers of vegetation-based green roofs, including protective membranes, drainage, aeration, water retention and filter layers, soil substrates, irrigation materials, and plants.
  25. Install skylights on roofs to increase natural light inside structures or to reduce energy costs.
  26. Estimate materials and labor required to complete roofing jobs.
  27. Attach roofing paper to roofs in overlapping strips to form bases for other materials.

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National Industry Employment Patterns


Industry % of Roofers employed Annual Growth Rate
Building foundation and exterior contractors 77.5 0.22
Residential building construction 2.2 0.00


Labor Market Information


2024 Statewide average hourly wage $22.37
2024 National average hourly wage $27.45
2022 National employment 154,500
2022 Texas employment 7,218
Texas projected employment by 2032 7,992
Texas projected annual employment and Turnover openings through 2032 658




TEXAS COUNTY MAP BY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AREA
* Due to confidentiality rules, not all regions may have the data displayed. The sum of all the regions may not be equal to the state total.


Top 10 Relevant Knowledge Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Building and Construction
Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
91.60%
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
70.40%
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
67.40%
Public Safety and Security
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
66.40%
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
64.40%
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
64.20%
Design
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
63.80%
Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
61.60%
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
60.20%
Transportation
Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
52.20%


Top 10 Relevant Skill Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
72.40%
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
62.40%
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
62.40%
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
60.00%
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
60.00%
Operations Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
60.00%
Operation and Control
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
60.00%
Time Management
Managing one's own time and the time of others.
60.00%
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
57.60%
Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
55.00%


Top 10 Relevant Abilities Relevant Importance Levels
Gross Body Equilibrium
The ability to keep or regain your body balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
80.00%
Extent Flexibility
The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
75.00%
Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
75.00%
Trunk Strength
The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.
75.00%
Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
72.40%
Arm-Hand Steadiness
The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
70.00%
Manual Dexterity
The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
70.00%
Multilimb Coordination
The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
70.00%
Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
67.60%
Gross Body Coordination
The ability to coordinate the movement of your arms, legs, and torso together when the whole body is in motion.
67.60%


  • Performing General Physical Activities
    -- Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
  • Handling and Moving Objects
    -- Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
    -- Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
    -- Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Getting Information
    -- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Other Activities


  • Independence
    - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
  • Support
    - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.



Tools

Air compressors: Air compressors;

Air dryers: Hot air blowers; Roof dryers;

Angle brackets: Adjustable roof brackets; Fixed-roof brackets;

Anvils: Slaters' anvils;

Axes: Axes;

Bituminous material distributors: Bitumen applicators;

Blocks or pulleys: Long ladder hoisting wheels; Hoisting wheels; Short ladder hoisting wheels;

Blow torch: Heating torches; Double-lock seamers; Corner roofing seamers; Propane torches; Torches; Single seamers; Roofing seamers;

Caulking guns: Caulking guns;

Chalk lines: Roofing layout tapes; Chalk line markers;

Chip Spreaders: Gravelers; Hot or cold process power gravelers;

Claw hammer: Claw hammers;

Cold chisels: Grooving tools; Seaming chisels;

Cutting machines: Power roof cutters;

Desktop computers: Desktop computers;

Fall protection lanyard: Safety lanyards;

Hammers: Seaming hammers; Slate hammers; Rip hammers; Hammers; Plastic hammers; Nail hammers;

Hatchets: Standard roofing hatchets; Wood shingling hatchets; Metric roofing hatchets; Riggers' axes; Carpenters' hatchets;

Heat guns: Hot air welding machines;

Heat tracing equipment: Infrared thermometers;

Hip and ridge: Power roof rippers; Tear-off bars; Tear-off shovels; Roofing spades; Roofing tearoff forks; Shingle rippers; Slate rippers; Shake tear-off tools;

Hoists: Shingle ladder hoists; Trolley track hoists; Power hoists; Hydraulic swing beam hoists;

Hydraulic hand crimp tool: Hand crimpers;

Kettle exchangers: Single burner draw kettles; Single burner pump kettles; Double-burner pump kettles;

Ladders: Ladders; Chicken ladders;

Laser printers: Laser printers;

Liquid leak detectors: Electronic leak detectors;

Magnetic tools: Rolling magnetic sweepers;

Manual press brake: Bench-mount hand brakes;

Measuring wheels for distance: Measuring wheels;

Metal folding machine: Cleat benders;

Notebook computers: Notebook computers;

Personal computers: Personal computers;

Personal digital assistant PDAs or organizers: Personal digital assistants PDA;

Pipe bending tools: Downspout crimpers;

Pneumatic nail drivers: Pneumatic air nailers;

Power drills: Power drills;

Power nail guns: Roofing coil nailers;

Power saws: Reciprocating saws; Gas-powered chop saws; Circular saws; Shingle saws;

Protractors: Roof pitch finders;

Pry bars: Pry bars; Wrecking bars; Spud bars; Spud/scraper bars;

Pullers: Nail pullers; Nail strippers; Scraper/pullers;

Punches or nail sets or drifts: Hand punches;

Punching pliers: Core cutters;

Putty knives: Putty knives;

Rivet tools: Pop rivet guns;

Roofing mop: Tar mops;

Safety harnesses or belts: Safety belts; Fall arrest systems;

Safety hooks: Roof hooks;

Safety shoes: Roofing shoes; Korker cleats;

Scaffolding: Ladder jacks; Scaffolding;

Scaffolding handrail: Roofing guardrails;

Scaffolding stabilizers: Ladder levelers; Ladder standoffs; Ladder braces;

Scales: Triangular scales;

Seam welder: Seam finishing machines; Semiautomatic welding machines;

Shears: Foot squaring shears; Clipping shears; Membrane slitters; Slate cutters; Shears;

Sheet metal pliers: Seaming pliers; Tinsmith pliers; Two-handed edgers; Hand roofing double seamers;

Shovels: Shingle shovels;

Soldering iron: Soldering irons; Heat welders;

Staple guns: Hammer tackers;

Swaging tools: Rotary machines;

Tape measures: Measuring tapes;

Tinners snips: Compound snips; Snips; Tin snips; Straight snips;

Tongs: Sheet metal hand tongs;

Trowels: Pointing trowels; Trowels; Round-point trowels;

Utility knives: Utility knives; Roofing knives; Draw knives; Angle knives;

Welding masks: Welding hoods;

Wood chisels: Wood chisels;


Technology

Analytical or scientific software: Energy cost evaluation software; Exele TopView; Humidity and vapor drive calculation software; Roofing Calculator;

Computer aided design CAD software: DigiTools Roof CAD; AppliCad Roof Wizard; ASR Software LWC-Plus; ASR Software Taper-Plus; ASR Software TopView LE; ASR Software TopView ME; Ziatek RoofDraw;

Data base user interface and query software: CADAFIS; Insight Direct ServiceCEO; Roof Pro Estimate Software Roof Pro; RoofLogic; Wintac Pro;

Office suite software: Microsoft Office software;

Operating system software: Microsoft Windows;

Project management software: Maintenance record software;

Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel; Spreadsheet software;

Word processing software: Word processing software; Microsoft Word;


Related O*NET occupational titles for Roofers include:
  • 47-2031.00 Carpenters
  • 47-2081.00 Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers
  • 47-2042.00 Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles
  • 47-3011.00 Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters
  • 47-3016.00 Helpers--Roofers
  • 47-2131.00 Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall
  • 47-2132.00 Insulation Workers, Mechanical
  • 47-2161.00 Plasterers and Stucco Masons
  • 47-2053.00 Terrazzo Workers and Finishers
  • 47-2044.00 Tile and Stone Setters


Sources of Additional Information
  • For details about apprenticeships or other work opportunities for roofers, contact the offices of the state employment service, the state apprenticeship agency, local contractors or firms that employ roofers, or local union–management apprenticeship committees. Apprenticeship information is available from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Apprenticeship program online, or by phone at 877-872-5627. Visit Apprenticeship.gov to search for apprenticeship opportunities.
  • For more information about the work of roofers, visit: National Roofing Contractors Association
  • United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers & Allied Workers
  • For more information about OSHA training, visit: Occupational Safety and Health Administration
  • Roofers

  • Contact Texas Workforce Commission
    Labor Market and Career Information  |  101 E. 15th Street, Annex Room 0252  |  Austin, Texas 78778
    Official Website  |  1-800-822-PLAN (7526)  |  512.936.3200

    ** The information in this report may be derived from many sources like O*NET, BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), OOH (Occupational Outlook Handbook), and Career One Stop.