Roofer Apprenticeship in California

Wages, programs & career outlook
CA Median Salary
$63,040/yr
+24% vs. national
National Median
$50,970/yr
CA Employment
21,110
Roofers employed
CA Sponsors
1375
Registered programs

California Wage Spread

Annual wages for Roofers in California across all experience levels.

10th %ile
$47,090
25th %ile
$58,650
Median
$63,040
75th %ile
$76,520
90th %ile
$95,080

Roofer Apprenticeship in California

At $63,040/yr, California Roofers earn a meaningful premium over the $48,060 national average — 31% more without requiring a bachelor's degree.

California Roofers earn $63,040/yr — a 24% premium over the $50,970 national median for the trade. Strong union presence or high demand likely drives the spread.

The employment outlook is solid if unspectacular: 5.9% growth projected through 2034 for Roofers. What matters more than the growth rate is the 12,700 annual openings — mostly from retirements — that keep demand steady.

California employs 21,110 Roofers — 12.9% of the national workforce — making it one of the larger markets for this trade. Apprenticeship pipelines here benefit from deep employer networks.

At 6,000 hours over 3 years, the Roofer apprenticeship is comprehensive. You'll spend most of your time working alongside certified professionals, supplemented by classroom training in blueprint reading, building codes, and material estimation. Every hour is paid.

The apprenticeship infrastructure in California is extensive: 1,375 registered sponsors operate across the state. Union halls, contractors, and joint apprenticeship committees all accept applications.

The earning trajectory in California is solid: a Roofer starting near $47,090/yr can work toward $95,080 at the 90th percentile. The $47,990 progression typically takes 10-15 years of steady advancement.

Registered Apprenticeship Sponsors in California

1375 registered apprenticeship sponsors in California. Contact directly for program availability and application details.

Organization City County
Kevin Sullivan Heating & Air, Inc. 94553-5141
National Veterinarian Associates Agoura Hills
Alameda One Stop Career Center Alameda
CITY OF ALAMEDA PUBLIC UTILITES Alameda
Felton Institute Alameda
NORTHERN CA SURVEYORS JAC Alameda Contra Costa County
Alhambra AJCC - Affiliate to East LA/West San Gabriel Valley Comprehensive AJCC Alhambra
COMFORT PARADISE TRAINING INSTITUTE Alhambra Los Angeles County
Altadena AJCC Alttadena
Alliance For Workforce Development, Inc. Modoc Alturas
SURPRISE VALLEY ELECTRIFICATION CORPORATION Alturas
Allied Health Occupations Apprenticeship Anaheim Orange County
Anaheim Workforce Connection Anaheim
Anaheim Workforce Development Board Anaheim
Associated Builders and Contractors - Southern California Chapter Anaheim Orange County
Cintas Corp 2 Anaheim Orange County
Cintas Fire Protection Anaheim
Control Air Enterprises LLC Anaheim
Expedite Fire, Inc. dba Lindley Fire Anaheim
Karcher Insulation Anaheim
Moseys Productions Machinists Inc. Anaheim
Security Signal Devices, Inc. Anaheim
Siemens Mobility Inc dba Siemens Its Anaheim
Southern California Chapter of the ABC, Inc. Los Angeles/Ventura Merit Training Trust Anaheim Los Angeles County
The New Horizons Learning Group Apprenticeships for Tech Program Anaheim Orange County
+ 5 more sponsors in California

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Roofers make in California?
Roofers in California earn a median salary of $63,040/yr according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024). This is above the national median of $50,970 for the trade.
How long is a Roofer apprenticeship?
Most Roofer apprenticeships run 3 years. Apprentices work under a journeyman while attending classes, typically earning wages from day one with scheduled increases.
Is an apprenticeship better than trade school for Roofers?
The key difference: apprenticeships pay you during training while trade schools charge tuition. Many employers prefer apprenticeship-trained Roofers, but trade school can give you a head start on the classroom requirements.
Are Roofer jobs growing?
Demand for Roofers is steady, with 5.9% projected growth through 2034. An aging workforce creates replacement openings even in slower-growth scenarios.
Where can I apply for a Roofer apprenticeship in California?
Contact one of the 1375 registered apprenticeship sponsors in California, or visit apprenticeship.gov to search for programs. Local union halls, community colleges, and state apprenticeship agencies are good starting points.
How much do Roofer apprentices earn?
Apprentices are paid employees from the start. In California, a first-year Roofer apprentice might earn around $31,520/yr (roughly half the $63,040 journeyman median), with scheduled raises throughout the 3-year program.

Roofer in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in California

Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS May 2024, DOL RAPIDS Registered Apprenticeship database, ApprenticeshipUSA Sponsor Directory.