How much do roofers make in New York in 2026?

The median roofer in New York earns $66,020 a year, which works out to roughly $31.74 an hour based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. That's the midpoint — half of roofers in the state earn more, half earn less. If you're just starting out or working a lower-demand area, the 25th percentile sits at $58,470 a year (~$28.11/hr). Experienced roofers or those in higher-paying markets land at the 75th percentile: $77,440 a year (~$37.23/hr). That's a spread of nearly $19,000 between the bottom quarter and the top quarter — meaningful enough that where you work and how long you've been doing it matters a lot.

New York is one of the more demanding states for roofing work, and the pay reflects some of that. The downstate metro — New York City, Long Island, Westchester — consistently drives higher labor costs than upstate markets like Buffalo, Syracuse, or the North Country. A roofer working commercial jobs in the Bronx is competing in a very different labor market than someone doing residential repairs in the Catskills. The BLS rolls all of that into a single statewide figure, so your actual going rate depends heavily on which region you're in.

The type of work matters just as much as the location. Flat-roof commercial work — modified bitumen, TPO, EPDM — tends to pay more than basic residential shingle replacement because it requires more technical skill and carries higher liability. Roofers who can handle multiple systems, including metal roofing or green roof installations, are in a stronger position to command pay above the median. Torch-down and hot-tar work also commands a premium from contractors who need certified or experienced hands.

Seasonality hits roofing harder than most trades. New York winters can shut down or dramatically slow exterior work from December through March. Many roofers here make their real money between April and November, often putting in 50- to 60-hour weeks during the peak season. If you're averaging 55 hours a week for six months at the median rate of $31.74/hr, overtime hours (at 1.5x) add up fast — overtime pay at $47.61/hr on those extra 15 weekly hours across 26 weeks adds roughly $18,570 on top of your base earnings. Actual totals depend on your employer and any applicable overtime agreements, but the point stands: seasonal overtime is a real income lever in this trade.

New York does not require a statewide roofing license for journeymen, though New York City has its own licensing requirements under the NYC Department of Buildings. If you plan to work in the five boroughs, getting familiar with the local licensing pathway is worth your time — contractors there won't hire unlicensed hands for jobs that require a licensed roofer on site. Outside the city, licensing requirements vary by municipality.

Experience is the most direct path to higher pay. The jump from the 25th to the 75th percentile — from $58,470 to $77,440 — is largely a function of years on the job, skill depth, and the quality of contractors you're working for. Roofers who move into foreman or crew lead roles typically earn above the median, since they carry scheduling and safety responsibilities on top of hands-on work. Some workers may be covered by a collective bargaining agreement — check with your local for current rates.

The BLS figures here come from the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, May 2025. They reflect base hourly and annual wages and do not include the value of benefits like health insurance, retirement contributions, or paid leave. Your total compensation package can add meaningfully to these numbers depending on your employer.

All figures on this page are sourced from BLS OEWS May 2025.