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The pay: The median yearly salary for a drywall installer in the United
States is $48,830.
The prospects: BLS projects that job outlook for drywallers will see
little to no change between 2022 and 2032.
The education: While there are drywall courses out there, this trade
requires no specific degree, credential, or license and can usually
be learned through on-the-job training.
Roofers
The job: Roofers build, install, repair, service, and maintain roofs—
particularly the roofs of residential homes. At some point, every
home will need a new roof, with most roofs lasting 15-30 years,
depending on the type and the amount of care it receives over the
years. Roofers are not only the people responsible for servicing
roofs over time but also the ones who handle roof replacements.
Note that most work happens in the summertime due to more
favorable weather patterns, which can mean hot work days
depending on the climate. Overtime work is common in the summer
months due to the amount of demand.
The pay: The median salary for roofers in the United States currently
lands at $50,000 per year.
The prospects: BLS is projecting the roofing industry to hold rela-
tively steady between 2022 and 2032, tracking a slight growth
trend of about two percent—about 3,100 new jobs over the course
of the decade.
The education: The roofing industry doesn’t have a specific formal
education requirement, and most roofing companies don’t require
any type of college degree. On-the-job training is the typical entry
into the field, though there are apprenticeship programs out there
that allow for a more formal path.