Roofer Career
Roofer Career
The Real Poop
In the not so distant past, most jobs were physical, dirt-under-your-fingernails kinds of gigs. While desk jobs are more popular nowadays, jobs that require brains and brawn in equal measure are far from extinct. Roofers, for example, still have to be strong enough to hoist trusses into place and lay down shingles, while also smart enough to figure out the best way to build or repair a roof.
The average salary for a roofer is about $35,800 per year (source). It doesn't sound like a lot, but that number alone doesn't tell the whole story. In many areas of the country, the weather doesn't favor working outside for several months of the year, so roofers take that time off. Unlike mail carriers, they consider snow, rain, heat, and gloom of night to be very good reasons to not go to work.
Roofing is a pretty steady job despite not being able to do it all year round. The busiest time of year is during the summer (obviously), when you'll have to start early and work late just to fit everybody into your schedule. Those long, cold winters can do some serious damage to a roof, so you can also bet some people will want theirs fortified before things get frosty.
How long your winter break is will depend on where you live, but on average it lasts between four and six months. That's a long time to go without a paycheck, so many roofers will pick up another gig, like home repair or painting, in the downtime.
No matter where you live, you'll want a roof over your head to keep the outside weather where it belongs—outside. That's great news for roofers; they can live anywhere in the country without worrying about their industry not being in demand.
They also don't have to worry about their company relocating them, because most roofers are either their own bosses or they work for a small crew that isn't going to be sending anyone anywhere. Whether they work alone or in a crew, roofers are contracted workers, meaning they can choose where they live, how much they want to work, and which jobs they take on.
Making your own schedule is pretty great, but it has its drawbacks, too. On the one hand, you'll never have to miss your kids' ball games or recitals because you're stuck in the office; on the other, you won't have the old work excuse to fall back on when Great Aunt Trudy insists you come to dinner. Apparently she never caught you feeding her "world famous" eggplant parmesan to the dog when you were a kid...
You'll also have to shoulder all the responsibility if you find you're not making enough money. You might have to take on jobs that you don't want to just for the paycheck. Being a contractor isn't just about being the master of your own fate; it's also about learning to chase down jobs, network like crazy, and deliver top results every time so you'll get good reviews on Yelp.
Most roofing companies serve home owners and small businesses such as doctors' offices or restaurants. They install new roofs during construction, replace roofs every fifteen years or so, and do the necessary repairs after fires and storms.
Commercial roofing for high-rise buildings, schools, and shopping centers is a different process, typically done by construction companies that specialize in commercial building. So, you won't have to worry about how you and your little crew are going to roof the entire Super-Duper MegaPlex Mall. Phew.
Individual roofers and their crews enjoy working outdoors, just a couple stories off the ground, with the freedom to listen to music and chat with coworkers all day. Just make sure your scaffolding is put together right and your music isn't too annoying for the home owner. Sure, that nice little old lady is happy to have you repair her roof, but that doesn't mean she's ready to listen to T-Pain all day.