A Roofer in California Earns $20,000 More Than One in Ohio. After Rent, It Is Not Close
This is a wage analysis, not a cost guide.
Two rankings, one dataset
The wage file we use carries a price index for every state, ranging from 86.9 to 110.7 against a national baseline of 100. Dividing the median wage by that index gives a cost-adjusted figure: what the pay would be worth if prices were average everywhere.
The table shows four well-known states side by side. Nominal pay and real pay do not rank the same way.
The table
| State | Median pay | Price index | Real value | Nominal rank | Real rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $77,900 | 100.0 | $77,900 | 1 | 1 |
| California | $63,600 | 110.7 | $57,453 | 7 | 17 |
| Hawaii | $59,580 | 110.0 | $54,164 | 15 | 28 |
| Ohio | $49,390 | 92.8 | $53,222 | 29 | 31 |
| Texas | $46,030 | 97.1 | $47,405 | 44 | 49 |
| Mississippi | $44,940 | 87.0 | $51,655 | 50 | 35 |
Illinois pays roofers the most in raw dollars. But Illinois prices are also above average, so part of that advantage is eaten by the local cost of living.
The states that move up the ranking are the ones with high wages and low prices. Those are the places where a roofer's wage genuinely goes furthest.
Why a homeowner should care
If roofers in your state are paid well in real terms, you are competing for their time against a market that can afford them. That is when quotes come back high and slow.
The reverse is also true: a state where real pay is low usually has more spare capacity, which is why scheduling is easier and quotes are more flexible.
None of this changes the material cost, which is why the effect on your bill is smaller than the wage gap. It changes the labor line and the wait.
Frequently asked
Does the price index include housing?
Yes. The regional price parity figure covers goods, services and housing, which is why it moves the ranking so much in high-cost coastal states.
Is a high nominal wage always better for the worker?
Only if prices are not higher by more. That is exactly what the adjusted column tests, and in several states the answer is no.
Updated October 2026