Roofing statistics 2024

General roofing statistics

The roofing market relies closely on the pace of residential and commercial construction, with production coming from new buildings or remodels and replacements.

In 2023, the U.S. market for roofing contractors produced more than $56 billion, a slight decline of 2.6% from the previous year. The slowdown occurred amid a drop in demand in the residential housing market.

Across the country, the industry is highly fragmented into local and regional markets. There tend to be more roofing contractors in markets with volatile climates, such as Florida, because of the damage extreme weather causes to roofs.

Despite a recent decline across the industry, an October 2023 Clear Seas Research survey of roofing contractors found that respondents remain optimistic about the business. From 2024 to 2026, 90% of contractors surveyed expected sales to grow, though they expressed concern about material costs and the overall economy.

What kind of roof do I need?

From clay and concrete to metal panels, roofing comes in a variety of materials. Asphalt shingles are the most common choice, with the ability to withstand different environmental conditions and a lower cost than other roofing materials.

The 2023 Clear Seas Research survey found that asphalt shingles — both steep-slope and low-slope styles — accounted for nearly half of residential contractors’ annual revenue.

Other popular types of roofing materials include the following:

• Asphalt and fiberglass shingles: Along with being inexpensive and durable, these also come in a variety of styles and colors.
• Metal: These roofs are lightweight, fire resistant and built to last for a long time, though they can be noisier than other materials.
• Clay and concrete tile: One of the longest-lasting roof materials, these tiles are meant for drier and warmer climates and stylistically for Mediterranean- and Spanish-style homes.
• Slate: While slate is among the most expensive for installation costs, it typically lasts the longest of any roofing material.
• Built-up roofing: This style is meant to withstand harsh weather, consisting of several layers of asphalt, tar and/or other materials.
• Solar tiles: This type of roofing integrates solar tiles with other shingles. Depending on the rules in a given area, they can be used to both generate energy and offset a home’s energy costs.
• Green roofs: These roofs feature vegetation on the roof’s structure and are meant for urban buildings with low-sloped or shallow-pit roofs.

A variety of different materials, from asphalt and wood shingles to clay and slate tiles, may be used in the construction of “cool roofs.” This type of roofing relies on special coatings or pigments to reflect more sunlight. These roofs can lower energy bills, qualify for rebates and benefit the environment by reducing peak energy demand and urban heat island effects. During the winter in cold climates, however, this type of roof may increase energy use.

Roofing industry statistics

In May 2023, more than 135,000 people worked as roofers in the U.S. These workers earned an average wage of $26.85 per hour, less than the national average of $31.48 per hour.

In May 2023, Florida was home to more than 25,000 roofers, well ahead of second-place California (about 19,000) and third-place Illinois (about 6,000). The Sunshine State also ranked first in terms of the number of roofers per 1,000 jobs (2.63), followed by Oregon (1.9) and Utah (1.61).

Despite ranking the highest for roofing jobs, installers in Florida fell into the second-lowest national pay quadrant. Roofers in Massachusetts earned the highest average wages ($34.80 per hour), followed by Illinois ($33.71) and Connecticut ($33.26).

Roofer demographics

The roofing workforce is nearly entirely made up of men. As of 2021, nearly 98% of roofers in the U.S. were men, and just over 2% were women. A majority of roofers, nearly 58%, also identified as Hispanic or Latino.

By education level, the largest share of roofers had obtained a high school degree or its equivalent. There are generally no specific education requirements to become a roofer.

Safety for roofers

Roofers face riskier working conditions than most other jobs in the U.S., as they are exposed to outside elements and the dangers of working from sizable heights.

In 2022, roofers recorded the second-highest rate of fatal work injuries among all jobs in the U.S. Their rate of on-the-job deaths was more than 15 times higher than the national average.

In 2022, among more than 100 fatal work injuries suffered by roofers, 86% were associated with falls, slips and trips, while others were linked to transportation incidents or exposure to harmful substances or environments.

Industry groups have recently placed a greater emphasis on safety in extreme weather conditions, noting the effects of extreme heat on roofers. A 2022 study from researchers at Florida Gulf Coast University and Sam Houston State University found that 88% of roofing contractors surveyed were concerned about hazards due to extreme heat.

Solar roofing options

While solar roofing or solar panels come with higher upfront costs for installation, they are meant to save money in the long run by generating additional energy and lowering energy bills.

A number of factors determine whether solar roofing may be the right fit for your home. Households in areas with high levels of sunshine and little shade are prime candidates for greater energy production and cost savings. The structure and condition of your roof are also important to consider.

A roof in need of replacing is likely not the best fit for installing solar panels, as removing and reinstalling them would compound cost. It’s also important to note that the direction a sloped roof faces could affect energy production — in the U.S., roofs facing south are typically better for capturing solar rays.

These factors mean that the cost-effectiveness of installing solar roofing can vary significantly by state, from an average payback period of six years in Hawaii up to 16 years in Washington. But customers can save on solar costs through the Federal Tax Credit for Solar Photovoltaics, which can be applied to up to 30% of solar installation costs between 2022 and 2032.

Solar roofing still represents a small portion of the roofing market. The 2023 Clear Seas Research survey of roofing contractors found that only 16% of respondents were involved in solar installations.

Future of roofing

Projections for the growth of the roofing industry are tempered. From 2024 to 2028, industry revenue is expected to decline. Nationally, the employment of roofers is projected to grow by 2% between 2022 and 2032, below the overall employment growth rate of 3%.

The future of the roofing industry is likely to focus on new technologies, including cool and green roofs, as well as the installation of solar roofing and other energy-saving materials. The market for green and vegetative roofs is projected to grow annually between 2022 and 2025 by more than 5%.

Roofing contractors also project rising popularity for metal roofing In 2023, 62% of those surveyed by Clear Seas Research expected their metal roof sales to rise in 2024.

References

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2. “Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023 47-2181 Roofers.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Evaluated April 11, 2024.Link Here
3. “May 2023 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Evaluated April 11, 2024.Link Here
4. “Civilian occupations with high fatal work injury rates.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Evaluated April 11, 2024.Link Here
5. Gray, C., & Aisner, A. “Roofing Contractors Continue To Adapt And Keep Sights On Sales In Evolving Marketplace.” Roofing Contractor. Evaluated April 12, 2024.Link Here
6. “Cool Roofs.” U.S. Department of Energy. Evaluated April 12, 2024.Link Here
7. “Roofers.” Data USA. Evaluated April 12, 2024.Link Here
8. “How to Become a Roofer.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Evaluated April 12, 2024.Link Here
9. Sands, K., & Jae Suh, M. “Heat Stress for Roofers.” Roofing Alliance. Evaluated April 12, 2024.Link Here
10. “Roofers Job Outlook.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Evaluated April 12, 2024.Link Here
11. The Freedonia Group. “US Green (Vegetative) Roofing Market 2022-2030.” Research and Markets. Evaluated April 12, 2024.Link Here