Roofing leads the way as wages create pressure for construction

By Heidi J. Ellsworth.

Labor shortages, rising wages and culture-driven retention are reshaping the roofing workforce.

The construction labor market is shifting once again, and this time, roofing is at the center of the story. Recent insights from Zack Fritz and Dr. Anirban Basu of Sage Economics highlight a clear trend: wage growth is accelerating, labor availability is tightening and contractors are being forced to rethink how they attract and retain their workforce.  

After a period of slowing wage growth through much of 2023 and early 2024, the market began to shift in late 2024. By February 2025, production employee wages in construction had risen 5.1% year over year, marking the fastest growth in more than two years. Even more telling, specialty trade contractors saw a 6.5% increase, signaling that skilled labor is once again in high demand. 

Roofing is leading the charge. According to Zack and Dr. Basu, roofing wages have surged nearly 10% since late 2024, the sharpest increase across construction trades. This is not happening in a vacuum. Immigration policy continues to impact labor supply, and with more than half of roofing workers identified as foreign-born, any disruption to that workforce creates immediate pressure. Fewer available workers mean contractors must compete more aggressively, often through higher wages and improved benefits. 

At the same time, broader competition for skilled labor is intensifying. While sectors like electrical and HVAC are seeing strong wage growth driven by demand from data center construction, roofing is uniquely impacted by both skilled labor competition and labor supply constraints. The result is a perfect storm of rising wages, limited workforce availability and increasing pressure on contractors to deliver projects efficiently. 

For roofing contractors, the challenge is not just hiring, it is retention. Insights from the 2025 RoofersCoffeeShop® Trends Report show that culture has become a primary focus for contractors looking to retain employees. Compensation alone is no longer enough. Workers are looking for respect, strong leadership, career growth, teamwork and clear communication. They want to feel valued and connected to the company they work for. 

Contractors who are responding to these expectations are seeing stronger retention even in a highly competitive labor market. Investing in company culture is today’s best business strategy. Creating an environment where employees feel supported and have opportunities to grow can make the difference between constant turnover and a stable, high-performing team. 

There are also practical steps contractors can take. Building clear career pathways, investing in training and mentorship, strengthening recruitment pipelines and improving communication across teams all play a role. Partnerships with schools, associations and workforce development programs can help bring new talent into the industry, while leadership development ensures that talent stays and grows. 

Just as important, the roofing industry must continue to raise its voice on the national stage. Advocacy around immigration and economic policy is critical to ensuring a stable workforce for the future. Events like Roofing Day in D.C. 2026, hosted by the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) and industry partners, provide contractors with the opportunity to engage directly with lawmakers and share the real-world impact of labor shortages, workforce challenges and regulatory decisions. Contractors can learn more and get involved by visiting https://www.nrca.net/advocacy/roofing-day. 

The labor challenges outlined by Zack and Dr. Basu reflect deeper structural changes in the workforce. Roofing is not just reacting to these trends; it is helping define them. With wage growth outpacing other trades and workforce dynamics placing roofing at the center of conversations around labor and immigration, the industry has an opportunity to lead. 

The contractors who will thrive are those who recognize that their workforce is their greatest asset. By focusing on people, culture and long-term development, roofing companies can turn today’s labor challenges into tomorrow’s competitive advantage.