National
| Median wages (2008) |
$16.17 hourly, $33,630 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
156,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Faster than average (14% to 20%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
58,000 additional employees |
47-2181.00 - Roofers
Cover roofs of structures with shingles, slate, asphalt, aluminum, wood, and related materials. May spray roofs, sidings, and walls with material to bind, seal, insulate, or soundproof sections of structures.
Sample of reported job titles:
Roofer, Roof Mechanic, Roof Service Technician, Roofing Technician, Metal Roofing Mechanic, Sheet Metal Roofer, Industrial Roofer, Residential Roofer
Tasks
- Inspect problem roofs to determine the best procedures for repairing them.
- Set up scaffolding to provide safe access to roofs.
- Align roofing materials with edges of roofs.
- Clean and maintain equipment.
- Cement or nail flashing-strips of metal or shingle over joints to make them watertight.
- Install, repair, or replace single-ply roofing systems, using waterproof sheet materials such as modified plastics, elastomeric, or other asphaltic compositions.
- Cut felt, shingles, and strips of flashing; and fit them into angles formed by walls, vents, and intersecting roof surfaces.
- Install vapor barriers and/or layers of insulation on the roof decks of flat roofs, and seal the seams.
- Cut roofing paper to size using knives; and nail or staple roofing paper to roofs in overlapping strips to form bases for other materials.
- Cover exposed nailheads with roofing cement or caulking to prevent water leakage and rust.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Blow torches — Corner roofing seamers; Double-lock seamers; Propane torches; Single seamers |
| Hammers — Claw hammers; Nail hammers; Seaming hammers; Slate hammers |
| Hatchets — Carpenters' hatchets; Metric roofing hatchets; Standard roofing hatchets; Wood shingling hatchets |
| Roof rippers — Roofing spades; Shingle rippers; Tear-off bars; Tear-off shovels |
| Shears — Clipping shears; Foot squaring shears; Membrane slitters; Slate cutters |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Analytical or scientific software — Energy cost evaluation software; Humidity and vapor drive calculation software; Roof Calculator software; Top View software |
| Computer aided design CAD software — AppliCad software; ASR Software TopView LE; DigiTools Roof CAD; Ziatek RoofDraw |
| Data base user interface and query software — CADAFIS Roofing software; Insight Direct ServiceCEO; RoofLogic software; Wintac Pro Software |
| Project management software — Maintenance record software |
| Word processing software |
