Roofer Assistant Jobs in the USA for Immigrants

Roofer Assistant Jobs in the USA for Immigrants: If you are looking for roofer assistant jobs in the United States with visa sponsorship, you are targeting a profession with genuine and consistent demand. The U.S. construction industry needs thousands of workers each year to assist skilled roofers with installation, repair, and maintenance of residential and commercial roofs. For immigrants, these positions offer a legitimate pathway through the H-2B visa program, which allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers for temporary non-agricultural jobs. This guide provides comprehensive, up-to-date information on roofer assistant opportunities in the USA for 2026, including real job openings with verified wages, the visa sponsorship process, requirements, and step-by-step application instructions.

Understanding the H-2B Visa for Roofer Assistants

The H-2B visa is a temporary, non-immigrant work visa that allows U.S. employers to hire foreign nationals for seasonal, peak-load, or one-time occurrence non-agricultural jobs when qualified American workers are not available . Roofing is explicitly listed as an occupation that qualifies for H-2B sponsorship, along with construction, landscaping, hospitality, and other seasonal industries .

Key characteristics of the H-2B visa include being tied to a specific employer and specific job. The duration matches the seasonal need, typically up to 10 months. You must intend to return home after the temporary period, and your employer must prove no U.S. workers are available through a process called Temporary Labor Certification .

The H-2B program has a statutory cap of 66,000 visas per fiscal year, split evenly between the first half and second half . For 2026, the U.S. government has announced plans to add approximately 65,000 additional H-2B visas, nearly doubling the total available and providing significant opportunities for workers in construction and other seasonal industries .

To sponsor H-2B workers, roofing employers must prove their need fits one of four recognized categories . Seasonal need applies when workload follows a predictable pattern based on weather or construction season. Northern roofing companies that cannot work during winter months often qualify under this category. Peak load need involves extra workers needed beyond permanent staff to handle regularly recurring busy periods, such as additional roofers during the busy summer season. One-time occurrence applies to situations that haven’t happened before and won’t recur, like major storm damage requiring reconstruction. Intermittent need covers irregular temporary needs that aren’t seasonal or peak load, which is the most difficult category to prove.

Real Roofer Assistant Job Openings with H-2B Sponsorship for 2026

Roofers–Helpers – Illinois and Missouri

KEHRER BROTHERS WEST ROOFING INC in Albers, Illinois is hiring 20 roofers helpers for multiple work sites across Illinois and Missouri . This is an active H-2B position for the 2026 season listed on the official U.S. Department of Labor website, confirming its legitimacy .

The start date is April 1, 2026 and the position runs through December 31, 2026. The wage is $22.49 to $24.00 per hour, with overtime pay at $33.74 to $36.00 per hour . The work schedule is 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday, with one hour for lunch, totaling 40 hours per week . Up to 10 hours of overtime may be available when needed .

Housing including utilities is available for $75.00 per week and will be deducted from your paycheck weekly . The employer will provide workers at no charge all tools, supplies, and equipment required to perform the job . Workers will be paid weekly on Friday, and the employer will transport workers to and from each job location .

Job duties include assisting roofers with carrying tools and materials to and from trucks on job sites, and cleaning up work areas using shovels and brooms .

No prior experience is required for these positions .

H-2B workers will be reimbursed in the first workweek for all visa, visa processing, border crossing, and other related fees, excluding passport fees . Transportation to the place of employment will be provided or its cost reimbursed if the worker completes half of the employment period. Return transportation and subsistence will be provided if the worker completes the employment period or is dismissed early by the employer . Daily subsistence of $16.28 minimum during travel is also provided .

Interested applicants may contact the employer by mailing a resume to Dawn Kehrer, PO Box 90, Albers, IL 62215, or by applying at the Illinois Work Center located at 2005 East McCord St., Centralia, IL 62801 .

Roofer Helper – Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Roofing Solutions, LLC in Baton Rouge, Louisiana is seeking 5 roofing helpers for the 2026 season with a start date of February 1, 2026 . The wage is $24.80 per hour, with a work schedule of 6:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday through Friday . No experience is required for these positions .

Job duties include assisting in the building of roofs and erection of wall panel systems, preparing work areas by cleaning and clearing debris, setting up safety barriers, preparing substrates and roof decks for installation, and assisting in the installation of extrusions, metal clips, insulation, metal panels, waterproofing membranes, sheet metal flashings, and edge trim . Workers will unload and load construction materials and equipment, mobilize them to roofs or elevated surfaces safely, and may operate equipment such as manlifts, forklifts, extended boom forklifts, and other material hoisting equipment as required . Cleanup of the worksite is also part of the duties .

Special requirements include the ability to lift 60 pounds. Candidates must not be afraid of working on heights, as most of the time work will be performed on elevated surfaces above 12 feet . A pre-hire background check is required, and random drug testing during employment as well as pre-employment drug testing are required . All background checks and drug tests are paid for by the company .

Roofer Helper – Burbank, Ohio

El Portal Migrante lists an active roofer helper position in Burbank, Ohio with a wage of $25.94 per hour . The position runs from April 1, 2026 to December 16, 2026 and offers H-2B visa sponsorship . This listing is recent and active, as of one week ago .

Salary and Benefits for Roofer Assistant Jobs

Based on verified job listings for 2026, roofer assistants in Illinois earn $22.49 to $24.00 per hour, which translates to approximately $900 to $960 per week based on 40 hours. In Louisiana, the rate is $24.80 per hour or about $992 weekly. In Ohio, workers earn $25.94 per hour, amounting to roughly $1,038 per week. These wages are competitive within the construction industry and reflect the physically demanding nature of the work.

Additional Compensation and Protections

Workers receive overtime pay at time-and-a-half for hours over 40 per week when available . Many employers reimburse visa processing fees in the first workweek, excluding passport fees . After completing 50 percent of the contract, inbound travel costs are reimbursed . Return transportation is provided upon contract completion . Daily subsistence of $16.28 per day minimum during travel is also provided . All tools, supplies, and equipment are provided at no charge . Employers guarantee at least 75 percent of contracted work hours .

Housing and Transportation

The Illinois position offers housing including utilities for $75.00 per week, deducted from the paycheck . The employer also provides daily transportation to and from worksites . This significantly reduces living expenses and increases potential savings.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

Roofer assistant work is physically demanding and requires the ability to lift, balance, walk, stoop, handle, position, move, and manipulate materials, using static strength to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, and carry objects up to 120 pounds, sometimes with two-person assistance . Prolonged standing and frequent bending, stooping, and reaching is required daily. Work is performed at heights from ladders and scaffolds, requiring comfort working on elevated surfaces above 12 feet . Work is performed outdoors, exposed to weather elements including extreme heat, cold, rain, or sun, and requires capability to do physically strenuous labor for long hours, occasionally in extreme heat or cold .

Safety requirements include the use of personal protective equipment such as harnesses, hard hats, safety glasses, and gloves. Drug and alcohol testing may be required prior to employment, randomly during employment, and post-accident, all paid for by the employer . Pre-hire background checks may also be required .

The H-2B Sponsorship Process: Step by Step

The H-2B process is entirely employer-driven. You cannot apply independently. Your future employer must complete several steps with U.S. government agencies before you can submit your visa application .

First, the employer submits a temporary labor certification application to the Department of Labor. Before requesting H-2B classification from USCIS, the employer must apply for and receive a temporary labor certification confirming that there are not enough qualified U.S. workers available and that hiring foreign workers will not negatively affect local wages or working conditions .

After receiving the temporary labor certification, the employer files Form I-129 with USCIS. The petition must establish that the employer’s need for the worker is temporary, that employing H-2B workers will not adversely affect U.S. workers, and that there are not enough U.S. workers available .

For summer-season jobs, employer filings typically begin between October and January . Late preparation is the most common reason workers miss H-2B opportunities.

After employer approval, you will receive your job offer and petition approval details from your employer. You then complete the DS-160 online nonimmigrant visa application form. Next, you schedule and attend a visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country. Bring your valid passport, DS-160 confirmation page, approved petition details, job offer letter, two passport-size photographs, and visa fee payment receipt. If approved, you receive your visa and can travel to the U.S. You may work only for the sponsoring employer.

The entire process from employer application to your arrival typically takes several months. For summer-season jobs, preparation should begin months in advance .

H-2B Duration and Maximum Stay

The Department of Labor certifies positions for up to 10 months for seasonal, peak load, or intermittent need positions . Workers can stay up to three years total, with extensions possible in increments of up to one year, capped at three years total . After three years, workers must leave the U.S. and cannot return on H-2B status until they have been outside the country for three consecutive months .

Eligibility Requirements for Roofer Assistant Jobs

You must be at least 18 years old due to hazardous materials . No formal education is required for entry-level positions. Experience requirements vary, but positions like the Illinois listing accept candidates with no prior experience . Basic English is helpful for workplace safety and communication. Physical fitness is essential, as you must be able to lift up to 120 pounds, work at heights, and perform strenuous labor in various weather conditions . You must be admissible under U.S. immigration law with no disqualifying criminal convictions.

Regarding nationality, H-2B visas are available only to nationals of countries designated annually by the U.S. government. Historically eligible countries have included Mexico, Jamaica, El Salvador, Honduras, and Colombia. Applicants should always verify eligibility before applying .

Important Rules and Worker Rights

A critical rule is that you cannot be charged any recruitment or placement fee. The USCIS explicitly prohibits the collection of any job placement fee, fee for breach of contract, or other fee related to H-2B employment . If you are asked to pay for a job offer, it is a scam.

The employer must pay I-129 petition fees, recruitment and advertising costs, visa fee reimbursement in the first workweek, inbound travel reimbursement after completing 50 percent of contract, return transportation upon contract completion, daily subsistence during travel, and all tools, supplies, and equipment . The worker may pay passport fees, travel to the embassy for interview, passport photos, and the visa application fee at the consulate.

Your rights as an H-2B worker include being paid at least the promised prevailing wage, overtime for hours over 40 per week when available, a guarantee of at least three-fourths of workdays in each 12-week period, safe and healthy workplaces meeting OSHA standards, and freedom from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation for reporting violations . You have access to enforcement agencies like the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division to lodge complaints.

How to Find Genuine Roofer Assistant Jobs with H-2B Sponsorship

Use official government job portals such as SeasonalJobs.dol.gov, which lists employers that have received temporary labor certification from the U.S. Department of Labor . El Portal Migrante at elportalmigrante.org lists H-2A and H-2B positions with verified employers . State workforce agency websites are also valuable, as many states require employers to advertise H-2B vacancies locally before hiring foreign workers .

Target the right states with active construction seasons, including Illinois, Missouri, Louisiana, Ohio, and others with roofing demand . Work with licensed overseas recruitment agencies. Most H-2B employers do not recruit directly abroad, instead appointing authorized foreign agents to source workers . Reputable agencies only place candidates with employers that already hold approved labor certifications.

Try search terms such as “roofer helper,” “roofers helpers,” “helper roofer,” and “construction helper roofing.” Each job posting includes specific application instructions. Follow them precisely by mailing resumes to employer addresses, applying at state workforce centers, and including required documentation with your application .

Step-by-Step Application Summary

Phase 1: Preparation

Check your eligibility to ensure your country is on the H-2B eligible nations list . Gain experience if needed, though some positions accept candidates with no experience . Prepare your documents including a valid passport and any relevant certificates. Get physically fit for demanding construction work requiring heavy lifting, heights, and outdoor labor. Learn basic English for workplace safety and communication. Save money for visa application fees and initial expenses.

Phase 2: Job Search

Research target states including Illinois, Missouri, Louisiana, Ohio, and other states with active construction seasons . Use official portals like SeasonalJobs.dol.gov and El Portal Migrante . Apply through listed channels and follow instructions precisely. Never pay for job applications. Be patient as the process from employer application to arrival takes months.

Phase 3: Interview and Job Offer

Participate in interviews by phone or video. Review your contract carefully, confirming wages, duration, housing, and visa reimbursement terms. Understand that the employer must file an H-2B petition first; you cannot apply without an approved petition .

Phase 4: Visa Processing

Your employer files the USCIS petition and receives approval. You complete the DS-160 online application. Schedule an embassy interview in your home country. Attend the interview with all required documents. Receive your visa and travel within the validity period.

Phase 5: Work and Return

Start your job with the sponsoring employer. Keep records of pay stubs, employment documents, and copies of all contracts. Track your hours to ensure you’re paid correctly including overtime. Complete your contract as you are expected to return home after. Receive visa fee reimbursement in your first workweek . Receive return transportation as required by law upon contract completion .

Frequently Asked Questions

Are roofer assistant jobs with visa sponsorship real for 2026?

Yes. Multiple verified listings exist on official government portals including the U.S. Department of Labor website . The KEHRER BROTHERS position in Illinois alone has 20 openings starting April 2026, and the U.S. government has announced plans to add approximately 65,000 additional H-2B visas for 2026, nearly doubling the total available .

Do I need experience?

Many positions accept candidates with no experience. The Illinois listing requires no experience . The Louisiana position also accepts candidates with no experience .

What salary can I expect?

Based on verified 2026 listings, roofer assistants earn $22 to $26 per hour, with the Illinois position offering $22.49 to $24.00 per hour, Louisiana offering $24.80 per hour, and Ohio offering $25.94 per hour .

Is accommodation provided?

The Illinois position offers housing including utilities for $75.00 per week deducted from the paycheck . Other listings do not explicitly mention housing, but some employers may offer assistance.

Do I need to speak English?

Basic English is helpful for workplace safety and communication. The job listings are in English, indicating that English is the working language on construction sites.

What physical requirements are needed?

You must be able to lift up to 120 pounds, work at heights above 12 feet, stand for long periods, and work in all weather conditions including extreme heat and cold .

How long can I work?

Up to 10 months per year, with a maximum of three years total .

Is there a path to permanent residency?

No, the H-2B visa is strictly temporary with no direct green card pathway . After a maximum of three years, you must depart and remain outside the U.S. for three consecutive months before applying again .

Can my family come with me?

H-2B visas are for individual workers. Dependents may receive H-4 status but cannot work .

Final Honest Summary

Roofer Assistant Jobs in the USA for Immigrants: Roofer assistant jobs with visa sponsorship are real, with verified listings on official government portals including the U.S. Department of Labor website . The H-2B visa is used for temporary non-agricultural workers, and roofer assistants are explicitly covered under this program . Employers sponsor visas by filing petitions and reimbursing your visa fees after you start work .

You can expect salaries of $22 to $26 per hour, with the Illinois position offering $22.49 to $24.00 per hour, Louisiana offering $24.80 per hour, and Ohio offering $25.94 per hour . The Illinois position offers housing for $75.00 per week and daily transportation .

No experience is needed for many positions, including the Illinois and Louisiana openings . Basic English is helpful but not always mandatory. You can work up to 10 months per year, with a maximum of three years total . There is no direct path to permanent residency through the H-2B visa.

This pathway is realistic for workers who connect with legitimate employers through official channels like SeasonalJobs.dol.gov and El Portal Migrante, meet physical requirements including lifting up to 120 pounds and working at heights, have basic physical fitness and willingness to learn, and follow proper procedures. The U.S. construction industry needs dedicated workers, and the 2026 season is actively recruiting with multiple employers seeking workers for positions starting in February and April 2026 .

Your success depends on finding legitimate employers through official government portals, being physically prepared for demanding work at heights, meeting physical requirements, never paying for job offers, and having patience as the process from employer application to arrival takes several months.

Start your search now through official government portals, target states with active construction seasons like Illinois, Missouri, Louisiana, and Ohio, and follow each job’s specific application instructions carefully. The U.S. roofing industry needs dedicated roofer assistants like you.