How much do roofers make in the United States? Short answer: enough to support a skilled trade, but pay swings with experience, materials, and—let’s be real—the weather. If you’re comparing bids in Maricopa County, it helps to know what a roofer actually earns, because wages ripple into your estimate. You know what? A little context makes every shingle choice clearer.
The quick take: national pay, plain and simple
Across the country, the median pay for roofers was
$50,970 per year
(about
$24.51/hour
) as of
May 2024
. That’s the middle of the pack—half earn more, half earn less. Entry-level workers typically start lower; seasoned roofers and foremen, especially those who handle complex systems (tile, standing seam metal, low-slope with advanced membranes), land higher.
“Why the range?”—what actually moves a roofer’s paycheck
- Experience & role: Apprentices usually start around 50% of a journey worker’s pay and step up as they progress #1.
- Material & method: Asphalt shingles pay differently than clay tile or fully adhered TPO. Steeper pitches, tricky penetrations, and custom metal work demand higher skill—and pay.
- Credentials: OSHA-10/30, manufacturer certs (GAF, Owens Corning, CertainTeed) and crew leads with safety or crane-rigging chops often earn more.
- Season & overtime: Roofing is busy in warm months nationwide; in cooler regions it slows. Peak-season overtime bumps annual earnings #1.
- Union & benefits: Some markets see union scales, health coverage, and pension contributions—wage plus value.
Arizona snapshot (and Phoenix specifics)
Let’s bring it home to the Valley of the Sun. The latest published metro detail (May 2023) for
Phoenix–Mesa–Scottsdale
shows a
median hourly wage of $24.86
and an
annual mean wage of $50,380
for roofers
. Translation: the “middle” local roofer is around twenty-five bucks an hour, while the
average
annual figure sits near fifty-thousand. Small gap, but it tells you there are plenty of higher- and lower-paid roles in the mix. Statewide (Arizona, May 2023), roofers posted a
median hourly wage of $24.01
and an
annual mean wage of $49,510
. Phoenix comes in a touch higher than the overall state average—no surprise given demand, density, and a construction scene that doesn’t exactly nap through winter.
Quick date check:
metro/state tables update on a lag. National medians above reflect May 2024; the Phoenix and Arizona figures cited here are May 2023—the latest published tables for those geographies at the time of writing. If you’re reading this well after fall 2025, peek at the newest BLS release to see what’s changed
.
How that shows up in your estimate
Labor is a big slice of any roof—especially tear-offs in the summer, when crews start before sunrise and still chase shade by noon. When you compare quotes in Maricopa County, wage differences commonly reflect:
- Crew experience: Veteran installers cost more—and leak less.
- System complexity: Tile lift-and-relay vs. full replacement, low-slope with tapered ISO, or premium metal profiles raise labor hours.
- Site factors: Two-story access, tight lots, HOA constraints, safety tie-offs—all add time.
- Schedule: Monsoon “emergency” slots and rush work command overtime.
Honestly, a rock-bottom bid usually leans on thinner labor—fewer hands, less time, or less experienced help. It might pencil in the moment, then whisper “change order” later.
Career path in a nutshell (because money follows skills)
Most roofers get trained on the job, then advance to lead installer, foreman, and superintendent. Apprenticeship pay ramps as skills stack; foremen earn more for coordinating safety, crews, and inspections
. Add manufacturer certifications and you’re the go-to on complex assemblies—think heat-welded membranes, foam & coating systems, or ornate clay tile. That expertise shows up on the paycheck.
“Is roofing a growing field?”—the short yes
Roofers are projected to see
6% employment growth from 2024–2034
(faster than average)—about
12,700 openings per year
, many from retirements and people moving into other trades
. Demand stems from re-roofs, storm repairs, and continued solar adoption on rooftops. In plain speak: roofs age, storms happen, homeowners upgrade. Work keeps coming.
Maricopa County realities (a quick reality check)
Here, heat and monsoon season shape schedules. Crews chase cool hours; materials change behavior in 110° sun; safety matters more than bravado. You’ll see that reflected in bids—extra staging, hydration, and protective setups aren’t fluff. They’re what keep people safe and your roof installed right on the first pass.
What this means for you as a homeowner
Use pay as a lens, not a hammer. A fair market wage attracts pros who flash properly, ventilate correctly, and document everything for warranty. Ask your contractor who’s on the crew, what certifications they hold, and how they handle heat protocols. A bid that respects skilled labor usually respects your home, too.
Ready to talk about your roof?
Let’s make your next roof both beautiful and watertight—without guesswork.
By Phone:
By Form:
https://www.americaroofingco.com/request-quote/#go
References
- #1 — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Roofers (Pay, Job Outlook, training). https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/roofers.htm
- #2 — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2023—Phoenix–Mesa–Scottsdale, AZ (47-2181 Roofers). https://www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes_38060.htm
- #3 — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2023—Arizona Statewide (47-2181 Roofers). https://www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes_az.htm
- #4 — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024 State/Metro OEWS landing (for the most recent tables as they update). https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcst.htm