A 51-year-old earns more than $70,000 in a highly sought-after job in the U.S., without needing a degree.

The Ditching the Degree series by CNBC Make It features women who have achieved six-figure careers without a bachelor's degree and share their success secrets. If you have a story to share, email us at [email protected].

Bridgette Tena, who has one of the most dangerous jobs in the world, says she couldn't be happier.

In Santa Fe, New Mexico, there is a 51-year-old woman who works as a roofer, part of the small percentage of women in the U.S. construction industry.

While roofing is one of the fastest-growing jobs in the U.S., with nearly 15,000 jobs expected to be added each year over the next decade, it also faces the second-highest rate of fatal work injuries among all occupations, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

"Tena tells CNBC Make It that working in this field is challenging, but it's also incredibly rewarding. In fact, she considers it the coolest job ever and is passionate about her work."

Four years ago, Tena began working as a roof builder and repairer to increase her real estate broker income and gain knowledge about the construction industry.

In February 2021, she started her own roofing business, B. Barela Construction.

According to financial documents reviewed by CNBC Make It, B. Barela Construction is projected to generate over $200,000 in revenue in 2024, surpassing the $180,000 revenue recorded last year.

Her income from both B. Barela Construction and real estate exceeds $70,000 (she declined to disclose her specific salary).

Tena aims to expand her business into a full-time career as she approaches her fourth year in operation.

Tena discovered a job she adores and established a profitable business without a bachelor's degree.

'It's such a man's world'

Tena says that she was "destined" to work in construction as her uncle and grandfather were both general contractors. "It's something that was always tugging at my heart, but it took me years to finally chase that dream and follow that career path," she says.

Between 1995 and 2002, she attended Santa Fe Community College on and off while fluctuating between pursuing a career in business, law, or real estate, ultimately failing to complete her bachelor's degree.

Tena, after graduating from college, worked as a receptionist in a local realtor's office in Santa Fe and eventually earned both her realtor and real estate broker licenses.

While realtors are licensed to assist people in buying, selling, and renting real estate and must work for a sponsoring broker or brokerage firm, brokers have additional training and can work independently or hire other real estate agents to work for them.

Tena spent over a decade as a broker but found the job unfulfilling. She soon realized that she was meant to be outdoors, not confined to an office.

She didn't start working in construction sooner because "it's such a man's world."

Tena states that she never witnessed anyone who resembled her working in the field, and as a woman, she found it terrifying and intimidating to enter that line of work alone.

Scaling a side hustle into a six-figure business

Tena started apprenticing with a general contractor on construction projects in 2016.

During the pandemic lockdown of 2020, she was motivated to become a general contractor in New Mexico and obtained her license in just a few weeks after completing the certification process. To become a general contractor in New Mexico, one must pass a trade-specific exam and demonstrate at least two years of work experience with a licensed contractor in the state.

During the lockdown, Tena focused on developing a business and marketing plan, honing her installation and repair skills on a shed in her backyard, and exploring potential names for her roofing enterprise.

In February 2021, Tena officially launched B. Barela Construction, a company she founded less than a year after obtaining her license. The name of the company is a tribute to her grandfather, Lino Barela, who inspired her to pursue a career in roofing and construction.

Tena has since then pursued specialized licenses to expand her business offerings. In 2023, she attended a free two-week GAF Roofing Academy training program in Denver, Colorado, which was exclusively for women.

Tena obtained a roofing certificate that encompasses shingle installation and roof coating, among other competencies.

To become a roofer in the U.S., most states mandate a local license and an apprenticeship or on-the-job training, although the specific requirements may differ from state to state.

Tena says that the start-up costs for becoming a roofer, including training, licensing, and equipment, can range from $1,000 to $5,000 or more. She spent about $20,000 of her personal savings to launch her roofing business.

Experienced roofing contractors in the U.S. can earn upwards of $100,000 per year, which may justify the initial investment required to become a roofing contractor.

Tena notes that running your own roofing business can provide even greater earning potential, as you have the freedom to set prices and take on more customers. She explains that there is currently a high demand for roofers due to backlogs resulting from the pandemic and supply chain issues.

Tena quickly gained business, she claims, due to her familiarity with Santa Fe and her extensive network of builders, construction foremen, and potential customers from her experience in real estate.

An 'underrated' job

Tena works from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and is available for emergency repairs during evenings and weekends.

Tena, a professional, spends her days climbing up ladders to work on commercial buildings and homes that are 8 to 30 feet high. She and her team remove old roofs, install new shingles, or repair holes while wearing protective equipment such as a hard hat, thick leather gloves, safety harness, and other gear to minimize injury.

She employs four full-time staff and nearly a dozen contractors, many of whom are women, with her mother and daughter frequently assisting on larger projects.

"Tena recalls the time when they arrived with an all-women crew and one customer asked, "Where are the roofers?" Tena responded, "We are," but the customer replied, "No, the men." Tena told the girls to let it roll off their back and create an inclusive environment for women in construction."

While roofing may not be a popular career choice among young professionals, Tena believes it's an "underrated" field that offers a lot of stability and fulfillment.

"Roofers will always be in demand because people need a place to live, and protecting homes is a crucial job. It's challenging to find the same level of satisfaction in many other professions."

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