Trade Career Comparison

Which trade career fits you best?

Roofer

Install, repair, and replace roofs using shingles, metal, and membrane systems.

$47,130/yr median

$31,190$72,620

Little/No ChangeVery HeavyUnion: LowEntry: Low

Training Path

OJT (few months) or apprenticeship

Environment

Outdoor

Outlook

Little/No Change (-2%)

BLS Code

47-2181

Pros

✓One of the fastest trades to enter — you can start earning money within days or weeks, with minimal upfront training required.
✓Good demand in virtually every market — roofs wear out and need replacement on a regular cycle, providing consistent work.
✓High earning potential for skilled roofers, especially crew leaders and those who start their own roofing businesses.
✓Straightforward work that provides visible, tangible results — you can see what you accomplished at the end of every day.
✓Low education barriers — many successful roofers started with no formal training and worked their way up.

Cons

✗Among the most physically punishing trades — carrying heavy bundles of shingles up ladders and working bent over on hot surfaces is grueling.
✗Extreme heat exposure — rooftop temperatures in summer can exceed 150 degrees on dark-colored roofing materials.
✗High injury rate — falls from roofs are one of the leading causes of construction fatalities. This is a statistically dangerous job.
✗Seasonal in many regions — winter weather can shut down roofing work for months in cold climates.
✗Low union representation means fewer protections and benefits compared to trades like electrical or plumbing.
✗The work is physically unsustainable for most people over decades — very few roofers are still on rooftops in their 50s and 60s.

What the Life Is Like

Roofers start early — often loading the truck before sunrise to beat the midday heat. A typical day involves stripping old roofing material, inspecting and repairing the deck beneath, installing underlayment, and applying the new roofing material (shingles, metal panels, single-ply membrane, or built-up roofing). The work is done in crews of 3-8 people, and a residential re-roof can often be completed in 1-3 days. Commercial roofing projects take longer and involve different materials and techniques.

Hours are weather-dependent. When the weather is good, roofers work as many hours as possible — 50-60 hour weeks are not unusual during peak season. When it rains, you go home. This feast-or-famine pattern extends to the seasons in cold climates. The work culture is fast-paced and physical. Roofing crews are often paid by the job (piece rate), which incentivizes speed but can compromise safety.

The physical reality of roofing is intense. You carry 70-80 pound bundles of shingles up ladders, work on sloped surfaces, swing hammers or operate nail guns for hours, and endure direct sun and radiant heat from the roof surface. Knee pads are essential but your knees still suffer over time. Heat exhaustion and dehydration are genuine daily risks in summer. Roofers who want a long career need to think about moving into estimation, project management, or starting their own business — the physical work is a young person's game.

How to Get Started

Get hired as a roofing laborer

Roofing is one of the trades with the lowest entry barriers. Many contractors will hire laborers with no experience to carry materials, clean up job sites, and gradually learn the trade. Show up reliably, work hard, and you will advance quickly.

Learn from experienced roofers on the job

Most roofing training happens on the job. You will learn to strip old roofing, install underlayment, apply shingles or other roofing materials, and handle flashing and edge details. Pay attention and ask questions — experienced roofers appreciate workers who want to learn.

Get OSHA fall protection and safety training

Roofing has one of the highest fatality rates in construction, mostly from falls. OSHA 10-hour certification and specific fall protection training are essential for your safety and increasingly required by employers. Take this seriously — it can save your life.

Consider formal training for commercial or specialty roofing

Manufacturer training programs (from companies like GAF, CertainTeed, or Firestone) provide credentials in specific roofing systems. The United Union of Roofers runs apprenticeship programs in some areas. Commercial and flat roofing involves different techniques and typically pays more than residential work.

Plan for career advancement early

Because the physical work is unsustainable long-term, start planning your advancement path. Learn to estimate jobs, manage crews, and understand the business side of roofing. Many successful roofing contractors started on the crew and built their own businesses. Getting your contractor's license is the key to long-term earning potential in this trade.

Felony Record & Licensing

Generally Accessible

No individual license required in most states. Entry via OJT is common.

Roofer is one of the more accessible trades for people rebuilding after a conviction.

Training Funding & Support

Pell Grants Are Available Again

As of July 2023, the FAFSA no longer asks about drug convictions. The FAFSA Simplification Act restored Pell Grant eligibility for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated students. If a past drug conviction kept you from financial aid before, you can apply again.

WIOA Workforce Funding

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds free job training, career counseling, and supportive services (transportation, work clothes, childcare) for people reentering the workforce. Contact your local American Job Center (careeronestop.org) to see what's available in your area.

Ban-the-Box & Fair Chance Hiring

Over 37 states and 150+ cities have "ban-the-box" or fair chance hiring laws that prevent employers from asking about criminal history on job applications. Many require waiting until after an interview or conditional job offer. These laws are expanding rapidly — check your state's specific rules.

Licensing laws vary by state and change frequently. This is general guidance, not legal advice. Always verify with your state's licensing board before enrolling in a training program.

Data last verified March 2026 · View sources

We verify our data against official sources. Verification dates show when we last checked — they do not guarantee the information is still current. Laws, rates, and thresholds can change at any time. Always confirm critical information at the official source or with a qualified professional.

National Employment Law Project (NELP) — Fair Chance Hiring

General trade accessibility levels for people with felony convictions — categorized as generally-accessible, varies-by-state, often-restricted, or highly-restricted

https://www.nelp.org/policy-issue/criminal-records-and-employment/

Verified March 2026

trade-schools.net — Jobs for Felons

Trade accessibility and reentry employment guidance for specific trades

https://www.trade-schools.net/articles/jobs-for-felons

Verified March 2026

Hire Felons — Reentry Employment Guide

Employer reentry hiring policies and trade accessibility for people with felony convictions

https://www.hirefelons.org/

Verified March 2026

ASE — About ASE Testing

ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certification — no criminal history screening

https://www.ase.com/certification-series/

Verified March 2026

OSHA — Powered Industrial Trucks

OSHA forklift certification — employer-provided, no criminal history screening

https://www.osha.gov/powered-industrial-trucks

Verified March 2026

EPA — Section 608 Technician Certification

EPA Section 608 refrigerant certification — no criminal history screening

https://www.epa.gov/section608

Verified March 2026

Federal Student Aid — FAFSA Simplification Act

Pell Grant eligibility restored for people with drug convictions and incarcerated individuals, effective July 1, 2023; PELL_GRANT_RESTORED_DATE: "July 2023"

FAFSA Simplification Act, Pub. L. 117-103 (2021); 20 U.S.C. § 1070a

https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/fafsa-simplification

Verified March 2026

National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) — Ban the Box Legislation

Ban-the-box and fair chance hiring laws — 37+ states + DC + 150+ localities as of 2026; BAN_THE_BOX_STATE_COUNT: 37; BAN_THE_BOX_CITY_COUNT: 150

https://www.ncsl.org/labor-and-employment/ban-the-box-legislation

Verified March 2026

NELP — Ban the Box: U.S. Cities, Counties, and States

Fair chance hiring law coverage — 37+ states + DC + 150+ localities; BAN_THE_BOX_PRIVATE_EMPLOYER_STATES: ["California", "Illinois", "New Jersey", "Washington"]

https://www.nelp.org/publication/ban-the-box-fair-chance-hiring-state-and-local-guide/

Verified March 2026

U.S. Department of Labor — Reentry Employment Opportunities (REO)

WIOA Section 169 workforce funding for reentry — job training, career counseling, and supportive services

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, 29 U.S.C. § 3224; WIOA Sec. 169

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/reentry

Verified March 2026

Legal Information Institute — 18 U.S.C. § 922

18 U.S.C. § 922(g) — federal prohibition on felons possessing firearms, effectively barring law enforcement careers

18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/922

Verified March 2026