Summary
A 2026 salary guide for roofers in San Francisco / the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont metro, covering median, entry-level, and top-end pay; year-over-year movement; how local pay compares with U.S. and California benchmarks; and why Bay Area roofing wages run above national norms due to high living costs, prevailing wage pressure, and strong regional demand.
Salary Overview
Compared to National Average: Approximately 45% above the BLS national roofer median of $50,970 (using BLS San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont metro figure of $74,020). Note that the City and County of San Francisco's public-sector roofer classification pays materially more ($98,072–$119,236 annually at Step 1–5) than the citywide average.
Comparable Metro Area Salary Analysis
Comparable to New York City ($74,470, BLS metro) and San Jose ($75,570, BLS metro); higher than Seattle ($71,140, BLS metro), Chicago ($69,570, BLS metro), Los Angeles ($64,600, BLS metro), and California overall (~$63,040 state median). The City and County of San Francisco's public-sector roofer classification pays roughly $98,072–$119,236 annually at Step 1–5, above the citywide private-sector average.
Factors Influencing Local Salary
- High San Francisco cost of living and housing costs
- Union / prevailing-wage environment and Local 40 labor agreement
- Experience level, apprenticeship completion, and supervisory responsibility
- Specialized roofing systems and public-sector / port work
- Material-cost inflation and strong local construction demand
Salary by Career Stage
Apprentice: Starting wage $13.35/hr via CCSF roofing apprenticeship (42 months)
Journey-level Roofer: SF City class 9343 Step 1–5 = $47.15/hr, $49.55/hr, $51.99/hr, $54.58/hr, $57.33/hr
Roofer (public-sector / port posting): $98,072–$119,236 annual salary; annual compensation listed at $117,468
Roofer Supervisor I: Step 1–5 = $54.38/hr, $57.06/hr, $59.93/hr, $62.96/hr, $66.08/hr; $113,100–$137,436 annually
Job Outlook and Market Trends
The BLS projects roofers to grow 6% from through 2034, faster than average, with San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward paying above the national average. Local demand is reinforced by ongoing roofing and waterproofing work, commercial/public projects, and higher 2026 material and replacement costs in San Francisco. In-demand skills include torch-applied systems, asphalt/modified-bitumen work, shingle installation, safety compliance, and supervisory/crew coordination.
Guidance for Professionals and Employers
Job seekers: target union/prevailing-wage shops, complete a recognized 42-month apprenticeship, and build expertise in torch-on, repair, and waterproofing systems to move from apprentice to journey-level and then supervisor pay.
Employers: to stay competitive in San Francisco, benchmark against City/Port prevailing rates, consider structured wage steps, year-round work, paid training, and benefits like health insurance, PTO, and even company vehicles that local competitors advertise. For pricing field service, don’t anchor to suburban hourly labor rates; San Francisco’s public and union wage floors support materially higher billable labor rates, especially on complex or emergency work.
Cost of Living Context
San Francisco remains one of the most expensive U.S. markets in 2026: CostOfCity estimates a cost-of-living index of 244, about 144% above the national baseline, with modeled rent around $2,476/month and a single-adult living cost estimate near $6,745/month. Houzeo and CityCost likewise show housing/rent far above national norms, with typical rents around $3,000–$3,800+ depending on source and unit type. That means even a strong roofer wage can feel tighter in San Francisco than a lower nominal wage in a cheaper metro because housing absorbs a larger share of take-home pay.
Popular Benefits Offered
- Year-round or minimum-hour work guarantees
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Pension / retirement benefits
- Vacation pay, paid time off, and paid holidays
- Performance bonuses / overtime opportunities
- Paid training and certification support
- Company vehicle or mileage support
- Tools and safety equipment provided
