💡 Why it matters: Every building needs a roof, and roofs wear out and get damaged by weather. Skilled roofers are always needed, and they can run their own business.
🌍 Around the world
- United States: Jobs are projected to grow 5% from 2025 to 2035, faster than average (US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
💰 What it can pay
🇳🇬 Nigeria
- Starting out
- ₦600k – ₦1.5M
- Mid-career
- ₦1.5M – ₦4M
- Senior
- ₦4M – ₦10M
≈ ₦125k – ₦333k a month mid-career. Indicative estimate by Incusim.
🇺🇸 United States
Median pay; low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025
🇨🇦 Canada
Hourly wage low/median/high x 2,080 hours. Job Bank (Government of Canada), 2023-2024
Yearly pay before tax. UK, US and Canada figures come from the official sources named on each card. Nigeria has no official salary survey, so those are our indicative estimates. Real pay depends on the employer, the place, your skills and experience.
🛠️ What you actually do
- Measure roofs and plan the materials needed
- Lay tiles, shingles, metal sheets or flat roof coverings
- Repair leaks and storm damage
- Fit gutters, insulation and ventilation
- Work safely at height using ladders and harnesses
⚡ Skills you'll need
- Comfort with heights
- Hands-on skill
- Safety awareness
- Measuring and Mathematics
- Teamwork
Get ready at school
🇳🇬 Nigeria
- Learn through a master roofer, then grow into a roofing business
- Technical college course
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
- Apprenticeship with a roofing firm
- College course, then work as a labourer and train up
🇺🇸 United States
- On-the-job training as a roofer's helper
- Apprenticeship through a union or employer
🇨🇦 Canada
- Start as a helper, then register as an apprentice
- Trades college program, then apprenticeship
🗺️ Your path to this career
- 1Do well in Mathematics and practical subjects
- 2Start as a roofer's helper or take a trade course
- 3Learn different roofing materials and safety rules
- 4Earn certificates and take on more complex roofs
- 5Lead a crew or run your own roofing company
⏰ A day in the life
You and your crew start early, before the sun gets too hot. You secure your harness, remove a damaged section and lay new waterproof layers. By evening, the owner has a neat, watertight roof ready for the next rain.