Across U.S. metros, flooring installers typically earn $5,730 more a year than roofers (11%). In the 70 metros where BLS publishes both, flooring installers earn more in 35 and roofers in 35.
| Flooring Installer | Roofer | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical metro median pay | $55,870 | $50,140 |
| Lowest metro median | $38,240 | $24,100 |
| Highest metro median | $105,280 | $105,270 |
| Job growth 2025–35 (U.S.) | +9.0% | +5.3% |
| Openings per year (U.S.) | 2,200 | 12,000 |
| Self-employed | 21% | 20% |
| Typical education | No formal educational credential | No formal educational credential |
| Typical training | Moderate-term on-the-job training | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
| Injury rate per 10k workers (U.S.) | 73 | 162 |
| Metros with pay data | 70 | 265 |
On safety, roofers report more injuries that cause missed work (162 vs. 73 per 10,000 full-time workers, national 2023–24).
Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025 (typical = median across metros). Growth, openings, education, training: BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Injuries: BLS SOII 2023–24.
Where flooring installers out-earn roofers the most Our calculation
Gap in median yearly pay, same metro.
Where roofers out-earn flooring installers the most
Gap in median yearly pay, same metro.
State by state Government data
Using statewide pay, flooring installers earn more in 18 states and roofers in 26. The gap favors flooring installers most in Alaska ($26,110) and roofers most in Montana ($21,320).
BLS OEWS statewide medians, May 2025.
How the work differs Government data
The biggest differences: Working at heights: rarely for flooring installers, very often for roofers. Outdoors, in all kinds of weather: occasionally for flooring installers, very often for roofers.
| Flooring Installer | Roofer | |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoors, in all kinds of weather | Occasionally | Very often |
| Indoors with heating and air conditioning | Often | Rarely |
| Very hot or cold conditions | Rarely | Very often |
| Working at heights | Rarely | Very often |
| Climbing ladders, scaffolds or poles | Rarely | Often |
| Cramped spaces and awkward positions | Often | Sometimes |
| Loud noise | Sometimes | Often |
| Hazardous conditions | Occasionally | Often |
| Standing, bending, kneeling and walking | Sometimes | Often |
| Sitting | Rarely | Rarely |
O*NET 31.0 Work Context, national.
What each trade does
Flooring Installer
Apply blocks, strips, or sheets of shock-absorbing, sound-deadening, or decorative coverings to floors.
Roofer
Cover roofs of structures with shingles, slate, asphalt, aluminum, wood, or related materials. May spray roofs, sidings, and walls with material to bind, seal, insulate, or soundproof sections of structures.
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