The golden trade: How high is a roofer's salary?
Roofify clears things up – with myths, truths and real future prospects.
Roofing is one of Germany's oldest and most valuable trades – and also one of the most shrouded in speculation. Especially when it comes to roofers' salaries, many myths circulate: "Roofers barely earn more than minimum wage," "It's not worth it anymore," or "The profession has no future." Roofify takes a closer look and shows in this article how important the roofing trade is for Germany, how roofers' salaries are really developing – and why the industry is more attractive today than ever before.
From roofer training to master roofer : We examine all salary levels, regional differences, additional benefits and future prospects.
Why the roofing trade is so important
Few other trades are as closely linked to safety, living comfort, and the preservation of building value as the work of a roofer. A sound, professionally constructed roof protects against the elements, rising energy costs, and structural damage – and increases the long-term value of any property.
But the roofing trade has another, modern meaning:
Thanks to energy-efficient renovations, photovoltaic installations, and sustainable green roofs , roofers are now a key component of the energy transition. It's no wonder that the demand for qualified roofers is rising nationwide.
How much does a roofer earn? – Myth vs. Reality
Myth 1: Roofers earn little
Completely wrong! That picture comes from a time when wage structures were different. Today, roofers benefit from clear collective bargaining agreements, attractive additional benefits, and a noticeable shortage of skilled workers – which has driven salaries up significantly in recent years.
Myth 2: There are hardly any opportunities for advancement.
On the contrary: from roofing apprentice to journeyman, experienced journeyman to master roofer, there are several levels, each associated with significant salary increases. Modern offerings like online master craftsman training have made career advancement even easier.
Salary overview: What a roofer really earns
The following values are averages – depending on region, company size, experience and additional services.
Salary during apprenticeship – roofer apprentice
The roofer apprenticeship lasts 3 years and is regulated by collective agreement.
The monthly training allowance is approximately (depending on the region):
- Year 1: €900 – €1,050
- Year 2: €1,050 – €1,200
- Year 3: €1,200 – €1,400
This makes roofing apprenticeships among the best-paid skilled trades apprenticeships in Germany.
Starting salary – single person
After passing the journeyman's examination, the salary increases noticeably.
On average, single men earn:
- €2,500 – €3,000 gross per month
In regions like Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg or Hamburg, the values are often at the upper end.
The salary of a senior journeyman
With several years of professional experience, further training and more responsibility, the salary also increases:
- €3,000 – €3,600 gross per month
Experienced journeymen who also take on responsibility for crews or are skilled in special areas such as flat roof technology, PV installation or slate roofing often earn even more.
The salary of a master roofer
The master roofer is the top class – and is paid accordingly.
The master craftsman qualification not only increases salary, but also the chance of obtaining management positions.
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A gross salary of €3,800 – €5,000 per month is typical.
Many master craftsmen later work as construction managers, project managers or operations managers – salaries there often exceed €5,000 gross.
Self-employment is also a possible path, where earnings can vary greatly, but are often significantly higher than the standard wage.
Regional differences in roofer salaries
Germany shows significant differences in roofer salaries:
Southern Germany – Top wages
Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria pay on average 10–20% more than other regions. There is a severe shortage of skilled workers there, and the cost of living is higher.
Northern Germany
Hamburg, Bremen, Schleswig-Holstein: solid wages, often above the standard rate.
West Germany
North Rhine-Westphalia, Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate: slight differences between urban and rural areas, generally good pay.
East Germany
Wages are sometimes slightly lower, but have converged significantly in recent years and continue to rise noticeably.
Additional services are becoming increasingly important
Holiday and Christmas bonuses – standard practice today
Companies that want to attract new employees have long been relying on attractive benefits.
The most common include:
- Holiday pay
- Christmas bonus
- capital accumulation benefits
- Fuel vouchers
- Bonuses for good performance or low absenteeism
Holiday pay and Christmas bonuses are now considered standard practice in many roofing companies to retain qualified roofers on a long- term basis.
How many hours does a roofer work per week?
The standard weekly working hours stipulated in the collective agreement are approximately 37 to 40 hours – depending on the region and company. During peak season, overtime or bad weather arrangements may lead to adjustments, which are, however, compensated according to the collective agreement.
Future prospects: Why the profession is becoming increasingly attractive
Increasing demand due to the energy transition
Due to high demand for:
- Photovoltaics
- Insulation
- Roof renovations
- Energy-efficient modernizations
- Green roofs
The demand for roofers will remain stable in the long term and continue to grow.
Video: Roofing Apprenticeship: What a Journeyman Earns on a Construction Site | Is it Worth It? | BR
Excellent career opportunities
With the increasing digitalization of the skilled trades, new avenues are opening up, such as online master craftsman schools . Those aspiring to the master craftsman title can now find flexible models – often alongside their job and cost-effective.
The cost of the master craftsman training also plays a role: depending on the provider and duration, it ranges between €6,000 and €12,000. Many funding programs, such as the Federal Training Assistance Act (Aufstiegs-BAföG), significantly reduce the financial burden.
A modern craft with strong prospects
The roofing trade is not only important – it's a future-proof, well-paid profession with many opportunities for advancement. From roofing apprentice to journeyman to master roofer, the profession offers clear career paths, attractive salary increases , and additional benefits such as vacation and Christmas bonuses.
For those who love physical work, are weatherproof, and are looking for a truly meaningful profession, the path from roofing apprenticeship to master craftsman training is a golden opportunity. And with modern continuing education options like the online master craftsman program, the next career step is closer, more flexible, and more attainable than ever before.