Women In Roofing: Building Thriving Careers

Across the country, women in roofing are shattering the industry's glass ceiling and growing their career opportunities in what has traditionally been a male-dominated industry.

While women currently make up just 5% of the professional roofing industry, that number is poised to grow in the future thanks to a new generation of trailblazers, along with initiatives aimed at breaking down barriers and building a stronger and more inclusive industry for everyone.

What women in roofing means for the industry

Just look at the five finalists for QXO's 2025 North American Female Roofing Professional of the Year. These five women in roofing were selected from more than 1,000 nominations for the prestigious award, which celebrates the outstanding contributions, leadership and professionalism of women in the roofing industry across North America.

The roofing industry offers an entry for women to pursue careers that provide competitive salaries, great benefits and excellent opportunities for advancement. "It's not just about putting on roofs. We're an entire ecosystem. We're an entire community. We need people to do the books. We need people to be in sales. We need HR representatives. It's an ecosystem just like any other business, and so there's a place for everyone in roofing," finalist Stacey Lytton, COO of Horch Roofing, told her local news affiliate, WABI 5.

Having more female roofing contractors is not only the right thing to do, but it's also good for business. "Today, we see more women-owned and women-led roofing companies than ever before, and this shift has greatly enhanced the industry's professionalism and reputation," said Heidi J. Ellsworth, president of RoofersCoffeeShop.org. "Encouraging more women to enter and lead in roofing helps drive innovation and elevate the field to new levels of success."

How companies can foster the growth of women in roofing

If you're wondering how you can help more women enter the world of roofing, start by looking internally at your company or on your team.

Lead by example

One simple step is to encourage leadership development and appoint more women in top management positions. Multiple studies show that when women are empowered to lead, everyone benefits.

Recruit with a purpose

To bring more gender diversity to the roofing industry, it's not enough to create policies and wait for female roofing contractors to show up. It's through outreach and incentives that change will happen. Dedicated scholarship programs, targeted internships and specialized training programs are all opportunities to draw in more female employees.

Create public role models

Women need to see other women in the industry, not just in their own companies but in the marketplace too. Hosting webinars as well as online and in-person workshops, showcasing female roofing contractors on social media and in advertisements, and nominating women leaders for industry recognition can raise the profile of both the company and the industry.

What can you do to bring more opportunities for women?

With a united effort from everyone involved, it is possible to bring more women into the roofing industry — and make them feel welcome.

Learn more about the Female Roofing Professional of the Year contest and how QXO is supporting female roofers' contributions to the industry.