Roofer
UFCW / RWDSU Roofers Local 96
Install and repair the roofing systems, waterproofing, and insulation that protect every building from Minnesota's weather.
Starting Pay
$23.19/hr
1st year apprentice
Journeyman Pay
$48.32/hr
~$97k/year
Apprenticeship
3 years
earn while you learn
Total Package
$130,000+
wages + benefits
Overview
The Work
Roofers from Local 96 install, repair, and maintain roofing systems on commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings. The work includes built-up roofing (tar and gravel), single-ply membrane systems (TPO, EPDM, PVC), steep-slope shingles, and waterproofing systems for foundations and parking structures. Minnesota's harsh climate makes roofing work critical — and it means roofers keep busy year-round with repair and maintenance alongside new construction.
Day One as an Apprentice
Your first day on the roof you'll be assigned to a crew and immediately put to work — moving materials, cleaning debris, and learning how to move safely on a sloped or flat roof. Safety training is immediate and thorough. You'll learn how to handle a hot kettle, apply membrane roofing, and read roofing plans within your first weeks.
This trade is
Pay Scale
Pay increases each year of the apprenticeship as a percentage of the journeyman rate. All rates are hourly; estimated annual at 2,000 hrs/year.
| Year | Stage | Hourly | Annual Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1st Year Apprentice | $23.19/hr | ~$46k |
| 2 | 2nd Year Apprentice | $28.99/hr | ~$58k |
| 3 | 3rd Year Apprentice | $36.24/hr | ~$72k |
| 4 | Journeyman Roofer | $48.32/hr | ~$97k |
Benefits Package
Health and welfare fund coverage, pension and annuity contributions. The 3-year apprenticeship path is one of the shorter routes to journeyman wages in the building trades.
Apprenticeship Program
3 years
Program Length
360 hrs
Classroom Hours
5,400 hrs
On-the-Job Hours
How to Apply
Contact Roofers Local 96 at (651) 645-3440 or visit rooferslocal96.org. Requirements include a high school diploma or GED, a valid driver's license, and the physical ability to work at heights. A drug test is required.
Application Windows
Applications accepted year-round. Most hiring happens in spring when the construction season begins.
Requirements
General Requirements
- High school diploma or GED
- Valid driver's license
- 18 years of age
- Pass a drug test
- Must be comfortable working at heights
Physical Requirements
- Work at heights on all building types — flat and sloped roofs
- Carry and position heavy rolls of membrane and insulation board
- Work outdoors in all weather including hot summer sun and cold fall
- Ability to kneel, crawl, and work in awkward positions on roof surfaces
Tools You'll Need
- Roofing knives and seam roller
- Heat gun and hot-air welder (for membrane work)
- Hammer and roofing nails
- Personal fall protection — harness and lanyard required
Physical Demand
4/5
Technical Level
2/5
Union Hall
Local Union
UFCW / RWDSU Roofers Local 96
Address
17226 Lincoln St NE
Ham Lake, MN 55304
Phone
(763) 230-7663Market Outlook
High Demand
BLS projects 6% growth for roofers (SOC 47-2181) 2024–2034 (faster than average) with about 12,700 annual openings nationally, driven by hail and storm replacement cycles and new construction. MN DEED projects 5% growth 2022–2032 with about 190 annual openings.
Next Steps
Ready to learn more or apply? Here's what to do right now.
Wage source: Journeyman base hourly rate is sourced from the Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry Commercial Prevailing Wage Schedule (effective 2025-12-22), which is derived from the prevailing collective bargaining agreement for Statewide (MN & Western WI). Total package (with fringe benefits) is higher than the base rate shown. Apprentice progression rates are calculated as standard percentages of journeyman scale and may differ slightly from the actual CBA. This page is not affiliated with UFCW / RWDSU Roofers Local 96 or any union. Verify all information — including current pay rates, application windows, and requirements — directly with UFCW / RWDSU Roofers Local 96.