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Apprenticeship

Roofer

Roofers prepare and apply protective coverings to flat and sloped roof surfaces in accordance with construction plans and specifications.

Also Known As

Shingle Installer

NOC Codes

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

  • 7291.1: Roofers

2006 NOC-S

  • H141: Roofers and Shinglers

2011 NOC

  • 7291: Roofers and shinglers

2016 NOC

  • 7291: Roofers and shinglers

2021 NOC

  • 73110: Roofers and shinglers

2023 OaSIS

  • 73110.01: Roofers
Duties
Updated Mar 31, 2020

Most flat roofs can be covered by a:

  • Conventional roof system (hot applied asphalt)
  • Elastomeric roof membrane system (rubber-like properties)
  • Thermo plastic roof membrane system
  • Modified bitumen roof membrane system (asphalt and plastic)

On the flat roofs of commercial and industrial buildings under construction, roofers:

  • Put a layer of vapour/air barrier or insulation on the roof deck
  • Spread hot bitumen (a tar-like substance) over and under layers of roofing felt (fabric soaked in bitumen) or apply single-ply membranes of waterproof rubber or thermoplastic compounds to make the surface watertight
  • Install metal or membrane flashing (strips) to protect the edges of roofing materials

Most sloped residential roofs are covered with shingles made of asphalt, fibreglass, tile, rubber, slate, wood shakes or metal. Roofers working on sloped roofs:

  • Apply membranes, fibreglass or felt over parts of the surface before applying shingles
  • Nail shingles in overlapping rows
  • Cement or nail flashing over the joints around vent pipes or chimneys
  • Cover exposed nailheads with cement to prevent rust and water leakage

Roofers also may:

  • Inspect problem roofs to determine the best procedures for repairing them
  • Estimate material requirements and quote costs
  • Repair older roofs
  • Waterproof roofs, basements, foundations, plaza decks or parkades
  • Install green (vegetated) roof components
  • Incorporate new future roofing technology, such as conventional and non-conventional solar roofing technology
Working Conditions
Updated Mar 31, 2020
  • Strength Required Lift over 20 kg

Roofers work outdoors on roofs of varying heights. When the weather is good and building activity is high, roofers may work a considerable amount of overtime. There is risk of injury from falls and from working with hazardous, hot materials.

Roofers may be required to lift items that weigh over 25 kilograms. The heat can be intense for those working with hot bitumen in the summer.

Interests & Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
METHODICAL

Interest in copying information to apply waterproof coatings to concrete and other masonry surfaces above, and below, ground level

OBJECTIVE

Interest in operating hand and power tools to install and repair metal roofs

innovative

Interest in repairing roofing systems, and in installing, repairing and replacing shingles, shakes and other roofing tiles on sloped roofs

Your Interest Codes

To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide

The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. 

It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.

Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.

A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.

A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.

Learn About Interests

Abilities

Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Mental Abilities

General Learning Ability

Verbal Ability

Numerical Ability

Visual Abilities

Spatial Perception

Form Perception

Clerical Perception

Physical Abilities

Motor Coordination

Finger Dexterity

Manual Dexterity

Understanding Abilities

A Quick Guide

You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Learn About Abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 31, 2020

Roofers need:

  • To be sure-footed and able to work at heights
  • Strength and stamina
  • Interest in working outdoors
  • The ability to work as a team

They should enjoy physical exercise and working with their hands.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Roofers and shinglers

2016 NOC: 7291

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 109 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Mar 02, 2024 and Apr 26, 2024.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Work Setting: Various locations
Tasks: Install and repair metal roofs using hand and power tools
Tasks: Install, repair or replace single-ply roofing system using waterproof sheet materials such as modified plastics, elastomeric or other asphaltic compositions
Tasks: Install, repair or replace shingles, shakes and other roofing tiles on sloped roofs of buildings
Tasks: Install, repair or replace built-up roofing systems using materials such as asphalt saturated felts and hot asphalt and gravel
Construction Specialization: Team player
Work Site Environment: At heights
Tasks: Apply waterproof coatings to concrete or other masonry surfaces below or above ground level
Work Site Environment: Outdoors
Tasks: Install sheet metal flashings
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2020
  • Minimum Education Apprenticeship

To work in Alberta, a roofer must be ONE of the following:

  • A registered apprentice
  • A certified journeyperson
  • Someone who holds a recognized related trade certificate
  • Someone who works for an employer who is satisfied that the worker has the skills and knowledge expected of certified journeyperson
  • Self-employed

To register with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training, apprentices must find a suitable employer who is willing to hire and train an apprentice. Most employers prefer to hire high school graduates.

The term of apprenticeship is 4 years (four 12-month periods) that include a minimum of:

  • 1,420 hours of on-the-job training and 6 weeks of classroom instruction in each of the first 3 years
  • 1,600 hours of on-the-job training in the fourth year

High school students can earn credits toward apprenticeship training and a high school diploma at the same time through the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP).

Applicants who have related training or work experience may be eligible for admission, credit, or certification. Credits may reduce the period of apprenticeship.

Roofer apprentices may take the interprovincial exam in the final period of their apprenticeship training to earn a Red Seal (certification recognized in most parts of Canada).

Classroom instruction is arranged by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training. For more information, see the Apprenticeship Training Catalogue.


Related Education

The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.

Apprenticeship Trades
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology

To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2020
  • Certification Provincially Regulated

Roofer

Roofers prepare and apply protective coverings to flat and sloped roof surfaces in accordance with construction plans and specifications. For more information, see the Designated Trades Profile section of Alberta’s Tradesecrets website.

Legislation

Under Alberta’s Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Education Act [pdf], you do not have to be certified if you are self-employed or work for an employer who is satisfied that you have the skills and knowledge expected of a journeyperson certified by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training. To learn the trade, you must become a registered apprentice.

For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Roofer.

Additional Information

Certified tradespeople who want to build their business skills may obtain an Achievement in Business Competencies (Blue Seal) Certificate from Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 31, 2020

Most roofers are employed by roofing contractors on construction or repair jobs. Some roofers are members of unions and work from union halls. With experience, there are opportunities for roofers in education and technical marketing, as well as inspection and supervisory roles. Roofers may also become self-employed.

This occupation is less sensitive to economic changes than some construction trades because there is steady demand for repair work even if construction is slow. Roof systems require replacement every 15 to 30 years depending on the system used.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

In the 7291: Roofers and shinglers occupational group, 76.8% of people work in:

Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, the 7291: Roofers and shinglers occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.3% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 39 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.

Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Related Alberta Job Postings
Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 31, 2020

Journeyperson roofers wage rates vary between $28 and $40 per hour, plus benefits (2019 estimates), depending on the location of the job and the type of roofing system being installed. Apprentices earn at least 65% of the journeyperson wage rate in the first year, 75% in the second, 85% in the third year, and 95% in the fourth.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Roofers and shinglers

2016 NOC: 7291
Average Wage
$31.55
Per Hour
Average Salary
$66,576.00
Per Year
Average Hours
41
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
11.7
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 7291 Wage Profile

Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.

All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.

To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.

Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.

C: Lower Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition

Lower Reliability, represents a CV of between 15.01% and 33.00% and/or if fewer than 20 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 33% of all estimated employment for the occupation.


Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
Wages* Low (5th percentile) High (95th percentile) Average Median
Starting $21.00 $37.00 $24.09 $21.00
Overall $24.75 $37.94 $31.55 $31.00
Top $26.00 $48.00 $38.85 $40.00

Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.

* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.

Pay brackets for hourly wages

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

ALL INDUSTRIES
Construction

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
66%
66%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
61%
61%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
30%
30%
Vacancy Rate
7%
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Trades, Industrial and Related Training
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 31, 2020

Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training website: tradesecrets.alberta.ca

BuildForce Canada website: www.buildforce.ca

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

Updated Mar 31, 2020. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.

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