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Shingle Installer
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:
| Starting | $21.87 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $32.60 |
| Top | $40.46 |
Interest in copying information to apply waterproof coatings to concrete and other masonry surfaces above, and below, ground level
Interest in operating hand and power tools to install and repair metal roofs
Interest in repairing roofing systems, and in installing, repairing and replacing shingles, shakes and other roofing tiles on sloped roofs
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 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.
Most flat roofs can be covered by a:
On the flat roofs of commercial and industrial buildings under construction, roofers:
Most sloped residential roofs are covered with shingles made of asphalt, fibreglass, tile, rubber, slate, wood shakes or metal. Roofers working on sloped roofs:
Roofers also may:
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.
Roofers need:
They should enjoy physical exercise and working with their hands.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 100 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 27, 2020 and Apr 19, 2021.
Review these skills to learn:
| Install, repair or replace shingles, shakes and other roofing tiles on sloped roofs of buildings | 76 |
|---|---|
| Install, repair or replace single-ply roofing system using waterproof sheet materials such as modified plastics, elastomeric or other asphaltic compositions | 73 |
| Install, repair or replace built-up roofing systems using materials such as asphalt saturated felts and hot asphalt and gravel | 71 |
| Install and repair metal roofs using hand and power tools | 71 |
| Personal Suitability: Reliability | 63 |
| Apply waterproof coatings to concrete or other masonry surfaces below or above ground level | 57 |
| Personal Suitability: Team player | 57 |
| Personal Suitability: Dependability | 55 |
| Install sheet metal flashings | 51 |
| Install or replace asphalt shingles, wood shingles and shakes and masonry or baked clay roofing tiles on sloped roofs of buildings | 37 |
To work in Alberta, a roofer must be ONE of the following:
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:
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).
Technical training is arranged by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training. For more information, see the Apprenticeship Training Catalogue.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Roofers prepare and apply protective coverings to flat and sloped roof surfaces in accordance with construction plans and specifications. For more information, see the Trades and Occupations section of Alberta’s Tradesecrets website.
Under Alberta’s Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act [pdf] and Roofer Trade Regulation [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.
The term of apprenticeship in Alberta is 4 years (four 12-month periods) that include a minimum of:
Apprentices must find suitable employers who are willing to hire and train apprentices, and successfully complete technical training examinations.
Roofers trained in other provinces and territories can work in Alberta if they hold a certificate or license recognized by the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board or have the skills and knowledge expected of a journeyperson certified in Alberta. For more information, see the Recognized Trade Certificates page of the Tradesecrets website.
Any of the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Client Service Offices located throughout Alberta. For a list of office locations and telephone numbers, click on “Contact Us” on the home page of the Tradesecrets website (tradesecrets.alberta.ca).
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.
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.
Roofers are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 7291: Roofers and shinglers. In Alberta, 98% of people employed in this classification work in the Construction [pdf] industry.
The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
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.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
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.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $18.00 | $28.56 | $21.87 | $21.00 |
| Overall | $26.00 | $43.94 | $32.60 | $33.50 |
| Top | $30.00 | $50.69 | $40.46 | $41.00 |
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.
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.
| Construction | $68,991 |
|---|---|
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $68,576 |
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.