How to Become a Roofer in New York (2026)

New York employs about 4,570 roofers earning a median $66,020 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most roofers train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in New York.

New York employs approximately 4,570 roofers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $66,020 1. Nationally, roofer employment is projected to grow 5.9% from 2024 to 2034, with about 12,700 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Roofer in New York, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

  • Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
  • Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
  • Median wage (New York): $66,020 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a Roofer in New York

How to become a Roofer in New York? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for roofers in New York.

How long does it take? Most paths into the roofer field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

What do roofers earn in New York? The median annual wage for roofers in New York is $66,020 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $47,000 and experienced professionals can earn $95,040 or more 1.

How to Become a Roofer in New York

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most New York training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
  2. Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an approved trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in New York that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
  3. Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
  4. Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to roofers in New York before you start working.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Roofer Apprenticeship Information in New York

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. New York’s apprenticeship program is administered by the New York Office of Apprenticeship 3.

Contact Information:

  • Office: Apprenticeship Training Unit, New York State Department of Labor
  • Address: State Campus Building, Albany, NY 12240
  • Phone: (518) 457-4497
  • Email: [email protected]

Roofer Wages by Metro Area in New York

Roofers Wages by Metro Area in New York

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), roofers wages in New York vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)
Experienced
(90th pctile)
New York-Newark-Jersey City3,100$76,400$77,160$48,240$104,520
Buffalo-Cheektowaga570$62,590$64,790$48,370$77,150
Rochester540$60,880$58,920$32,240$74,510
Albany-Schenectady-Troy440$63,920$68,400$47,610$91,400
Syracuse270$61,480$64,590$48,510$76,940
Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh140$63,750$63,420$47,570$78,500
Elmira120$58,730$56,070$39,790$60,700
Binghamton80$59,810$58,930$36,610$79,010
Utica-Rome80$61,070$64,880$47,080$80,060
Glens Falls30$60,700$60,010$48,010$70,720

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for roofers in New York? New York currently employs approximately 4,570 roofers 1. Nationally, roofer employment is projected to grow 5.9% from 2024 to 2034 2.

What training programs are available in New York? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in New York. You can also contact the New York Office of Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do roofers earn in New York compared to the national average? The median annual wage for roofers in New York is $66,020, which is $15,050 above the national median of $50,970 according to BLS data 1.

In New York

Explore More Trades in New York

Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References


  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. New York Office of Apprenticeship: https://www.labor.ny.gov/apprenticeship/sponsor/index.shtm ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)