- June 26, 2026
- 9:02 am
- 6 min read
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If you’re considering a career in roofing or looking to expand your team, understanding how much money roofers make in a year is important. In this guide, we’ll break down the average wages for roofers and walk you through the factors that impacts the salaries across the United States in 2026.
How Much Do Roofers Make a Year?
According to the latest occupational outlook handbook provided by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for roofers was $50,970 in May 2024. That translates to approximately $24.51 per hour for the typical roofer. These figures can rise quickly as roofers gain experience, build specialized skills, or start their own roofing business.
Here’s how roofer earnings break down across different time periods based on 40 hours work week:
- Hourly wage: $24.51
- Weekly earnings: Approximately $980.4
- Monthly income: Around $4,247
- Annual salary: $50,970
The lowest 10% of roofers earned less than $35,000 annually, while experienced professionals and those in high-demand markets can exceed $75,000 per year. When you’re asking “how much do roofers make per hour,” it’s important to be aware that location and specialization play massive roles in determining the average wages of roofers.
What Is the Average Salary for Roofers by Experience Levels?
Your earning potential grows substantially as you gain more experience and develop specialized skills in the roofing industry. The career progression in roofing normally offers clear pathways to higher average wages for roofers.
Entry-Level Roofers
For roofers who are just starting out, most of them earn between $35,000 and $47,000 annually. These entry-level roofing positions typically involve assisting senior crew members, learning proper installation techniques, and understanding safety rules and protocols. According to ZipRecruiter, entry-level roofers can start at around $35,000 per year, with room for quick advancement.
Intermediate Roofers
With 2 to 5 years of experience, roofers typically earn $47,000 to $62,000 per year. After completing an apprenticeship and passing the required exams, you may be eligible to obtain a roofing license. At this stage, roofers often handle more complex installations, work with a wider range of roofing materials, and may begin leading smaller projects. This marks an important step up the career ladder, bringing greater earning potential.
Senior Roofing Technicians
Experienced roofers with 5 to 10 years in the field typically earn between $62,000 and $88,000 per year. These roofing professionals often specialize in areas such as commercial roofing, complex residential projects, or specific materials like slate or metal roofing. This expertise and specialization help them stand out and increase their earning potential compared with roofers who do not have the same level of experience or specialist skills.
Master Roofing Technicians
At the top of the pay scale, master roofing technicians and roofing project managers can earn between $88,000 and $126,000 annually, depending on their market and responsibilities. The average salary for a roofing project manager is around $115,960 per year, which breaks down to approximately $56 per hour.
Average Wage for Roofer: State-by-State Breakdown
Geography dramatically impacts roofing salaries. The average wage for roofer positions varies by tens of thousands of dollars depending on your state. The data in the table below is compiled from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
According to the table, roofers in Minnesota earn nearly 75% more than their counterparts in Florida. These significant differences make location one of the most important factors in roofing salaries.
Which States Offer the Highest Average Roofer Salaries?
Minnesota leads the pack with the highest median annual salary for roofers at approximately $78,000, followed closely by New Jersey ($73,410) and Massachusetts ($72,360). These states combine high demand with strong union representation and higher costs of living.
Which States Offer the Lowest Average Roofer Salaries?
On the lower end, states like Wyoming, West Virginia and Mississippi typically offer salaries in the $38,000–$41,000 range. The warmer climate means year-round work availability, which can partially offset lower hourly rates through consistent employment.
What Factors Impact the Average Wage of a Roofer?
Here’s the list of key factors that play an important role in earning potential:
- Experience level: As shown earlier, progression from entry-level to master technician can more than double your income
- Geographic location: State and local market conditions create significant pay variations
- Certifications: Specialized roofing certifications in areas like metal roofing, solar installation, or safety management can increase pay by $5,000–$15,000 annually
- Union membership: Union roofers typically earn 10-20% more than non-union workers with comparable experience
- Material expertise: Specializing in premium materials like slate, copper, or integrated solar systems commands premium rates
- Commercial vs. residential: Commercial roofing projects often pay more due to complexity and scale
What Are the Highest-paying Roofing Jobs?
Beyond standard installation work, several specialized roles offer stronger earning potential. Alongside roofing project managers, roof inspectors with relevant and proper certifications can earn $50,000 to $80,000 by conducting assessments and insurance inspections. Supervisory roles, such as commercial roofing supervisors who oversee crews on large-scale projects, often exceed $77,000 annually.
Additionally, roofers who develop expertise in emerging technologies, such as solar panel integration or green roofing systems, can position themselves for higher compensation as these sustainable roofing markets continue to expand.
Is It Worth Starting Your Own Roofing Business?
Business ownership offers substantially higher earning potential than working as an employee. When roofing businesses get the fundamentals right, revenue potential spans from $500,000 to more than $10 million. However, this comes with added responsibilities, financial risk, and the need for business management skills beyond roofing expertise.
The transition from employee to business owner requires capital for equipment, vehicles, insurance, and licensing. You’ll need to manage payroll, roofing marketing strategies, customer relationships, and project scheduling. Many successful roofing business owners started by working several years in the field, building a reputation and client base before launching their own ventures.
Streamline Your Roofing Business by Partnering with WEX FSM
Whether you’re an experienced roofer considering starting your own business or already managing a growing operation, the right technology makes all the difference. That’s where WEX FSM comes in.
Our field service management platform is built specifically for roofing businesses, helping you manage everything from scheduling and dispatch to invoicing and customer communications. With WEX FSM, you can track job costs in real-time, ensuring your pricing remains competitive and profitable. The mobile app keeps your field crews connected, allowing them to access job details, update project status, and capture photos without returning to the office.
Here’s what one customer at Guidry’s Air Conditioning & Refrigeration had to say:
For roofing businesses dealing with multiple crews across different job sites, our GPS tracking and route optimization features is designed to reduce drive time and fuel costs. The integrated invoicing and proposal system means you can bill customers immediately upon job completion, helping improve cash flow during your busy season.
As the roofing industry grows steadily, staying competitive means working smarter than your local competitors. WEX FSM gives you the operational efficiency to focus on what you do best: delivering quality roofing services while building a sustainable, profitable business.
Copyright ©2026 WEX Inc. All rights reserved. The information in this document is subject to change without notice.
