What roofers should charge in California.
Fair billed labor here runs about $57–$91/hour, about 24% above the median US state. Every number below comes from what roofers actually earn in California; the math is on this page, in the open.
How much should roofers charge in California?
In California, roofers earn $28.57–$36.27 per hour (median $30.58, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025), about 24% above the median US state for this trade. A legitimate business bills 2–2.5× wages to cover payroll taxes, insurance, equipment, overhead and profit, so fair billed labor in California runs about $57–$91 per hour. For example, full roof replacement (asphalt shingle) is about $3,450–$9,050 in fair labor, before materials.
Fair price by job
Full roof replacement (asphalt shingle)
That assumes a 1,600–2,200 sq ft walkable roof with one tear-off layer; steep pitch, multiple layers, or decking repairs add hours.
Plus materials: shingles, underlayment and disposal typically add as much as the labor. Ask for the materials line separately.
Typical labor: 60–100 hours at $57–$91/hr billed.
Leak repair (single area)
That assumes one accessible leak: flashing, a vent boot, or a small shingle section.
Typical labor: 2–6 hours at $57–$91/hr billed.
Roof inspection
That assumes a walk-the-roof inspection with photos; many roofers credit it against later work.
Typical labor: 1–2 hours at $57–$91/hr billed.
Before you hire in California
Any job of $1,000 or more (labor and materials) requires a CSLB license. The lookup shows classification, bond, workers' comp and disciplinary actions — check all four.
How to verify a California license · how to get comparable bids · track your quotes side by side (free, no account).
Find roofers near you in California
Other fair price checks in California
Compare roofers rates across all states · all fair price checks