Roof Tilers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Roof Tilers cover roofs with tiles, sheets and shingles to form a waterproof surface.
Specialisations: Roof Fixer, Roof Shingler, Roof Slater.
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Roof Tiler. Although some workers have a certificate III in roof tiling.
Tasks
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studying drawings, specifications and work sites to determine materials required
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erecting ladders and scaffolds
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placing and securing waterproof sheets over eaves
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nailing and stapling roofing underlay to roofs
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aligning starter rows of roofing material with edges of roofs, securing with wire, staples and nails, and overlapping successive layers of tiles
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sizing and cutting roofing material to fit around vents, chimney edges, corners and ridges
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fixing edge and ridge tiles in cement mortar
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slipping roofing material under pre-fabricated flashing and nailing it down
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caulking and flashing exposed nail heads to prevent leaks
Characteristics
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Informal or on-the-job
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Practical
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Medium
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Heavy
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Very Heavy
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. The latest data are for the five years from November 2021 to November 2026. Over this period, the number of workers in this occupation is likely to remain stable.
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Notes: The number employed includes people who work in this occupation as their main job. People who work in more than one job are counted against the occupation they work the most hours in.
Employment projections figures are rounded to the nearest 100. Calculations based on these rounded figures may result in differences to the numbers that are displayed on this page. Employment projections data (including occupations) can be downloaded from the Employment Projections page.
Number of Workers
Year | Employment |
---|---|
2011 | 11,500 |
2012 | 8,700 |
2013 | 7,000 |
2014 | 6,300 |
2015 | 8,700 |
2016 | 10,200 |
2017 | 10,200 |
2018 | 13,100 |
2019 | 12,200 |
2020 | 5,500 |
2021 | 9,100 |
2026 | 9,100 |
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2021 and Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 76% of people employed as Roof Tilers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 10 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 43 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.
Industries
Main industries
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Most Roof Tilers work in the Construction industry.
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, annual average 2021.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Roof Tilers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 36.2 | 31.6 |
VIC | 23.4 | 25.6 |
QLD | 22.7 | 20.0 |
SA | 5.6 | 7.0 |
WA | 8.0 | 10.8 |
TAS | 1.3 | 2.0 |
NT | 1.3 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.5 | 1.9 |
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Around 46% of Roof Tilers live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
New South Wales has a large share of employment relative to its population size.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
- Melbourne - Outer East
- Gold Coast
- Melbourne - South East
- Central Coast (NSW)
- Sydney - Outer West and Blue Mountains.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
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The median age of Roof Tilers is 32 years. This is younger than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 25 to 34 years.
Females make up 1% of the workforce. This is 47 percentage points below the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Roof Tilers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 8.5 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 18.3 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 29.8 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 18.9 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 13.8 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 5.3 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 3.7 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 1.7 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 32 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Roof Tiler. Although some workers have a certificate III in roof tiling.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Construction, Plumbing and Services VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Roof Tilers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 0.1 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 0.9 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 1.5 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 57.9 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 12.7 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 5.8 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 21.0 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Roof Tilers who are reliable, work well in a team and are hardworking.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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55%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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41%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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41%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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39%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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39%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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39%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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39%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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37%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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37%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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36%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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36%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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36%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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34%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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32%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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30%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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30%
MathematicsUsing maths to solve problems.
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30%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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29%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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29%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
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27%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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76%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
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55%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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54%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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52%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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48%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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44%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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41%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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41%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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40%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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34%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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33%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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32%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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30%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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28%
Foreign languageForeign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
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25%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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24%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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23%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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22%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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20%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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19%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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57%
BalanceKeep your balance or stay upright.
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54%
Extent flexibilityBend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
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54%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
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54%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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48%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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46%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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46%
StaminaExercise for a long time without getting winded or out of breath.
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46%
Static strengthLift, push, pull, or carry things.
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45%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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45%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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45%
Whole body coordinationMove your arms, legs, and body together.
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45%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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45%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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45%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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43%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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43%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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43%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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43%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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41%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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41%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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94%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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79%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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63%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
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63%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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62%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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62%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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60%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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58%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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56%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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56%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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55%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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55%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
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54%
Working with mechanical equipmentServicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.
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54%
Coaching and developing othersWorking out the needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or helping them to improve.
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54%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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53%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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52%
Negotiating and resolving conflictsHandling complaints and disagreements, and negotiating with people.
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51%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
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50%
Guiding and directing staffGuiding and directing staff, including setting and monitoring performance standards.
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43%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
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100%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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38%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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29%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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24%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
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14%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
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14%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
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62%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
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52%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
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48%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
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48%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
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43%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
-
38%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
Demands
-
100%
Outdoors, exposed to weatherWork outdoors, exposed to the weather.
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98%
Work at heightsWork in high places (e.g., on poles, scaffolding, catwalks, or ladders).
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93%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
91%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
-
90%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
89%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
86%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
-
86%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
85%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
-
84%
Very hot or cold temperaturesWork in very hot or cold temperatures.
-
84%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
83%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
-
82%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
-
82%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
-
82%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
79%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
79%
CompetitionCompete with others, or be aware of competitive pressures.
-
78%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
77%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
-
77%
Indoors, not heat controlledWork indoors without heating or cooling (e.g., warehouse without heat).
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 47-2181.00 - Roofers.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
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Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.