Roofer vs Machinist
Side-by-side salary, job growth, and training comparison for 2026
Roofer
$52,290
National Median Salary
Total Jobs168,500
Annual Openings16,700
Training3 yr apprenticeship
Machinist
$51,720
National Median Salary
Total Jobs384,700
Annual Openings35,400
Training1-2 yr certificate or apprenticeship
Metric
Roofer
Machinist
Median Salary National, BLS 2023 | $52,290* | $51,720 |
Total Jobs Current employment | 168,500 | 384,700* |
Annual Job Openings New + replacement | 16,700 | 35,400* |
Training Time | 3 yr apprenticeship | 1-2 yr certificate or apprenticeship |
* indicates higher/better value. Source: BLS OES 2023.
Top States for Roofers
Illinois$82,430
New York$78,560
Alaska$74,320
Hawaii$71,890
Massachusetts$70,120
Top States for Machinists
Alaska$78,430
Connecticut$74,890
Washington$72,340
California$70,120
Massachusetts$68,450