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Roofers

The short answer

This job is less likely to change much. Most of the work is the kind AI can't help with. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to hold steady over the next decade, with about 424 openings expected each year.

Step 1

Where your job stands

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the least exposed fifth for how much AI could touch it. Most of what it involves isn't the kind of work AI can take over.

How much AI could touch this job

Least exposedband 1 of 5
least exposedmost exposed

Looking at the job itself, AI could help with a small part of this job's tasks.

What this means

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the least exposed fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.

Step 2

What AI can and can’t help with in this job

This job is in the least exposed fifth of New York jobs for AI exposure. The tasks below show why: most of what it involves is work AI can't simply take over.

AI can help with or automate about 7% of the tasks in this job.

Tasks AI can help with or automate

  1. Inspect problem roofs to determine the best repair procedures.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  2. Estimate materials and labor required to complete roofing jobs.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

Tasks AI can't do much of

  1. Remove snow, water, or debris from roofs prior to applying roofing materials.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  2. Set up scaffolding to provide safe access to roofs.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  3. Cement or nail flashing strips of metal or shingle over joints to make them watertight.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  4. Install partially overlapping layers of material over roof insulation surfaces, using chalk lines, gauges on shingling hatchets, or lines on shingles.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  5. Cut felt, shingles, or strips of flashing to fit angles formed by walls, vents, or intersecting roof surfaces.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

Step 3

Jobs you could switch to

If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.

See related jobs in

The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.

  • Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers

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    slightly less pay608 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays slightly less—$65,776 vs your $67,802 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Trunk Strength
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    • Near Vision
    • Extent Flexibility
    • Multilimb Coordination

    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Painters, Construction and Maintenance

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    slightly less pay1,655 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays slightly less—$61,187 vs your $67,802 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
    • Near Vision
    • Trunk Strength
    • Manual Dexterity
    • Oral Comprehension

    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Sheet Metal Workers

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    +12% pay471 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 12% more—$75,758 vs your $67,802 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus apprenticeship.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Building and Construction
    • Near Vision
    • Mechanical
    • Multilimb Coordination
    • Design

    New skills to build

    • Computers and Electronics
    • Equipment Maintenance
    • Repairing
    • Mathematical Reasoning
    • Visualization
  • Tile and Stone Setters

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    slightly less pay267 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays slightly less—$62,915 vs your $67,802 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus long-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Building and Construction
    • Extent Flexibility
    • Near Vision
    • Trunk Strength
    • Static Strength

    New skills to build

    • Visualization
  • Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles

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    slightly less pay95 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays slightly less—$63,024 vs your $67,802 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Building and Construction
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Extent Flexibility
    • Near Vision

    New skills to build

    • Production and Processing
    • Mathematics
  • Brickmasons and Blockmasons

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    +28% pay245 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 28% more—$86,702 vs your $67,802 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus apprenticeship.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Building and Construction
    • Extent Flexibility
    • Trunk Strength
    • Near Vision
    • Multilimb Coordination

    New skills to build

    • Production and Processing
    • Dynamic Strength
    • Visualization
  • Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters

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    slightly less pay74 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays slightly less—$63,700 vs your $67,802 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus short-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Building and Construction
    • Trunk Strength
    • Extent Flexibility
    • Mechanical
    • Multilimb Coordination

    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Glaziers

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    slightly less pay210 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays slightly less—$63,430 vs your $67,802 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus apprenticeship.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Building and Construction
    • Near Vision
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Mechanical
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness

    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Plasterers and Stucco Masons

    Somewhat similar work
    +82% pay80 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 82% more—$123,437 vs your $67,802 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus long-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Building and Construction
    • Trunk Strength
    • Extent Flexibility
    • Near Vision
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    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Structural Iron and Steel Workers

    Somewhat similar work
    +40% pay240 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 40% more—$95,116 vs your $67,802 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus apprenticeship.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Building and Construction
    • Gross Body Equilibrium
    • Extent Flexibility
    • Trunk Strength
    • Coordination

    New skills to build

    • Static Strength
    • Dynamic Strength
    • Visualization
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  • Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers

    Somewhat similar work
    slightly less pay277 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays slightly less—$62,936 vs your $67,802 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Building and Construction
    • Extent Flexibility
    • Trunk Strength
    • Near Vision
    • Gross Body Equilibrium

    Your current skills largely cover this move.