NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWsource | Free Classifieds | seattletimes.com
Pay: The median pay of a roofer in the Seattle area is $29,582, with most making from $26,704 to $33,133, according to salary.com.
Demand: Employment of roofers is expected to grow 14 percent between 2006 and 2016, which is faster than the average for all occupations.
Roofs deteriorate faster than most other parts of buildings, and they need to be repaired or replaced more often. So, as the number of buildings increases, demand for roofers is expected to grow. The need to install roofs on new buildings is also expected to add to the demand for roofers.
Opportunities for roofers will arise primarily because of the need to replace workers who leave the occupation. The proportion of roofers who leave the occupation each year is higher than in most construction trades.
Need to know: A high-school education or its equivalent is helpful, as well as courses in mechanical drawing and basic mathematics. Some roofers train through three-year apprenticeship programs administered by local union-management committees representing roofing contractors and locals of the United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers. Programs usually include at least 2,000 hours of paid, on-the-job training and a minimum of 144 hours in the classroom each year.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Read more: Salary and benefits , What this Job Pays
