A  Michigan Jobs & Career Portal  service.

JOB DUTIES   

Roofers may:  

Cut roofing paper to size using a knife  

Fasten roofing paper to roof using nails or staples  

Line up roofing material with edge of roof  

Fasten composition shingles or sheets to roof with asphalt, cement, or nails  

Install metal drip edge and flashing  

Punch holes in slate, tile, or wooden shingles using punch and hammer  

Mop or pour hot asphalt or tar onto roof base  

Apply gravel or pebbles over asphalt or tar with rake or broom  

Remove snow, water, or ice from roofs  

To view Roofers at work click here .

Tools and equipment used by Roofers may include:  

Materials used by Roofers may include:  

Technology used by Roofers may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES   

Roofers may specialize in these areas:  

Because of the variety of roofing materials available, some Roofers who specialize in working with one type of material may be called:  

866.684-010  ROOFER APPLICATORS spray roofs, siding, and walls with urethane or polyurethane foam to bind, seal, insulate, or soundproof sections of structures.  

866.381-010  ROOFER  

You may also wish to explore the following related Career Exploration Scripts:  

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS   

Roofers usually work with assistants. The work is sometimes strenuous. It involves a lot of standing, climbing, bending, and squatting. Roofers risk injuries from slips or falls from scaffolds or roofs. They may have to be outdoors in all types of weather, especially when making repairs. Roofing is somewhat seasonal, picking up during the spring and summer as the weather becomes warmer. The work may be especially hot during the summer months and very cold in the winter.  

Roofers normally work a 5-day, 40-hour week. They often work overtime to get a job done and are usually paid time and one half or occasionally double time on Sundays and holidays. During the peak seasons, there are long hours of hard work and many opportunities for overtime.  

Entry-level, Roofers may be required to furnish their own hand tools at a starting cost of $80.  

Many Roofers are members of  The United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers . Union members must pay dues.  

You Should Prefer:  

• Working outdoors  

• Working with things and objects  

• Working with your hands  

• Doing routine and organized work  

You Should Be Able To:  

• Make decisions based on measurable information  

• Use logical step-by-step procedures in your work  

• Work with different materials using a variety of skills  

• Erect scaffolds and work at heights  

• Work within precise limits or standards of accuracy  

• Use hand tools  

• Drive a truck  

Physically You Must Be Able To:  

• Maintain good health  

• See well (either naturally or with correction)  

• Use your arms, legs, and hands fully  

• Bend, stoop, crawl, and lift  

• Climb and maintain body balance on ladders and scaffolds  

• Coordinate eye-hand movements and work with hands skillfully  

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:  

Given a total rise of 72 inches and a run of 12 feet, find the unit rise in inches.  

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:  

Should be able to read and comprehend roofing terminology.  

For example, pitch, collar beam, clerestory, joists, rafter plate, unit length, transverse, fascia, sheathing  

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:  

Prepare a written estimate for a roofing job.  

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:  

Should be able to demonstrate analytical skills in assessing blueprints and other job specifications.  

The State of Michigan requires a license for this occupation. Click here for "Michigan Licensed Occupations," see Residential Maintenance and Alteration Contractor for specific licensing information.

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EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES   

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a High School Diploma or Equivalent or an Associate Degree (two years of study beyond high school) or an Apprenticeship (usually three to four years of training beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation.  

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in this Career Exploration Script:  

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***   

0500 BUILDING TRADES , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 2200 MATH , 3200 TECHNICAL DRAWING , 3300 TECHNOLOGY , 3400 WOODS  

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***   

032  CONSTRUCTION/BUILDING MAINTENANCE  

Approved vocational education programs in the Construction/Building Maintenance prepare students to erect, maintain, and repair buildings, highways, airports, and other structures using materials such as metal wood, stone, brick, glass concrete, and composition substances. Instruction is given in cost estimating, the use of hand and power tools, and in following technical specifications and blueprints. Instruction may be given in classroom, shop, or laboratory settings or at the actual location of construction projects.  

The following courses may be required for completion of this program:  

CONSTRUCTION - (ON SITE)  

CONSTRUCTION - (IN SCHOOL)  

FLOOR COVERING  

High school students should consult their guidance office for more information about the specific requirements of this program at their school or area vocational education center.  

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***   

035  CONSTRUCTION & BUILDING TECHNOLOGY  

Construction and Building Technology programs provide opportunities to gain the needed knowledge and skills for employment in the many different types of construction and building jobs. Individuals who teach Construction and Building Technology at the secondary school level must have a  Michigan Teaching Certificate .  

Courses within this program will vary but may include:  

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program     

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***   

043  ROOFER  

Many people enter occupations within this Career Exploration Script through an apprenticeship program. An apprenticeship program is a formal program that takes 3 - 5 years to complete with most of the time spent on the job.  

Click  here for a more extensive list of information sources for Apprenticeships.  

WHAT IS LEARNED ON THE JOB  

WHAT IS LEARNED IN THE CLASSROOM  

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***   

Please check the Military website at  http://www.todaysmilitary.com .  

CONSTRUCTION SPECIALISTS   

The military builds many temporary and permanent structures each year. Lumber, plywood, plasterboard, and concrete and masonry (bricks, stone, and concrete blocks) are the basic building materials for many of these projects. Construction specialists build and repair buildings, bridges, foundations, dams, and bunkers. They work with engineers and other building specialists as part of military construction teams.  

What They Do   

Construction specialists in the military perform some or all of the following duties:  

• Build foundations, floor slabs, and walls with brick, cement block, mortar, or stone  

• Erect wood framing for buildings using hand and power tools, such as hammers, saws, levels, and drills  

• Lay roofing materials, such as asphalt, tile, and wooden shingles  

• Install plasterboard, plaster, and paneling to form interior walls and ceilings  

• Lay wood and ceramic tile floors and build steps, staircases, and porches  

• Build temporary shelters for storing supplies and equipment while on training maneuvers  

Training Provided   

Job training consists of 5 to 8 weeks of instruction, including practice with carpentry and masonry tools. Course content typically includes:  

• Building construction  

• Masonry construction methods  

• Types and uses of construction joints and braces  

• Interpretation of blueprints and drawings  

• How to mix and set concrete, mortar, and plaster  

Further training occurs on the job and through advanced courses. The Army, Navy, and Marine Corps offer certified apprenticeship programs in this occupation.  

Physical Demands   

Construction specialists may have to lift and carry heavy building materials, such as lumber, plasterboard, and concrete. Sometimes, they climb and work from ladders and scaffolding.  

Helpful Attributes   

Helpful school subjects include math, woodworking, and industrial arts. Helpful attributes include:  

• Preference for physical work  

• Ability to work with blueprints  

• Interest in using power tools  

Work Environment   

Construction specialists work indoors and outdoors on construction sites.  

Civilian Counterparts   

Civilian construction specialists usually work for construction or remodeling contractors, government agencies, utility companies, or manufacturing firms. They perform duties similar to military construction specialists. They may also be called bricklayers, stonemasons, cement masons, cement finishers, carpenters, or cabinetmakers.  

Opportunities   

The military has unknown number of construction specialists. After job training, construction specialists work in teams under close supervision. Initially, they perform simple work, such as form building and rough framing. With experience, they perform more difficult tasks. In time, they may supervise and training other specialists. They may become construction superintendents.

E-Learning Courses and Programs   

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY   

Part-time and summer employment as a roofing helper may be available especially during the busy seasons. Secondary vocational education programs in construction and building maintenance and postsecondary programs in construction and building technology may offer co-op, internship, or related work opportunities. Formal apprenticeship programs provide experience also.  

Most training authorities recommend completion of a 3-year apprenticeship program as the best way to learn this trade. Methods of finding a job as a Roofer include applying directly to roofing contractors, and contacting the  National Roofing Contractors Association or a local union. Newspaper want ads may also be helpful. In addition, you can contact a Michigan Works! local office or access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:  

Michigan Jobs & Career Portal     

Building Industry Association of Southeastern Michigan

Building Industry Exchange 

Associated Builders and Contractors 

National Roofing Contractor's Association

United Union of Roofers, WaterProofers and Allied Workers

simplyhired.com 

Indeed | one search. all jobs. 

Jobster   

MONSTER.COM 

Yahoo!hotjobs 

CareerBuilder 

Michigan Talent Bank 

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.  

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EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT   

Wages will vary from year to year and from one geographic location to another.  

Nationally, basic hourly wage rates for composition Roofers in residential construction averaged $24.46 in early 2009. Roofers in commercial and industrial construction earned a basic hourly rate of $32.63. Median weekly earnings for all Roofers in 2008 were $588 or $14.70 per hour. The median weekly earnings of "all" workers in the U.S. were $722 in 2008.

Union hourly rates, including fringe benefits, for construction Roofers in several Michigan areas were (early 2009):  

Apprentices usually start at 50% to 78% of the skilled Roofers' pay rate and receive periodic increases during training. The 2007 graduates of high school vocational education programs in Michigan who are working in jobs related to this occupation earned a beginning average of $10.37 per hour in 2008.  

Depending on the employer, fringe benefits for Roofers may include sick leave, vacation pay, and hospitalization insurance. These benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by the employer. In some cases, unionized employers and their employees may contribute jointly to a union trust fund to pay for certain benefits.  

With experience, Roofers may advance to supervisor or to superintendent for a roofing contractor. Also, they may enter business for themselves. The best way to advance in this occupation is to complete an apprenticeship program. Many workers, however, acquire roofing skills informally while working as a Roofer's helper.  

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EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK   

In 2006, there were about 156,300 Roofers employed nationally. Employment is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2016.  About 20.1% of them were self-employed. The industry distribution for Roofers looked like this:

To find employers, click Employer/Business Locator. 

There are about 4,300 Roofers employed in Michigan. Most of them work in urban areas. Most work for roofing contractors on construction or repair jobs. The employment of Roofers in Michigan is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2014. An average of 160 annual openings is expected, with 60 due to growth and 100 due to replacement of those who retire, die, or leave the labor force for other reasons. Additional openings will occur to replace workers who transfer to other jobs or occupations. In late 2008, there were 521 apprentices in training for this occupation and 27 completed the apprentice program during the prior 12 months.  

The demand for Roofers is directly related to the level of increase or decrease in economic activity. New construction and repairs on existing roofs will provide most of the work opportunities. There should be more jobs available in spring and summer when most of the roofing work is done. The largest number of openings will be near metropolitan areas where there is the greatest concentration of construction. Damp proofing and water-proofing will also provide an increasing share of Roofers' work. Because economic activity varies, job openings may be plentiful in some years and scarce in others. 

MICHIGAN'S AREA EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2014  

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SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION   

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