To become a roofer, you don't need formal qualifications: most roofers learn on the job with an experienced crew, and some train through an apprenticeship. In the US, most employers want OSHA-standard safety certification. In the UK, you'll need a CSCS card to work on site, and the Roofer Level 2 apprenticeship typically takes 18 to 24 months.
Roofers install and repair roofs using shingles, slates, tiles, metal sheeting and waterproof membranes. It's physical, outdoor work at height, and it's one of the quicker trades to enter. Here's the route from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the UK National Careers Service, the official roofer apprenticeship standard and CSCS, read on 26 October 2026.
The job at a glance (US)
| Fact | BLS figure (May 2025 data) |
|---|---|
| Median pay | $55,440 a year, as of October 2026 |
| Entry education | No formal educational credential |
| Training | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
| Jobs | 166,900 |
| Growth 2025 to 2035 | 5%, faster than average |
| Openings each year | About 12,000 |
How you learn on the job
BLS describes a clear progression. New workers start by carrying equipment and materials and putting up scaffolds and hoists. Within a few months they learn to measure, cut and fit roofing materials, and later they lay asphalt or fiberglass shingles. A few groups run apprenticeships that combine paid on-the-job training with technical instruction.
Most employers want safety certification that meets Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines, either before or after you're hired, and some ask for a driver's license so you can get to different jobsites. Extra certifications can open up more work or better pay.
The UK route
- College: a course teaches the basics to help you land a trainee position with a roofing company.
- Apprenticeship: the Roofer Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship takes around 2 years, and the official standard says typically 18 to 24 months.
- Work your way up: start as a roofing labourer or roofer's mate and train while you work.
- Apply directly: with some GCSEs and practical experience from other construction work.
- Get your CSCS card: you need one, or an equivalent, to train and work on a construction site.
For the CSCS card, you must pass the right level of the CITB Health, safety and environment (HS&E) test within the last two years, or an approved alternative. Book it early so it doesn't hold up your first site job.
Pick your roofing specialism
The UK roofer apprenticeship is a core and options standard with three routes, and choosing well shapes your whole career:
| Option | What you'll do |
|---|---|
| Roof slater and tiler | Install slate and tile roofs on new and existing buildings |
| Waterproof membranes installer | Apply protective membranes to make flat roofs watertight |
| Roof sheeter and cladder | Fit metal sheet roofing on commercial premises, and sometimes clad walls |
If you'd like heritage work, thatching is its own path: there's a Thatcher Level 2 apprenticeship, and the National Society of Master Thatchers runs an apprenticeship and mentoring scheme. You may need to relocate to where thatching skills are in demand.
What the work is like
- Heavy lifting, climbing, bending and kneeling
- Outdoor work in extreme temperatures
- Precise measuring and maths to work out roof areas and materials
- Good balance and no fear of heights on steep slopes
BLS says roofing contractors employ 72% of roofers, and a large share of the rest are self-employed. With experience, you can become a supervisor, job superintendent or estimator, or start your own business. In the UK, you could become a roofing surveyor, move into site management or train to install solar panels.
Qualities BLS says you'll need
| Quality | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Ability to work at heights | You'll spend your day on roofs, often steep ones |
| Attention to detail | Materials must match the design and keep the roof waterproof |
| Balance | It's what keeps you safe on steep slopes |
| Manual dexterity | Careless handling can damage the roof and the building |
| Math skills | You'll measure and calculate roof areas |
| Physical stamina and strength | You'll carry heavy bundles and work bent over, often in heat |
A green angle worth knowing
The National Careers Service flags roofing as a potential green job. Roofers recycle old roof materials for reuse, fit roof insulation to make homes more energy efficient and use rechargeable tools. With extra training you could also install solar panels on roofs, ready for a qualified electrician to connect the cabling to the building's electrical network.
Union membership can open another path. BLS says roofers working in a union may advance within their local union to become a business manager or apprenticeship instructor, or move into other leadership roles.
My verdict
Roofing is one of the fastest trades to start without qualifications, and the demand is steady. The two things that decide how far you go are safety training and a specialism, so get your OSHA or CSCS requirements sorted early and pick the type of roofing you want to master. If you go self-employed, this guide to AI for tradespeople will help, and this explainer on how to find a roof leak covers a job you'll do a lot.
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Frequently asked questions
How do new roofers learn the trade?
BLS says trainees start by carrying equipment and materials and putting up scaffolds and hoists, then within a few months learn to measure, cut and fit roofing materials.
Can roofers install solar panels?
With extra training, yes. The National Careers Service says roofers can install solar panels on roofs ready for a qualified electrician to connect the cabling.
Do you need qualifications to be a roofer?
No. BLS says no formal educational credential is typically required, and most roofers learn on the job.
How much do roofers make?
As of October 2026, BLS reports a median of $55,440 a year for roofers, from May 2025 data.
How long is a roofing apprenticeship in the UK?
The Roofer Level 2 apprenticeship typically takes 18 to 24 months.
Do roofers need a CSCS card?
Yes, to train and work on a UK construction site you need a CSCS card or equivalent, which requires passing the CITB HS&E test within the last two years or an approved alternative.
What are the types of roofer?
The UK standard has three options: roof slater and tiler, waterproof membranes installer, and roof sheeter and cladder.
Is roofing a growing job?
BLS projects 5% growth from 2025 to 2035, faster than average, with about 12,000 openings a year.
