What is the salary and career path for a commercial roofer?
Commercial roofers share the BLS occupation Roofers (SOC 47-2181) with residential roofers; it is a broad code, and the commercial specialty is the low-slope membrane and built-up side of it. The OEWS May 2025 median across all roofers is $55,440 a year ($26.65 an hour), spanning $37,460 at the 10th percentile to $81,720 at the 90th, with experienced commercial welders and foremen toward the upper end. Employment is projected to grow 5.9% over 2024–2034 with roughly 12,700 openings a year, mostly from turnover. Rather than a license, the credential that matters is manufacturer certification (GAF, Carlisle, Firestone/Elevate) to install and warranty specific membrane systems, on top of OSHA fall-protection training.
- Commercial Roofers earn a national median $55,440/yr ($26.65/hr) (BLS OEWS May 2025, SOC 47-2181); the top 10% clear $81,720.
- Commercial roofers share the broad Roofers code (SOC 47-2181) with residential roofers; the commercial specialty is low-slope single-ply and built-up work at a $55,440 median.
- Rather than a license, manufacturer certifications (GAF, Carlisle, Firestone) to install and warranty membrane systems, plus OSHA fall protection, are the credentials that matter.
- BLS projects 5.9% growth for SOC 47-2181 through 2034 with about 12,700 openings a year; the ladder runs helper ($37,460) to commercial roofer ($55,440 median) to foreman ($65,390) to contractor at the $81,720 top decile.
Career Path
How do you become a commercial roofer?
Commercial roofing helper
Loading insulation, running material and learning membrane layout under certified installers; entry pay sits near the 10th percentile of $37,460 for SOC 47-2181.
Commercial Roofer
Fastening and welding single-ply membrane and laying built-up systems around the $55,440 median for the roofer code.
Commercial lead / foreman
Running a low-slope crew, production and warranty compliance pays toward the 75th percentile of $65,390.
Superintendent or commercial roofing contractor
Supervising crews or owning a commercial roofing business reaches the 90th percentile of $81,720 and beyond.
BLS Salary Data
Which state pays commercial roofers the most in 2026?
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025, SOC 47-2181. National median: $55,440. Full salary guide →
Pay Comparison
How does commercial roofer pay compare to related roles?
Head-to-head against the roles commercial roofers most often weigh against. BLS OEWS May 2025 medians.
Takeaway: commercial roofers rank 4 of 4 on median pay among the comparable roles above, with a projected +5.9% employment change 2024–34 (BLS Employment Projections). Pay position and projected demand together are what determine how quickly commercial roofers clear offers across the GlobalCybers placement network.
Methodology & Sources
How this guide is sourced and reviewed
Wages (BLS): All median and percentile figures are BLS OEWS May 2025, SOC 47-2181 (commercial roofers) and the matching SOC codes for each comparison role. OEWS is sampled on a rolling 3-year basis and published ~10 months after collection, so treat it as a firm anchor rather than a spot rate.
Job growth: Projected 2024–34 employment change, and the average annual openings figure, are from the BLS Employment Projections program, by occupation. Openings are a per-year average over the projection decade, not a decade total.
Licensing & credentials:Requirements are drawn from the issuing state licensing boards and the certifying body behind each credential — not from third-party aggregators.
Demand signal:Any statement about how quickly this role clears offers reflects GlobalCybers placement request volume across the trailing 12 months — our own network data, offered as a directional real-world indicator alongside BLS, not a market-wide survey.
Credentials
What licences and certifications do commercial roofers need?
GAF, Carlisle and Firestone/Elevate certifications that qualify commercial roofers and companies to install and warranty specific single-ply and built-up systems. See all state licences →
Construction safety centered on 29 CFR 1926 Subpart M fall protection, essential on open low-slope roofs and at roof edges.
Demonstrated membrane welding and seam-integrity skill, often verified in manufacturer certification programs.
A state or local contractor (often roofing-specialty) license required to run a commercial roofing business and pull permits.
Tools & Software
What tools and software do commercial roofers use on the job?
⚙️ Core Tools & Equipment
📊 BLS Employment Data, SOC 47-2181
Salary Levers
How do commercial roofers earn above the $55,440 BLS median?
Membrane welding skill
Certified single-ply welding and detailing pays above general labor, moving from the $37,460 band toward the $55,440 median
Manufacturer certification
Holding GAF/Carlisle/Firestone certifications qualifies for warranted commercial work and higher rates
Lead and foreman roles
Running a low-slope crew moves pay toward the $65,390 seventy-fifth percentile
Self-employment
Owning a commercial roofing business is what reaches the $81,720 top decile and beyond through profit
This Route vs. College
Is becoming a commercial roofer worth it vs. a 4-year degree?
The entry route into this role, set against a four-year degree. Same starting line, side by side.
Entry-level (10th percentile) and all-level median wages: BLS OEWS May 2025, SOC 47-2181. Student-debt figure: median federal borrower balance for bachelor's-degree completers. Starting-salary comparison is illustrative and varies by field and region.
FAQ
Commercial Roofer Career, Frequently Asked Questions
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