by Amanda Fields | RCAW Executive Director

I was at a high school career day this year and, the principle came up and welcomed RCAW to the event and said “Roofing” then paused, and I said with a smile, “Yes” he then said, “I did that for a while when I was younger and those were the worse years of my life”. My eyes lit up big and immediately said “Don’t say that in front of the students”, then then walked away.

The roofing industry continues to face a growing challenge: a shortage of skilled workers at a time when demand remains strong. Across Washington State and the Pacific Northwest, contractors are not struggling to find work, they are struggling to find the people to do it. Travis Young, Tru Colors Contracting said “We’re not short on work, we’re short on people. Finding skilled workers to keep up with demand is the real challenge.”

The data supports what many of our members are experiencing every day; Nearly 78% of construction firms report difficulty filling craft positions, and in Washington State, 89% of contractors report job openings for hourly craft workers. Nationally, the industry needs hundreds of thousands of new workers each year, largely to replace retiring professionals. At the same time, the construction demand across the Pacific Northwest continues to grow, particularly in housing and infrastructure. This creates a clear and pressing reality: the work is here, but the workforce is not keeping pace. The biggest issue isn’t getting jobs; it’s having the manpower to take them on.

Several factors are contributing to this shortage. A large portion of the workforce is nearing retirement, often referred to as the “silver tsunami,” while fewer young people are entering the trades. At the same time, the industry faces increased competition from other career paths and continues to battle outdated perceptions about construction work. In Washington, the situation is even more complex. The state has seen fluctuations in construction employment while still facing a shortage of skilled labor, highlighting a disconnect between available workers and qualified talent. Additionally, immigrant workers make up roughly 25% of Washington’s construction workforce, making overall workforce stability even more sensitive to broader labor trends.

Part of the solution starts with changing how we talk about this industry. Roofing is not just “the worse years of your life” it is a job, it is a career path with strong earning potential, advancement opportunities, and long-term stability. In Washington State, roofers earn between $55,000 and $90,000 or more, with experienced professionals earning even higher wages. In fact, Washington roofers earn approximately 20–25% more than the national average, all without the burden of a large college debt. Yet many students, and their parents, are never exposed to these opportunities. I know that we’ve spent years pushing one path, college. Meanwhile, we haven’t done enough to show the next generation what a career in the trade can really look like.

We are beginning to see progress, particularly through initiatives like National Women in Roofing (NWiR), where more women are entering and succeeding in the industry. Expanding who we reach and who we invite into this field is critical to long-term success. As Allison Woslager, Integrity PNW said, “The future of roofing depends on who we invite into it. We need to expand the conversation and make sure people see themselves in this industry.”

RCAW is committed to being part of the solution not just talking about it. We are actively supporting local career and technical education programs, participating in high school career days, and attending events like New Market Skills Center’s Try-A-Trade. At this event alone, more than 500 students from 12 school districts come together to explore careers in the construction trades through hands-on experiences, from operating equipment to learning basic roofing skills. RCAW is working to build meaningful connections between contractors, schools, and students while elevating roofing as a professional and respected career. RCAW just partnered with NRCA and SkillsUSA and had 5 Washington state students compete in Commercial Roofing for the very first time at Clover Park Technical College, to go to the national SkillsUSA competition.

These efforts are focused on one goal: building a sustainable workforce pipeline for our industry. This is not a challenge that RCAW, or any one company can solve alone. It requires commitment across the industry. Contractors must continue to mentor and train new workers, companies must engage with schools and communities, and industry leaders must share real stories and opportunities. Because this is bigger than filling open positions it’s about the future of our industry. Emerson Pagel with ABC Supply Co. inc said, “If we don’t invest in the next generation now, we’re going to feel it even more five or ten years down the road.”

The workforce crisis is real, but so is the opportunity. Washington State has the demand, we have strong companies, and we have a growing association. Now, we must continue to build the workforce that will carry this industry forward. Because if we do this right, we’re not just solving a shortage we’re building the future of roofing in Washington.

Amanda Fields     RCAW Executive Director    director@rcaw.com