Roofer Salary · Updated May 2026

Roofer salary in California

The median roofer salary in California is $63,600 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025) — 15% above the national median of $55,440. Most roofers in California earn between $48,620 and $89,010, and the state ranks #7 of 51 for roofer pay.

Median

$63,600

Entry (10th)

$48,620

Top (90th)

$89,010

State rank

#7/51

Annual wages, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

California vs. the national average

PercentileCaliforniaNational
10th percentile (entry)$48,620$37,460
Median (50th)$63,600$55,440
90th percentile (top)$89,010$81,720

For context, the highest-paying state for roofers is Illinois ($77,900 median) and the lowest is Oklahoma ($43,680).

Licensing & taxes for roofers

About 32 states require a roofing or general contractor license to bid jobs above a set dollar threshold. Rules and thresholds vary widely — some states license roofing specifically, others fold it into a general contractor license, and a few leave it to local jurisdictions.

Whether you charge sales tax on your labor depends on the state and the type of job. Several states tax services by default, and many distinguish a real-property improvement (often not taxed to the customer) from a repair of tangible property (often taxed). This isn't tax advice — confirm with your state revenue department.

For the full state-by-state licensing, reciprocity, and sales-tax breakdown, see the roofer salary & licensing guide.

Roofer pay in California: FAQ

How much does a roofer make in California?
The median roofer salary in California is $63,600 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2025) — 15% above the national median of $55,440. Most roofers in the state earn between $48,620 and $89,010.
What is the starting salary for roofers in California?
Entry-level roofers in California — the bottom 10% — earn around $48,620 a year. Pay rises with licensing, experience, and specialization.
What do the top roofers earn in California?
The highest-paid 10% of roofers in California make about $89,010 or more per year — typically licensed masters, specialists, or business owners.
Does California pay roofers well?
California ranks #7 of 51 states and D.C. for roofer pay, making it one of the higher-paying states for the trade. Its median of $63,600 is 15% above the U.S. median of $55,440.

Other trades in California

Electrician salary in California $76,160 Plumber salary in California $72,830 HVAC Technician salary in California $72,560 Carpenter salary in California $75,920 Painter salary in California $59,020

Compare roofers pay in every state

Illinois $77,900 New Jersey $76,600 Minnesota $74,490 Massachusetts $72,750 Alaska $66,750 New York $66,020 Connecticut $62,070 District of Columbia $61,750 Rhode Island $61,630 Washington $60,640 Maryland $60,090 New Hampshire $59,830 North Dakota $59,740 Hawaii $59,580 Michigan $59,530 Delaware $59,440 Wisconsin $59,370 Vermont $59,040 Montana $59,030 Oregon $58,970 Indiana $57,980 Idaho $57,790 Pennsylvania $55,710 Colorado $51,750 West Virginia $51,170 Nevada $51,090 Maine $50,120 Ohio $49,390 North Carolina $49,010 Louisiana $48,760 Utah $48,680 Iowa $48,660 Missouri $48,570 Virginia $48,420 South Dakota $47,710 Florida $47,590 Arkansas $47,470 Arizona $47,340 Kansas $47,190 Georgia $46,940 Kentucky $46,940 Nebraska $46,460 Texas $46,030 South Carolina $45,760 Tennessee $45,690 Alabama $45,670 Wyoming $45,650 New Mexico $45,300 Mississippi $44,940 Oklahoma $43,680

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS OEWS, May 2025, via the BLS public API (SOC 47-2181). Wages are annual and vary by experience, licensing, certification, and local demand. See all roofers by state or trade salaries by state.