How much does a roofer helper make?
a year · about $21 an hour
A typical roofer helper in the United States makes $44,160 a year, about $21 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
A roofer helper carries shingles and tools up ladders, sets up scaffolds, and helps remove old roofing and install new materials. They also clean the roof and equipment, and may check that the finished roof keeps water out.
Did you know? A roofer helper may help check that a finished roof is watertight—part of the job is making sure rain stays outside!
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $30,140 and $62,400How do you become one?
In the U.S., you can usually start without a formal education credential and learn on the job, first carrying tools and materials, then learning to measure and fit roofing. Some people enter through an apprenticeship, and employers often require OSHA-based safety certification.
School needed: High school plus some training
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, roofer helpers may earn more as they gain experience, learn useful skills, or complete safety certifications. Pay can also vary by employer and location, and by overtime or seasonal work; more complex tasks may pay more.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Utah ($72,860), lowest in Mississippi ($31,090).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $30,140 | $44,160 | $62,400 | about 6,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Utah | $72,860 | about 120 |
| Colorado | $55,860 | — |
| California | $55,470 | about 1,000 |
| Georgia | $47,610 | — |
| Ohio | $46,600 | about 490 |
Official definition: Help roofers by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying, or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment. Construction laborers who do not primarily assist roofers are classified under “Construction Laborers” (47-2061). Apprentice workers are classified with the appropriate skilled construction trade occupation (47-2011 through 47-2231).
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.mynextmove.org/profile/summary/47-3016.00
- www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/roofers.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/47-3016.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY