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What does a roofer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read

Roofers or roof mechanics are also known as tradesperson specializing in roof construction and maintenance. They typically install, repair, and replace the roofs of houses or buildings using different materials such as metal and bitumen. Roofers are classified into four categories, namely shinglers, single-ply roofers, metal roofers, and hot roofers. The shinglers install tiles, shingles, and shakes on roofs. The single-ply roofers focus on foam roofs while the metal roofers focus on metal roofing. The hot roofers, however, work on tar-base products.

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Roofer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real roofer resumes:

  • Repair damage structure and replace roofing material IE shingles, EPDM, TPO, metal panels or tile.
  • Work on rubber roofing and PVC roof systems
  • Job descriptions include flash heat welding the EPDM roofing material to ensure no leaks occur.
  • Use hand tools such as shovel, rakes, pruning saws, hedges and brush trimmers.
  • Used tools such as blow torches, hammers, roof rippers, shears and tin snips.
  • Used tools such as hammers, hatchets, roof rippers, shears, tin snips and handsaw.
  • Man lift certification CPR training.
  • Follow all guidelines set by OSHA.
  • Use of PPE and safety barriers.
  • Assist with fabrication of HVAC duct ways.
  • Install windows put on roofs repair leaks install siding
  • Help journeymen roofers with any need service to roof.
  • Set up scaffolding and ladders safely, account for all materials used in the completion of the job.
  • Set scaffolding and ladders, as well as planks to walk on and hold material for easier access on roof.
  • Stock the roof with bundles of new shingles and do complete yard clean up to remove all old shingles and nails.

Roofer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 26% of Roofers are proficient in Roofing, Asphalt, and Ladders. They’re also known for soft skills such as Manual dexterity, Unafraid of heights, and Physical strength.

We break down the percentage of Roofers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Roofing, 26%

    Aligned roofing materials with edge of roof Assisted in overlapping successive layers, gauging distance of overlap with chalking and shingles.

  • Asphalt, 16%

    Used waterproof sheet materials including modified plastics and other asphalt compositions.

  • Ladders, 11%

    Ground crew help picked up the shingles set up ladders 2 bundles of shingles to roof drove to job sites

  • Shingles, 9%

    Stocked the roof with bundles of new shingles and did complete yard clean up to remove all old shingles and nails.

  • TPO, 5%

    Fabricate metal for standing-seam metal roof systems | Install standing-seam metal roof systems | Install TPO roof systems | Transport materials

  • Safety Equipment, 4%

    Utilize safety harness and other safety equipment in proper job safety procedures.

Most roofers use their skills in "roofing," "asphalt," and "ladders" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential roofer responsibilities here:

Manual dexterity. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a roofer to have is manual dexterity. Their role and responsibilities require that "roofers need to be precise in handling and installing roofing materials in order to prevent damage to the roof and building." Roofers often use manual dexterity in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "performed manual labor to remove existing roof systems. "

Physical strength. roofers are also known for physical strength, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to roofer responsibilities, because "roofers often lift and carry heavy materials, such as bundles of shingles that weigh 60 pounds or more." A roofer resume example shows how physical strength is used in the workplace: "be physically able to carry heavy amounts of weight up and down ladders. "

See the full list of roofer skills

The three companies that hire the most roofers are:

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Compare different roofers

Roofer vs. Shingler

We looked at the average roofer salary and compared it with the wages of a shingler. Generally speaking, shinglers are paid $4,870 higher than roofers per year.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both roofer and shingler positions are skilled in shingles, caulking, and tape measure.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, roofer responsibilities require skills like "roofing," "asphalt," "ladders," and "tpo." Meanwhile a typical shingler has skills in areas such as "air tools," "ran," "identify building materials," and "safety checks." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

The education levels that shinglers earn slightly differ from roofers. In particular, shinglers are 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a roofer. Additionally, they're 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Roofer vs. Cool roofing installer

Cool roofing installer positions earn lower pay than roofer roles. They earn a $6,266 lower salary than roofers per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Roofers and cool roofing installers both require similar skills like "roofing," "ladders," and "shingles" to carry out their responsibilities.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that roofer responsibilities requires skills like "asphalt," "safety equipment," "pvc," and "epdm." But a cool roofing installer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "hand tools," "windows," "circular saws," and "snips."

Cool roofing installers earn a lower average salary than roofers. But cool roofing installers earn the highest pay in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $31,029. Additionally, roofers earn the highest salaries in the professional with average pay of $36,984 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Cool roofing installers tend to reach similar levels of education than roofers. In fact, they're 1.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Roofer vs. Sheet metal roofer

On average, sheet metal roofers earn higher salaries than roofers, with a $6,968 difference per year.Using the responsibilities included on roofers and sheet metal roofers resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "roofing," "asphalt," and "shingles.rdquo;

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a roofer is likely to be skilled in "ladders," "tpo," "safety equipment," and "pvc," while a typical sheet metal roofer is skilled in "hand tools," "asbestos," "product inventory," and "assembly line."

Most sheet metal roofers achieve a similar degree level compared to roofers. For example, they're 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Roofer vs. Residential roofer

Residential roofers average a higher salary than the annual salary of roofers. The difference is about $3,815 per year.While both roofers and residential roofers complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like roofing, asphalt, and ladders, the two careers vary in some skills.

Even though a few skill sets overlap between roofers and residential roofers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a roofer might have more use for skills like "safety equipment," "pvc," "repair procedures," and "caulking." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of residential roofers require skills like "hand tools," "scaffolding," "safety guidelines," and "professional interaction. "

The average resume of residential roofers showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to roofers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 0.6% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.1%.

Types of roofer

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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