Roofers and Shinglers

(NOC 7291)

in All Trades and Transportation

Roofers install, repair, or replace flat roofs and shingles, shakes or other roofing tiles on sloped roofs. Shinglers install and replace shingles, tiles, and similar coverings on sloped roofs. They work for roofing and general contractors, or they may be self-employed.

Job Outlook

Average

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  • Estimate Strong growth employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 35 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate Moderate rate of unemployment in 2022

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

  • Estimate 4040 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 8425 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Outlook: average, mostly balanced conditions in the labour market.
Size of the occupation in Nova Scotia: moderate with occasional opportunities.
Demand: Employment growth will lead to several new positions. There is a low level of employee turnover in this occupation. There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation. Employment can be seasonal with more opportunities in the summer months. A small number of positions will become available due to retirements.
Workhours: full-time, usually. Jobs are typically permanent positions.

Hourly Pay

$16.00

Minimum

$22.00

Median

$30.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$8,005

Minimum

$26,815

Median

$54,957

Maximum

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

Hourly Pay

$15.00

Minimum

$24.00

Median

$37.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$7,580

Minimum

$37,269

Median

$79,787

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Roofers install, repair, or replace flat roofs and shingles, shakes or other roofing tiles on sloped roofs. Shinglers install and replace shingles, tiles, and similar coverings on sloped roofs. They work for roofing and general contractors, or they may be self-employed.

Job duties

Roofers:

  • Install, repair or replace built-up roofing systems using materials like asphalt saturated felts and hot asphalt and gravel.
  • Install, repair, or replace single-ply roofing system using waterproof sheet materials like modified plastics, elastomeric or other asphaltic compositions.
  • Install, repair, or replace shingles, shakes and other roofing tiles on sloped roofs of buildings.
  • Install sheet metal flashings.
  • Apply waterproof coatings to concrete or other masonry surfaces below or above ground level.
  • Install and repair metal roofs using hand and power tools.
  • Set up scaffolding to provide safe access to roofs.
  • May estimate materials required and quote costs.

Shinglers:

  • Install or replace asphalt shingles, wood shingles and shakes and masonry or baked clay roofing tiles on sloped roofs of buildings.
  • Set up scaffolding to provide safe access to roofs.

Sample job titles

  • apprentice roofer
  • asphalt shingle roofer
  • journeyperson roofer
  • metal roofer
  • roofer
  • roofing mechanic
  • shingler
  • wood shingler

Skills

  • Mechanical aptitude
  • Manual dexterity
  • Sure-footed and able to work at heights
  • Strength and stamina
  • Agility and coordination
  • Interest in working outdoors
  • Ability to work as a team

Job requirements

  • High school or equivalent (usually).
  • For roofers - training through a 5,400-hour apprenticeship program with three apprenticeship levels: to become an apprentice you first need to have a job - enter an apprenticeship agreement either directly through an employer or after graduating from a college-level pre-apprenticeship program; learn on the job, mentored by a certified journeyperson who signs off on skills in a logbook.
  • Trade Qualifier option, 8,100 hours, and other criteria.
  • Certification for roofers is voluntary in Nova Scotia.
  • Write and score a minimum of 70% on the Red Seal exam for roofers.
  • Red Seal Endorsement (RSE) allows for interprovincial mobility.
  • Shinglers require one to two years of on-the-job training.

Other considerations

  • Roofers install, repair, maintain and replace roofing systems. They work with membrane roofing systems that consist of a variety of materials with different application methods. They also install, replace, maintain and repair shingles, slates, shakes, roofing tiles, sheet metal, and other pre-formed sheeting on sloped roofs.
  • Roofers and shinglers 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.
  • The work environment is exposed and may vary from extreme cold to extreme heat.
  • Roofing is physically demanding work and requires considerable effort in lifting, climbing, bending, kneeling, and balancing on high, sloped, and sometimes slippery surfaces.
  • Risks include injury from falls and from working with hazardous, hot materials.
  • Apprentices usually earn a percentage of the journeyperson (fully qualified) rate. This percentage increases as each level of the apprenticeship program are completed.
  • Jobs in the construction industry are affected by seasonal changes and economic conditions. Work may be on a project basis. Workers should be prepared for periods of unemployment.
  • Roofers work with other tradespeople in the construction trades. With additional training, roofers may transfer their skills to related trades like carpenter or sheet metal workers. With experience, they may advance to positions such as supervisors, contractors, or inspectors.
  • Everyone has fair access to participate and succeed in the apprenticeship system. Everyone who develops the necessary skills and abilities should be able to succeed in the trades and trade qualification system. Work environments in the province support women and equity-seeking communities.

By the numbers

Quick look

545

employed in 2016

82.6%

employed full-time

12.8%

self employed

2.8%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
97.2%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
34.6

median age

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

57,925

employed in 2016

85.9%

employed full-time

11.8%

self employed

5.3%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
94.7%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
46.8

median age

Where will I likely work?

50.0%

Halifax

$31,061 median annual income
28.2%

Annapolis Valley

$23,714 median annual income
10.9%

North Shore

$30,678 median annual income
6.4%

Cape Breton

N/A
4.5%

Southern

N/A

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

35.6%

Construction

14.4%

Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

8.9%

Retail trade

7.8%

Transportation and warehousing

5.6%

Manufacturing

What is the age of Employment?

31.0%

25-34

23.0%

35-44

20.0%

15-24

19.0%

45-54

6.0%

55-64

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

24.4%

45-54

22.1%

55-64

17.7%

35-44

17.7%

25-34

10.9%

15-24

Top levels of education

34.5%

High school

$30,238 median annual income
32.7%

Less than high school

$19,777 median annual income
22.7%

Trade Certification

$32,651 median annual income
8.2%

College Diploma

$28,148 median annual income
1.8%

Diploma Below Bachelor

N/A

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

29.2%

Trade Certification

$46,494 median annual income
25.5%

High school

$31,260 median annual income
22.3%

College Diploma

$42,050 median annual income
18.7%

Less than high school

$28,319 median annual income
2.8%

Bachelor

$30,527 median annual income

Education & training

High School Diploma or Equivalent

High School Program

Adults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Adult High Schools

Various, NS

Community Learning Organizations

Various, NS

Roofer

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills to prepare, install, and maintain exterior roofing materials and roofs. They include courses in building materials, flashing, lag bolts, site safety, equipment operation and maintenance, layering, site preparation, basic internal structural design, finishing, waterproofing, and applicable codes and standards.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency

Halifax, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

Regulations

Roofer

Certificate of Qualification (Voluntary): This is a designated trade in Nova Scotia. Employers may require certification, but a certificate is not needed to legally work in this trade.

Regulating body:
Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency
Halifax, NS

Contacts

Construction Association of Nova Scotia
Dartmouth, NS
Sheet Metal Workers International Association, Local 409
Halifax, NS
BuildForce Canada
Ottawa, ON
Nova Scotia Construction Sector Council
Halifax, NS
Atlantic Home Building and Renovation Sector Council
Halifax, NS
Mainland Nova Scotia Building Trades
Lakeside, NS
Merit Nova Scotia
Halifax, NS
Cape Breton Island Building and Construction Trade Council
Sydney, NS