Roofer
Also advertised as: Flat Roofer, Roof Tiler, Roofer, Roofing Contractor, Self-employed Roofer, Slater
Fits and repairs roofs using tiles, slates, felt or flat roofing systems.
What the job involves
Roofers install and repair the coverings that keep buildings weatherproof, working with materials from traditional slate to modern flat roofing membranes. You measure and cut materials to fit, work safely at height, and check finished work for leaks and secure fixing. Repair callouts mean the work varies from new build sites to urgent domestic fixes.
Typical responsibilities
- Install roof coverings including tiles, slates and felt
- Fit flashing, guttering and roof insulation
- Repair leaks and storm damage
- Work safely at height using appropriate access equipment
- Inspect existing roofs and advise on repairs
Common employers
- Roofing contractors
- House building companies
- Self-employment
- Facilities maintenance firms
- Heritage restoration specialists
Pay, hours and working environment
Typical pay
£22,000 – £28,000 a year
With experience
£30,000 – £45,000 a year
Typical hours
Daylight hours on site, weather dependent
Working environment
Outdoor, working at height
Remote working
on_site
Demand for this work
high
Pay ranges are indicative guidance drawn from advertised UK vacancies and published careers information. They are not an offer, and actual pay varies by employer, location and experience.
Skills and qualifications
Core skills
- Roofing installation techniques
- Working at height safely
- Material measuring and cutting
- Weatherproofing methods
- Customer communication for repair work
Transferable skills you may already have
- Practical manual skills
- Confidence working at height
- Problem solving on varied jobs
Requirements employers ask for
- Roofing installation techniques
- Working at height safely
- Material measuring and cutting
- Weatherproofing methods
- Customer communication for repair work
- Level 2 apprenticeship in roofing, or equivalent site experience
- CSCS card
- IPAF or PASMA where required for access equipment
Useful but not essential
- Practical manual skills
- Confidence working at height
- Problem solving on varied jobs
- Level 3 qualification for specialist flat roofing or heritage work
Helpful qualifications
- Level 3 qualification for specialist flat roofing or heritage work
Licences and checks
- CSCS card
- IPAF or PASMA where required for access equipment
Ways into this career
A degree is only one route. Where an apprenticeship, work-experience or qualification route exists, it is listed here alongside the academic option.
Apprenticeships and work-based routes
- Roofer (Level 2)
Degree and college routes
- Related subject: Design and technology
Where this career can lead
next
Roofing Team Leader
next
Self-employed Contractor
next
Roofing Site Supervisor
The good parts and the hard parts
What people enjoy
- High self-employment earning potential
- Consistent repair demand independent of new build cycles
- Practical trade with visible results
What people find hard
- Working at height in all weather conditions
- Physically demanding and higher-risk trade
Common questions
- Do you need a degree to become a roofer?
- No. As well as degree routes, this career can be entered through an apprenticeship or by building experience and qualifications on the job. not_required
- How much does a roofer earn in the UK?
- Typical advertised pay runs from £22,000 to £28,000 a year, rising towards £45,000 with experience. Figures are indicative guidance rather than an offer.
- What skills transfer into this career?
- Skills that transfer well include Practical manual skills, Confidence working at height, Problem solving on varied jobs.
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Where this information comes from
- National Careers Service
- Institute for Apprenticeships
Last reviewed 16 September 2026.
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